Creamy Jalapeño Dip (Vegan)

Name: Creamy Jalapeño Dip (Vegan)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews; 1 cup hot water; 1/2 cup unsweetened nut milk; 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed, stems mostly removed; 1 lime, juiced (about 1 1/2 tablespoons); 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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This Creamy Jalapeño Dip is the best dairy-free jalapeño cilantro dip! You only need six ingredients and the spice level is totally customizable. This easy vegan dip also works as a sauce, dressing or spread!

If you’re looking for a spicy jalapeño dip without any mayo, cream cheese, sour cream or cheese, you’ll love this simple jalapeño cilantro dip. It has a cashew base and it’s easy to make, super tasty and made with real ingredients.

Once you give this one a try, I also highly recommend this cashew queso and this dairy-free buffalo chicken dip.

Jalapeño dip in a small black bowl with cilantro leaves surrounding it.

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

You just need 6 ingredients.
It’s creamy without sour cream, mayonnaise or cream cheese.
The spice level is adjustable to your taste.
It’s versatile – use it as a dip, spread, sauce or even dressing.
And it can pretty much go with anything!

If you love jalapeño, lime and cilantro together, you’ll also love this jalapeño vinaigrette!

Ingredients for spicy jalapeño dip

Raw cashews
Nut milk
Cilantro
Fresh lime juice
Jalapeño
Sea salt

Ingredients to make jalapeño dipping sauce arranged on a grey surface.

How to make jalapeño cilantro dip

Soak your cashews in hot water for about half an hour.
Drain the water. Add the cashews and the other ingredients to a blender or food processor.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to soak the cashews?

Yes, soaking the cashews softens them and helps create a creamy dip texture.

How spicy is this dip?

This dip is moderately spicy. I use half a jalapeño without the seeds. If you like it a little less spicy, just use a quarter of a jalapeño. If you like it spicier, use the full jalapeño or add the seeds too. Much of the heat comes from the seeds.

Can you use bottled lime juice?

If you don’t have fresh lime juice, you can use the same amount of bottled lime juice. Just make sure it says pure lime juice on the label.

Is this dip meant to be served hot or cold?

This is a cold jalapeño dip. You can try warming it in the oven or microwave but I haven’t tested it, so I’m not sure how the texture would hold up.

How long will this dip last?

If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this dip should last for 4-5 days.

Vegan jalapeño dip in serving cups with a plate of home fries.

Recipe tips and substitutions

For any cashew dip, I always suggest a high-powered food processor or blender. If your blender or food processor isn’t powerful, you’ll just have to blend the mixture for a bit longer and it might not get as creamy. I also suggest soaking the cashews over night instead of just for 30 minutes.
For the creamiest and thickest texture, I like to blend this dip in my smaller smoothie cup that came with my blender. It’s just the right size and blitzes the dip in seconds!
This recipe makes about a cup, so if you’re serving a crowd or would like to make a batch for the week, I suggest doubling the recipe.
If you’d like to use the dip as a sauce or salad dressing, just add more nut milk, lime juice or water to thin it out a bit.
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, try using fresh parsley instead. It will change the taste slightly, but the dip will still have the same great texture and colour.

Up-close view of creamy jalapeño dip in a small bowl with a serving spoon.

Ways to serve this jalapeño sauce/dip

Use it as a chip dip for air fryer tortilla chips or air fryer pita chips.

Serve it as a side dip with turnip fries, roasted potatoes or potato wedges.

Spread it on turkey burgers or add it to the top of veggie nachos, tofu tacos or taco cups.

Thin it out a bit and use it as a dressing for this spicy salmon pasta salad, these zucchini noodle bowls or these turkey meatball quinoa bowls.

Use it as the creamy dressing for coleslaw to top these fish tacos.

Add a dollop to these ground beef fajitas.

More dairy-free dips

If you give this Creamy Jalapeño Dip a try, I’d love to hear how you use it in the comments below!

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