Creamy Cashew Queso Dip
A rich, tangy, and slightly spicy vegan queso dip made from soaked cashews, perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any casual snacking occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus soaking time)
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (optional warming)
- Total Time: 15 minutes (excluding soaking time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack / Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (150g) raw cashews, soaked
- 3/4 cup (180ml) water, or adjust for desired thickness
- 1/4 cup (20g) nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight for the creamiest texture. For a quick soak, use hot water for 30 minutes.
- Drain and rinse the soaked cashews under cold water.
- Add soaked cashews, 3/4 cup fresh water, nutritional yeast, lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, salt, and apple cider vinegar into a high-speed blender or food processor.
- Blend on high for 2-3 minutes, pausing to scrape down the sides with a spatula, until the mixture is silky smooth and pourable. Add more water by tablespoons if too thick.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, lime juice, or chipotle powder as desired.
- Optionally, blend in 1 tablespoon olive oil for a silkier finish.
- If desired, warm the dip gently in a small saucepan over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring often. Otherwise, serve at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
Soak cashews properly for a smooth texture. Use fresh lime juice for brightness. Nutritional yeast is essential for cheesy flavor. Adjust chipotle powder carefully to control heat. Let dip rest for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight for best flavor. Reblend or add water if dip thickens after chilling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup (60g)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 5
Keywords: vegan queso, cashew dip, Cinco de Mayo, vegan snack, dairy-free dip, creamy dip, plant-based queso