This vegan skillet queso is full of flavor, slightly spicy, cheesy, and delicious! Serve with tortilla chips for the ultimate homegating appetizer and game day snack.

This post has been sponsored by El Yucateco. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Do you have a staple game day recipe or are you switching it up this year? When it comes to football food, I'm all about the dips!

This year, I'll be serving my quick and easy vegan skillet queso. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, oil-free, and a great vegetarian option.

Chili Skillet Queso Recipe

To make this dairy-free queso, combine cashews, water, red bell pepper, hot sauce, lime juice, and seasonings in a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.

Transfer to a large skillet, pour in a can of vegan-friendly chili and drained tomatoes with green chilies. Let warm on low heat, then serve with chips!

To keep warm for longer, transfer to a slow cooker and give it a stir every so often.

Flavorful Queso Dip

Nobody wants a bland cheese dip. Kick your queso up with El Yucateco hot sauce. It's the #1 habanero sauce in the US for a reason! Their quality sauces are made from the whole fruit of the pepper, making them flavorful and bold.

If you haven't tried them for yourself, head to El Yucateco's website to find out how you can get a free bottle! Be sure to enter their sweepstakes for a chance to win awesome tailgating prizes too. (Begins on 11/21/2020 12:00 AM America/Chicago and ends on 1/24/2021 11:59 PM)

Skillet Queso Substitutions and FAQ

Is this queso dip spicy? It has a kick but you can easily make it less spicy or add more spice, depending on how much hot sauce and chili powder you use. The hot sauce I used comes in at 5,790° on the Scoville scale.

What's with the cashews? Cashew queso dips are incredibly creamy. I was skeptical before I first tried it too, but now I'm a believer! For a super smooth dip, soak the cashews for a few hours (or overnight) to soften them.

Can I use almonds instead of cashews? I haven't tested this plant-based queso recipe using almonds, but it should work. Please let us know in the comments if you give it a try. The almonds should be raw and peeled.

What is nutritional yeast? Not to be confused with active dry yeast, nutritional yeast flakes, also referred to as nooch, is a common ingredient in non-dairy recipes. It gives the food a cheesy and nutty flavor!

Do I need to use tapioca starch? Yes! Using tapioca starch or an alternative completely transforms the dip, giving it more body and making it thicker. If you don't have any in your pantry, you can substitute with cornstarch or cassava flour.

Can I make this dip ahead of time? Absolutely! Premade queso or leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Want more homegating ideas? Check out these recipes next:

I hope you enjoy this easy vegan skillet queso recipe as much as we do! If you give it a try during the big game, share a picture with me over on Instagram. It's gonna be a win!