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

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

By: Becky Hardin

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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)

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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!

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

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FAQs

Vegan Queso (Dairy Free Queso Recipe) - The Cookie Rookie? ›

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.

What are the ingredients in dairy free cheese? ›

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.

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.)

What can I use to thin out queso dip? ›

If you find it's getting too thick, whisk in a couple of tablespoons of whole milk to thin it. Serve it straight from the pan kept over low heat on your stove or transfer the queso to a slow cooker set on warm. Stir the queso frequently to prevent a skin from forming on the surface of the dip.

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 healthier than dairy cheese? ›

In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it's lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system.

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.

What makes queso taste like queso? ›

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.

What does evaporated milk do to cheese? ›

To increase the stability of the final emulsion, Kenji adds evaporated milk to the mix, which contributes a high volume of milk proteins without adding too much water. To get an idea of how proteins add stability to an emulsion, think of mozzarella, a low-fat, high-moisture, high-protein cheese.

How do you thicken queso without cornstarch? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

How do you make homemade 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.

What can you substitute for heavy cream in queso? ›

The Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
  1. Half-and-Half and Butter. A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. ...
  2. Milk and Butter. ...
  3. Evaporated Milk. ...
  4. Coconut Cream. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Greek Yogurt and Milk. ...
  7. Soy Milk and Olive Oil.
Mar 30, 2022

Which Mexican cheese is dairy free? ›

Violife has your back, confronting such injustices one bag of 100% non-dairy Mexican Style Shreds at a time. We rescue those sad chips and lackluster vegan chilis with a generous dose of cheesiness that's free from lactose, gluten, nuts, and preservatives.

Is Velveeta 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 allergen is in dairy-free cheese? ›

However, many dairy-free cheeses rely on a base of seeds or nuts, ranging from sesame and sunflower seeds to almonds, cashews, peanuts and pine nuts. Soybeans are also common allergens, and it's fairly common for vegan dairy substitutes to use soy as a milk alternative.

Is dairy-free cheese really dairy-free? ›

Generally, dairy-free cheese is made of soy, coconut, or nut milk. Other ingredients, such as vegetable oils, salt, emulsifiers, and various flours, are added to achieve regular cheese-like texture.

What are the ingredients in fake cheese? ›

Components of typical imitation cheese include water, vegetable fat, rennet casein, emulsifying salt, sodium chloride, and a preservative (O'Riordan, Duggan, O'Sullivan, & Noronha, 2011). Starch can be used for full or partial replacement of rennet casein.

References

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