Instant pot Keto cauliflower queso, which is vegan, keto, super creamy, cheesy, and delicious. And it takes less than 15-minutes from start to finish for making this cauliflower queso dip.
Why Should You Eat Cauliflower?
In recent times, I am experimenting a lot with this magic vegetable: cauliflower. It can be used as rice, or as a replacement of potatoes in patties and even in making some yum comfort foods like hash browns. But this time I have used cauliflower to create something really unique and delicious. For cauliflower haters, here are
- Low-carb vegetable
- Full of nutrition and a good replacement veggie for potatoes
- Keto-friendly vegetable, ideal for
diabetic and weight watchers
Want to learn more? Here is top 8 health benefits of cauliflower.
Using Cauliflower in Queso Dip:
If you love green-chili queso dip, then this is your thing. Just dump everything in the instant pot, cook, and your dip is ready. Because cauliflower gives a nice, creamy texture, it works perfectly for this Mexican style queso dip. You really don't need any flour, butter or any carb-rich thickeners to make this creamy dip.
- For vegetarians who are Keto - adding some sour cream and cheese completes this queso.
- For vegans and plant-based - adding nutritional yeast, walnuts, and cashew cream perfect this unique queso dip.
This is so so addictive that you will not only want it with chips, but also with your burritos, veggies or even enchiladas. And my kids love these too. Definitely an easy way to add some veggies to their diet.
How to Make Instant pot Keto Cauliflower Queso?
Common ingredients:(Keto & Plant-based) cauliflower florets 2 cups, 1 Serrano pepper, ¼ cup chopped white or yellow onions (if not red onions), 4 garlic pods, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
Vegan option - ½ cup baby carrots, 5-6 walnuts, ½ cup raw cashew cream(works best) or ½ cup vegan cream cheese(store bought) and few drops of lemon/lime juice or ½ cup coconut cream (Keto friendly)
Keto option - ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup heavy cream, ⅔ cup sharp cheddar cheese and more to garnish
- Clean and wash the cauliflower florets and cut into small pieces.
- If you want, you can also use three cups of riced cauliflower for this recipe.
- Add ½ teaspoon of avocado oil to the instant pot inner pot once hot or just bring the instant pot to a sauté mode and once hot, add the all the veggies with cauliflower with 4 tablespoon of water.
- If using oil, first add Serrano pepper, garlic, onions and sauté for just one minute before adding cauliflower.
- Add just half a cup of water, vegan chicken broth bouillon paste, nutritional yeast, and adjust salt and pepper.
- Seal the vent and set the instant pot to pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- For vegan option - add carrots with all the veggies and walnuts, set to pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- After natural pressure release for 15 minutes, release the steam by setting the vent to the steam release mode.
- Now use a whisker or a hand blender to purée the mixture.
- Set the Instant pot to a sauté mode, add vegan cream cheese or cashew cream, mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes till the mixture thickens.
- For Keto, allow the mixture to thicken a bit before adding sour cream and cheddar cheese. Garnish the Keto cauliflower queso with green onions, jalapeños, Pico de Gallo and serve with chips, veggies, and spiral veggie pasta
.Enjoy !
Nutrition Info Keto Cauliflower Queso:
Here is the nutritional information for Keto Cauliflower Queso.
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Keto Cauliflower Queso
Equipment
- Instant pot
Ingredients
Common ingredients:(Keto & Plant-based)
- 2 cups Cauliflower Florets
- ¼ cup chopped broccoli (Optional)(or, add another ½ cup of cauliflower)
- 1 Serrano Pepper
- ¼ cup chopped onions (preferably white)
- 4 garlic pods
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon vegan chicken broth paste (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup water
- salt & pepper to taste
Vegan/Plant-based Option
- ½ cup Baby carrots
- 5-6 Walnuts
- ½ cup Raw cashew cream
- ¼ teaspoon Lime or lemon juice
Keto Option
- ½ cup Sour cream
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream
- ⅔ cup Sharp Cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon Avocado oil (optional)
Instructions
- Clean and wash the cauliflower florets and cut into small pieces.
- If you want, you can also use three cups of riced cauliflower for this recipe.
- Add ½ teaspoon of avocado oil to the instant pot inner pot once hot or just bring the instant pot to a sauté mode and once hot, add the all the veggies with cauliflower with 4 tablespoon of water.
- If using oil, first add Serrano pepper, garlic, onions and sauté for just one minute before adding cauliflower.
- Add just half cup of water, vegan chicken broth bouillon paste, nutritional yeast, and adjust salt and pepper. Seal the vent and set the instant pot to pressure cook for 5 minutes.
- (For vegan option - add carrots with all the veggies and walnuts, set to pressure cook for 5 minutes. )
- After natural pressure release for 15 minutes, release the steam by setting the vent to the steam release mode. Now use a whisker or a hand blender or a blender to purée the mixture.
- Set the Instant pot to a sauté mode, add vegan cream cheese or cashew cream, mix well and cook for 3-5 minutes till the mixture thickens.
- For Keto, allow the mixture to thicken a bit before adding sour cream and cheddar cheese.
- Garnish the Keto cauliflower queso with green onions, jalapeños, Pico de Gallo and serve with chips, veggies and spiral veggie pastas.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Use walnut paste or coarsely powdered walnut for easier blending.
- You can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice for this recipe. Use 3 cups of riced cauliflower for this recipe.
- You can add more heat to this queso dip by adding some chili powder, Mexican hot sauce and pickled jalapenos while serving.
- The mixture will look watery after pressure cooking because of all the water released from the cauliflowers.
- After adding cream and cheese, allow the mixture to thicken to a semi liquidy consistency. As it cools down, it will become very thick. That's why don't let the mixture to thicken a lot.
Nutrition
Does the cauliflower queso store well?
Yes, you can either refrigerate the queso or freeze it after it comes down to room temperature. It stays fresh for three days in
Can I use cauliflower rice instead of florets?
Yes, you can use fresh or frozen cauliflower rice for making this cauliflower queso recipe.
How many calories are in this keto cauliflower queso recipe?
This recipe per serving is 143.8 calories, which includes 5.6 g of total carb and 7.3g of protein.
Here are some awesome Cauliflower recipes from the blog.
And here is My Dainty Soul Curry's Keto Veg Recipe Index and other awesome keto recipes.
Here is mydaintysoulcurry’s kitchen basics and how to posts with downloadable charts.
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Sapana
I love queso and I love cauliflower so this really caught my eye - what a genius idea! Love the creaminess and consistency of the queso and can't believe it doesn't have any dairy in it. Thanks for sharing, Sophie!
Sophie
Thank you so much!
Milica Vladova
This recipe makes cauliflower sound so delicious and I bet it tastes heavenly!
Sophie
Thank you so so much!
Veena Azmanov
This looks interesting and sounds delicious. Love the look of this yummy dish. My family to love it.
Sophie
Thanks a lot!
Farah
Love that you gave options! this looks delicious and super adaptable. Thanks for the recipe!
Sophie
Thank you so much ?
Diana
Omg you made vegan queso, that's awesome! I need to try this ASAP! Sounds amazing and healthy.
Sophie
This is the best cauliflower creation I have ever add in my kitchen. Thanks a lot!
janna
this looks tasty as I love cheese and cauliflower! Can't wait to try it out - been meaning to try out my instant pot!
Snita
This looks yummy! I'm totally going to give it a try - thanks for sharing!
Madi Rowan
Love that you gave a vegan option! This look absolutley delicious!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Nene
This looks great! I didn't even know you can make cauliflower queso...You learn something new everyday
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
I'm obsessed with this dip! I am a total snacker when it comes to eating so going keto was hard. This makes it feel just a teensy better lol
Angela
What type of keto chip do you dip in this amazing queso? Do you have a recipe or recommendations?
Sophie
Thrive market has some amazing coconut flour flaxseed chips. I also use my nuts and seeds crackers often. Just use the search button to find the crackers.
Sylvia Hankin
I don't have the pot you are mentioning what other pot can I use
Sophie
You can use a pressure cooker or stovetop too. Just increase the cooking time to 10 minutes for cooking in stovetop
Serena Rogers
I've just started eating cauliflower and didn't realise how versatile it is! Thank you for this useful post!
Marjie Mare
I have everything in my pantry which I will make as soon as I am done commenting. I can't wait to taste it.
Tanushree Tyagi
Thanks a lot for sharing info on cauliflower. I am going to try the recipe you have shared it looks super yummy.
Hoang Vi Fessenden
omg thanks for sharing this! what a great recipe!
Kimmy Mason
This looks so yummy! I can’t wait to give it a try.
Indu
Cauliflower is my favorite. Can't wait to cook this delicious dish with your recipe at hand.
Elizabeth O
Wow..I will sure try this at home. Looks yummy!
pooja Malkani
This looks delicious and mouth-watering. Such a great recipe.
Jackline A
I have never heard of a Queso but it looks super tasty. I have a pressure cooker also. Maybe I will try this.
Bindu Thomas
Amazing recipe. Never seen anything like this with cauliflower.
Quin Cl
This recipe looks so delicious and healthy, I might do this one too since I also love cauliflower.
Mila R
Yes, please. I need more of these. I'm on Keto too!
Adventures with Shelby
This sounds interesting I would love to try making it!
Hackytips
We usually make curry or Manchurian using cauliflower. This recipe looks easy and yum.
Krissy Allori
This sounds very interesting. It is a new idea for me for sure. Looking forward to trying it.
Romina
This sounds and looks great!
Veena Azmanov
This is so delicious and creamy and full of veggies and flavors too.
Patty at Spoonabilities
This is definitely going to be my go-to recipe for dips, especially now as we near all the get-togethers for the holidays. Love this recipe!
Natalie
Looks so delicious and perfect for hosting! I love cauliflower ♥
Kelly Anthony
What a great alternative to one of everyone's favorite party food. This will be perfect for any gathering.
Suzanne
This looks so good! I love that you give the two options on how to dress it up! I wish every recipe was like that!
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make it?
Vicki
When you list 5 walnuts, is that whole walnuts which would be 10 halves? I have everything I need to make this. Can’t wait to try it.
Sophie
You may use either. It works!