Randy Chandler
Vegan parmesan cheese is a plant-based alternative to regular parmesan cheese. It is made from a mixture of nuts and seeds, nutritional yeast, spices, and salt. The ingredients are blended together in a food processor until they reach a fine, crumbly texture. The mixture can then be sprinkled on top of dishes such as pasta, salads, and pizza, or shaped into a wheel and chilled to be grated like traditional parmesan. This vegan alternative is a savoury and nutty option that can be made in just a few minutes and is perfect for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 5 minutes |
| Ingredients | Nuts, seeds, nutritional yeast, spices, salt, pepper |
| Nuts used | Cashew, almond, walnut, Brazil nut, macadamia nut, pecan, pistachio, pine nut, hemp seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed |
| Spices used | Garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, Italian seasoning, dried basil, parsley, lemon zest, ground mustard, black pepper |
| Storage | Refrigerate in a sealed container for a month |
| Serving size | 1 tablespoon |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional yeast for cheesy flavour
Nutritional yeast is a key ingredient in vegan parmesan cheese, providing a savoury, nutty, and salty flavour that is often described as "cheesy". It is a type of inactive yeast with a bright yellow hue, most commonly sold in food stores in powdered form or as flakes. The specific strain used is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the same type of yeast as baker's yeast or brewer's yeast in its active form.
Nutritional yeast is grown to be harvested and dried, with its leavening power deactivated, but many desirable qualities remain. It has a delicious, malty flavour and a smell reminiscent of crushed corn chips with hints of fresh parmesan. It is a popular dairy-free alternative, often favoured by vegans, as it provides a similar buttery, straw-like aroma to real cheese.
When used in vegan parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast adds a savoury, nutty, and "funky" taste that pairs well with foods that traditionally feature cheese. It is important to note that nutritional yeast does not taste exactly like cheese, but it can satisfy a similar craving for an umami flavour. Combining nutritional yeast with other ingredients, such as miso and lemon juice, can enhance its fermented and tangy qualities, making it even more reminiscent of cheese.
Nutritional yeast is also a nutritious option, providing more protein per calorie than cheese and containing fibre, vitamins B1, B3, B9, and B12, and substantial levels of selenium. Additionally, it is fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and sodium-free, making it a heart-healthy and cholesterol-friendly choice.
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Nuts and seeds for texture
Nuts and seeds are the primary ingredients in vegan parmesan cheese, providing texture and flavour. This "cheese" is a ground-up mixture of nuts and seeds, and will not melt like regular cheese. It is meant to be used as a finishing sprinkle or topping.
You can use a variety of nuts and seeds, including cashews, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, pine nuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. The choice of nut or seed will determine the flavour and texture of the final product. For example, sliced almonds and raw cashews grind up into a "dusty" consistency that's perfect for sprinkling, while walnuts provide a buttery richness. Some nuts, like pecans, pine nuts, and walnuts, can be quite "wet" and clumpy in the mixture, so it's best to limit them to a third of the total volume. If you want a nut-free version, you can use a mix of raw pepitas and/or sunflower seeds, or just hemp seeds.
The nuts and seeds are typically pulsed together in a food processor until the desired texture is achieved. It's important not to over-blend, as this can cause the mixture to become clumpy. You can also add Italian seasoning, dried basil or parsley, lemon zest, ground mustard, garlic and onion powder, or black pepper to enhance the flavour.
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Spices and seasonings
Nutritional Yeast
Also known as "nooch", nutritional yeast is a common ingredient in vegan parmesan cheese due to its pleasantly savoury, nutty, and cheesy flavour. It is often described as having a funky, cheesy taste that adds depth to the overall profile of the vegan cheese. Nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein, vitamin B12, and other vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to the recipe.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder
These two spices are often used together to enhance the savoury flavour of the vegan parmesan cheese. They add a subtle pungency and sharpness, creating a more complex and robust profile.
Salt
Salt is used to bring out the flavours of the other ingredients and enhance the cheesiness of the final product. Sea salt or regular salt can be used, depending on preference. It is important to note that if salted cashews are used in the recipe, less additional salt may be needed to achieve the desired taste.
Pepper
Black pepper is commonly added to vegan parmesan cheese to provide a peppery piquant quality similar to that found in real Parmesan cheese. It adds a spicy kick that complements the other flavours in the mixture.
Lemon Zest
Lemon zest is an optional ingredient that can be added to bring a bright, citrusy flavour to the vegan parmesan cheese. It adds complexity and a tangy, nutty note to the mixture, making it more well-rounded and interesting.
Other Seasonings
In addition to the above, various other spices and seasonings can be experimented with to create unique flavour profiles. For example, smoked paprika can be added for a subtle smoky flavour, or ground mustard can be included to add sharpness and depth. Additionally, some recipes may incorporate lemon juice and vinegar to provide a tangy, bold bite that mimics the sharpness of traditional Parmesan cheese.
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Food processor for blending
To make vegan parmesan cheese using a food processor, start by grinding the nuts of your choice into a fine, crumbly texture. Commonly used nuts and seeds include cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds. You can also use a coffee grinder or blender for this step, but be careful not to over-process the nuts, as this will cause them to stick together and form a paste.
Next, add the rest of your ingredients to the food processor. Common ingredients include nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, lemon juice, and white vinegar. Pulse the food processor until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overblend, as this will result in a paste.
At this stage, you can choose to use the vegan parmesan as a crumbly topping for dishes like pasta, pizza, or salads. If you prefer a grated form, continue to the next step.
To shape the mixture into a block that can be grated, press the mixture into a firm wheel and refrigerate it overnight. The chilling process helps the texture firm up, making it easier to grate. You can also freeze the mixture for a few hours until it firms up.
Vegan parmesan can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months or frozen for up to 6 months.
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Storage and serving
Storing your vegan parmesan cheese in a sealed container in the refrigerator will make it last for about a week to three weeks. You can also store it in the freezer for longer-term storage, for up to three months.
Some people prefer to line their container with parchment paper, bringing it up over the cheese and using foil over the top to avoid any chance of plastic leaching into the cheese.
When serving, grate or crumble straight from the fridge or freezer and use as desired. It goes well with pasta, soups, salads, pizza, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
The ingredients used to make vegan parmesan cheese are raw cashews or almonds, nutritional yeast, pantry spices, salt, and pepper.
It takes about 5 minutes to make vegan parmesan cheese.
To make vegan parmesan cheese, you need to blend all the ingredients in a food processor until they reach a fine, powdery texture. You can then store the mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator for about a month.
Vegan parmesan cheese can be sprinkled on pasta, salads, pizza, breadsticks, and many other dishes.
