Dairy-Free Salsa con Queso

Creamy, flavorful, and completely plant-based, this Dairy-Free Salsa con Queso is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for vegan and lactose-intolerant food lovers alike. Made with a silky cashew base, this dip delivers all the cheesy goodness you crave without a hint of dairy. Bursting with bold flavors from nutritional yeast, zesty lemon juice, warm spices like cumin and chili powder, and diced tomatoes with green chilies, every bite is rich, smoky, and perfectly spiced. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick, wholesome option that’s perfect for game day, potlucks, or snacking sessions. Serve it warm with tortilla chips, fresh veggies, or drizzle over nachos and tacos for a mouthwatering twist on a classic.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup water
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10 ounces diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoon turmeric
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons optional chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 unit optional jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped

Directions

Step 1

Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for 15 minutes to soften.

Step 2

Drain the cashews and add them to a blender along with 1 cup of water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, chili powder, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender a few times. Add additional water by the tablespoon if needed to reach your desired consistency.

Step 4

Transfer the blended mixture to a medium saucepan and stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies (do not drain).

Step 5

Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring frequently, until it is warmed through and thickened to your liking, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. If desired, stir in chopped cilantro and jalapeño for added freshness and heat.

Step 7

Serve the dairy-free salsa con queso warm, accompanied with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or as a topping for your favorite dishes.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(713.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	796.3

Total Fat 50.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1792.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 65.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.8g	0%
Total Sugars 14.9g
Protein 33.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 143.4mg	0%
Iron 12.9mg	0%
Potassium 1695.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.4%

Protein: 15.8%

Carbs: 30.8%