Vegan Cheez Whiz
An amazing Vegan Cheez Whiz that requires just 5 minutes to throw together. No cooking or standing over the stove. This goes great with chips, burritos or even on broccoli!
Ingredients
- 1/2-3/4 cup water (as needed depending on how much nutritional yeast you use)
- 3-4 tablespoons raw runny tahini (I used 4 or I highly recommend cashew butter for the cheesiest flavor if not allergic to nuts!)
- 2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dark red wine balsamic vinegar
- 1/4-1/2 cup nutritional yeast (this will depend on how strong you like the flavor to be, start out with a 1/4 cup)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Note
- It is crucial to use a raw tahini here that is smooth, so the tahini isn't too thick or overpowering. The brand I use has a neutral flavor backdrop and is pour-able and very smooth. Too thick of tahini can make the flavor too strong. I highly recommend Rawguru brand because of these reasons. Otherwise you may need to decrease the amount of tahini used. If you don't like tahini, just sub with cashew butter!
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender (I used my Vitamix) or food processor and process until smooth and thick. 30 seconds should do it. If you don't have a blender or food processor, you can still make this, it just may not be 100% as smooth. Just add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk it really, really well until completely smooth and thick. Tomato paste is hard to mix, so a blender is best. Adjust seasonings if desired, although I didn't alter it one bit. This does not need to be heated up or is recommended, as it would probably get too thick or form skins. If you store yours in the fridge, it will thicken some and you just need to stir it through and let it come back to room temperature. Add in any extras you like such as jalapenos or chili powder to make it spicy or for a more nacho cheese flavor!
Notes
*nut-free, oil-free, dairy-free, soy-free, flour-free, gluten-free
*Nutrition per hefty 1/2 cup serving: 197.7 calories, 8.6 g fat, 14.6 g protein, 16.4 carbs
Tried this recipe?Tag @thevegan8brandi on Instagram and use tag #thevegan8!
I made the gee whiz tonight and put it on my nachos and let me tell you….. It is fabulous!! I am not a fan of nutritional yeast but this recipe had the perfect amount where it wasn’t overwhelming!!! Being vegan the hardest thing to leave behind was cheese but not anymore!!! Make this recipe, you won’t be disappointed. Promise!!!
Jenn
Wow, I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you so much for the awesome feedback and for sharing your photo of nachos on Facebook as well, YUM!
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
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Thank you so much Lauren! Let me know when you do!
How happy am I to find a nut-free cheese! Can’t wait to try!
I hope you enjoy it Jessica! Let me know when you try it!
This sauce is so good! Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes.
After we ate some cheese sauce.. I made the rest into a spinach dip. Added spinach, diced can green Chile and, diced onion. It was so good!
Thank you so much for the feedback! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much!
This cheese sauce is so good I cannot believe that it is a vegan dish. I am not a committed vegan myself, but with recipes such as this one I may do it! So simple to prepare, it tastes great and there is nothing unhealthy about it.
What’s not to like? Most people eat what tastes good to them, period. And if it’s good for you too? Go for it!
Thank you so much for leaving feedback Dad, I’m so glad you liked it so much!!
I’ve made other vegan cheese sauces before….and this one by far is the BEST! It looks like queso, has a smooth texture like queso….but most importantly..it tastes like queso. Incredible!
Woohoo!! That’s awesome to hear! Thanks so much for the feedback Kacy! 🙂
My husband and I had the privilege of being two of the taste testers for this recipe. We are neither vegan or dairy free and we both thought this cheese sauce was amazing! I am a cheese lover so I was interested to taste Brandi’s Gee Whiz to find out how it compared to my favorite daily snack. Let me tell you, this recipe is delicious! It is creamy and has the same depth of flavor that I love in a cheese sauce. I added a little picante and used it as a dip for my tortilla chips for a delicious mid-day snack.
Thank you so much Monica for being my family of non-vegan taste testers…which is necessary for me in testing my recipes! I’m super thrilled you all loved it so much and adding picante sauce to it sounds divine! Thanks again for your lending your tastebuds! 🙂
Wow, I must try this! I’ve never seen raw tahini before, but I’ll be on the lookout. I would have no self control around healthy cheese whiz!
Thanks Natasha! It really is one of the secret ingredients to this yummy stuff! I would think Whole Foods would carry raw, if not, you can always order it. I order mine at the link I provide in the recipe. I order from them monthly because it is SO GOOD 🙂
This tasted absolutely fantastic, I have been looking for a good substitute to nacho cheese. This totally fills the void in my heart. lol
Awesome Kelly! Thank you so much for the feedback and glad it filled your void, haha 🙂
I encourage everyone to stop what they are doing & go make this right now. It’s much more than a dip. I’ve never been a fan of queso personally – it always freaked me out. But I LOVE brewers yeast & cheesy creamy textures. The texture of this Gee Whiz is perfection. It is super smooth & thick. After tasting it, I was immediately inspired to treat this more like a thick sauce. It will be absolutely PERFECT with quinoa pasta – like an elegant Mac-N-Cheese. Or over steamed veggies – broccoli? I added a few pinches of red pepper flakes & am going to let it rest in the fridge & make it into an adult macaroni & cheese later on. I might slightly overestimate on the garlic next time if I’m using this for pasta (using your garlic ranch-potato logic from your potato salad recipe!). This may be my new favorite recipe of yours – and that’s saying a lot.
You are so awesome Jennille! Thank you so very much for the awesome feedback! I agree on the variations too, I actually have a couple of recipes coming up using this yummy cheese sauce. Thanks again so much. So glad you loved it!
STRAIGHT UP GENIUSSSSS!!!! And I am obsessed with tomato paste, I eat it out of the can with a spoon! 😉
Awww thank you Gigi!! I’m pleased with how it turned out, no wait, I’m thrilled and loving the feedback from others on it too!
I just made your Gee Whiz! OMG it is so good! It really does taste like Cheese Whiz, but this is so much more healthier for you! I just recently found you, and have made the raw cinnamon cheesecake twice and that is wonderful, too! Keep the great recipes coming!
That is so awesome Gale!! Thank you so much for letting me know AND tagging me on instagram! I love getting feedback 🙂
Your creativity with vegan food always amazes me, this dip looks incredible 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you so much Uru! You are so kind!
What a great name – Gee Whiz! That dip sauce looks and sounds appetizing, and yes, I prefer it spicier! I just got a Vitamix for my early birthday present (not even a month away), I want to make some dip sauces soon!
Thank you Rika! Yeah-I was SO bummed when I just realized yesterday that somebody had already thought of that name for vegan cheese! Grrr….hahaha, oh well, at least my recipe is entirely different. It is super delicious and yes, can be made spicy, smokey, whatever you like 🙂
Yay! Thank you so much Alice!
Wonderful cheesy sauce. Love how you can take just about anything make a vegan healthful version.
Thanks Suzanne! It won over my hubby so it’s a big deal, haha!
Yum! Love having dips around even for a snack. This looks like a winner! Who would have thought those ingredients would come together so well
Yeah-it really does taste like the stuff I used to buy at the store, for real…a cross between my mom’s queso and cheez whiz!
Looks and sounds fantastic!!
Thank you Richa!
You’re a genius, Brandi! I’m so, so excited to try this! 😀
Aww thanks Meredith, I’m dying to know your thoughts on it! It’s a good one!
Oh wow! Adding this to my must-try list! Gorgeous photos, lady! And an amazing recipe, as always 🙂 I’ll try it ASAP and let you know how much I love it!
Thank you so much Courtney!! Yay! Can’t wait to hear what you think! You so rock for making so many of my recipes, thanks so much!
Pass the chips, pleeeasseee!
Chips, chips, chips!
I will be making this for our holiday weekend! Sounds delic!
Yay! Let me know, please, how it turns out Kelly! Thanks!
I have made this 4 times. Tge first two I knew something was off and it was old tahini. I’m addicted and just out this on a lot of popcorn !!!!
On popcorn, that’s genious Bridget!!! Thanks so much, so glad you are addicted to it! And yes, old tahini or any nut/seed butter for that matter will leave things very bitter, so glad you got a better tahini 🙂