• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

  • New? Start Here
  • Contact

Sweet Peas and Saffron

meal prep recipes for busy people

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Sides
      • Salad
      • Soups & Stews
      • Drinks
    • Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Slow Cooker
      • Grill
      • One Pot Meals
    • Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Carb
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Nut Free
    • Protein
      • Beans
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Lentils
      • Seafood
      • Pork
    • Recipe Index
  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Pot
  • Shop
    • Shop Meal Plans
    • Shop Favorites
  • Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

    Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

Home Meal Type Snacks
/5
10 minutes

Cashew Queso

Dairy Free Dairy-Free Gluten Free Gluten Free Vegan Vegan Vegetarian Vegetarian Freezer Friendly Freezer Meal Prep Meal Prep
Jump to Recipe
By: Denise Bustard2 Comments
Posted: 3/9/22 Updated: 3/3/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Cashew queso is a rich and creamy vegan dip that is bursting with cheesy flavor. Ready in 10 minutes, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and, meal prep friendly.

Next time you're serving up appetizers, whip up a batch of this cashew queso, along with some roasted red pepper dip, and our favorite 5 minute black bean hummus for a feast of vegan dips and snacks!

bowl of cashew queso topped with tomatoes and cilantro surrounded by chips
Jump to... show
1 Reasons you'll love this recipe
2 recipe video
3 ingredient notes
4 Step by step directions
5 Serve it with
6 FAQ
7 Storage + Meal Prep
8 more meal prep snacks
9 10 Minute Cashew 'Queso'

Cashew queso is our new favorite vegan meal prep snack! Serve it warm or cold as a delicious appetizer with chips and a side of salsa. No one will guess that it's dairy-free and packed with healthy ingredients.

Made with cashews, nutritional yeast, and smoky spices - this vegan alternative is a more wholesome swap for store-bought queso dips that are made with processed cheese and stabilizers. Plus, it's a tasty snack that the whole family will enjoy!

Reasons you'll love this recipe

  • the creamy, cheesy flavor is incredible - yet it's completely dairy-free
  • you can make extra and store it away in the freezer for meal prep
  • it's packed with plant-based protein and healthy fats

recipe video

Watch the video below to see how to prep this cashew queso! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel.

ingredient notes

ingredients (labelled) required to make cashew queso
  • Raw cashews - this recipe calls for raw cashews; they yield a smooth and neutral flavor base for this dip. We have not tested with roasted cashews or alternative nuts, though raw almonds might work as an alternative
  • Nutritional yeast - nutritional yeast adds delicious cheesy flavor, and can be found in the natural foods section of the grocery store.
  • Paprika- while regular paprika was used in the recipe pictured above, smoked paprika could add extra depth of flavor
  • Chili powder - refers to the paprika-based spice blend and is not to be confused with pure powdered chillies.

Step by step directions

raw cashews soaking

soak

Soak cashews in boiling water for 5 min.

ingredients for cashew queso in blender before blending

Blend

Add the soaked cashews plus liquid to the blender with the nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides halfway through.

Tip - you'll need a high powered blender; food processor has not been tested

High Speed blender

This is the high speed Vitamix blender that we own and love!

Shop Now
cashew queso in blender after blending

Serve

Top with chopped tomatoes and cilantro, and serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Flavor option - want to try a different variation of this cashew queso? Add in a can of green chiles and diced tomatoes for extra flavor! We prefer the smooth texture without the green chilies and tomatoes, but it can be a tasty variation.

bowl of cashew queso topped with tomatoes and cilantro surrounded by chips

cauliflower nachos on sheet pan before melting

Serve it with

  • veggie slices
  • corn chips
  • cauliflower nachos
  • roasted portobello tacos

FAQ

Can I make this cashew queso without nutritional yeast?

We wouldn't recommend substituting or swapping the nutritional yeast, as it is a key ingredient for adding that delicious cheesy flavor to this vegan recipe.

Is cashew cheese a healthier alternative to traditional cheese?

Though higher in calories and total fat than cheese, cashews are high in healthy unsaturated fats and lower in saturated fats. If you are looking to lower your intake of saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, then yes this recipe is a healthier alternative (and tastes great too)! (1, 2)

What does cashew queso taste like?

It's rich, luxurious, creamy, and similar in both flavor and texture to cheese queso. While not "traditional", it's a slightly lighter alternative that stores well for meal prep and tastes cheesy thanks to the nutritional yeast and creamy cashew combination.

Storage + Meal Prep

This cashew queso can be prepped ahead for easy snacks, and stores really well in the fridge or freezer:

  • Fridge - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days
  • Freeze - in an airtight container for up to 3 months
  • Thaw - completely in the fridge overnight
  • Reheat - in the microwave if desired, or serve chilled
overhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeas

more meal prep snacks

  • Ultra crispy air fryer chickpeas
  • Foolproof crispy baked kale chips
  • Crispy baked falafel
  • 23 Healthy snacks you can meal prep
  • 7 amazing hummus flavors

Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!

bowl of cashew queso topped with tomatoes and cilantro surrounded by chips

10 Minute Cashew 'Queso'

No ratings yet
Prep Time: 5 mins
soak: 5 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Print Rate
Cashew queso is a rich and creamy vegan dip that is bursting with cheesy flavor. Ready in 10 minutes, it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and meal prep friendly.
8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews 154 g; see note 1
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast see note 2
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

To serve

  • fresh tomatoes
  • cilantro
  • chips or crackers for dipping

Instructions 

  • Soak- Soak cashews in boiling water for 5 min.
    raw cashews soaking
  • Blend- Add the soaked cashews plus liquid to the blender with the nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and onion powder. Blend for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides halfway through.
    ingredients for cashew queso in blender before blending
  • Serve- Top with chopped tomatoes and cilantro, and serve with tortilla chips or crackers.
    cashew queso in blender after blending

Tips:

Note - nutrition calculations do not include toppings (cilantro, tomatoes) or corn chips for serving.
  1. this recipe calls for raw cashews; we have not tested with roasted cashews or alternative nuts, though raw almonds might work as an alternative
  2. nutritional yeast is found in the natural foods section of the grocery store
  3. nutritional information is for â…› of the batch
Storage
  • Fridge - store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days
  • Freeze - in an airtight container for up to 3 months
  • Thaw - completely in the fridge overnight
  • Reheat - in the microwave if desired, or serve chilled

Video

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.125batch ; see note 3, Calories: 103kcal, Carbohydrates: 7g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 151mg, Potassium: 177mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 100IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Denise Bustard
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican

© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Shop This Post

Blender Vitamix recommended
Did You Make This?Don't forget to leave a review below, and tag us on Instagram using @SweetPeasAndSaffron or #sweetpeasandsaffron
Tag Me On Instagram Rate Recipe

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Meet Denise Bustard

Denise Bustard is the creator of Sweet Peas and Saffron, a meal prep-focussed food blog. With a PhD in biochemistry, Denise takes a scientific approach to perfecting her recipes. You can find Denise's work featured on Huffington Post, MSN, Self and more.

Read more...

You May Also Like...

  • image graphic with text reading: 41 dairy-free meal prep recipes
    Dairy-Free Recipes for Meal Prep
  • image graphic with text reading: 28 gluten free meal prep recipes
    28 Gluten-Free Meal Prep Recipes
  • 23 Healthy Snacks You Can Meal Prep
  • meal prep friendly high protein snack ideas. Graphic with 8 snack images; text reads high protein snack ideas
    High Protein Snacks
Previous Post
Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
crispy baked chicken thighs on a sheet pan
Next Post
Perfect Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Cathy Thelen says

    Posted on 3/11/22 at Posted on 3/11/22

    What is the brand of chips / crackers in the photo? They look good.

    Reply
    • Jasmine @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says

      Posted on 3/16/22 at Posted on 3/16/22

      Hi Cathy, here's the link, the brand is "food should taste good" 🙂 Enjoy!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Denise

Meal prep took me from feeling constantly stressed out about meals to cool, collected and in control. I want to share this amazing and transformational habit with you, so you can feel in control, too! Read more ...

Meal Prep

Instant Pot

Air Fryer

Freezer Meals

Slow Cooker

Breakfast

Popular

overhead shot of sweet potatoes lined up with text showing number of minutes to cook each

PERFECT Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes

overhead shot of 7 easy stir fry sauces on gray background

7 Easy Stir Fry Sauce Recipes

overhead shot of a variety of seven easy rice recipes with text description

7 Easy Rice Recipes (Stove Top & Rice Cooker)

5 minute asian salad dressing in a mason jar on gray background

5 Minute Asian Salad Dressing

Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

Get my free Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

Reader Faves

overhead shot of blue mason jar filled with crispy chickpeas

ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

a stack of fluffy protein pancakes with blueberries on top and syrup being drizzled over them

Perfect Fluffy Protein Pancakes (no banana!)

ingredients to make greek seasoning blend with labels on white background

Easy Greek Seasoning Blend

collage image that says 25 popular meal prep ideas

25 Most Popular Lunch Meal Prep Ideas

As seen on:

Wondering where to start?

Get my Meal Prep Quick Start Guide

Join My Free Meal Prep Challenge!
  • Browse Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Lunch
    • Breakfast
    • Snacks
    • Drinks
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Freezer
  • Meal Prep 101
    • Shop Meal Plans
    • Meal Prep Basics
    • Meal Prep Challenge
    • Quick Start Guide
Back to Top

Privacy Policy

Disclaimers

Contact

Accessibility

Causes

About

© 2023 Sweet Peas and Saffron
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled Logo by Wooden Spoons