This Tofu Queso Recipe is a creamy and flavorful delight ready in just 5 minutes! It’s rich, “cheesy, ” and incredibly satisfying, but it’s also vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. You won’t believe how good it is!
This Tofu Queso recipe holds a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite creation to date. It’s unbelievably delicious, packed with protein from the tofu and nutritional yeast, and the best part? It’s ready in just 5 minutes!
What makes this recipe even more incredible is how it caters to everyone’s dietary needs. With some of my kids unable to consume dairy but still craving that rich and cheesy queso goodness, this recipe became a game-changer. Not only is it dairy-free, but it’s also gluten-free, vegan, and nut-free, making it allergy-sensitive and suitable for all.
Made with pantry staples, this quick and easy recipe saves the day when cravings strike. Trust me when I say, my kids devour every bit of this creamy queso before I even have a chance to get a bite.
It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, satisfying their cravings and leaving them asking for more. Get ready to experience the magic of this irresistible tofu queso—it’s a true winner in every way!
Ingredients for Tufu Queso
Silken (soft) Tofu –Our first secret is using soft, silken tofu as the base for a smooth and creamy texture that traditional queso dips can only achieve with processed cheese “food”. We drain the tofu well to remove any excess liquid and ensure the thickest, creamiest dip.
Nutritional Yeast – Our next secret ingredient—is nutritional yeast. The nutritional yeast adds the cheesy flavor you expect from this cheesy dip. We’ve seen other cheese dips out there that add a few tablespoons of nutritional yeast, but to our tastebuds, this was far better when made with a full quarter cup. The great news is that, unlike cheese, nutritional yeast is extremely low in calories and even low in sodium.
Cumin, Coriander, Onion Powder, Salt –In place of salsa, we add plenty of ground cumin and ground coriander. These earthy Tex-Mex spices combine with the tofu and nutritional yeast in a way that will truly make you believe you are eating real cheese. We also add a hint of onion powder for a bit of depth, however, that can be omitted entirely if you are sensitive to it.
Cilantro – A few handfuls of fresh cilantro are added for brightness and even more “salsa” flavor. There’s no need to chop the cilantro, just remove any of the larger stems and pulse with the queso in a food processor to break it up and disperse throughout.
How to Make Tofu Queso
First, to a food processor, add the tofu, nutritional yeast, cumin, coriander, salt, and onion powder. If you are sensitive to small amounts of onion powder, simply omit it.
Then, pulse the tofu mixture until entirely smooth.
Next, add the cilantro and pulse a few additional times, just until the leaves are finely chopped and dispersed throughout.
Finally, if serving chilled, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to bring out the flavor of the cilantro. If served warm, the flavor of the cilantro will come out in the heating process.
To heat your tofu queso simply transfer the mixture to a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 2–3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, just until warmed throughout.
Heating Queso Dip
Unlike most queso dips, this recipe is great when served cold! If serving it chilled, it is best to cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors mingle and bring out the fresh cilantro.
To heat the queso, we like to keep it simple and transfer it to a microwave-safe dish. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between each, to prevent the dip from splattering. The queso should be fully heated through in 2–3 minutes.
Truth: It’s freaking amazing either way!
What Can I Dip in Tofu Queso?
Tortilla chips are the standard for queso dipping, but their fat content isn’t ideal for those with GERD. The most obvious substitution is a lower-fat baked tortilla chip. We actually prefer plain popcorn chips over the big-brand baked tortilla chips, but there are also plenty of smaller brand tortilla chips that are low in fat—just look out for beans in the ingredients list!
If you aren’t watching gluten, you could also try reduced-fat pita chips. They go great with the cumin in this recipe in the same way that they go with the cumin in most hummus.
Don’t sleep on fresh cut vegetables such as celery or cucumber. They’re a healthy way to enjoy a healthy queso dip!
While it may sound strange at first, fresh sliced apple is surprisingly good as well.
I also love using it as a sauce over leftover bowls, buddha bowls, or salads!
Other Reflux Friendly Dips and Sauces You’ll Love!
This Tofu Queso Recipe is a creamy and flavorful delight ready in just 5 minutes! It’s rich, “cheesy, ” and incredibly satisfying, but it’s also vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free. You won’t believe how good it is!
To a food processor, add the tofu, nutritional yeast, cumin, coriander, salt, and onion powder. If you are sensitive to small amounts of onion powder, simply omit it.
Pulse the tofu mixture until entirely smooth.
Add the cilantro and pulse a few additional times, just until the leaves are finely chopped and dispersed throughout.
If serving chilled, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to bring out the flavor of the cilantro. If served warm, the flavor of the cilantro will come out in the heating process.
To heat, transfer to a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 2–3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, just until warmed throughout.
