Easy Vegan Mexican Cheese Sauce

Learn how to make this Easy Vegan Mexican Cheese Sauce with ONLY 6 ingredients and 10 minutes! Goes amazing on tacos, burritos or just as a dip. Dairy-free, oil-free and so delicious! RAVE REVIEWS by every reader!

Ok, I’m obsessed with Mexican flavors. I borderline want to carry around cumin and chili powder and salsa around with me, everywhere I go. But I’m not that crazy. This recipe was totally not what I was planning to post today, as I specifically created it as a quick cheese sauce to go with another recipe that a reader specifically requested, which is this Big Time Vegan Mexican Bowl. However, after whipping this up and tasting it, both my hubby and I agreed, it needed it’s own post. I didn’t want it to not get it’s fair share of attention, haha. Plus, can you believe this is my first time ever posting a cashew cheese?

NUT-FREE VEGAN MEXICAN CHEESE SAUCE

If you are allergic to cashews, don’t worry, I tested a nut-free version made with tahini for you too! I would say though, if you hate tahini, it may not be for you. We loved it, not as much as the cashew version, but it does have a slight tahini flavor, so keep that in mind. If you are avoiding fat or allergic to nuts, then be sure to try my super popular Nut-free Vegan Cheese Sauce. I get tagged basically daily on Instagram from you guys making it, so check it out. You could always add some cumin, chili powder, etc. to give it a Mexican flavor.

YOU ONLY NEED 6 TOTAL INGREDIENTS

As you will see, this vegan cheese is incredibly easy, as all my recipes are, but this one is like 10 minutes! Just 6 ingredients, total, including salt & water! I wanted this cheese to have a strong Mexican flavor, so a good dose of cumin and salsa is added to a base of cashews, water, nutritional yeast and salt.

The combo of the nutritional yeast and the acidity and spices from the salsa give an amazing cheese flavor and spiciness. Some people like nutritional yeast, most do, but there are a few that don’t. I personally love it. In fact, I don’t think things taste very cheesy without it, so it’s a must for me in cheese sauces. I think it’s even more important for a Mexican flavor, like with this Easy Vegan Mexican Cheese Sauce.

It’s truly shocking how darn delicious this is, considering how simple it is. It’s creamy, smooth and the perfect dip consistency. I had a couple of non-vegan friends try it and it won over big time! Give it a try. It will be great on tacos, burritos, as a dip, etc.

MORE VEGAN CHEESE RECIPES

• Best Vegan Queso
• Pimento Cheese
• Strawberry Cream Cheese
• Baked Smoky Cashew Cheese
• Baked Herbed Cashew Cheese

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave feedback below and share your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thevegan8 #thevegan8!

Easy Vegan Mexican Cheese Sauce

Brandi Doming

You only need 6 total ingredients and 10 minutes to make this Mexican Cheese Sauce! So easy, fast and delicious and great on so many things. It will take your Mexican food up a notch!

5 from 59 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup (108g) raw cashews (SEE NOTES)
• 3/4 cup (180g) salsa (I used Trader Joes medium heat, this makes it spicy, if you don't want it too spicy, use a mild salsa)
• 3/4 cup (180g) water
• 6 tablespoons (36g) nutritional yeast (I highly recommend this Sari brand, it is non-fortified with much better taste.)
• 1-3 teaspoons ground cumin (to preferred taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon + 1/16 teaspoon salt
• I use this scale.

Instructions

 

• First, you will need to soak your cashews if you don't have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. Soak the cashews in a bowl filled with water overnight or 8 hours, drain and rinse and proceed.
• Starting with just 1 teaspoon cumin, add everything to your blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and add any more salt if desired. I found the amount to be just perfect, based on the acidity that came from my salsa, but you may need to adjust.
• Add the sauce to a small pot and turn the heat to low. Cook for about 5 minutes, just until it's thickened up some. You will notice it thickening. Whisk occasionally along the sides, so it doesn't stick too much. Don't really walk away while cooking it, as it cooks quickly. Don't worry if it sticks a little, you can always smooth it back out. It's important to cook it on low heat because if it's too high, the cheese will get too thick and turn crusty. About 5 minutes should do it.
• The tahini version will take a bit longer to thicken up. The color will darken some after cooking, to a more true cheesy color. Pour in a serving bowl and give it a good stir to smooth out. Pour extra salsa on top if using as a dip, if desired. Mine was spicy, so if yours is mild, it's a great idea to add a little extra salsa on top and it not be too hot. Serve immediately with chips, over tacos, burritos, etc.
• Store in the fridge. It will thicken as it sits in the fridge, so give it a good stir and thin out a little with water if desired (mine didn't need it), but it stays really creamy and smooth. Reheat on low.

Notes

I tested two versions. This one with cashews and another with tahini. If you are allergic to cashews then you can make this with tahini! All the ingredients remain the same except instead of cashews, use 6-8 tablespoons smooth tahini, to taste. I preferred the cashew version, which is why it's posted, but the tahini is still good. Just please keep in mind that it will have a tahini flavor, but is masked pretty well with the salsa, but it's not quite as smooth as the cashews either. So, only use the tahini if allergic to cashews.

Tried this recipe?Tag @thevegan8brandi on Instagram and use tag #thevegan8!