Nacho Cashew Cheese Sauce Recipe
This creamy Nacho Cashew Cheese Sauce is a flavorful, dairy-free alternative perfect for nachos, dips, or drizzling over your favorite dishes. Made from soaked raw cashews blended with green chilies, nutritional yeast, and smoky spices, it delivers a velvety, cheesy texture with a spicy kick that’s entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 6-8 hours soaking)
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (including soaking time)
- Yield: Approximately 1 1/2 cups sauce 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Cashew Base
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 3 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk (almond milk recommended)
Seasonings and Flavorings
- 4 oz can of green chilies
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp pickled jalapenos
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Soak the Cashews: Place your raw cashews in a bowl and cover with water. Let them soak for at least 6-8 hours or overnight to soften. For a quicker method, cover the cashews with boiling water and soak for 20-30 minutes until softened.
- Prepare the Sauce: Drain and discard the soaking water. Transfer the softened cashews to a high-speed blender along with the green chilies, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, pickled jalapenos, smoked paprika, chili powder, plant-based milk, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
- Blend to Smooth: Blend all ingredients on high speed, scraping down the sides as needed, until the sauce becomes velvety smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and add additional salt in small increments (up to 1 teaspoon total) as preferred, blending again each time until desired saltiness and flavor balance is achieved.
Notes
- Soaking cashews properly is essential for a smooth sauce texture; do not skip unless using the boiling water shortcut.
- Adjust the amount of jalapenos or green chilies if you prefer a milder or spicier sauce.
- Use nutritional yeast to achieve a cheesy flavor without dairy.
- This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Serve warm or at room temperature for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: nacho cheese sauce, vegan cheese sauce, cashew cheese sauce, plant-based cheese, dairy-free cheese, vegan nacho sauce
Find it online: https://annakocht.com/nacho-cashew-cheese-sauce-recipe/
