Vegan cashew ‘cheese’ spread with herbs offers a tasty, versatile alternative to dairy cheese, for vegans or dairy-avoiders. You can easily prepare your own, and enjoy it with crackers, fruit, or in various meals and snacks.
Are you looking for a delicious dairy-free cheese alternative that your whole family will enjoy? This vegan cashew ‘cheese’ spread with herbs offers a flavourful solution with a myriad of uses!
What is vegan cashew cheese?
Vegan cashew cheese is a non-dairy, cheese-like spread that can be enjoyed on crackers, with fruit or vegetables, as a snack, or in numerous recipes. It harnesses the creamy texture and rich flavour of blended cashews to create a savoury spread reminiscent of cream cheese.
As a base for vegan cheese alternatives, cashews are a great option, thanks to their high fat content which contributes to a luxurious mouthfeel. Fresh herbs infuse layers of flavour, creating a versatile and tasty spread that will go well with a diverse array of dishes.
The beauty of this cashew cheese spread lies in its simplicity and adaptability. You can make the basic ‘cheese’ with just a handful of simple ingredients. But by adjusting the seasonings, you can tailor the spread to suit your palate or the preferences of your friends and family.
Nutritional benefits of cashews and herbs
Vegan cashew cheese spread is not just a tasty alternative to dairy-based cheese – it’s packed with nutritional benefits that make it an excellent choice as part of a balanced diet.
Cashews
Cashews, the primary ingredient, are rich in essential nutrients that contribute positively to overall well-being. These nuts are a good source of healthy fats, particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They are also loaded with vitamins such as B vitamins and minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron. These nutrients play vital roles in energy production, brain health, and immune system function.
Herbs
The nutritional profile of herbs such as dill, parsley and chives, further enhances the spread’s health benefits. Fresh herbs don’t simply add flavour, they are also rich in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties. Incorporating them into your cashew spread can help fight oxidative stress in the body, and support overall health.
The combination of cashews and aromatic herbs produces a nutritious and flavoursome spread. While it provides essential nutrients and health benefits, it’s also important to consume it as part of a varied and balanced diet to ensure you’re getting a wide range of different nutrients.
Preparing your own vegan cashew cheese spread with herbs
Making a vegan cashew cheese with herbs from scratch is simpler than it might sound. With a few basic ingredients and some simple steps, you can create a savoury, creamy spread that rivals any traditional dairy spread in flavour complexity and satisfaction. Here’s how to do it.
Ingredients in this vegan cashew cheese recipe
- Raw cashews, soaked in cold water for 4-6 hours or freshly boiled water for 30+ minutes
- Fresh garlic – I use a small clove but you can add more or less depending on your preference
- Extra virgin olive oil – just a little bit!
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to season
- Fresh herbs, such as chives, basil, parsley, rosemary or dill
I also like to sprinkle some additional herbs and a little sumac or paprika on the top for garnish – so pretty!
How to make your delicious cashew cheese spread
- Once your cashews have soaked, drain off the water and give them a quick rinse in fresh, cold water. Soaking the nuts softens and plumps them, which helps to get a smooth texture in the final spread.
- Put the rinsed soaked cashews, garlic, evoo, lemon juice, and seasoning into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides a few times to ensure even blending. This may take a few minutes but it’s worth the effort!
- Once the mixture is smooth, transfer it to a mixing bowl. Stir in the finely chopped herbs until evenly distributed.
- Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Depending on your preference, you might add more salt, lemon juice, or extra herbs.
- Transfer your vegan cashew cheese with herbs to an airtight container and let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This helps the flavours to mingle and the spread to firm up slightly.
Tips for customising the flavour with different herbs
One of the joys of making vegan cashew cheese spread is the ease with which you can customise its flavour to suit your palate or the occasion. Consider trying:
- Italian-Inspired
Use basil, oregano, and thyme for an Italian twist that works wonderfully with tomatoes and olives. - Bold and Spicy
Add finely chopped chilli and fresh coriander (cilantro) for a spread with a fiery kick. You can also swap the lemon juice for lime. Perfect scooped onto crudités or crunchy tortilla chips. - Garlicky Chive
Use plenty of fresh chives and extra garlic for a pungent, oniony spread that’s great on baked potatoes or crackers.
Feel free to experiment with different combinations of herbs to discover your favourite versions of this versatile cashew cheese recipe.
When to serve vegan cashew cheese with herbs
This delicious vegan spread is terrific in numerous different circumstances. Here are a few of our favourites:
- Spread on crackers or toast as a satisfying breakfast or snack.
- In sandwiches and wraps, perfect with some fresh salad as part of a picnic or packed lunch.
- At parties and informal social events, served with crudités or chips for dipping and scooping. Great with a glass of wine!
- On top of salads, for added richness, protein, and a burst of flavour.
- Spread onto apple or pear slices, as a tasty snack with a winning combination of sweet and savoury.
- On a vegan cheeseboard or charcuterie board, with nuts, dried fruits, crackers etc.
These suggestions are just the beginning! Get creative and discover new ways to enjoy your homemade vegan cashew cheese spread with herbs. The possibilities are endless!
Jewish Vegan Festive Fare!
If you’re looking for a delicious vegan option to add to your Shavuot menu, when dairy foods are traditionally eaten, this creamy vegan cheese spread is just the ticket! Other vegan Shavuot favourites include these savoury vegan muffins, or creamy vegan panna cotta or malabi for dessert.
You can read more about vegan Shavuot food, and get lots of recipe ideas, here.
Vegan cashew cheese spread with herbs is also a great choice for Pesach. It’s fabulous spread onto matza, providing a crunchy, creamy, savoury mouthful that’s a delightful breakfast, lunch or snack.
Since cheese is also traditionally eaten at Chanukah, you might also enjoy this delicious spread dolloped onto (vegan) latkes, or simply scooped up with chips and crudités for a healthy Chanukah party option.
It’s certainly a versatile and delicious vegan recipe!
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📖 Recipe
Vegan cashew cheese spread with herbs
Ingredients
- 125 g cashew nuts
- 1 clove garlic (I used a small one but you can add more or less depending on your preference)
- 1½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch pepper
- 10 g fresh herbs, finely chopped (See notes)
Instructions
- 125 g (1 cups) cashew nutsSoak the cashews in cold water overnight, or in freshly boiled water for 30+ minutes. Drain and rinse in fresh water.
- 1 clove garlic , 1½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 pinch salt, 1 pinch pepperPut the rinsed and drained cashews into the bowl of a food processor with the garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, and lemon juice. Blend thoroughly, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times, to create a very smooth and creamy spread. If the mixture is too thick to blend easily, add water a teaspoon at a time, just until the mixture blends.
- 10 g (⅓ oz) fresh herbs, finely choppedTransfer the mixture to a bowl, and stir in the finely chopped fresh herbs. Taste, and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper or lemon juice to taste.
- Scrape the cashew cheese spread into an airtight container and refrigerate the spread for an hour or two, to allow the flavours to meld and the spread to firm up a little.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Woody herbs such as rosemary should be stripped from their stems and very finely chopped before adding to the cashew cheese spread.
Nutrition
More delicious vegan spreads and dips
If you love a dairy-free spread or dip, why not try:
- Vegan humous basar
- Creamy beetroot humous
- Caramelised onion and aubergine dip
- Easy fresh tomato salsa
Vegan Cashew Cheese Spread FAQs
Yes! Cashews are rich in nutrients, providing protein, healthy fats, fibre and trace minerals. Adding fresh herbs only enhances their nutritional value. Vegan cashew cheese is a delicious food to choose as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Homemade vegan cashew cheese spread can last in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored properly in airtight containers. For longer storage, you can freeze the spread for up to six months, though the texture may change slightly upon thawing. Always check for signs of spoilage before consuming.
This tasty plant-based spread is naturally gluten-free. Although it is free from many major allergens, including dairy, sesame, peanuts and soy, its main ingredient is cashews which are tree nuts. Therefore this spread is not suitable for nut allergy sufferers.
Adi
Looks great – wondering if it would work well with dried seasonings like Zaatar or Sumac?
Helen
Hi Adi. Yes, you can add all kinds of seasonings to this cashew cheese. You can also try rolling it into balls and coating them in zaatar or sumac – they look great and taste delicious!
Catalina
I can’t believe how creamy this cashew cheese turned out! The herbs really take it to the next level!
Helen
Thanks catalina. Soaking the cashews helps to make this really creamy. I also love the freshness that the herbs bring.
Paula
This dip was soooo tasty! I was amazed it was a vegan option, perfect for parities with all my friends.
Helen
So happy to hear you enjoyed it – and that it reached ‘I can’t believe it’s vegan!’ status!!
Maria
This was really good. I like the earthiness of it. I’ll make it again.
Helen
Thanks Maria. So glad to hear you enjoyed it 🙂
Beth
I love the flavors here. I’m a big fan of cashews, so even though I’m not vegan, I’m excited to try this.
Helen
Thanks Beth – you can totally think of it as cashew humous instead of vegan cheese, if that helps!