Vegan Carrot "Queso" with Nacho Snacks Recipe

Who would have thought potatoes & carrots could blend into a creamy vegan queso? I sure didn't, until I made this tangy, smoky, delicious dip!

This vegan queso recipe takes me back to college, when I used to binge on super unhealthy things like chips and queso at night while trying to eat reasonably healthier and more vegetarian during the day. My transition to eating healthier foods took a few years to settle in. As a busy college student, the foods from Amy’s Kitchen really helped me make this transition. I loved their Vegetable Lasagna, the Breakfast Burrito, and of course these Nacho Snacks. So when the folks at Amy’s reached out to me, I knew I wanted to make a recipe that incorporated these snacks in a slightly healthier holiday appetizer.

The secret to this carrot “queso” is that it’s actually vegan. It’s made out of carrots, potato, sauteéd onions, and smoked paprika, among a few other ingredients. I’ve seen these carrot-potato-based “cheese” recipes around the internet lately, and I’ve been intrigued to try this sort of thing out myself. While I’ve been making cashew-based “cheese” recipes for years, the starch from the potato really creates a more gooey queso-like texture. As you’re blending it together, it seems impossible, but just go with it. It won’t fool your biggest cheese-lovers, but once you top it with the proper fixings, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I served my vegan queso with Amy’s Nacho Cheese and Bean Snacks – which makes this whole thing pretty indulgent, but remember that the dip is still made of carrots, and besides, it’s the holidays, so let’s live a little.

Love this vegan queso? Check out some more of my favorite dips, like this kale guacamole or classic guac, this cheesy party dip, or this vegan 7-layer dip!

5.0 from 4 reviews

Nacho Snacks with Carrot "Queso"

This seems like a crazy concoction while you're first blending it together. Just go with it - blend until it's super creamy, and let it cool a little before tasting. Top generously with red onions, tomato, jalapeño, and avocado, and enjoy!

Author: Jeanine Donofrio

Recipe type: Appetizer

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 cup peeled and diced russet potato
½ cup peeled and diced carrot
¼ cup chopped yellow onion
¼ cup raw cashews* (see note)
2 tablespoons sunflower oil or other neutral oil, plus more for drizzling
3 tablespoons water, more as needed
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 medium garlic clove
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika, more to taste
½ teaspoon sea salt

For serving:

Amy’s Nacho Snacks and/or tortilla chips
diced red onion
diced tomato
diced jalapeno
diced avocado

Instructions

In a medium pot, combine the diced potatoes and carrots, fill with enough water to cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes. Drain and add to a high speed blender.
In a small skillet over medium heat, sauté the yellow onions in a drizzle of oil until soft, about 4 minutes.
To the blender, add the sautéed onions, cashews, oil, water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, garlic powder, smoked paprika and sea salt and blend until smooth. If the mixture is thick, use the blender's baton to help get the blender moving. You can also add an additional 1 tablespoon of water if needed. This works best in a high-powered blender. If you have a regular blender, you might need to blend the mixture longer to get it creamy. Blend until completely smooth.
Let cool slightly and season to taste. Scoop the queso into a serving bowl and top with the diced red onion, tomato, jalapeño and avocado. Serve with Amy’s Nacho Snacks or tortilla chips. The dip can also be made in advance and served cold.

Notes

*If you don’t have a high-powered blender, such as a Vitamix, soak the cashews for 3 to 4 hours to soften them a bit.

Note: the "queso" recipe is vegan, the nacho snacks are not.

Recipe inspired by Serious Eats.

This post is sponsored by Amy’s Kitchen. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep us cooking!