Vegan Cotija Cheese
This popular dairy-free cotija cheese recipe is made quickly and effortlessly from blanched slivered almonds, pickle juice, and a few other simple ingredients. This creamy and tangy sprinkle-able cheese alternative is perfect for garnishing tacos, salads, or any recipe crying out at night for a cheesy finish.
Servings: 2 cups
Calories: 614kcal
Cost: $7
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup blanched slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons pickle juice (pickle brine)
- 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the slivered almonds, pickle juice, refined coconut oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and salt. Process until the mixture forms a coarse texture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean, dry bowl. Using your hands, squeeze and press the mixture together to form small crumbles. If the mixture seems too dry, add a bit more coconut oil or pickle juice, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once you've formed the crumbles, they are ready to use as vegan cotija cheese. Sprinkle them on top of tacos, salads, or any dish in need of a savory, cheesy finish. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
🥄 Soak Almonds, it’s the C.R.E.A.M.
Soak slivered almonds in water overnight or for at least 4 hours before blending for a smoother consistency.
👅 Adjust Seasonings to Taste:
Taste and tweak seasonings as needed. Add more salt, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast for perfect flavor balance.
🎨 Experiment with Flavor Variations:
While this recipe is intentionally neutral, add herbs like cilantro or spices like cumin for a personalized touch.
🙅♀️Don’t use a blender:
Use a food processor (not a blender) for this recipe. You will get a more consistent grind.
Nutrition
Calories: 614kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 57g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 617mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg