I have a huge love for cashews especially when softened and blended in to a creamy cheese sauce! This caramelized onion cashew cheese dip is perfect to serve with bread, crackers, and even fresh vegetables. I also love serving this dip over burrito bowls or oven baked fries! It’s an extremely versatile sauce so don’t worry about having leftovers. You’ll find many ways to serve this flavorful caramelized onion cashew cheese dip!
What You Will Need For This Caramelized Onion Cashew Cheese Dip
Main Ingredients:
- Cashews
- Caramelized Onions
- Nutritional Yeast
- Tapioca Starch
Substitutions:
- Cashews: Cashews make this super creamy and flavor. I haven’t tried this with anything else but it could possibly work with blanched almonds.
- Tapioca Starch: This makes the cheese “stretchy” so I don’t recommend substituting it out or else you won’t get that stretch. Leave it out and use cornstarch if you don’t mind. Use half the amount called for.
- Nutritional Yeast: This is what gives the cheese sauce the “cheesy” flavor. This can be substituted by adding vegan cheese.
How To Make The Best Cheese Sauce
Boil the cashews prior to blending. This makes the cheese sauce super smooth and creamy. If you skip this you could risk the sauce being gritty from the broken up nuts.
More Cheesy Recipes You Might Like:
- Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Sauce
- Vegan Pumpkin Mac & Cheese w/ Sage Breadcrumbs
- Gnocchi Mac & Cheese
If You Make This Recipe:
Tag me on Instagram! I’d love to see your delicious re-creations and feature them! As always, I would greatly appreciate if you share your review in the comments below. Don’t forget to add if you made any fun substitutions. Thank you!
Caramelized Onion Cashew Cheese Dip
Ingredients
Caramelized Onions:
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Sweet Onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- Pinch of Salt
- 1-2 tbsp Fresh Thyme
Cashew Cheese Dip:
- 1 cup Cashews boiled or soaked overnight
- 2 cups No Chicken Broth I use Better than Bouillon/ can sub veg broth
- 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1/4 cup Tapioca Flour also called Tapioca Starch
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a large pan heated to medium, add 1 tbsp Olive Oil.
- Thinly slice the sweet onion. When the pan is hot, add the onion and pinch of salt. Stirring occasionally. Cook for about 30-40 minutes. If onions begin to brown too quickly, turn down the heat. If onions start to dry out, add a splash of water.
- In the meantime, boil the cashews for 20 minutes to soften. If your cashews have been soaked overnight, skip this step.
- Add the cashews, no chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, nutritional yeast, tapioca flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. Touch the mixture and rub it between two fingers. If the cheese dip has any texture, keep blending.
- When the onions are about done caramelizing, add in the sugar and another pinch of salt.
- When the onions are deep brown color and caramelized to your preference, add in the fresh thyme. Mix to incorporate and then add the smooth cashew sauce.
- Stir until the sauce has thickened. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water.
- Serve with bread, crackers, or veggies! Enjoy.
Loved this on baguette and flatbread. Thanks for another great recipe!
Thank you for trying it out! Glad you enjoyed 🙂