Beef Free Paleo Cashew Parmesan
If you've been missing that salty, savory sprinkle that finishes off a bowl of pasta or a crisp salad, this cashew-based blend is about to become your new pantry staple. Raw cashews and nutritional yeast come together in a food processor to create something genuinely surprising — a dry, crumbly topping that mimics the sharp, umami punch of finely grated Parmesan without a single animal product in sight. The whole thing comes together in minutes with just a handful of pulses, so there's almost no effort between you and a seriously satisfying result. Because it's made entirely from plants, there's no need to scan labels for hidden meat-derived additives or worry about cross-contamination from dairy processing. Garlic powder and optional onion powder round out the flavor so it tastes complex and layered, not flat. Store it in an airtight jar and you'll have a ready-to-go finishing touch for roasted vegetables, grain bowls, soups, or anything else that needs a little savory lift.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp onion powder (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Add the cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder (if using) to a food processor.
- 2
Pulse 10–15 times in short bursts until the mixture resembles coarse, dry crumbs — about the texture of finely grated Parmesan. Stop before the mixture turns into a paste; the cashews should still look dry and sandy, not clumped.
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