Best 13 Cashew Cheese Recipes

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If you're looking for a delicious and healthy alternative to dairy, cashew cheese is the perfect choice. It's a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from creamy sauces to flavorful dips. It's also a great way to get your daily dose of calcium, protein, and healthy fats.

The article provides three different recipes for cashew cheese, each with its own unique flavor and texture. The basic recipe is a simple blend of cashews, water, nutritional yeast, and salt. The result is a creamy, tangy cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. The herbed cashew cheese is a variation on the basic recipe that adds fresh herbs for a pop of flavor. The spicy cashew cheese is a delicious option for those who like a little heat. It's made with a blend of cashews, chili peppers, and cumin.

No matter which recipe you choose, you're sure to enjoy the delicious and healthy benefits of cashew cheese. It's a great way to add creaminess and flavor to your favorite dishes, and it's also a good source of essential nutrients.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CASHEW CHEESE



Cashew Cheese image

Spread this vegan cashew cheese on crackers, layer it on a toasted bagel or serve it with fresh vegetables. It also makes a delicious, out-of-the-ordinary sandwich spread! -Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h5m

Yield 3/4 cup

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup raw cashews
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Steps:

  • Place cashews in a small bowl. Add enough warm water to cover completely. Soak cashews for 1-2 hours; drain and discard water. Add cashews and remaining ingredients to food processor. Cover and process until smooth, 1-2 minutes, scraping down sides occasionally. Transfer to serving dish. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 56 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 101mg sodium, Carbohydrate 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

BEST EVER CASHEW CHEESE SAUCE



Best Ever Cashew Cheese Sauce image

This is a versatile cashew cheese sauce that's totally plant-based. I use it as a pasta sauce, as a pizza topping, over roasted veggies, on tacos and for grilled cheese. It doesn't reheat well, so I don't suggest making a double batch to use throughout the week. -Max Gregor, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups organic raw cashews
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups vegetable broth, divided
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Paprika, optional

Steps:

  • Rinse cashews in cold water; drain. Place in a large bowl; add enough water to cover by 3 in. Cover and let stand overnight., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, 4-6 minutes. Add garlic, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute longer. Add 1-1/2 cups broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer., Drain and rinse cashews, discarding liquid. Add cashews to skillet; heat through. Transfer mixture to a blender. Add nutritional yeast; cover and process until pureed, adding enough remaining broth to achieve desired consistency. If desired, sprinkle with paprika.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 245 calories, Fat 18g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 329mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

VEGAN CASHEW CREAM CHEESE



Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese image

Vegan cream cheese made with cashews.

Provided by DanaC

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     Vegan

Time 15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 ½ cups unsalted raw cashews
½ cup water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Steps:

  • Place cashews in a bowl. Add hot water to cover; soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a blender.
  • Add 1/2 cup water, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt; blend until creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides every now and then. Stir in chives.
  • Serve right away or let chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190.4 calories, Carbohydrate 11 g, Fat 14.9 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 101.7 mg, Sugar 2.2 g

CASHEW AND SWISS CHEESE SALAD WITH POPPY SEED DRESSING



Cashew and Swiss cheese Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing image

Another church function favorite.

Provided by tglatz

Categories     Salad     Vegetable Salad Recipes

Time P1DT10m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup olive oil
¾ cup white sugar
⅓ cup vinegar
⅓ cup grated onion
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
½ teaspoon mustard
1 pinch salt
1 head green leaf lettuce, chopped, or more to taste
2 cups grated Swiss cheese
1 cup chopped cashews

Steps:

  • Whisk oil, sugar, vinegar, onion, poppy seeds, mustard, and salt together in a bowl until dressing is smooth. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Put lettuce in a bowl and drizzle dressing over lettuce; toss to coat. Add Swiss cheese and cashew and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 522.3 calories, Carbohydrate 27.5 g, Cholesterol 24.8 mg, Fat 42.7 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 10.5 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 175.8 mg, Sugar 20.6 g

CASHEW CHEESE SAUCE



Cashew Cheese Sauce image

This sauce is amazingly cheese-like. It has a very hearty taste, and contains no soy, for those with soy allergies. Delicious and smooth, good for macaroni and "cheese" or as a dip or sauce.

Provided by jennyp

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Sauce Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup raw cashews
2 cups water, or more as needed
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons classic deli mustard (such as Grey Poupon®)
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Rinse cashews under warm water. Place in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 10 minutes.
  • Combine 2 cups water, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, and mustard in a blender or food processor. Blend on high for 1 minute. Add soaked cashews and blend on high until smooth, 1 1/2 minutes or longer. Transfer to a medium saucepan.
  • Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until sauce thickens, 5 to 7 minutes. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency. Season with black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 196.2 calories, Carbohydrate 15.3 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 7.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 159.6 mg, Sugar 1.4 g

LAST-MINUTE VEGAN CASHEW CREAM CHEESE



Last-Minute Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese image

Call this whatever you like, a vegan cream cheese, a dip, a spread, or whatever. All I know is that it's yummy and it carries me through those days when my avocados are just not soft yet or when they are not in season (I'm based in Israel and we have food seasons). A girl's gotta have something to spread on her sourdough bread in the morning, you know what I mean. It is also just plain good! All the recipes I have found in the past require me to soak my cashews before but that requires me to plan. And I'm not good at that!

Provided by Bayla Haskel

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     Vegan

Time 1h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups unsalted raw cashews
1 clove garlic
1 lemon, juiced
1 ½ cups water
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • Combine cashews and garlic in a high-speed blender (such as Vitamix®); blend on high until cashews are reduced to crumbs, scraping down the sides of the blender in between blending. Add lemon juice and blend until well combined.
  • Add water, 1/4 cup at a time, and blend until the mixture has a smooth and almost thick consistency; mixture will thicken further in the fridge. Mix in nutritional yeast. Add the last 1/4 cup of water only if needed; do not exceed 1 1/2 cups water if possible. Mixture should be completely smooth with no lumps remaining.
  • Taste and add salt if needed. (The mixture will taste very lemony but will neutralize after 1 hour in the fridge.) Place in the fridge to thicken, about 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 128.2 calories, Carbohydrate 8 g, Fat 10 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 16.9 mg, Sugar 1.3 g

TWICE-BAKED BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH CASHEW CHEESE, WALNUTS AND CRANBERRIES



Twice-Baked Butternut Squash With Cashew Cheese, Walnuts and Cranberries image

The dish from Caitlin Galer-Unti, a vegan food blogger, is stuffed with cashew cheese, nuts and cranberries. It would make a great main or side.

Provided by Tara Parker-Pope

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 large servings, 8 half servings as an appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup cashews
1 pound firm tofu
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon tahini
1 teaspoon white miso
4 small butternut squash
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parsley leaves, chopped

Steps:

  • Place cashews in a bowl and cover with cool water. Cover and soak in the fridge overnight. Drain the cashews and combine with remaining ingredients in a blender. Purée until completely smooth, occasionally scraping down the sides of the blender to create a consistently smooth cheese.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the butternut squash in half lengthwise, remove seeds and stringy bits from around the seeds and discard. Place the squash halves in a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet. Pour a quarter-inch of water into the pan and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes, until the squash are easily pierced with a fork.
  • Carefully remove squash from oven and allow to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh, leaving the skin intact. Place the scooped squash in a mixing bowl and mash. Mix in half of the chopped walnuts and half the dried cranberries, cinnamon, nutmeg and cashew cheese. Divide the mixture among the butternut squash halves.
  • In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, parsley and the rest of the walnuts and cranberries. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture on top of the butternut squash halves and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 317, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 15 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 159 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams

RAW CASHEW CREAM CHEESE



Raw Cashew Cream Cheese image

This cheese is soft and creamy. Great for dipping and spreading. Try it with raw veggies or with my Raw Unbaked Flax Raisin Crackers.

Provided by jsewards01

Categories     Cheese

Time P1D

Yield 12 oz, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 cups cashews
2 teaspoons unpasteurized miso
1/8 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Soak cashews for 4-12 hours. Drain, rinse, and drain again.
  • In food processor, combine drained cashews, miso, and just enough filtered water to cover them. Pulse mixture until small chunks form (do not blend smooth). Texture should be like cottage cheese.
  • Pour mixture into 1-quart canning jar and cover with cheese cloth and rubber band. Place jar in warm location (above fridge, near warm stove, in dehydrator set at 90 degrees) for 6-12 hours (no longer to prevent rancid).
  • Drain liquid off through cheese cloth and put mixture through juicer using blank or collect both "liquid" and "pulp."
  • In food processor, combine juiced mixture with lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Add a few tablespoons filtered water for smoother cheese.
  • Keep refrigerated.

RAW LASAGNA (ZUCCHINI AND AND BASIL CASHEW CHEESE)



Raw Lasagna (Zucchini and and Basil Cashew Cheese) image

This is inspired by Russell James Raw Lasagna recipe. It's a wonderful filling meal that everyone will love (even people who are brand new to raw vegan cuisine).

Provided by Emily Amarnick

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 medium zucchini
1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh basil leaf (lightly packed)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 cup sun-dried tomato
3 roma tomatoes

Steps:

  • "Zucchini ""Noodles"":.
  • Using a Mandoline Slicer, slice zucchini into thin strips. Marinate ""noodles""in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon olive oil for 10 minutes.
  • Basil Cashew Cheese:.
  • Drain soaked cashews. Places soaked Cashews, Garlic, Fresh Lemon Juice, Water, Basil, Nutritional Yeast and Salt and Pepper in a high speed blender or food processor and blend until well combined. (Stop and scrape down sides as needed.) Pour into separate bowl and set aside.
  • Tomato Sauce:.
  • Place Sun dried Tomatoes, Roma Tomatos, Salt and Pepper and a tsp of olive oil into your blender or food processor and blend until well combined. Add water if needed to thin it out.
  • Assembly:.
  • Line the base of your dish with zucchini strips, overlapping them slightly.
  • On top of this, put down a layer of the basil cheese, and then the tomato sauce.
  • Finish this with another layer of slightly overlapping zucchini strips.
  • Repeat step 2, and add the final layer of zucchini with tomato sauce on top.
  • Let the lasagna chill out in the fridge for a bit, so it's easier to cut into individual portions. If only making a few portions, feel free to assemble your lasagna on each plate instead.
  • Garnish individual portions with black pepper and a sprig of basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 366.2, Fat 19.1, SaturatedFat 3.7, Sodium 323.5, Carbohydrate 39.7, Fiber 12.3, Sugar 14.6, Protein 20.5

WALNUT TACO WRAPS WITH CASHEW CHEESE



Walnut Taco Wraps With Cashew Cheese image

Tacos filled with a delicious, rich "cheeze" made of cashews and cilantro, topped with crumbled nut "meat"! The cheeze keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge and the nut meat for up to a week. You may also scoop the cashew mixture on top of a salad, or serve as a dip with sliced carrots and cucumbers! The walnut mix is also good sprinkled over salad or soup! Great raw food! Adapted from Delicious Living magazine.

Provided by Sharon123

Categories     Fruit

Time 20m

Yield 8 wraps

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, about 2 cloves
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup raw cashews
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 lemon)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, packed
1/4 cup filtered water
1 cup raw walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon liquid, aminos such as Bragg's Essential Amino Acids or 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 pinch sea salt, to taste
8 small-to-medium romaine leaves
1/2 cup natural low-sodium salsa, any flavor
1 avocado, pitted and sliced

Steps:

  • To make cheeze:
  • Place garlic and salt in a food processor; process into small pieces. Add cashews and process into paste. Add lemon juice, cilantro, and water and process to mix well. Set aside.
  • Makes 1 cup.
  • To make meat:.
  • Place walnuts, cumin, coriander, liquid aminos, and salt in a food processor. Process into small pieces until the mixture looks like ground meat. Be careful not to overprocess, it will turn into butter.
  • Makes 1 cup.
  • Scoop 2 tablespoons cashew mixture down the inside spine of each romaine leaf. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons walnut mixture. Add salsa and avocado slices. Wrap and serve. Enjoy!

SLICEABLE VEGAN CASHEW CHEESE



Sliceable Vegan Cashew Cheese image

What's not to like in this delicious vegan cashew-based cheese? It can be sliced, melted, grated, and more; perfect for any vegan, paleo, and dairy-free recipe.

Provided by Fioa

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     Vegan

Time 3h27m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 9

½ cup unsalted raw cashews
2 teaspoons agar-agar powder
1 cup water, divided
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric

Steps:

  • Soak cashews in water for 2 hours.
  • Mix agar-agar powder with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan over low heat. Simmer until agar is fully dissolved, about 7 minutes.
  • Drain and rinse cashews. Place cashews, remaining 1/2 cup water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, arrowroot powder, garlic, salt, and turmeric in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes.
  • Pour cashew cream into agar-agar mixture; bring to a boil until a thicker batter forms, about 5 minutes. Spread into 2 ramekins and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 38.8 calories, Carbohydrate 3 g, Fat 2.5 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 195.7 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

HERBED CASHEW CHEESE SPREAD RECIPE - (4.4/5)



Herbed Cashew Cheese Spread Recipe - (4.4/5) image

Provided by SpartyGreenMom

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups cashews
1 cup warm water
1/4 teaspoon probiotic powder
1 tablespoon light miso
1 tablespoon pine nuts, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons chives, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped finely
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Fresh ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Mix probiotic powder with water and stir. Add probiotic mixture to blender, add cashews. Blend at low speed and gradually increase speed and blend until smooth. Spoon mixture into a nut bag or cheesecloth. Squeeze and place in strainer and leave to ferment for up to 8 to 12 hours. Time required to ferment will differ depending on how warm it is. Do not ferment beyond 12 hours as it may become rancid. Once fermentation process is complete, spoon cheese from nut bag into bowl. Add remaining ingredients, stir well together. Place in mini 4.5 inch spring form pan. Press well and leave in fridge for at least 6-8 hrs to mold to the spring form and so flavours are more enhanced. Turn upside down, release from pan and sprinkle with dried herbs. Nut cheese is very dense with the nuts, so only use a little for portions. Cashew cheese is also delicious used when making wraps, spread some cashew cheese spread over the wrap or lettuce leaf, add vegetables and sprouts, perhaps a little salsa.

KNOCK-YOUR-SOCKS-OFF CASHEW 'CHEESE' SAUCE



Knock-Your-Socks-Off Cashew 'Cheese' Sauce image

I was tired of bland, boring cashew cheese sauce recipes that tasted only like nutritional yeast and lemon juice. I decided to experiment and discovered this amazing vegan cheese sauce! My entire family loves it, even the non-vegans! Excellent on macaroni, over a baked potato, drizzled in a burrito, on taco salad, as a veggie or chip dip ... the possibilities are truly endless. I hope you enjoy.

Provided by Jennifer Michener

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Dips and Spreads Recipes

Time 1h10m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 ¼ cups raw cashews
6 banana peppers with brine, or more to taste
1 (12 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon tahini, or more to taste
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, or more to taste
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons miso paste

Steps:

  • Soak cashews in warm water for at least 1 hour; drain.
  • Place banana peppers plus 2 tablespoons brine in a high-powered blender. Add soaked cashews, red peppers, lemon juice, tahini, nutritional yeast, salt, and miso paste. Blend until creamy . If not blending well, add a splash of water or juice from the roasted red peppers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 76.8 calories, Carbohydrate 5.4 g, Fat 5.4 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 463.7 mg, Sugar 1.5 g

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality cashews, preferably organic and unsalted.
  • Soak the cashews for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to soften them and make them easier to blend.
  • Use a high-powered blender or food processor to achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
  • Add water or nut milk gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
  • Season the cashew cheese to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, or other desired herbs and spices.
  • Use cashew cheese as a spread on sandwiches, crackers, or wraps.
  • Add cashew cheese to pasta dishes, soups, or stews.
  • Use cashew cheese as a filling for stuffed vegetables or tacos.
  • Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your own unique cashew cheese recipes.

Conclusion:

Cashew cheese is a delicious, versatile, and nutritious alternative to dairy cheese. It's easy to make at home with a few simple ingredients, and it can be used in a variety of recipes. Whether you're following a vegan or dairy-free diet, or you're simply looking for a healthier and more flavorful alternative to dairy cheese, cashew cheese is a great option. With its creamy texture and tangy flavor, cashew cheese is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

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