Yummy Ackee Cheese

Jump to Recipe

Ackee, Jamaica’s national fruit, has been celebrated for its unique buttery texture and mild flavor.

While traditionally paired with saltfish, ackee is now making waves as a key ingredient in vegan cuisine.

Enter ackee cheese—a creamy, dairy-free cheese alternative that will surprise you with its versatility.

Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a healthier option, this ackee cheese recipe is sure to become a favorite.

What is Ackee?

Ackee is a tropical fruit native to West Africa, best known for its essential role in Jamaican cuisine.

The ackee tree produces bright red pods that open when ripe, revealing creamy yellow flesh.

When cooked, ackee’s rich, buttery texture and mild flavor make it a versatile ingredient, especially in savory dishes.

For convenience, this recipe uses canned ackee, making it easy to enjoy the flavors of Jamaica no matter where you are.

Canned ackee simplifies preparation while maintaining the authentic taste of this beloved fruit, making it accessible to kitchens around the world.

What is Ackee Cheese?

Ackee cheese is a vegan cheese alternative that uses the natural creaminess of cooked ackees as a base.

By blending the fruit with coconut milk, vinegar, and spices, you get a dairy-free cheese that can be used as a dip, spread, or sauce.

The neutral flavor of ackee allows it to take on the cheesy notes of nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and other seasonings, making it a great substitute for traditional cheese in nachos, quesadillas, or even fondue.

Why Everyone Loves This Ackee Cheese Recipe:

Ackee cheese is a hit for several reasons:

• Vegan-Friendly: A great option for those avoiding dairy.
• Healthy: It’s lower in fat and calories compared to traditional cheese.
• Easy to Make: Requires just a few ingredients and can be prepared in under 15 minutes.
• Versatile: Works as a sauce, dip, or even a topping for pizzas and pastas.

Essential Kitchen Tools:

To make this ackee cheese, you’ll need:

• Blender or Food Processor: Necessary for blending the ackee, coconut milk, lime juice, and garlic powder into a smooth and creamy base.
• Saucepan: Used for heating and thickening the blended mixture to achieve the desired consistency.
• Whisk or Spatula: Useful for stirring the mixture to prevent it from sticking and to maintain a smooth texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Ackee (drained and rinsed): The creamy base, providing the texture and mild flavor that’s perfect for a cheese alternative.
• Coconut milk: Adds richness and a smooth, velvety consistency to the sauce.
• Lime juice: Provides the tang needed to mimic the sharpness of traditional cheese. Lime juice is a great alternative for a brighter, citrusy flavor.
• Garlic powder: Adds a savory depth to the ackee cheese, bringing out more flavors that are similar to those in traditional cheeses.
• Water: Helps to adjust the consistency without diluting the flavor too much.
• Salt to taste: Enhances all the natural flavors of the ackee and coconut milk.
• West Indian Hot Pepper sauce to taste (optional): Gives the ackee cheese a spicy flavor that can elevate the overall taste, making it especially enjoyable for those who love a bit of heat!

How to Make Ackee Cheese:

Making ackee cheese is a simple process that involves blending cooked or canned ackee with coconut milk, lime juice, and a few seasonings to achieve a creamy, cheese-like consistency.

The mixture is then gently heated on the stove to thicken and develop the flavors.

You can adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water and enhance the flavor with salt and optional hot pepper sauce for a bit of spice.

This versatile recipe is quick to prepare and can be used as a dip, sauce, or spread.

You can view the full recipe below!

What To Serve Ackee Cheese With:

Ackee cheese is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are some great ideas for serving it:

1. Nachos: Drizzle the ackee cheese over tortilla chips for a delicious vegan nacho platter. Add toppings like guacamole, jalapeños, black beans, and salsa for extra flavor.
   
2. Veggie Dip: Use ackee cheese as a dip for raw veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers. It makes a great snack or appetizer.
   
3. Tacos or Burritos: Spoon the ackee cheese into tacos or burritos as a creamy, cheesy filling. Pair it with ingredients like black beans, corn, avocado, and grilled veggies for a flavorful vegan meal.
   
4. Baked Potatoes: Spread a generous amount of ackee cheese on baked potatoes, topping with chives, green onions, or crispy onions for added texture.
   
5. Pasta Sauce: Mix the ackee cheese with your favorite pasta for a creamy, cheesy vegan pasta dish. You can add roasted vegetables or sautéed mushrooms to enhance the dish.
   
6. Pizza: Use ackee cheese as a vegan alternative to mozzarella on pizzas. Spread it on the base before adding your favorite toppings, or drizzle it on top after baking.
   
7. Sandwiches and Wraps: Use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps, adding layers of veggies, pickles, and other proteins for a satisfying bite.
   
8. Grilled Veggies: Serve it alongside grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers for a flavorful side or snack.

Substitutions & Recipe Variations:

Substitutions & Recipe Variations for Ackee Cheese:

Lime Juice Variations:

• Lemon Juice: If you don’t have lime, lemon juice can be used as a citrusy alternative. It will still provide the tanginess needed to mimic the sharpness of cheese.
• Vinegar: Apple cider or white wine vinegar can be used in place of lime juice for a more traditional sharpness, especially in dishes where citrus might be overpowering.

Garlic Powder Substitutes:

• Fresh Garlic: If you prefer a more robust garlic flavor, 1 small clove of minced fresh garlic can replace the garlic powder.
• Onion Powder: For a more savory depth, you could also use onion powder or a mix of both garlic and onion powder.

For a Creamier Texture:

• Tapioca Flour: If you want a stretchy, gooey texture similar to melted cheese, mix 1 tbsp of tapioca flour with water and add it to the sauce during heating.

Milk-Free Substitutions:

• Tapioca Flour or Cornstarch: Add a small amount of tapioca flour or cornstarch mixed with water to help thicken the sauce without the need for milk. This gives the cheese a creamy, stretchy texture reminiscent of melted cheese.

FAQs for Ackee Cheese:

1. Can I use fresh ackee instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh ackee if it’s available. We opted for canned ackee in this recipe for convenience. Canned ackee is pre-cooked and ready to use, making it more accessible for many people.

2. What’s the best way to serve ackee cheese?
Ackee cheese is versatile! You can serve it warm as a dip for chips, use it as a sauce for nachos or pasta, spread it on sandwiches, or even as a topping for baked potatoes or pizza. Its creamy, cheesy flavor pairs well with a variety of dishes.

3. Is ackee cheese spicy?
Ackee cheese is not naturally spicy, but you can add West Indian Hot Pepper Sauce or other spicy ingredients if you prefer a spicy flavor. The heat level is entirely customizable based on your taste.

4. Can I make ackee cheese without garlic?
Yes, garlic is optional in this recipe. If you don’t like garlic or don’t have it on hand, you can skip it. The ackee cheese will still be flavorful without it, especially with the addition of lime juice and other seasonings.

5. What does ackee cheese taste like?
Ackee cheese has a mild, slightly tangy flavor, similar to a soft cheese.

Enjoy your creamy, delicious ackee cheese that everyone can enjoy—whether on nachos, sandwiches, or simply as a dip!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a moment to scroll down and leave a comment and review!