Andy Montoya
Soy cheese, or vegan cheese, is a plant-based alternative to traditional cheese. It is made from various ingredients, including cultured vegan cheese, cashews, and tapioca starch. While some varieties of soy cheese may not melt as well as traditional cheese, others can melt just as well, if not better. The melting capability of soy cheese depends on the brand and type of cheese, with some requiring specific techniques or temperatures to achieve the desired melted consistency. Overall, soy cheese offers a viable alternative for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant, allowing them to enjoy dishes like grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, and cheeseburgers without compromising on taste or texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does soy cheese melt? | Yes, but it takes longer than real cheese. |
| How to melt soy cheese | Use a sandwich press, grill, oven, or stove. |
| Best soy cheese for melting | Violife, Follow Your Heart, Chao, Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative, Miyokos creamery, Aldi shreds. |
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What You'll Learn
Some vegan cheese does melt, but it takes longer than real cheese
Some vegan cheeses do melt, but the process is slower than that of real cheese. The melting duration and quality depend on the type of vegan cheese, with some varieties melting better than others. For example, the Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative was voted the best non-dairy melting cheese in 2019, while the Whole Foods house brand vegan cheddar did not melt well.
Vegan cheese lovers have also shared their experiences with different brands, with some recommending Follow Your Heart, Chao, and Violife for grilled cheese. Others suggest adding a few drops of water to the pan or oven to create steam, which can help melt certain vegan cheeses more effectively.
It's important to note that not all vegan cheeses are created equal when it comes to melting. Some may bubble and turn into a liquid state, while others struggle to melt at all. The melting process can also vary based on the cooking method, with some cheeses melting better in a pan on low heat, while others may do better in an oven or microwave.
To get the best melting results, it's recommended to cook vegan cheeses at a lower temperature than you would for real cheese and to keep a close eye on them. Additionally, different vegan cheeses have distinct melting points, so learning about the specific cheese you're using can help improve your cooking outcomes.
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It's best to cook vegan cheese on a lower heat than regular cheese
Vegan cheese does melt, but it may take longer than real cheese. Some varieties may not melt as well as others, and some may not melt at all. When cooking with vegan cheese, it is best to cook it on lower heat than regular cheese to prevent overcooking or burning.
Some brands of vegan cheese that melt well include Follow Your Heart, Violife, and Chao. Some varieties of these brands, such as Violife, may require a few extra steps to achieve the desired melt. For example, adding a couple of drops of water to a pan and covering it with a lid can help create steam that will assist in melting the cheese.
The type of dish being prepared may also impact the melting process. For example, when making a grilled cheese sandwich, it is recommended to leave Violife and Aldi brand slices out of the fridge for a few minutes before placing them on the patty. Additionally, some users have found success in melting vegan cheese in a pan on low heat and then pouring it over nachos.
It is worth noting that not all vegan cheeses are created equal when it comes to melting. While some varieties may melt beautifully, others may struggle to achieve a smooth, creamy texture. It may take some experimentation to find the best melting vegan cheese for your specific needs. However, by cooking vegan cheese on lower heat and keeping a close eye on it, you can increase your chances of achieving the desired melt.
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Some brands of vegan cheese melt better than others
While vegan cheese does melt, not all vegan cheese products are created equal when it comes to meltability. Some brands of vegan cheese melt better than others, and the melting capabilities of different products can vary significantly.
For example, the popular dairy-free alternative, Daiya mozzarella cheese, has a reputation for not melting very well, scoring a melt rating of 2 out of 5. On the other hand, some vegan cheeses, like Follow Your Heart, are known for their excellent melting capabilities and are often recommended for grilled cheese sandwiches and pizzas. Their "mozzarella" and "American slices" are said to melt well and taste decent.
Other brands that have been noted for their meltability include Violife, which has been described as "melty" when used in quesadillas, and Chao, a plant-based cheese made from coconut milk and tofu, which has been used successfully in grilled cheese sandwiches and paninis. The Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative was also rated highly, receiving a 9.8 out of 10 rating for its melting capabilities in 2019.
It's worth noting that the melting abilities of vegan cheese can also be influenced by factors such as temperature, thickness, and cooking method. Some recommend cooking vegan cheese at lower temperatures and keeping a close eye on it to achieve the desired melted consistency. Additionally, adding a few drops of water to the pan or oven when melting vegan cheese for a veggie patty or pizza can help create steam and improve meltability.
With a variety of options available, it's worth experimenting with different brands and cooking methods to find the vegan cheeses that best suit your taste and melting preferences.
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You can add some ingredients to vegan cheese to help it melt
Yes, soy cheese does melt. However, not all vegan cheese melts well, and some varieties may need a little extra help to achieve the desired consistency.
Some recipes for vegan cheese include ingredients that help the final product melt more easily. For example, a recipe for a creamy and tangy cheese includes a blend of soaked cashews and coconut oil, with rice vinegar and vegan lactic acid powder for flavour. Psyllium husk powder can also be added to this recipe to make the cheese stringy when melted.
Another recipe for a grateable vegan cheese includes an ingredient called "kappa carrageenan", a thickening agent made from red seaweed. The recipe creator notes that the cheese "sets up nicely when cool but melts and stretches when heated—just like dairy cheese".
If you're looking to improve the meltability of a pre-made vegan cheese, there are some additional ingredients you can try. One source suggests adding a tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise, a tablespoon of lemon juice, half a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt to grated vegan cheese. Another source recommends adding a few drops of water to a pan or oven when melting cheese for a veggie patty or pizza, to create steam that will help the cheese melt.
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Some types of vegan cheese melt better than others
Vegan cheese does melt, but not all types melt well. Some may bubble, while others may struggle to melt and turn into a liquid state. The melting capability of vegan cheese depends on the type of cheese and the method of heating. It is important to note that vegan cheese should be cooked at a lower temperature than dairy cheese to achieve the best melting results.
Some types of vegan cheese that melt well include the Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative, which received a 9.8 out of 10 rating for its melting capability in 2019. Follow Your Heart, a brand of vegan cheese, has also been praised for its melting capabilities, particularly their Gouda and American slices varieties. Chao, a dairy alternative, has been described as melting well and is suitable for grilled cheese and paninis. Additionally, the Mozzarella from Miyokos Creamery, a cashew cheese, has been noted for its impressive melting abilities in grilled cheese sandwiches.
On the other hand, some vegan cheeses may not melt as well. For example, the Whole Foods house brand vegan cheddar has been reported to not melt well. Daiya, another vegan cheese option, has received mixed reviews, with some finding that it does not melt as desired. However, a reformulated version of Daiya released in late 2024 or early 2025 claims to "melt like dairy" and has been reported to melt better than its previous version.
To enhance the melting of vegan cheese, some people suggest adding a few drops of water to the pan or oven to create steam, which can aid in the melting process. Additionally, Violife, a brand of vegan cheese, has been reported to melt better when left out of the fridge for a few minutes before being placed on a patty or between bread slices in a sandwich press.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, soy cheese does melt. However, it takes considerably longer to melt than real cheese.
There are several ways to melt soy cheese. You can melt it in a pan on low heat and pour it over your dish, or you can put it in the oven or under the grill.
Some soy cheese brands that melt well are Follow Your Heart, Violife, and Chao.
You can make dishes like pizza, pasta, grilled cheese sandwiches, nachos, and more with melted soy cheese.
