Dairy Free Rotel Nacho Dip (Printable Version)
Creamy plant-based dip with cashews, nutritional yeast, and zesty Rotel tomatoes. Ready in 20 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Base
01 - 2 cups unsweetened cashew milk or other neutral plant-based milk
02 - 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 2 hours and drained
03 - 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
04 - 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or cornstarch
→ Flavor and Texture
05 - 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
→ Optional Mix-Ins
13 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 2 green onions, sliced
15 - 1 small jalapeño, finely diced
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine the soaked cashews, cashew milk, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a high-speed blender. Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and no cashew pieces remain.
02 - Pour the blended mixture into a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Stir continuously with a silicone spatula for 5 to 7 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides, until the dip becomes thick and creamy.
03 - Fold in the drained Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is heated through and the flavors meld.
04 - Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice and fold in any optional mix-ins such as chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, or diced jalapeño.
05 - Transfer the warm dip to a serving bowl and serve alongside tortilla chips, fresh vegetable sticks, or spoon it over tacos.
# Helpful Hints:
01 -
- No one will guess this velvety nacho dip is completely dairy free because the cashew base tricks even the most devoted cheese lovers.
- It comes together in twenty minutes flat which means you can whip it up right before guests arrive without breaking a sweat.
02 -
- Skipping the cashew soak will leave you with a gritty dip that no amount of extra blending can fully rescue so plan ahead.
- Stirring continuously while cooking is critical because the bottom can scorch quickly and that burnt flavor will ruin the entire batch.
03 -
- For serious heat lovers double the jalapeño and add a pinch of cayenne to turn this from friendly party dip into something that commands respect.
- Let the dip rest for five minutes off the heat before serving because it thickens further and reaches the perfect scooping consistency.