Vegan Queso Recipe

Servings: Makes approximately 2 cups of queso

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 4 hours or overnight
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant-based milk of your choice)
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (for color)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • Salt to taste
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or green onions, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, lemon juice, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and a pinch of salt.
  2. Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If the queso is too thick, you can add a bit more almond milk to achieve your desired consistency.
  3. Transfer the blended mixture to a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring continuously, until the queso thickens and reaches a velvety cheese-like consistency. This should take about 5 minutes.
  4. Taste the queso and adjust the seasoning with more salt or spices as needed to suit your taste preferences.
  5. Once the vegan queso is ready, transfer it to a serving bowl.
  6. Garnish the queso with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.
  7. Serve the vegan queso warm and enjoy it with your favorite tortilla chips, vegetables, or as a delicious sauce for nachos and other dishes.
Nutrition Facts per Serving (2 tablespoons, approximate values):
  • Calories: 92
  • Total Fat: 7g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 63mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 6g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1g
  • Sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 3g

here’s a bit more detail on each step of the recipe:

  1. Soak Cashews: Soaking cashews helps to soften them, making them easier to blend and resulting in a smoother texture for the queso. Place the cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the cashews before using them in the recipe.
  2. Blend Ingredients: In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, lemon juice, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, turmeric powder, cayenne pepper (if using), and a pinch of salt. Blend until everything is well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. It’s essential to scrape down the sides of the blender or food processor as needed to ensure all ingredients are evenly blended.
  3. Cook Queso: Transfer the blended mixture to a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat. Cooking the queso helps to activate the cornstarch or arrowroot powder, which thickens the mixture and gives it a cheese-like consistency. Stir continuously as the queso heats up to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan or forming lumps. The queso should thicken and become velvety after about 5 minutes of cooking.
  4. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the queso and adjust the seasoning with more salt or spices as needed. This step ensures that the queso has the perfect balance of flavors to suit your taste preferences. You can add more garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper for extra flavor and heat.
  5. Serve: Once the vegan queso is ready, transfer it to a serving bowl. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions if desired. Serving the queso warm enhances its creamy texture and allows the flavors to meld together. Serve it with your favorite tortilla chips, vegetables, or use it as a delicious sauce for nachos, tacos, burritos, or any other dish you like.

Enjoy your homemade Vegan Queso, and feel free to customize it to your liking!