Vegan Queso (Chipotle Copycat Queso Blanco)
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
soaked overnight if needed
- 2 medium-large russets potatoes peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp vegan cream cheese
- 1 cup vegan white cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese shreds
- 2 cloves garlic
minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1-2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp mild/medium salsa
- 1 tbsp pickled jalapeno
- 1 shallot
chopped
- 1/4 cup pablano pepper chopped
- 2 tbsp red chilis chopped
- 1 1/2 cups plant milk
Directions
- 1
Boil and strain potatoes until fork tender.
- 2
Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. (Note: If you have a high speed blender like a vitamix, there is no need to soak the cashews)
- 3
To a medium pan over medium heat, sear the shallot, poblano, garlic and red chilis. Cook until shallot is translucent and peppers are slightly browned and softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
- 4
In a high-speed blender, combine the cashews, potatoes, Vegan cheese shreds, vegan cream cheese nutritional yeast, chili powder, salt, cumin, and plant milk.
- 5
Blend until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
- 6
Pour the cheese sauce into an oven safe dish and add onion and pepper mixture, salsa, and pickled jalapeños, Stir to combine.
- 7
Serve warm over tacos, burritos, nachos, or anything else you can think of!
Vegan Queso (Chipotle Copycat Queso Blanco)
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About this Recipe
Craving the irresistibly creamy and spicy queso blanco from Chipotle, but looking for a homemade, plant-based version? This vegan queso recipe delivers all the rich flavor and smooth texture you love, perfect for dipping or drizzling.
The magic in this Chipotle copycat vegan queso lies in its clever combination of whole food ingredients and plant-based staples. It artfully blends a base of raw cashews and russet potatoes to create an incredibly smooth, dairy-free foundation, enriched by nutritional yeast for umami depth and vegan cream cheese for a velvety mouthfeel. This foundation, combined with a generous amount of vegan white cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese shreds, builds a truly satisfying and authentic queso experience that's both creamy and boldly flavored. The careful balance of spices like chili powder and paprika, alongside the freshness of shallot, poblano, and chilis, ensures a complex, craveable taste.
Prepare your taste buds for a lusciously creamy and spicy white cheese sauce that perfectly mimics its dairy counterpart, complete with subtle tang and a satisfying richness. You'll experience a harmonious balance of savory notes from the garlic and nutritional yeast, a gentle warmth from chili powder and paprika, and a welcome kick from chopped red chilis and pickled jalapeno. This versatile sauce is designed to be thick enough for dipping tortilla chips but also wonderfully pourable, making it an ideal topping for tacos, burritos, or nachos. It’s a delightful, robust flavor that truly satisfies and will become a staple for your plant-based Mexican nights.
Customization & Variations: Tailor the heat level to your preference by adjusting the amount of red chilis and pickled jalapeno. For a milder queso, you can reduce or omit the red chilis, while adding more will amp up the spice. Feel free to experiment with different brands of vegan white cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese shreds to find your favorite flavor profile, as their melt and taste can vary.
Serving & Context: This rich and flavorful vegan queso is exceptional as a dip for tortilla chips during game nights or casual gatherings. It’s also fantastic drizzled generously over your favorite Mexican dishes, from vibrant veggie bowls to hearty burritos, adding a creamy, spicy kick to every bite.