Vegan Herb Cashew Cheese Spread
This creamy, savory Herb Cashew Cheese Spread is made with fresh herbs and a deliciously rich homemade cashew cheese. Perfect for Yule and the holiday season, it’s wonderful served on a charcuterie board, with crackers as a dip, or as a spread on a hearty vegan sandwich.
The idea for this recipe began as a vegan version of Boursin, a soft and creamy herbed cheese spread my parents would always serve around the holidays. I find myself craving it every year, and I knew I had to start working on a vegan version.
When developing this recipe, the most difficult part was figuring out how to create a rich, savory taste that imitates the “cheesy” flavor of Boursin. After lots of testing and adjusting, I landed on this combination of white miso, nutritional yeast, and garlic powder—an unexpected combination that tastes AMAZING. This trio creates a wonderful umami and cheesy flavor, which is perfectly balanced by a mixture of fresh herbs.
How to Make Herbed Vegan Cheese Spread (Vegan Boursin)
Since this Vegan Cashew Cheese Spread was designed to be served around Yule and the holidays, I knew I wanted to create a super quick and easy recipe with just a few simple ingredients.
This recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make and requires very little prep. Just soak the cashews in water overnight, and when you’re ready to make the cheese spread the next day, drain them and add to a blender with apple cider vinegar, miso, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt.
Blend everything up until it’s smooth and creamy, then add minced herbs and serve!
How to Serve Vegan Cheese Spread
This cheese spread is such a big hit that I’m always looking for new ways to serve it! Here are a few of my favorites:
Served with simple vegan crackers, seed crackers, pita, or flatbread
On top of a vegan cheese board
As a sandwich spread with autumn or winter veggies and seared tofu or roasted chickpeas
Stirred into pasta for a deliciously creamy sauce
This has become a holiday favorite at my house, and I hope you and your loved ones enjoy it as much as I do!
Watch the Vegan Herb Cashew Cheese Video:
Vegan Herb Cashew Cheese Spread
Serves 2-4
Ingredients:
1 cup cashews, soaked overnight
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp white miso
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1-2 tbsp filtered water
1/2 tsp dill, minced
1/2 tsp chives, minced
1/2 tsp thyme, minced
1/2 tsp rosemary, minced
Extra minced chives and dill for garnish (optional)
To make:
In a high-power blender or food processor, add the cashews, apple cider vinegar, white miso, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and salt. Blend on high until completely smooth, adding 1-2 tbsp filtered water as needed and continuously scraping down the sides.
Once the vegan cheese mixture is completely smooth and creamy, scoop it into a medium bowl. Add the minced dill, chives, thyme, and rosemary and mix well. Add extra salt to taste if needed.
Scoop into a small serving bowl and garnish with extra chives and dill (optional). The vegan cheese spread will last for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy!