Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (2024)

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (1)

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

Vegan Queso is our newest obsession! This dairy-free queso recipe is made with cashews, nutritional yeast, spices, spicy tomatoes, and more. It is SO shockingly delicious. You have to give it a try to believe it! I never thought I’d be a fan of Vegan Queso, but this recipe made me a believer.

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (2)

Table of Contents

Vegan Queso Dip Recipe

This Vegan Queso Recipe is blowing my mind. Who knew I could love a Dairy Free Queso so much?!

I know, I know…it seems a bit strange for me to post a healthy queso recipe. I’m ALL about the cheese and you guys are well aware. But guess what…it’s a new year and that means we should all be open to making little changes that can make our lives healthier and happier!

I have wanted to try a dairy-free cheese dipfor some time, and I thought January was just the time to give it a whirl. This VEGAN QUESO has absolutely knocked my cheese loving socks off and I hope you give it a try.

From one cheese lover to another, it’s so refreshing to find a recipe that is healthier, doesn’t leave me with that stomach ache too much chips and queso can bring, and tastes absolutely INSANELY delish. You have to taste it to believe it!

This Vegan Queso will blow your mind! Who knew a dairy-free queso dip could be SO creamy and taste so cheesy?

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (3)

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (4)

Dairy-Free Queso Dip

Dairy-free recipes don’t have to be hard or lacking flavor. This Vegan Queso proves that you can have your cake and eat it too.

My mom has been telling my brother and me our entire lives that we are just a little bit lactose intolerant. You know the feeling…you dig into a bowl of ice cream or indulge in way too many cheese sticks and all of a sudden your stomach is hurting way more than it should. I have always just looked the other way, because I LOVE CHEESE.

Finding a recipe like this Vegan Queso dip can be life changing because I don’t feel like I’m giving anything up! It almost feels like a lie…because it tastes SO much like my favorite cheese dips. It still has all the spice, tomatoes, cilantro…but none of the dairy. None of the stomach aches. Like I said…Vegan Queso, you’ve got to try it!

If vegan isn’t your thing, we have lots of other queso recipes that might make you happy.Be sure to try our Loaded Velveeta Queso Dip (Cowboy Dip), Crock Pot Queso Fundido, Beer Cheese Dip (Only 3 Ingredients!), Best Ever White Queso Dip. Whew…I love cheese!

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (5)

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (6)

What is Nutritional Yeast?

What is Nutritional Yeast and how does it help this Vegan Queso Recipe taste like real and creamy cheese dip?

According to Wikipedia:

Nutritional yeastis a deactivatedyeast, often a strain ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, which is sold commercially as a food product. It is sold in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder and can be found in the bulk aisle of mostnatural food stores. It is popular withvegansandvegetariansand may be used as an ingredient in recipes or as acondiment.

Nutritional yeast has a strong flavor that is described as nutty, cheesy, or creamy, which makes it popular as an ingredient incheesesubstitutes. It is often used by vegans in place of cheese,for example in mashed and fried potatoes, atop “scrambled” tofu, or as a topping forpopcorn.

So there you have it. Nutritional Yeast in this Vegan Queso fools our minds and taste buds into thinking we are eating creamy cheese dip!

How to Make Vegan Queso

There are two secret ingredients in this Dairy Free Queso Dip that make it both healthy and delicious: cashews and Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast. The cashews add to the consistency, and the Nutritional Yeast fools you into thinking you’re snacking on hot queso. OBSESSED. Bob’s Red Mill just really has it all, and always knocks it out of the park for me. Have you ever used this product before? I hadn’t…but now I’m hooked!

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (7)

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (8)

This Dairy Free Queso is the perfect healthier alternative to all the big game tailgating we are all about to do. Bring this to any party and feel great about what you’re serving your friends…they don’t even need to know it’s secretly better for you! New year new US!

See the recipe card below for full details on How To Make Vegan Queso Dip. Enjoy!

If you like this vegan queso dip, try these other vegan, dairy-free, & lactose-intolerant-friendly recipes:

  • Vegan Chili Recipe
  • Cereal Milk Breakfast Smoothies
  • Vegan Pumpkin Soup

Recipe

Vegan Queso - Dairy Free Queso Recipe

4.85 from 13 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 15 minutes minutes

Total: 20 minutes minutes

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (9)

This Vegan Queso will blow your mind! Who knew a dairy-free queso dip could be SO creamy and taste so cheesy?

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (10)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw, unsalted cashews soaked in water for 5-24 hrs and drained
  • cup Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnish
  • 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles drained (1 can)

Instructions

  • Important Note: Make sure to soak the cashews for at least 5 hours or up to overnight before starting this recipe. Soaking the cashews helps give this queso its signature cheesy texture.

  • Place all the ingredients except the tomatoes in a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend on high until fully smooth. You may need to stop the food processor and stir a few times to get the right consistency.

    2 cups raw, unsalted cashews, ⅓ cup Bob's Red Mill Nutritional Yeast, ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

  • Transfer the mixture to a small skillet or saucepan and stir in the can tomatoes.

    10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chiles

  • Heat over medium/low heat, stirring occasionally, until the "queso" is warm to your liking. Be careful to not burn the edges. You can also eat this cold, but we love how it tastes heated up.

  • Garnish with more cilantro and serve with your favorite chips.

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 259kcal (13%) Carbohydrates: 16g (5%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 19g (29%) Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Sodium: 815mg (35%) Potassium: 431mg (12%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 4g (4%) Vitamin A: 151IU (3%) Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) Calcium: 57mg (6%) Iron: 4mg (22%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (11)

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (12)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (13)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan queso made of? ›

Rich, tangy, gooey, and spicy vegan nacho cheese made with toasted cashews and puréed potatoes provides the creamy base. Crispy, pan-fried vegan chorizo gives the dip some meaty texture. You can use either a can of Ro*Tel tomatoes or diced tomatoes and a can of chopped chiles.

Is there lactose free queso? ›

When we decided to create a dairy-free queso, we knew we had to get it right! With high-quality ingredients, our almond-veggie dip provides an incredible, cheesy flavor profile that would make any cheese head proud. Experience "cheesy" goodness in this creamy almond-veggie dip, whipped and delicious, with less fat.

Is vegan cheese the same as dairy free? ›

Vegan cheese is a non-dairy alternative to cheese, usually made from plant-based proteins and fats. Most vegan cheeses you'll find on the market or on vegan recipe blogs are typically made from some combination of: Soy. Tree nuts and seeds (cashew in particular is a big time ingredient in vegan cheese)

What to eat with cheese dip? ›

Serve your Queso dip with a variety of dipping options such as tortilla chips, pretzel bites, toasted bread, or even vegetables like celery and bell peppers.

Is vegan queso healthy? ›

But many vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil and other saturated fats that do affect cholesterol — and switching up one saturated fat for another isn't likely to result in a healthier lifestyle.

Is Velveeta real cheese vegan? ›

A: Velveeta is a processed cheese which is not vegan. It's made with milk and whey, both come from cows. A great alternative is this vegan nacho cheese.

What cheeses are worst for lactose intolerance? ›

Some of the best cheeses for lactose intolerance are muenster, brie, camembert, and gouda. Cheddar cheese, parmesan, and provolone are also relatively low in lactose. However, Velveeta, feta, ricotta, and American cheese are among the worst for lactose intolerance.

Can you eat queso if you're lactose intolerant? ›

Yes, you can eat cheese without destroying your insides. ATTENTION ALL LACTOSE INTOLERANT PEOPLE: YOU CAN EAT CHEESE! A lot of people who are lactose intolerant think that they cannot eat cheese, but that is 𝙛𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙬𝙨. Even if ice cream destroys your insides, you can still comfortably indulge in cheese on the regs.

Does 100% vegan mean dairy-free? ›

A vegan diet is based on plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains. It excludes meat, fish, seafood, dairy, eggs, and often other animal-derived ingredients like honey.

What replaces milk in vegan cheese? ›

Soy-Based Cheese: Soy-based cheese is made from soybeans and is a popular alternative to dairy cheese. Soy-based cheese has a more firm texture than nut-based cheese, making it suitable for slicing and grating. Tofu-Based Cheese: This is made from tofu and is a popular choice for vegans due to its versatility.

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.

Can you eat queso dip cold? ›

This has quickly become our new favorite dip. It's served cold, but is super creamy and almost mousse-like. It's very pimento cheese-esque, but I'll go as far to say that I think we like this BETTER than pimento cheese.

Can you freeze queso? ›

You can also divide the queso into smaller portions and freeze in freezer-friendly packaging. This way, you can thaw smaller amounts as you need your queso fix. It can stay frozen almost indefinitely, but we do like to suggest opening and enjoying within six months.

What can I put queso on? ›

7 Things to Do With Queso Besides Make Dip
  1. Looking for something extra delicious to do with your extra queso? ...
  2. Amp Up Your Taco Tuesday. ...
  3. Heat Up Some Chili. ...
  4. Mix Up Some Mac 'n' Cheese. ...
  5. Top Off An At Home Chipotle Bowl. ...
  6. Whip Up Some Skillet Nachos. ...
  7. Pour Over Your Favirite Veggies & Bake.
Dec 29, 2021

What is the main ingredient in vegan cheese? ›

Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

What is vegan nacho cheese made of? ›

Easy Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce is made with soaked, raw cashews, blended with water, nutritional yeast and spices; and warmed on the stove until it reaches nacho cheese perfection! Optional but good: Add Sriracha to taste or keep it mild for kids with sensitive palates.

What is queso usually made of? ›

Classic Queso Dip: This is the basic and most common type of queso dip, made from melted cheese (such as cheddar or Monterey Jack) mixed with milk, cream, or other dairy ingredients. It's often seasoned with spices and sometimes diced tomatoes or green chilies for added flavor.

Is Chipotle's queso vegan? ›

VEGAN & VEGETARIAN OPTIONS

Vegans should avoid our meats, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, queso, sour cream, and chipotle-honey vinaigrette. Our tortillas, vegetables, rice, beans, salsas, chips and guacamole, are vegetarian and vegan.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 5869

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.