Plant-Based Queso – A Creamy and Delicious Dairy-Free Alternative
If you're looking for a healthy and flavorful queso alternative, this plant-based version will not disappoint. Made from wholesome ingredients like potatoes, roasted red peppers, and plant-based milk, this queso is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for dipping, drizzling over nachos, or adding to any Mexican-inspired dish.
Why Make Plant-Based Queso?
Traditional queso is often loaded with dairy and oils, but this plant-based version keeps things healthy while still delivering the creaminess and tang you love. The combination of cooked potatoes, roasted peppers, and nutritional yeast creates a cheesy flavor without any dairy. It’s a great dip for chips or veggies and makes a fantastic topping for burritos and tacos.
Ingredients
1¼ cups unsweetened oat or almond milk, divided
1 cup cooked red or Yukon Gold potato, peeled
¼ cup chopped roasted red pepper
¼ cup chopped carrot
⅓ cup raw pumpkin seeds
2½ tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp canned coconut milk
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic
½ tsp chili powder
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp chipotle flakes or ¼ tsp chipotle seasoning
3 tbsp chopped jalapeño peppers
Directions
Blend Ingredients: In a high-speed blender, add ¾ cup of the plant-based milk and all other ingredients. Blend until smooth.
Adjust Consistency: Add the remaining milk and blend again until the desired consistency is reached.
Cook the Queso: Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture begins to bubble and thicken.
Serve: Pour the queso into a serving dish and enjoy it as a dip or drizzle over your favorite dishes!
Customizing Your Plant-Based Queso
This queso can easily be adapted to your taste:
Make it spicy: Add more chipotle seasoning or fresh jalapeños for extra heat.
Try different nuts/seeds: Swap out pumpkin seeds for cashews or sunflower seeds for a different flavor profile.
Zest it up: Add more lime juice or zest for a tangy kick.
Enjoy this creamy, plant-based queso with tortilla chips, over nachos, or as a dip for veggies! It’s a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional queso that everyone will love.
