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Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
Vegan Chili Cheese Dip
By Alexandra Caspero on September 19, 2014
Our favorite appetizer for football games and gatherings
Serves 6-8
Hands down the best dairy-free cheese sauce I’ve ever tasted. Spicy, meaty and cheesy, this is a dip to win over even the biggest chili cheese dip fans. Vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.
My marriage may only be 5 months old, but I think I’ve figured out the secret.
This vegan chili cheese dip —> ready by 11AM on football Sundays.
That, along with a consoling backrub when BL’s team loses might put me in the running for wife-of-the-year.
I take my role of “football snacks creator” very seriously. This dip, along with my air fryer cauliflower wings, mango salsa, vegan nachos, and air fryer black bean taquitos are his most requested items.
Inspiration for this Vegan Chili Cheese Dip
While BL is usually content with plain chips and salsa, I have been craving something a bit… cheesier.
This dip was everything I wanted it to be and more. Sure, it’s gluten-free, vegan, and soy free, but it doesn’t taste like it– you know what I mean? It’s perfectly spicy, meaty, and creamy- without the usual suspects.
Instead of making a traditional vegan queso dip, we start with a base of blended cashews, peppers, and nutritional yeast. If this is your first time having a cashew-base sauce, let me first assure you that a.) it will not taste like cashews and b.) the results are mind-blowing.
Key Ingredients
- Cashews
- Orange bell pepper
- Dairy-free milk
- Taco seasoning
- Nutritional yeast
- Fresh salsa
- Black beans
How to Make
- Make your vegan cheese sauce
Puree the cashews, bell pepper, chili seasoning, salt and milk together in a blender until creamy and smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides depending on the power of your blender.
- Season the black beans
Warm the black beans in a skillet with fresh salsa and taco seasoning. Add in the cheese sauce and warm through.
Now be prepared for the temptation of wanting to pour this sauce on just about everything you can get your hands on… chips, bowls of vegan chili, veggie burgers. No judgement for wanting to convert this into a cheesy chili soup and indulge with only a spoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What salsa is best?
Fresh salsa, like a pico de gallo, is best for this chili cheese dip. I have used my canning salsa in this recipe in a pinch and while it’s good, I prefer the texture of fresh salsa with this chili cheese dip.
What to serve with this chili cheese dip?
We love this chili cheese dip with chips, but it’s also great with taquitos, tacos and burrito bowls.
How do I soak cashews?
Soaking cashews makes them softer and easier to blend, but I know that’s not always possible when you want this dip ASAP. For a quick soak, I usually cover cashews in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and blend.
Nutritionally, this dip is a total game changer compared to regular cheese dips. Zero cholesterol, low in saturated fat, and high in protein, fiber, and zinc. Sorry, Ro*tel.
No hard feelings, but we totally upped the ante. Can’t wait for you to try it!
More Dip Recipes:
More Appetizer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Black Bean Taquitos
- Vegan Lentil Nachos
- Sourdough Cheeze-Its
- Crispy Buffalo Potatoes
- Tofu Spring Rolls
Tutorial Video Here:
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Print
Dairy-Free Chili Cheese Dip
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Hands down the best dairy-free cheese sauce I’ve ever tasted. Spicy, meaty and cheesy, this is a dip to win over even the biggest chili cheese dip fans. Vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: ~6 cups
- Category: Appetizer, Dip
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked for at least an 1 hour, drained
- 1 orange bell pepper, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (I used almond)
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (I make this recipe and store it in a airtight jar)
- 2 (15 oz. cans) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 12 oz. fresh salsa (I use fresh homestyle salsa container or pico de gallo. Jarred salsa won’t work the same way)
Optional garnishes: cilantro, sliced green onions.
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
- Place the cashews, orange bell pepper, milk, chili powder, salt nutritional yeast in a high-powered blender (I use my Blend-Tec). Puree until thick and creamy, about 3-4 minutes.
- In a large saucepan, add the taco seasoning, black beans, and fresh salsa over medium heat. Stir constantly until heated through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add in the pureed cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Season to taste with salt/pepper if needed. Garnish as desired and serve.
Notes
This recipe makes a lot! (See reviews below) To me, it’s the perfect amount to take for a party or get-together but if you are serving this for 1-3, you may want to consider halving the recipe!
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(143 comments) leave a comment
YUM! And simple to make!! How long will this stay good for?
★★★★★
Will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days
Hi!, I’m planning on making this for the Big Game on Sunday. Just curious, what is your favorite taco seasoning? Do you have your recipe available?
Thanks! Joy
Hi Joy, I usually use the Trader Joe’s taco seasoning, but it’s got some kick! Otherwise, I really love Penzey’s
Hi Alex!
Can you keep this warm throughout the day in a small crockpot? Or will it get clumpy? Thanks in advance!
Hi Jessica– yes! I’ve done that before for a game. It doesn’t necessarily get clumpy, but if you’ve ever had cashew-based sauces before, it will thicken as it sits. Therefore, I just kept a spoon near the crock pot and stirred it occasionally!
Can I substitute anything else for the salsa? My daughter has tomato issues. This dip sounds good and definitely easy.
The salsa gives it the tex-mex flavor, but I bet you could omit it all together and just saute the onion and beans, then add in the “queso” I make this queso as a dip on it’s own often and it’s great!
quick question: which chili powder do you reccomend for this recipe to make it mild/kid friendly?
Thank you! Love all your recipes>
★★★★★
Hi Maria– I usually use Penzey’s or Simply Organic’s mild chili powder. You can also use less chili powder here to make it more kid-friendly. I’d also recommend going with a mild taco seasoning.
This recipe is SO good! Best vegan queso dip I’ve ever had, a must try!
★★★★★
Can I use active dry yeast?
Hi! No, active dry yeast/brewers yeast is not the same as nutritional yeast. This recipe really won’t work without it– but you can purchase it online if you’d like. https://amzn.to/3oGvZp9
Are you using raw cashews in this recipe?
Yes, I use raw cashews in this one.
Made this recipe for a New Years Eve party. Everyone LOVED this!! It was seriously so good and nobody would have guessed it didn’t have cheese. A few asked for the recipe and we couldn’t wait to eat the leftovers. I served it with baked tortilla chips as well as homemade fries.
★★★★★
ohhh LOVE the idea of pairing with homemade fries!
This is my first time attempting any dairy free dip. My kids, husband and I approve. The kids ate it up and loved it. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I also added hamburger to mine.
★★★★★