Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce

This easy vegan cheese sauce has great flavor and uses 5 whole food ingredients. Quick and easy cheese sauce for pasta, nachos, roasted veggies or dip.

recipe originally published September 15, 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS - Jump to any section:

1. 1. Why you'll love this cheese sauce
   2. Secret Ingredient for the best vegan cheese
   3. Recipes that use this sauce
   4. Cheese sauce with probiotic benefits
   5. How long does dairy free cheese sauce last?
   6. Jump to recipe: Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce

Why you'll love this vegan cheese sauce

This is my go to cheese sauce. 

This is the vegan cheese sauce recipe I use as a base for most other cheeses, sauces and dairy free queso like this chorizo queso. We mostly use it as is, because it is so versatile and we add it to so many dishes. I make this cheese sauce a couple times a month and it lasts us the week. Usually.

Like cheesy? See a whole bunch of vegan cheese recipes for everything from goat cheese and Boursin to an incredible New York cheesecake and a melty pizza dip. Mmm.

Secret ingredient for the best vegan cheese flavor

Decades ago, I used rejuvelac to achieve that funky flavor necessary to replace dairy cheese. Rejuvelac is its own project, and over time, I found a shortcut that works just as well.

Sauerkraut!

I have been using sauerkraut and its brine ever since. It blends to a smooth cheese sauce and brings that funky cheese flavor.

Cheese sauce with probiotic benefits

In addition to being the secret ingredient I use for a tangy cheese flavor, sauerkraut is also a good source of probiotics, enzymes and vitamins. Similar to kimchi, sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and can improve digestion and boost immunity.

Read more about the many benefits of sauerkraut.

Recipes that use dairy free cheese sauce

• These black bean totchos have a garlic lemon sauce instead of cheese, but a tasty cheese sauce can only improve on a pile of tater tot nachos, right?
• This classic seven layer dip also uses this cheese sauce.
• We pour cheese sauce over this deliciously spicy southwest mac and cheese.
• We spoon this cheese over our favorite taco stuffed baked potato.
• This works as a cheese dip, and is a perfect topping for roasted broccoli or nachos.

Also, have you heard of a cheese sauce that is made with potatoes and carrots? This broccoli mac and cheese has excellent flavor from veggies!

How long does this easy vegan cheese last?

My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy this cheese sauce within three days.

Wait until completely cool, and refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid. 

Did you make this easy vegan cheese sauce? 

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Yield: 28 ounces

Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce

Print

This dairy free cheese sauce has great flavor and only has 5 whole food ingredients. A quick and easy cheese sauce for pasta, nachos, roasted veggies or dip.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw cashews, soaked several hours / overnight *See notes for quicker option.
• 1 ⅓ cups sauerkraut liquid / brine
• ¾ cup sauerkraut
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• ½ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon Himalayan sea salt
• optional for extra cheesy flavor: 2 tablespoons white vinegar / apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Soak cashews for several hours or overnight. *See notes for quicker option.
2. Drain cashews after soaking.
3. Add soaked cashews and just the liquid / brine from sauerkraut to a high speed blender jar or mixing bowl of a food processor.
4. Blend cashews and brine at high speed until smooth.
5. Add sauerkraut to this cashew brine mixture. Blend at high speed until smooth.
6. Add garlic, nutritional yeast, salt, and vinegar if using. Blend to combine.
7. Add more sauerkraut brine or water one tablespoon at a time to thin / to reach desired consistency.

Notes

dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan recipe

Quicker alternative to soaking cashews overnight

For a quicker alternative, boil water and soak cashews in the hot water until softened, about 20 minutes.

Secret ingredient for the best vegan cheese flavor

Decades ago, I used rejuvelac to achieve that funky flavor necessary to replace dairy cheese. Rejuvelac is its own project, and over time, I found a shortcut that works just as well.

Sauerkraut!

I have been using sauerkraut and its brine ever since. It blends to a smooth cheese sauce and brings that funky cheese flavor.

Cheese sauce with probiotic benefits

In addition to being the secret ingredient I use for a tangy cheese flavor, sauerkraut is also a good source of probiotics, enzymes and vitamins. Similar to kimchi, sauerkraut is fermented cabbage and can improve digestion and boost immunity.

How long does this easy vegan cheese last?

My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy this cheese sauce within three days.

Refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid. 

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Weck 743 ¾ Liter Jar
• 
  Vitamix Low-Profile
• 
  Organic Raw Cashews
• 
  Organic Sauerkraut, 32 fl oz
• 
  Nutritional Yeast
• 
  Organic White Vinegar

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

14

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 8gSodium: 302mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gProtein: 7g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.