This queso dip is one of my new favorite party snacks.
I served it to my friends at a get together last weekend, and everyone was shocked at its similarity to the popular Ro*tel dip– which is a simple mix of diced tomatoes and chiles, with a melted block of Velveeta. For this dip, I wanted to recreate that classic flavor, without using any “processed cheese product.”
To my surprise, it’s actually not that difficult to recreate that processed cheesy flavor. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that most “cheese products” don’t contain much real cheese to begin with?
Instead, this dip gets it’s creaminess from raw cashews! Not only do cashews have a lower fat content than most other nuts, they’re also loaded with iron, magnesium and tryptohpan. Paired with fresh lemon juice and diced tomatoes, providing a healthy dose of vitamin C, this dip– unlike it’s processed counterpart– is practically guilt-free!
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Healthy Queso Dip (Dairy-free, Soy-free)
makes about 2 1/2 cups
Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews, soaked for up to 4 hours and drained
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon sea salt
juice of half a lemon (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1/8 teaspoon turmeric
14 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles
Directions:
In a high-speed blender, or food processor, combine the first six ingredients, plus the liquid from the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. (I was able to get about 1/4 cup of liquid from the can.)
Blend until a smooth and creamy “cheese” sauce is created. Feel free to add more liquid, if you like, but keep in mind that the diced tomatoes and chiles will also thin-out the sauce a bit.
Transfer the cheese mixture to a large bowl, then add in the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir well to combine.
At this point, be sure to adjust any flavors to your taste, then warm the dip using a small crock pot, or by heating it gently over a stove top. As the dip is warmed, it becomes even more authentic!
Serve with baked tortilla chips and fresh sliced veggies, for a nutrient-rich party snack!
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for up to 4 hours and drained
- ¼ cup water
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- juice of half a lemon (about 1½ tablespoons)
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- 14 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- In a high-speed blender, or food processor, combine the first six ingredients, plus the liquid from the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. (I was able to get about ¼ cup of liquid from the can.)
- Blend until a smooth and creamy “cheese” sauce is created.
- Transfer the cheese mixture to a large bowl, then add in the can of diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir well to combine.
- At this point, be sure to adjust any flavors to your taste, then warm the dip using a small crock pot, or by heating it gently over a stove top. As the dip is warmed, it becomes even more authentic!
- Serve with baked tortilla chips and fresh sliced veggies, for a nutrient-rich party snack!
Enjoy!
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Reader Feedback: Are you a queso fan? Have you ever made Ro*tel dip before? I have always been a huge fan of warm queso dips, so now I can get my “cheesy” fix, without a stomach ache later!
YUM!!! I have this on hand thanks to another recipe you posted (nacho cheese I do believe). Before I started paying attention to ingredients, that dip was one of my faves. No more…. I am glad to have an alternative recipe!
Oh man, that sounds VERY tasty.
If I didn’t trust you so much, I would have a hard time believing there was no processed cheese in that. It looks like the original recipe! I will definitely be trying this!!!
um, hello, you are a genius!!
I love your site and share it on my site. I found you through Tara Stiles yoga in New York. I’m a single Mother and short of time, but I do not serve my kids ready meals and love cooking when I can. I follow your recipes. If you ever get to read my message as you live in LA and I’m in London, plus you have over 7000 followers!!!! I have 73 so far, which I mean if you even bother to notice someone as small as me, I do advertise your site and people in this very expensive, most of the time horrible dreary weather city!!! Like it, thank you
Dee Kate
Kate – what is your site? I would love to follow – especially if it is anything like this awesome Detoxinista site!!
I’m no where near as awesome as your site!!!! I love health cooking, hence I follow your site. I only opened it last August. I teach children gymnastics in a private health club in London called Harbour Club & teach privately pilates/yoga fusion. I also am an authorised practioner & stockist of Environ skin care & nutrition care.
Dee Kate
That sounds awesome, Dee Kate! Keep up the great work!
You obviously are a big company, where as I am a one man band!!! I shall continue to follow your site
Dee Kate
It’s flattering that you think I’m a big company! I’m just a one man band, too.
Well done!!!!
Dee Kate
I was a huge cheese-aholic. I’m always impressed at how a little cashew and nutritional yeast can satisfy that old craving!
Yum! This looks great! I tried coming up with something similar, but was having a few issues with the final product. Hopefully something can replace cashews since I’m intolerant sadly!
Will try.
Wow this sounds awesome and totally something I could use in different recipes!
Yum! I can’t wait to make this!! sounds like a perfect dip for the Super Bowl (however, I am not much of a Super Bowl watcher) This dip will get me to a party though! yum
I only watch the Super Bowl for the food and company.
This will be at our party, too!
Getting ready to try this. Why the soaking with the cashews this time and not with the Mac and cheese ( one of my favorites BTW)?
Hello! Love this recipe, can’t wait to make it for Superbowl! How far in advance can I make it and how long will it keep? Thanks!
Just made this today. It’s amazing!! Can’t believe how authentic it tastes. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe.
Megan, I have a question, will it have the same result or similar taste if I sub chick peas for cashews?
Hmmm… I have no idea. Please let us know if you try it!
Thanks Megan, I will. I really like your website. I have been following you since Aug 2011. It’s been a blessing.
Just made this and it’s completely great. It may just become my go-to party snack. Thank you!
[...] Healthy Queso Dip by Detoxinista [...]
[...] seasonings. This is one of the best cookbook’s I’ve ever bought. I also tried the Healthy Queso Dip from The Detoxinista blog. This is dairy free and was made with cashews and nutritional yeast [...]
This is incredible!! I’ve been eyeing it since you posted it and finally made last night. We had it over a huge taco salad and then polished it off with tortilla chips. SO delicious. I’m prety sure I’ll be making this to every party and get together for the next 6 months. Thank you!!
I don’t have nutritional yeast on hand….is this ingredient absolutely vital? This looks so delicious!!
Nutritional yeast gives this dip a “cheesy” flavor, so without it, I’m afraid it will just taste like a cashew dip! Please let us know if you try it, though.
I was so excited to find this recipe that I made it the very next day! It was a hit!!!! It passed the taste test with my husband and friends (who are quite judgemental when I try to alter the junk foods that they love). Everyone loved it! Extra perk, my best friend’s husband has ciliacs disease and a dairy allergy…. He was pretty excited to have a cheese-less cheese dip that he can enjoy with everyone! I highly recommend this dish!!!!!
Just made this, and it is amazing!! My kids are tearing it up as I type. We did a double batch, and were wondering about how long this will stay good for. I am planning on using it in quite a few of our meals this week.
Ours only lasts in the fridge for about 3 days in the fridge before it’s all gone, but I assume it would last maybe a couple days longer than that…
[...] Detoxinista is my (S)HERO when it comes to healthy versions of comfort foods! This healthy queso looks and sounds beyond [...]
Just made this. Delicious…thank you!!!!
OMG – loved it. Had a friend who tried it, but must not have left it in the food processor long enough, because it had the consistancy of hummas, when I made with vita mix – was spot on!!
Wow!!! this is easy and amazing!!! Thank you so much…I love it
Hi Megan!
Just wanted to let you know that ALL your recipes (that I’ve tried) are DELICIOUS! I was skeptical of this one, but it turned out great – I wouldn’t have known that it didn’t have cheese if I hadn’t have made it myself!
This queso is delectable! I made a veggie taco salad tonight with this on top! Thank you for all of the recipes!!! Your website has changed my life!
[...] and the whole family is in love. Why doesn’t everyone own one of these? We have made Cashew Queso, Black Bean Dip, fruit smoothies and green protein shakes. It’s easy to use, easy to clean [...]
Such a great recipe! I was instantly in love with it and am looking forward to having it again. Thank you!!
Absolutely amazing, cannot wait to share with my dairy-free FIL.
[...] Healthy Queso Dip [...]