Description
This dairy-free cottage cheese recipe is a simple and delicious plant-based alternative to traditional cottage cheese. Made with tofu, cashews, or almonds, it has a creamy texture, a mild tangy flavor, and a protein-packed profile. Perfect for vegan meals, dips, and healthy snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 2 hours and drained) or 1 block firm tofu (crumbled)
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or soy milk)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, for a cheesy flavor)
- ½ cup crumbled firm tofu (for a curd-like texture, if using cashew base)
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients
- If using cashews, soak them in water for at least 2 hours, then drain and rinse. If using tofu as the base, crumble it into small curds.
Blend the Base
- In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews (or tofu), almond milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, and nutritional yeast. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more milk if needed to adjust the consistency.
Add the Curds
- If using a cashew base, stir in crumbled firm tofu to create a cottage cheese-like texture. If using tofu as the base, gently mash it with a fork to maintain curd-like consistency.
Taste and Adjust
- Adjust seasoning by adding more lemon juice for tanginess or salt for flavor.
Chill and Serve
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut cream.
- To make it probiotic-rich, mix in 1 tablespoon of unsweetened plant-based yogurt.
- For a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of plant milk used.
- If using in savory dishes, try adding chopped herbs like chives or dill.
- If using in sweet dishes, add a small amount of maple syrup or vanilla extract for a subtle sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: No cooking required
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 120kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0g