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)

Serves6

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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

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.

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.)

Is vegan cheese 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 cheeses are worst for lactose intolerance? ›

Tread lightly, my friend. Avoid processed cheeses, such as American and deli Swiss, which are blended with lactose-heavy whey to make them melt better. Also, be careful with fresh cheeses, like mozzarella and ricotta.

What is the safest cheese 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.

What can I use instead of evaporated milk for cheese dip? ›

Evaporated Milk: This creates a creamy and smooth texture that is ideal for any good queso blanco. Milk, heavy cream, or half and half can be used instead, but evaporated milk has given me the best results.

How do you thin queso without milk? ›

If you're going thick and cheesy, use about 2 cups of cheese with ¼ cup milk alternative or water. For a thinner creamy sauce, use the same amount of cheese but add an extra ¼ cup of liquid (½ cup total).

What do Mexicans call queso? ›

Queso is a Spanish word that translates to “cheese” in English. However, when people refer to “queso” in the context of food, they are usually talking about a type of melted cheese dip that is commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetizer, particularly in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisines.

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

What's the difference between cheese dip and queso? ›

Scanning the internet and the supermarket shelf, we realized that the cheese sauces are divided into two basic categories: Queso Dips, which include some amount of heat, spices, and other flavorings, and Cheese Dips, which are cheese and little else.

What cheese is vegan but real? ›

Real Vegan Cheese (RVC) is a grassroots, non-profit research project working to produce real cheese using cellular agriculture. We add the genes for cheese proteins to yeast and other microflora, and turn them into little protein factories, then make real cheese by adding plant-based fats and sugars.

Why are wines not vegan? ›

Popular animal-derived fining agents used in the production of wine include blood and bone marrow, casein (milk protein), chitin (fiber from crustacean shells), egg albumen (derived from egg whites), fish oil, gelatin (protein from boiling animal parts), and isinglass (gelatin from fish bladder membranes).

Why is cheese considered not vegan? ›

Vegans do not eat cheese or any other dairy products because they are derived from animals. Dairy products involve the exploitation of animals for their milk, and so cheese made from animal milk is not considered part of a vegan diet.

What Mexican cheese is lactose free? ›

Chihuahua® cheese is 99.95% lactose free and Oaxaca Cheese is 98% lactose-free. Lactose is naturally converted into lactic acid during the cheese-making process.

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 there lactose in Queso Blanco? ›

with natural cheese such as Cheddar, Colby, Queso Blanco, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and Swiss. These cheeses contain <0.1 grams of lactose per serving. yogurt and Greek-style yogurt that contain live and active cultures help to digest lactose.

Is there any cheese you can eat if you are lactose intolerant? ›

Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella and Monterey Jack “are virtually lactose-free,” Cifelli explains. Additionally aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano are virtually lactose free.

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