Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2024)

Last modified: . Originally posted: By Sophia DeSantis

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This vegan queso recipe is hands down the best dairy free version of queso ever. It's so easy to make and loved everyone!

This queso recipe reminds me of the one I get at Mexican restaurants, except it's made without the dairy so doesn't leave me feeling bloated and yuck! It uses 9 simple easy to find ingredients and a much healthier version.

Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (1)
Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2)

This recipe was originally published on May 2, 2016.

If you love Mexican cheese dip you will absolutely love this vegan queso! It's a white queso easily made in a blender. If you prefer an orange Mexican cheese then try out my vegan nacho cheese sauce!

Ingredients

I brought this vegan queso blanco to a party, slipped it on the table and watched as it was devoured. No one knew it was vegan. Everyone stuffed their face and it was glorious.

With the right blend of foods, you can create the most amazingly smooth queso dip, without any cheese! My dirty little secret is the pickled jalapeño juice, it gives it that truewhite queso dip flavor:creamy, cheesy, with the jalapeño tang! Here's what you need:

  • Cooked potato
  • Roasted garlic
  • Raw cashews
  • Veggie broth
  • Unsweetened cashew milk
  • Mild chiles
  • Mild pickled jalapeños
  • Pickled jalapeño juice
  • Seasonings
Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (3)

How to Make Vegan Queso

This queso blanco dip is incredibly easy to make. Throw it all in a blender and BOOM. Bathe worthy dip at your tongue tip.

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pulse in the extra pickled jalapeño slices for some texture .
  2. Pour into a pot and heat until thick.
  3. Serve with everything!
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Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (5)
Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (6)

What to Serve With Queso Blanco

As much as I'd love to eat this Mexican white cheese dip like a soup, I usually try to use some self control and pair it with other tasty foods either as a dip or topping. Here's some of my favorites:

  • Homemade Oil Free Tortilla Chips
  • Crisp veggies like celery, carrots, peppers, or jicama
  • Vegan Nachos
  • Vegan Taquitos
  • Mexican Rice
  • Pinto Beans
  • Breakfast Burritos
  • Loaded Vegan Burritos
  • Refried Bean Burrito
  • Crispy Potato Tacos
  • Soft pretzels or pretzel chips
  • Oven Baked French Fries
  • Crusty bread
  • Baked Potato
  • Vegan Scrambled Eggs
  • Mix with pasta

Preparation Tips

When making this vegan queso dip recipe over and over and over again (because you will!) make sure to keep these suggestions in mind:

  • Add in some extra flavor by mixing in some vegan chorizo, Mexican salsa, or tomatillo salsa verde.
  • If you are not using a high speed blender, you can soak the cashews overnight, boil them for 30 minutes or grind the dry cashews into a fine powder using a coffee grinder in order to help get them smooth.
  • You can boil, microwave or bake the potato but keep in mind if you boil it there will be more moisture in the potato so you will need to let the dip cook longer to thicken.
  • I used red potatoes but any starchy potato will work, just don’t use sweet ones.
  • I used a veggie broth without tomato in the base. You can sub water for the broth but the flavor will change a bit and you may need more salt.
  • This dip is best enjoyed hot, serve it in a slow cooker on low. (High will likely burn it.)

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

  • To prepare this dip ahead of time, roast the garlic, cook the potato, and soak the cashews (if needed) up to 3 days in advance.
  • This vegan queso blanco dip will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • You can also freeze for up to 3 months!
  • To reheat, take out of the freezer the night before and slowly defrost to room temp. Then heat in the microwave or stove top on low heat whisking well until the smooth creamy texture returns.
    • Sometimes freezing can change the texture, simply give it another blend in the blender and you're good to go!

Common Questions

What is vegan queso made of?

This vegan queso recipe is made from all whole food, amazing ingredients! The creaminess is a combo of potato, cashews and cashew milk, with flavor coming in from all of the other ingredients including jalapeños and jalapeño juice.

Is vegan queso healthy?

Because this dip is made from simple whole food ingredients, it is much healthier than traditional queso dip.

How do you store vegan queso?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave, whisking often to get to that creamy texture.

What cheese is queso made from?

Most queso dip is made with white American cheese, but sometimes cheddar, mozzarella, or cream cheese is used as well. This queso blanco recipe avoids all of that for a healthier version!

More Vegan Mexican Recipes

If you're like our family and need Mexican food on a regular basis, you need a variety of recipes to choose from!

All of these plant based dishes are made from only whole food ingredients making them a healthy choice for your family (to learn more about how to figure out what is in those store bought varieties check out this guide on reading food labels):

  • Healthy Crunchy Taco Cups
  • Vegan Mexican Chili Cheese Dip
  • Mexican Tequila Lime Chickpea Soup
  • Vegan Enchilada Casserole
  • Cinco De Mayo Roundup

Also check out these other vegan cheese recipes:

  • 4 Ingredient Cotija Cheese
  • The Best Nacho Cheese Sauce
Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (7)

Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (8)

Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe

Sophia DeSantis

This vegan queso recipe is hands down the best dairy free version of queso ever. It's so easy to make and loved everyone!

4.89 from 17 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 114 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked potato , about 1 medium sized potato (see note)
  • 4 cloves garlic , roasted (add up to 4 more for extra garlic flavor)
  • ¾ cup raw cashews , see note
  • 1 ½ cups veggie broth (use low sodium to keep the salt low)
  • 1 cup unsweetened cashew milk (almond would work too)
  • 4 ounces chopped mild chiles (one small can)
  • ½ cup jarred mild pickled jalapenos , divided
  • 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno juice (juice from slices above)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt (see note)

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Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except for ¼ cup pickled jalapenos into a blender and blend until smooth.

  • Add last ¼ cup jalapenos and pulse until chopped. You can also just add them at the beginning but I liked the flavor of some chopped jalapenos in the dip.

  • Pour the liquid into a pot and heat over medium low heat on stove until it reduces and gets nice and thick and gooey. Depending on your stove, you may need to up the heat to get it to thicken nicely, even bring it to a boil then reduce the heat.

  • Stir frequently to prevent sticking. It took about 10 minutes for me to get the right consistency but you can make it however you prefer it. Serve hot!

  • Serve with everything!

Notes

  • Makes 3 cups. Serving is ½ cup per person
  • If you are not using a high speed blender, you can soak the cashews overnight, boil them for 30 minutes or grind the dry cashews into a fine powder using a coffee grinder (do not boil them for this method).
  • You can boil, microwave or bake the potato but keep in mind if you boil it there will be more moisture in the potato so you will need to let the dip cook longer to thicken.
  • I used red potatoes but any starchy potato will work, just don’t use sweet. It also won't work to substitute with something that is not an actual potato (such as another root vegetable).
  • I used a veggie broth without tomato in the base. You can sub water for the broth but the flavor will change a bit and you may need more salt.
  • The amount of salt needed may vary depending on the sodium in your broth.
  • If you freeze this, and you can, take out of the freezer the night before and slowly defrost to room temp. Then heat in the microwave or stove top on low heat whisking well until the smooth creamy texture returns.

Tips to prep ahead: Soak cashews if needed. Roast garlic. Boil potato.

Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 489mgPotassium: 199mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (9)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Janke

    Hi, I just discovered your site and I was pleasantly surprised. Didn't make anything just yet so I cannot rate your recipes –yet I can tell you that I think it looks promising!
    The only thing I scratched my head about was the 'I slipped it on the table' part in the story about the vegan queso blanco. Since we have got some severe food allergies in our household, 'slipping in' or 'slipping between' is always scary. But it might be more of a me-problem than something that you should care about. Might be good to keep in mind though.
    I guess today I'll make the Mexican coleslaw, the pic and the recipe made my mouth water already, and I haven't even begun yet. Can't wait!

    Reply

    • Sophia DeSantis

      Hi Janke! Glad to have you here! Hope you find things you love!

      Reply

  2. Jeanna

    My husbands on a business trip so I'm not motivated to cook much so I decided to make this tonight for myself and my goodness this is delicious! It has a great flavor and it's not spicy!
    I love cheese and use to have it with every meal and as a snack. I'm so happy that I can enjoy queso again and quench my dairy fix. #nomnom

    Reply

    • Sophia DeSantis

      I am so happy you liked it Jeanna! I totally get what you mean about cooking when it's just you, but I can totally take this down myself too!

      Reply

  3. Vicky

    I’ve only known things to reduce by bringing it to boil first and then turning it lower. Is this what you do?
    Thanks! Sounds yummy!

    Reply

    • veggiesdontbite

      Hi Vicky! In the directions I say that it depends on your stove. I did not need to boil it to reduce, I kept it on medium low heat and it slowly thickened. But you can also bring to a boil to thicken it. I'd caution you with this and make sure you are stirring it constantly so it doesn't stick. Hope you like it!

      Reply

  4. Hina

    Hi! I tried this queso recipe without adding potato. It was so good ,totally enjoyed in a burrito bowl & snacking with tortilla chips. Thank you ! 🙋💙

    Reply

    • veggiesdontbite

      I am so happy your liked it as you made it!!

      Reply

  5. Sarah

    This is absolutely unbelievable! So creamy and perfect, you'd never know it's vegan!

    Reply

    • veggiesdontbite

      Thanks Sarah!

      Reply

  6. Hailey

    LOVED IT!!!! is it actually an estimated 118 calories per serving? that's amazing

    Reply

    • veggiesdontbite

      SO happy you liked it Hailey! I just updated the calculation with the newest info on my plugin and it's actually 114 per serving, LOL. It has a veggie base!

      Reply

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Best Ever Vegan Queso Recipe - Veggies Don't Bite (2024)

FAQs

What makes vegan cheese taste cheesy? ›

Nuts, such as cashews or almonds, are often used as they contain a lot of natural fat that gives a creamy texture once blended. Many brands also use a vegan lactic acid to add the tang and umami that gives that quintessential cheese flavour.

What is vegan nacho cheese sauce made of? ›

This Easy Vegan Nacho Cheese Sauce is made from raw cashews, nutritional yeast and dried spices. It is quick to make, kid-friendly and perfect on chips, or even drizzled over steamed broccoli or a baked potato!

Why is vegan cheese so creamy? ›

Nut milk or finely ground nuts are inoculated with cultures to kickstart fermentation (a key step that lends flavor, complexity, and character), and then the nutcheese is aged anywhere from a few days to a few months. Cashew is the most common nut in nutcheese because of its creamy mouthfeel and neutral flavor.

What is the difference between vegan and non vegan cheese? ›

While dairy cheese is made from curdled dairy milk, the ingredients in vegan cheese are much more unique. The base of vegan cheese is typically made with wholesome ingredients, like nuts, seeds, tofu, oats, or beans.

Which vegan cheese tastes most like real cheese? ›

Some popular vegan cheeses that are known for their realistic taste include: Miyoko's Creamery - Their Vegan Mozz and Smoked Farmhouse varieties are well-regarded. Violife - The Prosociano and Mature Cheddar slices are often praised for their flavor.

What are three dominant ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

What Ingredients Are in Vegan 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.

Is Velveeta vegan or vegetarian? ›

A: Velveeta is a processed cheese which is not vegan.

Is Taco Bell nacho cheese sauce vegan? ›

“We're thrilled to reintroduce Nacho Fries, now with a larger-than-life flair, and our beloved Vegan Nacho Sauce,” Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer at Taco Bell, shares her excitement “This sauce, born from the success of our Vegan Crunchwrap, represents Taco Bell's commitment to providing delicious, ...

What is a good substitute for cheese in nachos? ›

Coconut Yogurt, Soy Yoghurt or Almond Yoghurt

All these dairy-free yogurts like soy yogurt will work as a soft cheese substitute – the texture will be runnier than most soft cheeses.

What replaces milk in vegan cheese? ›

Another popular vegan-cheese base is coconut milk, cream and oil. Coconut's high fat content makes for a creamy, cheese-like product — but usually requires additional ingredients like agar-agar, carrageenan, cornstarch, tapioca and/or potato starch to mimic the density and texture of real cheese.

What is the one vegan food that tastes like the real thing? ›

Vegan cheese, in particular, has had an awful reputation among dairy lovers. Many have been hesitant to even call it cheese. But now a new generation of animal-free dairy may be the first vegan food that tastes exactly like the real thing — no sacrifice necessary.

Why is it so hard to make good vegan cheese? ›

Key challenges in plant-based cheese production include achieving the right cheese texture, cheese flavor, and melting properties. For instance, dairy-free cheese made with coconut oil or cashew often lacks the melty quality of traditional cheeses, making it harder to use in dishes like lasagna or grilled cheese.

Is violife cheese highly processed? ›

Violife cheeses are highly processed and made primarily from coconut oil, starches, and flavorings.

Why does vegan cheese not taste like cheese? ›

A lot of vegan cheese has little or no protein, just fat and starch. Those that do have protein tend to taste the least like traditional cheeses. Vegan cheese is expensive — those made from nuts, peas or other nutrient-dense foods can run as much as $10 for a small cube.

What do vegans use instead of cheese? ›

  • 5 dairy-free cheesy swaps. Reach for these five vegan ingredients the next time you want to cheese up your favorite foods. ...
  • 1 Nutritional yeast. These nutrient-dense golden flakes are the key ingredient to any well-executed homemade cheese. ...
  • 2 Hummus. Hear us out. ...
  • 3 Tofu. ...
  • 4 Cashews. ...
  • 5 Potatoes.

Why does my vegan cheese not melt? ›

Without casein, cheese may look and even taste similar, but it won't melt the same.

Why does vegan cheese taste sour? ›

As a rule, freshly fermented cheese tastes slightly sour after one day. If it has become very sour after a short time, you may have used too much starter culture or your container is in a very warm place. Reduce the amount of bacteria culture for your next batch or move your container to a cooler place.

Does vegan cheese have lactose? ›

Is vegan cheese lactose-free? Yes, vegan cheese is completely plant-based and does not contain the lactase enzyme, making it suitable and a great alternative for any with lactose intolerance.

How do they get vegan cheese to melt? ›

For oven-based melting, follow these steps:
  1. Sprinkle vegan cheese over the dish.
  2. Cover with foil to trap steam, which aids in melting.
  3. Bake at temperatures between 350°F to 450°F until the cheese becomes bubbly and properly melted.

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