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    Home » Recipes » Sauces & Dips

    Easy Vegan Cashew Ricotta Cheese (Oil-Free + Soy-Free)

    Jul 28, 2020 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 by Rachel · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This quick and easy vegan ricotta cheese is made using cashews. It's the perfect combination of sweet and tangy for all your dairy-free ricotta cheese needs!

    Vegan cashew ricotta in small bowl with spoon and raw cashews next to it.
    Jump to:
    • What is Ricotta?
    • Key Ingredients
    • How to make
    • How to Store
    • How to Serve
    • More Vegan Cheese Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    What is Ricotta?

    Ricotta cheese is typically made from whey, a leftover byproduct from the production of other cheeses and usually made from sheep, cow, or goat milk. However, it's possible to make a similar product made completely from plants!

    That's right, you can make homemade vegan ricotta cheese from a variety of things that tastes similar to the real thing! Some vegan ricotta cheese recipes make it with extra firm tofu or various nuts and seeds. This version is made with raw cashews.

    The texture of ricotta is similar to cottage cheese but a bit lighter and less chunky. It's less moist than cottage cheese but not as crumbly as feta. It falls somewhere in between, in my opinion.

    It has an acidic taste with a slight sweetness. You can achieve this flavor combination with a variety of ingredients.

    This is the best vegan cashew ricotta cheese recipe. It's:

    • perfect for a plant-based diet
    • has the best creamy texture
    • easy to make
    • dairy-free and delicious!

    Key Ingredients

    This easy vegan ricotta recipe only requires 8 simple ingredients. In fact, you probably have most on hand already. That's what makes this the best vegan ricotta recipe, you can make it in a moment's notice! Exact measurements are available in the printable recipe card below.

    Ingredients for vegan ricotta measured out.

    Raw cashews— soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes to soften. If you can't find raw you can also use roasted, just rinse of the salt and reduce salt from the ingredients if desired. Have a nut allergy? Use sunflower seeds instead.

    Unsweetened non-dairy milk—any dairy-free milk will do. I used almond milk.

    Lemon juice + apple cider vinegar—provide the acidity that ricotta cheese is known for. Plain distilled white vinegar works well too. You could even add lemon zest for some additional zing if you want.

    Nutritional yeast—optional for additional cheesy flavor. It will give the cashew ricotta a pale yellow hue so if you want it to look more traditional you can leave this out.

    Maple syrup—gives a slight sweetness. Agave syrup also works well.

    Dried oregano—for seasoning. You can use Italian seasoning as well or fresh herbs. Fresh basil, oregano and parsley go great in this vegan ricotta cheese substitute.

    How to make

    It's incredibly easy to make cashew ricotta. The most time consuming part is soaking the cashews. This is necessary to make sure the cashews blend more smoothly.

    Hot water, near boiling, is best for faster soaking times (15-30 minutes). Cold water will do but it will require soaking overnight. The cashews will swell so make sure to cover them fully with water with room to spare.

    Once the cashews are ready you can drain them and transfer them to your food processor or a high-speed blender. Add the rest of the ingredients except the milk and blend well, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.

    Ingredients for vegan ricotta inside a blender.

    If the "cheese" is too thick, add your plant milk of choice (I used almond milk) or water until a creamy consistency is reached. It should become a thick paste. Adjust seasonings as desired.

    How to Store

    Store your cashew ricotta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days. The liquid may separate, but don't worry, just give it a good stir before serving! You can also freeze it for longer storage. Place in the refrigerator to thaw.

    How to Serve

    Use how you would normally use regular ricotta cheese. Spread between layers of vegan lasagna or on top of pasta, use in stuffed shells for a cheesy filling, spread on toast or crackers, use as a dip, or place on top of salads or a delicious addition. Check out this Summer Blackberry Salad with Cashew Ricotta.

    The great thing about this vegan ricotta cheese recipe is that it's so versatile and the perfect dairy-free substitute.

    More Vegan Cheese Recipes

    Want more vegan cheese recipes? Check these out:

    The Best Vegan Nacho Cheese (nut free)

    Smoky Cashew Cheese Sauce

    Cranberry Cheeseball

    Vegan ricotta in small serving bowl next to a dish towel.

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    📖 Recipe

    Vegan cashew ricotta in small bowl with spoon and raw cashews next to it.

    Cashew Ricotta (Vegan Ricotta Cheese Recipe)

    Quick and easy vegan ricotta cheese recipe made with cashews. The perfect replacement for dairy ricotta.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    course: Appetizer, Snack
    cuisine: American
    servings: 4
    prep time: 5 mins
    Soaking Time: 15 mins
    total time: 20 mins
    Author: Rachel

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes
    • ½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk, or water, as needed
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lime juice works too
    • 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, optional
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano, optional
    • 1 tablespoon agave syrup, or maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Soak raw cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes first. This helps them to blend more smoothly. Alternatively, you can soak cashews in room temperature water overnight. Make sure the water covers the cashews completely with a little extra room as the cashews will swell.
      1 cup raw cashews
    • Once the cashews have softened, place them in a blender or food processor and add the rest of the ingredients except for the milk. Blend well, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
      2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1-2 tablespoons nutritional yeast, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 tablespoon agave syrup, ½ teaspoon salt
    • If the "cheese" is too thick, add your plant milk of choice (I used almond milk) or water until desired consistency is reached. It should become a thick paste.
      ½ cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
    • Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to serve.

    Notes

    Nutrition facts based off of unsweetened almond milk.
    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Freeze for longer. The liquid may separate in the refrigerator, but don't worry, just give it a good stir before serving!
    Have a nut allergy? Use shelled sunflower seeds or extra firm tofu instead of cashews.

    Nutrition Per Serving

    Sodium: 336mg Calcium: 49mg Vitamin C: 3mg Sugar: 6g Fiber: 2g Potassium: 250mg Calories: 209kcal Saturated Fat: 3g Fat: 15g Protein: 7g Carbohydrates: 15g Iron: 2mg
    Want to eat healthier but don't know where to start?Get a free customizable meal plan and stop the struggle!

    Pin this for later:

    Quick and easy vegan ricotta made with cashews! No oil or soy. It's sweet and tangy--the perfect replacement for dairy ricotta. Healthy, easy, and delicious! Use as a dip, in lasagna, stuffed shells, spread on toast or crackers or add on top of salads! #vegancheese #cashewricotta #dairyfree #cashewcheese #plantbasedcheese
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    More Plant Based Sauces and Dips

    • Easy Homemade Tahini
    • Super Easy Vegan Stir Fry Sauce
    • Best Vegan BBQ Sauce
    • Best Vegan Guacamole (Classic + Easy!)

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    I'm Rachel and I'm here to help you transition to a healthy plant-based diet in the easiest way possible. I share simple recipes and tips you can implement today to make it practical and approachable. Read more about my plant-based journey

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