This easy Vegan Cashew Queso is creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavor, making it the perfect dairy-free queso for dipping and drizzling! Plus, this vegan queso is made with just three ingredients, comes together in minutes, and is delicious with tortilla chips, tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, and more.

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If you’re craving something creamy, cheesy, and seriously snackable, this Vegan Cashew Queso should be on your radar. It’s rich and velvety with tons of flavor, plus a mild kick from green chiles — and you’d never guess the base is made from cashews!

Even better, this dairy-free queso couldn’t be easier to make. Just toss everything into a blender, blend until smooth, and you’re ready to dip, drizzle, or dunk. There are only three simple ingredients (plus water and salt), so it couldn’t be easier to enjoy.

I love keeping a batch of this Vegan Cashew Queso in my fridge for meals that need a little something extra. It’s delicious scooped onto burrito bowls, piled onto nachos, or paired with a handful of tortilla chips. You really can’t go wrong here!

I hope you enjoy this Vegan Cashew Queso as much as I do. If you give it a try, be sure to leave a comment and let me know how it turns out. Happy cooking!

Why you’ll love this Vegan Cashew Queso

It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor, with a slight kick from the diced green chiles.
It’s easy to make and comes together fast, with no cooking required.
It’s made with just three simple ingredients, plus water and salt.
It’s a great way to squeeze a little extra fiber, protein, and healthy fats into your meals.
It’s totally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and plant-based!

Vegan Cashew Queso ingredients

Cashews form the rich and creamy base of this dairy-free queso. Boil them for 10-15 minutes or soak them overnight (especially if you don’t have a high-powered blender) to soften them up and help create a smooth, velvety texture.
Nutritional yeast adds a savory, cheesy flavor that makes this queso taste surprisingly close to the real thing.
Diced green chiles bring a little heat and extra flavor without making the queso too spicy. Grab a can of diced green chiles for an easy shortcut!

How to serve this Vegan Cashew Queso

Serve with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer or snack.
Spoon over nachos and pile on your favorite toppings.
Use as a dip for sliced bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, or other fresh veggies.
Add a dollop to veggie burgers, tacos, wraps, and sandwiches for an extra boost of flavor.
Mix into Black Bean Burrito Bowls to add a creamy, cheesy finish.

Substitutions & variations

Green chiles – Use mild or hot green chiles depending on your spice preference. You can also swap them for a diced jalapeño if you want a little more heat!
Make it even spicier – Add a pinch of cayenne, a few dashes of hot sauce, or a finely chopped jalapeño for an extra kick.
Add more flavor – Try blending in a little garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, or chili powder for a more seasoned queso.

Quick recipe tips

Make sure the cashews are completely softened before blending. This is especially important if your blender isn’t super strong, as it will help you get the smoothest, creamiest texture.

Blend the queso for at least 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until no graininess is left.

Give the Vegan Cashew Queso a quick taste after blending — add another pinch of salt or a little more nutritional yeast if you want a bolder, cheesier flavor.

Step-by-step instructions

Blend: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Adjust: Taste and add more salt or water as needed to reach your desired flavor and consistency.
Serve: Enjoy immediately with tortilla chips, burrito bowls, tacos, nachos, and more.

Make ahead & storage

This Vegan Cashew Queso is easy to make ahead and keeps well in the fridge, making it perfect for quick snacks, dips, and meals throughout the week. Here are a few tips for making, storing, and reheating it.

Meal prep

Make the queso: Prepare the queso up to 4 days in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Adjust before serving: The queso may thicken as it sits, so stir in a splash of water before serving to bring it back to your preferred consistency.

Storing leftovers

Fridge: Store leftover queso in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: You can enjoy this queso straight from the fridge. Alternatively, you can warm it in the microwave in short intervals or over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally.

Freezing

Freeze for longer storage: Transfer the queso to an airtight freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw before reheating: Let the queso thaw in the fridge overnight, then stir well and add a splash of water as needed.

FAQ

Yes, but soaking or boiling the cashews first will make them much softer and easier to blend into a smooth, creamy queso.

You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! You can also freeze it for up to 2 months.

Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge, then stir in a splash of water if needed to restore its creamy consistency.

Serve it with tortilla chips, fresh veggies, nachos, tacos, burrito bowls, baked potatoes, or pretty much anywhere you’d normally use queso!

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Vegan Cashew Queso

This healthy Vegan Cashew Queso blends cashews, nutritional yeast, and mild green chiles into a rich, dairy-free dip that comes together in minutes. Serve with burrito bowls, nachos, tacos, or tortilla chips!

Course Sauces, Dips, and Dressings

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 90kcal

Ingredients

1 cup cashews boiled for 10-15 minutes or soaked overnight and drained
¼ cup nutritional yeast
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
½ cup water
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Add a splash more water as needed to reach your desired consistency, then taste and add more salt if desired.
Serve with tortilla chips, burrito bowls, tacos, and more for an easy flavor boost.