This vegan queso dip is creamy with the most delicious spicy and tangy flavors for the perfect vegan version of a classic dip. It is tastier and healthier than store-bought alternatives since it is made entirely of plant-based ingredients. What is best is that you can make it in just 20 minutes, and you do not need to plan ahead.
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I believe every person following a vegan diet should have a collection of vegan dips. That is why I have developed so many delicious plant-based dips and sauces, such as vegan nacho cheese sauce, vegan French onion dip, and vegan spinach dip.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
I love how you can get a delicious vegan queso dip using vegetables you might already have on hand. It is completely plant-based and will give you a rich, hearty dip in just twenty minutes. The creamy sauce comes from blending cooked potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, and garlic for a great depth of flavor and nutrition.
The spices and condiments, such as hot chili powder, sweet smoked paprika, and sriracha, give it the classic flavor of traditional queso. This added kick of heat perfectly balanced the creaminess of the sauce. Plus, the lemon juice gives it a hint of tanginess, which brightens up the entire dip and cuts through the richness of the sauce.
The add-ins are another aspect that I love about this recipe. The bell pepper, salsa, and jalapeno pepper add a burst of freshness and a touch of heat, while the freshly chopped cilantro brings a pop of color and a hint of earthiness. They elevate the dip even more for a vegan version you and your family will love.
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🧾 Key ingredients
Potatoes and sweet potatoes form the hearty and nutritious foundation of this dip. When cooked and blended, their starchy texture creates a creamy, cheese-like consistency that is hard to resist.
Carrots and onions add a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the dip. They also contribute to the vibrant color of the queso, making it visually appealing.
Garlic and vegetable broth are essential for enhancing the savory notes of this dip. They help to create a rich, robust flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
Sunflower seeds and nutritional yeast are the secret ingredients that give this vegan queso its cheesy flavor. Sunflower seeds add a nutty flavor and creamy texture, while nutritional yeast provides a cheese-like taste without any dairy.
Lemon juice and spices like hot chili powder, sweet smoked paprika, and Sriracha add a tangy kick to the dip. They balance the richness of the other ingredients and add a bit of heat for those who like their queso spicy.
Bell pepper, salsa, and jalapeño pepper are the perfect add-ins to give this queso a Mexican flair. They add a burst of freshness and a spicy kick that takes this dip to the next level.
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
For this vegan queso dip recipe, the most crucial piece of equipment you will need is a high-power blender. I am a huge fan of my Vitamix because it effortlessly transforms any ingredients into a smooth and creamy texture. While you can use an immersion blender, a high-power blender like the Vitamix will guarantee that your dip has the perfect consistency without any chunks.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
STEP 1
Start by preparing your vegetables. Peel and dice the potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Remember, the smaller you dice them, the shorter the cooking time will be.
STEP 2
Next, peel and chop the onion and garlic.
Making the vegan queso dip
STEP 1
Transfer your diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, chopped onion, and garlic to a stockpot.
STEP 2
Add your veggie broth and cook until all the vegetables are soft. When the vegetables are ready, set aside one cup of the cooking water.
STEP 3
Transfer all the cooked vegetables into a blender.
STEP 4
Add the sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and spices. Do not forget to add the reserved cooking water.
STEP 5
Blend all the ingredients until you have a creamy sauce.
STEP 6
For the final step, add the chopped bell pepper, chunky salsa, and chopped jalapeno or other chili pepper to taste. Top your vegan queso dip with freshly chopped cilantro and serve. Enjoy your delicious, plant-based dip!
💡 Expert tip
For this vegan queso dip, the most crucial tip is to make sure that the vegetables are cooked until they are completely soft before blending. This step is key to achieving a creamy, smooth texture for your dip. The dip may become chunky and less enjoyable if the vegetables are not soft enough. So, take your time in this step, and check the softness of your vegetables before proceeding to blend. This will make your dip the best it can be.
🔄 Variations
If you are a fan of a smoky flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of liquid smoke to the recipe. This will give your vegan queso dip a unique, smoky undertone that pairs well with the hot chili powder and smoked paprika already in the recipe.
Looking for a different kind of heat? Try using chipotle peppers instead of jalapenos. Chipotle peppers will give your dip a smoky, spicy kick that is a delicious deviation from the original recipe. Remember to adjust the quantity based on your heat tolerance.
If you enjoy a cheesier flavor, consider adding an extra tablespoon of nutritional yeast. This will enhance the cheesy flavor of the dip without adding any dairy products.
🥣 Serving ideas
This vegan queso dip is incredibly delicious and versatile, which means it pairs well with a variety of dishes. For a classic take, enjoy it with some caulflower tacos or mushroom tacos. This is a match made in heaven and will elevate your tacos to the next level. It also tastes great with burritos.
Snacks and appetizers pair great with it as well. Try it with some baked potato wedges or even as a dressing for a Mexican salad. Or pair it with a variety of veggies for a healthy, satisfying snack. Carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, and cucumber slices all taste great when dipped in this creamy dip.
And, of course, the most traditional and classic way is to enjoy it with some chips. Tortilla chips, pita chips, or even homemade vegetable chips pair incredibly well. Add a side of fresh salsa and guacamole, and you have a delicious, plant-based snack for a movie night or a casual gathering with friends.
❄️ Storing tips
Storing and reheating this vegan queso dip is simple, and it does not affect the taste or the creamy texture. In fact, it may taste better after a day or two as the flavors have more time to blend together.
To store the leftover dip, allow it to cool down completely first. Then, transfer it into an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh and delicious for up to three days.
Unfortunately, freezing is not recommended. This is because it contains many vegetables, which can become mushy and lose their texture when frozen and then thawed. This can result in a less-than-ideal consistency for your dip.
When you are ready to enjoy your stored dip again, you will need to reheat it. To do this, place it in a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat on the stove.
🤔 FAQs
Yes, you can use other types of potatoes in this recipe. The recipe calls for regular potatoes and sweet potatoes, but feel free to use any variety you have on hand. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as different types of potatoes may have different cooking times.
You can substitute sunflower seeds with other seeds or nuts if you do not have them. Pumpkin seeds or cashews could be a good alternative. However, remember that this might change the flavor of the dip.
The hot chili powder or flakes add a bit of heat to the vegan queso dip. However, if you are not a fan of spicy food, you can reduce the amount or omit it altogether. The dip will still be flavorful without it.
Yes, you can add other vegetables to this dip. Feel free to experiment with other veggies you have on hand. Just remember to adjust the cooking time as needed.
If your sauce is not thick enough, you can add a tablespoon of cornstarch and put it back on the stove. Bring it to a boil while stirring until it thickens to your desired consistency. Remember, sauces with added starch need to be hot to thicken properly. You can also consider other ways to thicken it. I have a complete guide on the 20 ways to thicken a dish.
More vegan dips
You can browse through our vegan dips or check out the ones below:
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Vegan Queso Dip (Nut-free)
Ingredients
To pre-cook
- 1 cup Potato (diced) 1 medium
- 1 cup Sweet potato (diced) 1 small/medium
- ½ cup Carrot (diced) 1 medium
- ¼ cup Onion (chopped) ½ small
- 1 clove Garlic
- 3 cup Veggie broth
To blend
- 1 cup Veggie broth aka cooking water
- ⅓ cup Sunflower seed (raw, unsalted)
- 2 Tbsp Nutritional yeast
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- ½ tsp Hot chili powder or flakes
- ½ tsp Sweet smoked paprika powder
- ½ tsp Salt
- ⅛ tsp Pepper
- ½ tsp Sriracha (or any other chili paste) optional depending on how hot you like your cheese sauce
Add-ins
- ½ Bell Pepper chopped to small
- 3 Tbsp Salsa
- Jalapeño pepper or other hot chili pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp Freshly chopped cilantro to taste
Instructions
Prepare ingredients
- Peel and dice potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. The smaller you dice them, the shorter will be the cooking time. Peel and chop onion and garlic.
Pre-cook ingredients
- Add diced potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, chopped onion, and garlic to a stockpot and add veggie broth. Cook them until all veggies are soft.
- When ready, reserve 1 cup of cooking water.
Blend
- Transfer all cooked vegetables into a blender. Add sunflower seeds (no need to soak them), nutritional yeast, lemon juice, spices, and the reserved cooking water. Blend them until you have a creamy sauce.
Add-ins
- Add small chopped bell pepper, chunky salsa, and chopped jalapeno or other chili pepper to taste. Top it with freshly chopped cilantro.
Kimberly
I’m going to assume that I can use a few cashews instead of sunflower seeds (I react to sunflower but not cashews, go figure), but do you have any suggestions for a substitute for nutritional yeast?
My Pure Plants
I heard that white miso paste can also give a cheezy flavor, although I have not tried it yet.