When I first started eating healthier, I had that moment when I realized that SO many foods in the grocery store were full of bad ingredients. Was there anything I could just pick up at the store? Why are so many grocery items full of refined flours and sugars and chemicals that are bad for our bodies? When I realized there were a few items I could pick up, it made a huge difference. So did discovering recipes like this, where I can throw together healthy ingredients in just a few minutes and have a healthy option for a snack or meal. That’s why you absolutely must try this easy Cashew Dip Recipe.
Easy Cashew Dip Recipe
Course: Dips and CondimentsDifficulty: Easy5
servings10
minutes170
kcalIngredients
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Cup Almond Milk
1/4 Cup Nutritional Yeast
1/2 Cup Raw Almonds
1/2 Cup Raw Unsalted Cashews
1 1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Onion Powder
Directions
- Cut red pepper in half to remove seeds.
- Add all ingredients to high-powered blender; we use a Vitamix (*see note 1).
- Blend on soup mode for about 6 minutes or until mixture is blended and warm.
- Pour into a bowl as a dip or drizzle on anything you love topped with cheese!
Notes
- We use a Vitamix blender since it’s very powerful and has a “soup” setting perfect for making this dip and soup recipes. This is the kind we use here. If you don’t have a Vitamix, you can try blending ingredients until smooth and then heat the dip up on the stove.
This Easy Cashew Dip Recipe is a “Cheese” Dip Without Cheese
Cashew dip is plant-based and keto friendly. If you’re avoiding dairy or trying to create more “whole-food” based recipes, this cashew dip is perfect. It’s smooth and warm, so it’s great to drizzle on chips or veggies or to use as a dip for meat. In the store, you have to watch out for added ingredients in cheese dips. In this recipe, the added ingredients are peppers (a veggie) and other things that are actually good for you.
Why Should I Eat Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional Yeast carries many health benefits. It’s good for the immune system, cardiovascular system, and gut health. It contains B vitamins, such as B12. It’s also a great protein. A lot of vegans use nutritional yeast to add more protein into their diet. You’re upping the protein even more by adding cashews and almonds. This Best Cashew Dip Recipe actually strengthens your body and gives it nutrients to make it stronger.
How Did We Come Up With The Easy Cashew Dip Recipe?
When we first got our Vitamix blender, we were excited about ALL the things! We could continue making smoothies, but we could also do “soups” and other fun recipes directly in the mixer.
As we looked around for new recipes to try, we came across a Cashew Dip recipe with nutritional yeast from Life is NoYoke. Since we were already starting to make smoothies and soups in our Vitamix, this recipe was the perfect addition to our meal plan. Having a warm, cheesy sauce (without all the bad stuff) was delicious and added so many options to dishes we were already fixing. I especially like drizzling it on veggies and using it as a dip for chicken or other meat.
What is the Best Blender to Use for this Easy Cashew Dip Recipe?
We love using our Vitamix for this recipe. It has a “soup” setting that you can use that both blends and heats up the dip, all in one container. You don’t even need a stove to warm it up. We’ve used this setting to make homemade tomato soup as well. It makes throwing together a healthy meal for the whole family super quick and easy. This dip allows you to add flavors and an indulgent treat to a healthy meal. It’s amazing how it not only doesn’t throw the meal off-course but actually adds to the nutritional value.
Do You Have to Have a Vitamix?
You don’t have to have a Vitamix to make this recipe, but it makes it so much easier. You could use any blender to mix the ingredients together, and then try heating it up on the stove. Personally, I’ve only made it with a Vitamix, but this would also be a quick option if you don’t own a Vitamix.
Eating Healthy is All About Simple Swaps
When you swap out things like Easy Cashew Dip for Velveeta Dip or Mexican Dip in a meal, you are making a positive change for your family. Little swaps like this is what eating healthy is all about. What can you eat that is an all-natural whole food instead of a processed food with a bunch of additives? The closer we get to the original foods the way they’re found in nature, the better our bodies are able to digest those foods and grow stronger. Swapping snacks, drinks, and dips can make a huge difference.
You can take it another step and even swap entire meals. Instead of cereal and pop-tarts, you can eat eggs and fruit. Instead of a granola bar, you can try a protein bar without bad sugars. To learn more about what sweeteners are good for you to help you select a good protein bar, read more here. Instead of regular bread, you can swap a low-carb wrap or Ezekiel sprouted bread. Making small changes consistently is what makes all the difference!
Healthy Meals Don’t Have to Be Boring
The Easy Cashew Dip Recipe is so yummy! It can turn a plate full of grilled veggies and chicken into a cheesy treat. It just takes a few minutes and a little creativity to figure out healthy options. A lot of times, there is a substitute or, in this case, a totally new recipe you can try to add variety and dynamic flavor to a meal. In our modern world, it might not be as easy as picking up something from the grocery store. However, the Vitamix transforms making homemade cheese dip into a convenient 10-minute process. Not bad, when you’re adding so many valuable vitamins and minerals into your diet and getting a delicious dip out of it!
