Turmeric Free Dairy Free Cashew Cheese Ball
This creamy, crowd-pleasing appetizer proves that a showstopping party centerpiece doesn't need a single drop of dairy to deliver serious flavor. Soaked raw cashews blended with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a touch of smoked paprika create a rich, tangy base that's genuinely hard to distinguish from the real thing. The mixture firms up beautifully in the fridge, making it easy to roll into a neat ball and press into a fragrant coating of chopped pecans, fresh chives, and parsley. That herby, nutty crust adds texture and visual appeal that will have guests reaching for crackers before you've even set it down. Many store-bought dairy-free cheeses sneak in spice blends that can be hard to vet, so making this from scratch gives you full control over every ingredient. It keeps well in the fridge for up to three days, which means you can prep it ahead and spend party day actually enjoying yourself.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the cheese ball
- 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours, then drained
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 2–3 tbsp water, as needed
For the coating
- ¾ cup pecans, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
For serving
- crackers or sliced vegetables, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Soak the cashews in enough cold water to cover by 2 inches for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight), then drain and rinse well.
- 2
Add the drained cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and smoked paprika to a food processor. Process for 3–4 minutes, scraping down the sides every minute, until the mixture is very smooth and creamy with no visible cashew pieces. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to help the mixture blend — it should be thick enough to hold a shape, not pourable.
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