Description

Cashew queso is a rich, creamy, and dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese sauces. Made with cashews, this dip offers a velvety smooth texture and a sharp, cheesy flavor that’s perfect for nachos, tacos, or even as a dipping sauce for your favorite veggies.

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight

1/2 cup water (more for desired consistency)

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (for color)

Salt, to taste

Optional: 1 small jalapeño for a spicy kick

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Instructions

Prepare the cashews: If you haven’t soaked your cashews yet, do so in warm water for about 4 hours, or for the best results, soak them overnight. Drain and rinse them before using.
Blend: Add the soaked cashews, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, turmeric, and salt to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Blend until smooth: Start on a low speed, gradually increasing to high, until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
Adjust seasoning: Taste the queso and adjust the seasoning if needed. For a spicier version, blend in a chopped jalapeño at this stage.
Serve: Transfer the queso to a bowl and serve immediately with tortilla chips, tacos, or drizzle over your favorite Mexican dishes.

Notes

Storage: Store leftover cashew queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The sauce may thicken when chilled, so it’s a good idea to reheat it gently and add a splash of water to loosen it up.
Reheating: To reheat, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, or warm it up in a small pot over low heat, adding water as necessary to restore its creamy consistency.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding soaking time)
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Blending
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 120 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 9 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg