Cashew Queso is a thick and creamy vegan dip with a hint of spicy chilis and lots of smokey flavor. You can devour it as a straight up chip dip or pour it over your favorite nachos. Thanks to the cashews and nutritional yeast, you'd never say this 'cheesy' dip is dairy-free!
If you love cheesy dips without all the cheese and cream cheese, you'll also love this dairy-free buffalo chicken dip!
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*This post was originally published in May 2019. It has been updated with new text including helpful tips for readers. The recipe remains the same.
I'm absolutely hooked on the creaminess of cashew dips. If you have sensitivities to dairy and can't enjoy dips with cream cheese or sour cream, cashew dips are a great alternative. Here are a few we enjoy all the time:
Why you'll love this cashew queso
- It's completely vegan. Yes, creamy and 'cheesy' without any dairy.
- The spice level is adjustable to your taste.
- It's versatile, so you can use it as a chip dip, spread, or as a sauce for nachos and tacos.
Details on the ingredients
- Cashews - I used raw and unsalted whole cashews. I haven't tested the recipe with roasted cashews. While I don't think it would affect the texture, it may affect the taste of the queso.
- Hot water - For soaking and softening the cashews for the blender.
- Nut milk - I normally use almond or cashew milk. Just make sure it's unsweetened and unflavored.
- Nutritional yeast - Adds a cheesy flavor to the queso without using any cheese.
- Smoked paprika - The smokiness adds a nacho flavor to the queso. If you substitute regular paprika you will not get the desired flavor in this queso.
- Baby tomatoes - For some added veggies, I usually blend in some grape or cherry tomatoes. They also help thin out the thick queso.
- Chopped green chilies - Just a small can of chilies adds a punch of flavor that complements the smokey queso.
- Garlic gloves - Just a few for added flavor. Feel free to add more to suit your taste.
- Crushed red pepper flakes - Just a little for some extra spicy flavor. If the queso is spicy enough for you, just leave it out.
- Salt - For added flavor. Add more or less to suit your taste.
How to make vegan queso
Soak the cashews in hot water for 30 minutes. This softens them up so your blender doesn't have to work so hard to create that smooth and creamy texture.
Once soaked, drain the cashews and add them to your blender along with the milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, smoked paprika and salt. Blend on high until creamy.
Add the fresh tomatoes and pulse until they are blended but some little pieces remain.
Stir in the chilies and red pepper flakes. For a less chunky queso, you can blend in the chilis.
Serve immediately, or warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
How to serve dairy-free queso
- Dip those chips in there! These air fryer tortilla chips or air fryer pita chips go perfectly with this homemade queso.
- Use it as a vegan nacho cheese and pour it over your favorite nachos, fajitas and tacos. We love it with these loaded veggie nachos, taco cups, pulled pork breakfast nachos and ground beef fajitas.
- Add a generous scoop to your vegan chili or chicken fajita soup and stir it around for added flavor and texture.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, soaking the cashews softens them and helps them blend together to create a creamy texture. This is especially important if you don't have a powerful blender.
Yes, and a high-powered blender works best. If your blender isn't powerful enough to blend the cashews into a smooth consistency, try blending them in batches or soak the cashews for a longer period of time. You can also use a food processor but, in my experience, the queso doesn't get quite as creamy.
If it is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator it should last for 3-4 days. It will thicken a bit in the fridge, so you may need to stir in 1-2 tablespoons of nut milk to thin it out. Some liquid separation may occur in the queso after a few days, but this is totally okay. Just stir the queso to mix it together.
The great thing about this queso is that you can serve it hot or cold. If you're serving it cold, just pour it into a bowl and enjoy right away or store it covered in the refrigerator for later. To serve it warm, just heat it on a low heat in a skillet or sauce pan on the stovetop or microwave it. Stir it frequently to ensure it doesn't burn around the edges. You want it warmed but not bubbling hot.
Additional recipe tips
- This queso is not overly spicy. It's actually more smokey than spicy, so if you like things spicier, just add some more red pepper flakes, or substitute chili powder for some of the smoked paprika.
- Add some finely chopped jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
- If you like it less spicy, just leave out the red pepper flakes.
- Make sure you use smoked paprika, not regular paprika. Smoked paprika adds a distinct smokey flavor to the queso.
- Instead of fresh tomatoes, you can use half a cup of canned diced tomatoes. Just make sure they are drained well. If they're salted, you may need to reduce the amount of salt you add to the queso.
- I like to stir the chilies in for a chunky queso, but you can also blend them in.
- This queso is thick (especially after it is refrigerated), so you can blend or stir in some more nut milk to thin it out.
- This recipe makes a large batch of queso. We often half the recipe when we're making it for two.
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below!
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📖 Recipe
Cashew Queso
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened nut milk
- ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
- 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, more for garnish
- 1 can (4 oz) green chilies
Instructions
- Add the cashews and hot water to a glass dish and let soak for 30 minutes.
- Drain cashews and add to blender, along with nut milk, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, salt and garlic. Blend on high until smooth and creamy.
- Add tomatoes and pulse a few times until blended but some small pieces remain.
- Stir in the red pepper flakes and green chilis.
- Enjoy it cold by serving right away or chilling in the refrigerator for later. Serve it warm by heating on the stove top or in the microwave.
- Garnish with more red pepper flakes and serve with chips or pour over nachos.
Notes
- If you like a spicier queso, just add some more red pepper flakes, or substitute chili powder for some of the smoked paprika. You can also add some finely chopped jalapeños for an extra kick.
- If you like it less spicy, just leave out the red pepper flakes.
- Make sure you use smoked paprika, not regular paprika.
- A high-powered blender works best, but if you don't have one, just blend the ingredients in two batches, soak the cashews longer or use a food processor.
- This queso is thick (especially after it is refrigerated), so you can blend or stir in some more nut milk to thin it out.
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Nutrition Facts per Serving
Disclaimer
Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary depending on the substitutions made and the brands used.
Did you make this recipe or have any questions?
I love reading your comments and addressing your questions, so please leave your comments and ratings or questions below!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
This sounds so cheesy delicious, Leanne! I'm excited to give it a try and make a meal out of it with some chips 🙂
Leanne says
Definitely worthy of a meal! 😉 Thanks Katherine!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs says
Thank you for such a delicious recipe Leanne! I made this queso for the Super Bowl this year and it was a hit! Even with my very skeptical, cheese loving husband. I will definitely make it again!
Leanne says
I'm so happy to hear that! My cheese loving husband enjoys this one too!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Leanne, this queso looks amazing and so flavorful! Can't believe it's dairy free! Awesome!
Heidi - The Frugal Girls says
This looks amazing, Leanne! Being lactose-intolerant, I love that it's dairy free!
marcie says
Can you believe that I've never had queso, dairy free or otherwise? I think that needs to change. 🙂 That's so great that this is dairy free for healthier dipping!
Marissa says
Yum, Leanne! I love cashew cream, but have only used it in soups. Love the idea of turning into a vegan queso!
Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats says
I totally agree with everyone re: the smoked paprika - such a game changer. Also is it ok that I'd like to smother this beautiful vegan queso all over a very non-vegan burger?
annie@ciaochowbambina says
The perfect complement to those delicious chips!! Nothing like a good dip!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
Smoked paprika is the best, isn't it!? I am so making this one, Leanne! Maybe even in the next 10 minutes, haha if I have all of the ingredients. It is Cinco de Mayo after all 😉 I adore nutritional yeast! So good, my friend!! XO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I cannot wait to try this. I'm all about creamy dips and I love that my dairy-free friends and family can enjoy this too. Sounds delicious! Have a great weekend, Leanne!
Ros @ ZenHealth says
I've been doing the dairy free thing for a couple months now but cheese has been difficult for me to replace. I'll definitely be trying this!
Jeff the Chef says
This dip sounds very interesting. I'll bet it's great with those chips.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
I love smoked paprika Leanne! You're exactly right, your chips will go perfectly with this queso dip! A match made in heaven and fabulous for Cinco de Mayo!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
I love smoked paprika! Definitely one of my favorite spices and Trader Joe's keeps it super cheap for 1.99! Love it. This dip looks PERFECT for Cinco De Mayo!! It's lighter than normal queso which means I can have an extra marg, right? Ha! Jk. But really, this looks so creamy and delicious! Great job, Leanne!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
We regularly use and stock smoked paprika too. It's a go to spice for us...so much flavour! I am definitely a cheese lover, like your hubby, but regularly enjoy cashew or bean based dips because they're so dang good (and, um, balance). This one looks perfect for the upcoming weekend. Just pass the chips!
Terry says
Wow..looks delicious...can’t believe it’s dairy free!! Great pics to by the way