Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

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Vegan Queso is a quick and easy dip made with cashews, green chilies, nutritional yeast and warm spices for a deliciously thick, creamy condiment to pair with tortilla chips or veggie sticks!

Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (1)

Dips are a perfect center for a variety of chips, veggies, and crackers. You may already be familiar with this Vegan 7 Layer Dip, Vegan French Onion Dip, Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip, or Vegan Ranch. All delicious in every way!

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Why We Love This Recipe!

Now I would like to introduce to you the best cashew queso that’s dairy-free, plant-based dip and rivals any other cheese-filled dip. It’s absolutely creamy and delicious, and you won’t miss a thing!

This easy vegan queso dip is ready in about 15 minutes and is well suited for game day, movie night, parties, or whenever you are craving a savory ‘cheesy’ style dip!

It’s a perfect centerpiece for a platter of tortilla chips. Or if you’re in the mood for fresh, veggie sticks would be great too!

Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2)

Ingredient Notes

Here is everything you will need, plus variations when possible:

  • Raw cashews – You can find raw cashews in bulk at Sprouts or Whole Foods, or packaged from Trader Joe’s. I often purchase them online from Amazon for ease:Terrasoul CashewsorAnthony’s Cashews(affiliate links).
  • Green chilies – Keep it easy by using canned chile peppers.
  • Garlic – Both fresh cloves of garlic or garlic powder will work.
  • Nutritional yeast – Adds a savory flavor, but can be optional. I used 1 tablespoon here and it was perfect).
  • Cumin – Use to taste
  • Chili powder – You can sub with regular paprika. If you’re feeling bold, try using smoked paprika or chipotle powder.
  • Salt – As always, salt to taste (I used 1/2 teaspoon mineral salt).
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How To Make Vegan Queso

Here is a quick look at the process (Note – The full printable recipe is at the bottom of this post):

  • Soak the cashews. I like to soak my cashews covered in hot water for 5 minutes. This helps them soften up nicely and blend into pure creamy perfection. To help with digestion, it’s recommended to soak them for up to 2 hours in cool water. Soaking can be optional.
  • Blend the ingredients. Add the cashews, water, garlic, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, and salt to the blender cup. Blend until creamy, about 1 – 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Taste for flavor.
  • Warm it up (optional). For warm vegan queso, pour queso dip into an oven-safe bowl, cover with tin foil, and place in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F. for 10 – 15 minutes.

Recommended equipment: I love using my NutriBullet (affiliate link) for small jobs like this. It’s compact, easy to clean, and packs plenty of power for such a small appliance.

Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (4)

Top Tips

  • Make it chunky. Instead of adding the green chile peppers when blending, stir them in after the vegan queso dip has been blended. This will make for a chunkier style dip. You may even like to add finely diced red bell pepper, tomatoes, or jalapeno for color!
  • Add toppings. For color, texture, and an extra yum factor, top with sliced or diced, jalapeno, red bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, and/or cilantro.
  • Add more spices. Feel free to adjust the amount of spices to suit your taste.

How To Store

Refrigerator: Leftovers can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 6 – 7 days.

Freezer: For longer storage, vegan queso can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months using freezer-safe containers. Let thaw in the refrigerator overnight, give a good stir before serving or warming.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this savory dip as an appetizer to any of these delicious recipes. Here are a few of our favorites from TSV:

  • Salad:Serve alongside or use as a dressing for this Southwestern Salad or Southwest Chickpea Salad.
  • Soup: Pair with a bowl of this Vegan Pozole or Tex-Mex Vegetable Quinoa Soup.
  • Tacos: Make it a starter for these Roasted Poblano Tacos, Vegan Black Bean Tacos, or Buffalo Chickpea Tacos.
  • Burgers: Pair with Smoky Black Bean Burgers or Sante Fe Black Bean Burgers.
  • Meal bowls: It would be delicious drizzled in this Nacho Bowl, Vegan Burrito Bowl, or Kale + Black Bean Burrito Bowl.
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If you try this queso recipe or have a question, please let me know!Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.

Print

Vegan Queso

Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (7)
Print Recipe

The best vegan queso is made with cashews, green chilies, and warm spices, creating a healthy dip made with whole food plant based ingredients and ready in minutes!

  • Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Total Time: 15 min
  • Yield: Serves 6 – 8 1x
  • Category: Condiment, Appetizer
  • Method: puree
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex, Mexican
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1/23/4 cup water
  • 1 clove garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 12 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 4oz can green chile peppers
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 salt, or to taste

Instructions

Soak the cashews. I like to soak my cashews covered in hot water for 5 minutes. This helps them soften up nicely and blend into pure creamy perfect. To help with digestion, it’s recommended to soak them for up to 2 hours in cool water. Soaking can be optional.

Blend the ingredients. Add the cashews, 1/2 cup water, garlic, nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, and salt to the blender cup. Blend until creamy, about 1 – 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Add more water as needed. Taste for flavor.

Warm it up (optional). For a warm vegan queso, pour queso dip into an oven safe bowl, cover with tin foil, and place in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees F. for 10 – 15 minutes. Alternatively, warm in the microwave, uncovered, using 30 second intervals, stirring after each until warmed through.

Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature with your favorite tortilla chips or veggie sticks. For color and texture top with sliced or diced, jalapeno, red bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions and/or cilantro.

Makes about 1 1/4 cups

Serves 4 – 6

Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 – 7 days, in a covered container. Give a good stir before serving.

Notes

If you find you want more flavor, bump up the spices a bit to suit your taste.

For a chunky style queso dip, instead of adding the green chile peppers when blending, stir them in after the dip has been blended. You may even like to add finely diced tomatoes or red bell pepper for color.

Nightshade free: To make queso nightshade free, simply omit the diced green chilies and chili powder. In place of the chili powder, use 1/2 teaspoon EACH garlic & onion powder. Also make the cumin a heaping teaspoon.

Nutritional values are estimates only. See ourfull nutrition disclosure here.

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Best Vegan Queso (Quick + Easy Recipe) - The Simple Veganista (2024)

FAQs

Why put evaporated milk in queso? ›

Evaporated milk works best in queso because it doesn't have that excess of water and it can help your dip reach a delicate balance between super thick and too thin. (As in you're not constantly having to alternate between adding more milk and then more cheese.)

Is vegan cheese anti-inflammatory? ›

Taste and Nutrition. Containing oilseed and plant milk, vegan cheeses are rich in minerals (magnesium) and antioxidants, and they possess anti-inflammatory properties, all of which protect against damage caused by free radicals.

What is vegan ricotta made of? ›

In general, there are two main methods for making vegan ricotta: one with soy milk and the other with blended nuts and tofu. They are both delicious. However, we recommend you try the soy milk method, which yields ricotta that is ridiculously similar to real Italian ricotta.

What is vegan cheese made of in the UK? ›

Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

Can I use condensed milk instead of evaporated milk for queso? ›

Missing evaporated milk for some Queso-Filled Mini Peppers, and all you have is condensed? Then it's a no. Sugary sweet condensed milk will ruin savory dishes, so try a substitution if you're whipping up a dish at the last minute.

What is a substitute for evaporated milk in queso? ›

Thus, heavy cream can easily be substituted for recipes that call for evaporated milk. How to Substitute: For 12 ounces of evaporated milk, combine 3 ounces of whole milk and 9 ounces of heavy cream.

Is it OK to eat vegan cheese everyday? ›

In June 2022, the Daily Mail published an article titled: “Un-brie-lievable! Vegan cheese has 'little nutritional value' and eating too much may raise risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, expert says.”

Why not to eat cheese vegan? ›

Vegans do not eat cheese or any other dairy products because they are derived from animals. Dairy products involve the exploitation of animals for their milk, and so cheese made from animal milk is not considered part of a vegan diet.

Is too much vegan cheese bad for you? ›

Plant-based cheese is almost 10% saltier than regular cheddar and equally high in saturated fat, despite its perceived “health halo”, Action on Salt has warned. The organisation found that plant-based cheeses have the highest salt levels, containing an average of 1.91g per 100g.

Can Vegans eat feta cheese? ›

The answer here is a pretty straightforward no. As feta cheese is made from the milk of sheep and sometimes goats it isn't suitable for anyone on a fully plant-based diet. Vegans will not only abstain from eating meat, but also all animal products or other foods that are made with the use of byproducts too.

Is goat cheese vegan? ›

Most goat cheeses are considered vegetarian-friendly, however, some may contain animal rennet. Hard goat cheeses like feta, asiago, and cheddar are generally safe, but check the ingredients list to be sure. Soft varieties like chevre and Boursin may contain animal rennet so it's best to confirm before consuming.

What is the best non-dairy cheese? ›

Violife. Violife is the kingpin of vegan cheeses — and for good reason. The brand manufactures numerous vegan cheese products including mozzarella, cheddar, and Mexican-style shreds, vegan cream cheese alternatives, mature cheddar cheese slices, cheese alternative dips, feta, and shaved parmesan.

Can vegans eat hummus? ›

Hummus is a vegan staple that allows you to have some versatility in your diet. It's an immensely popular food amongst vegans so you may have found a new favourite yourself. It's available in a wide range of flavours and is very versatile in the kitchen so you can experiment with it if you wish to.

Why is vegan cheese so expensive? ›

The production of vegan cheese can be costlier than that of traditional dairy cheese due to the higher prices of plant-based ingredients and the additional processing steps involved.

What does adding evaporated milk do? ›

But when left in its thickened, low-moisture canned state, it can also stand in for milk or heavy cream as an enriching agent. Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal.

What keeps queso from hardening? ›

You could add sodium citrate to the cheese sauce to help prevent it from breaking. If you just melt cheese it begins to harden as soon as it starts to cool. If you want it to stay liquid you need to emulsify it with something.

What makes queso thicker? ›

Making a slurry with cornstarch and cold milk is how you will thicken your queso. A traditional slurry is a 1:1 liquid to cornstarch ratio, but for our queso purposes I used 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of milk.

How do you keep homemade queso from separating? ›

Usually, when cheese melts, the fat and proteins begin to separate, but sodium citrate “binds them together so that when they melt, they do it evenly and hom*ogeneously,” Vaculin explains. Keeping the mixture hom*ogenized ensures that this queso fundido can stand the test of time.

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