Super Fantastic Vegan Cashew Cheese Slices Sauce or Dip
Get ready to transform your plant-based meals with this Super Fantastic Vegan Cashew Cheese that doubles as a creamy sauce, indulgent dip, or firm slices perfect for any occasion! Made from raw cashews blended with zesty lemon juice, tangy apple cider vinegar, and nutrient-packed nutritional yeast, this recipe offers a velvety, cheesy flavor without any dairy. Customize its versatility: enjoy it warm as a luscious sauce, or set it with agar-agar for sliceable vegan cheese ideal for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or snacks. With its vibrant color from turmeric and a quick 20-minute prep-and-cook time, this recipe is a game-changer for anyone exploring dairy-free or vegan alternatives. Perfect for meal prep and ready to impress your guests, it’s a must-try for every cheese lover!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1.5 cups Water
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.25 teaspoons Turmeric powder (for color)
- 2 teaspoons Agar-agar powder (for firm slices)
Instructions
Start by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes. If you're short on time, you can skip this step and use a high-powered blender instead.
Drain the soaked cashews and transfer them to a blender.
Add 1 cup of fresh water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and turmeric powder to the blender.
Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the blender as needed.
If making a sauce or dip, taste and adjust seasonings as desired before transferring to a serving dish (no further cooking needed).
For firm slices, dissolve 2 teaspoons of agar-agar powder in the remaining ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
Bring the agar-agar mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Quickly pour the blended cashew mixture into the saucepan with the hot agar-agar mixture. Whisk thoroughly until well combined and the mixture begins to thicken slightly.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased or lined container (such as a small loaf pan or silicone molds, if creating slices). Smooth the top with a spatula.
Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set completely.
Once fully set, remove from the container and slice into desired shapes for sandwiches, charcuterie boards, or snacking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
702 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 49.2 g | 63% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.8 g | 44% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2400 mg | 104% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45.2 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.9 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.9 g | ||
| Protein | 30.3 g | 61% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 68 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 9.0 mg | 50% | |
| Potassium | 1084 mg | 23% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
