Andy Montoya
Blue cheese is a popular ingredient in many dishes, but what are some good dairy-free substitutes? There are several options available, both store-bought and homemade. For store-bought, dairy-free and vegan blue cheese alternatives are available from brands such as Follow Your Heart, Daiya, and Nuts For Cheese. These substitutes can be used in salads, dressings, or as part of a cheese board. If you're looking for a homemade option, you can create a dairy-free blue cheese dressing by blending mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, pepper, salt, and blue cheese crumbles. To thin the dressing, you can add alternative milk like almond or coconut milk. Additionally, roasted walnuts, olives, hummus, or avocado chunks can be used to add a similar tang and creaminess to dishes that typically include blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free blue cheese substitutes | Vegan blue cheese, gorgonzola, feta, roasted salted nuts, capers, olives, hummus, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes |
| Dairy-free blue cheese dressing ingredients | Mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, pepper, salt, and blue cheese |
| Dairy-free blue cheese brands | Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Violife, Nuts For Cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan blue cheese
Blue cheese is a type of semi-soft cheese made with Penicillium Roqueforti cultures, which give it its distinctive sharp flavour and blue/green veins. While it is traditionally a dairy product, it is possible to make vegan blue cheese using plant-based ingredients.
Ingredients
- Water
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Onion powder
- Dried dill
- Salt
- Starter culture (to trigger fermentation and add tanginess)
Method
The process of making vegan blue cheese is lengthy, taking several weeks to allow the mould to grow and the flavours to develop. Here is a simplified version of the steps involved:
- Soak the cashews in water for at least 5 hours or overnight.
- Drain the cashews and add them to a blender with water, vinegar, lemon juice, onion powder, dill, and salt.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the mixture into a container and crumble tofu into it (optional, for chunkiness).
- Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavours to mingle.
Substitutions
If you are looking for a quicker option or don't want to make your own blue cheese, there are some good store-bought vegan blue cheese options available, such as Follow Your Heart bleu cheese crumbles. You can also use other types of vegan cheese, such as vegan feta, which has a similar texture to blue cheese.
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Dairy-free milk
One of the most popular dairy-free milk options is soy milk. Soy milk is a good source of protein and calcium and has a mild flavour, making it a versatile choice for those avoiding dairy. However, some people may find the taste of unsweetened and unflavoured soy milk underwhelming and prefer sweetened or flavoured varieties.
Another widely available option is almond milk, which has a subtle nutty flavour and a creamy texture. It is important to note that almond milk is not as thick as dairy milk, so it may need to be thickened for certain recipes. Coconut milk is another option that can add a creamy texture to dishes, although its strong flavour may not work for all recipes.
For those seeking a more environmentally friendly option, oat milk is a great choice. Oat milk has a similar consistency to dairy milk and can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio. It is also often preferred for its taste and environmental benefits over other dairy-free milk alternatives.
Other options include flax milk, which has a mild flavour and a consistency similar to skim milk, and cashew milk, which is naturally creamy and fatty. Banana milk is also available as a plant-based, sugar-free option.
When substituting dairy-free milk in recipes, it is important to consider the desired taste and texture. Some dairy-free milk options may be thinner than dairy milk, so thickening agents or additional ingredients may be required to achieve the desired consistency.
In summary, there are numerous dairy-free milk alternatives available, each with its own unique flavour, texture, and nutritional profile. With so many options to choose from, those avoiding dairy can easily find alternatives to suit their taste preferences and dietary needs.
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Roasted, salted nuts
If you're looking for a dairy-free substitute for blue cheese, there are a few options to consider, including roasted and salted nuts.
Firstly, it's important to understand the unique characteristics of blue cheese that you'd want to replicate in a substitute. Blue cheese has a distinct salty, slightly earthy, and sharp flavour, with a creamy texture. It also has a strong aroma and is known for its veiny, marbled appearance.
Now, let's talk about roasted, salted nuts as a substitute. Nuts can provide a similar texture and flavour profile to blue cheese, especially when roasted and salted. Here are some specific types of nuts that can work well:
- Walnuts: Roasted walnuts can add a crunchy texture and a robust flavour to your dish. They have a distinct taste that can take your dish in a different direction, but they won't lack in flavour or crunch.
- Almonds, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Macadamias, or Cashews: These nuts will provide a similar mouthfeel and flavour impact. They are slightly softer than walnuts, but they still offer a satisfying bite.
- Olives: While not technically a nut, olives are mentioned alongside nuts as a briny, salty option that can provide a similar burst of flavour to blue cheese.
When using roasted, salted nuts as a substitute for blue cheese, consider the following tips:
- Adjust the salt and seasoning in your dish: Nuts will add their own salty flavour, so you may need to reduce the amount of salt and seasoning you use elsewhere in the recipe.
- Create a creamy texture: If you're aiming for a creamy blue cheese-like sauce or dip, you can blend or process the nuts with dairy-free milk and lemon juice, and herbs to create a creamy, nutty base.
- Pair with complementary ingredients: Blue cheese often pairs well with sweet or acidic ingredients like honey, fruit, or vinegar. You can use these ingredients to enhance the flavour of your roasted, salted nut substitute and create a similar flavour profile to traditional blue cheese dishes.
Remember, when substituting blue cheese, it's all about finding the right balance of flavour, texture, and appearance. So, feel free to experiment with different types of nuts, roasting techniques, and seasoning levels to find the combination that suits your taste preferences and specific recipe requirements.
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Olives and capers
Olives are a great dairy-free alternative to blue cheese, especially if you're looking for a salty, briny burst of flavour. They work well in salads, pasta dishes, and as a topping for pizzas or flatbreads. Their strong flavour profile can add depth to dishes without using dairy. If you want to get fancy, try a specialty olive like Bloody Mary olives.
Olives can also be used as a substitute for blue cheese in appetizers, such as spreading labneh with some finely diced olives on crackers or crusty bread.
Olives can even be used as a substitute for blue cheese in sandwiches, although blue cheese is also a good substitute for olives in recipes.
Capers are another dairy-free alternative to blue cheese. Salted capers are the best choice, although capers in vinegar can also work. Capers can be crumbled over salads for a tangy punch.
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Commercial dairy-free dressings
One popular option is the Daiya Dairy-Free Dressing Creamy Caesar, which is 100% vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, peanut-free, and tree nut-free. It costs around $5 for an 8.36-ounce bottle. You can also find dairy-free ranch dressings, such as the Foods Alive Better Than Ranch Organic Superfood Dressing, which is made from a combination of cold-pressed artisan sesame oil and chia seed oil with coconut water, hemp seeds, apple cider vinegar, and more. This option is organic, non-GMO, raw vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free.
If you're looking for a Greek dressing, Primal Kitchen offers a dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, non-GMO, and paleo-friendly option made with avocado oil and a pinch of oregano oil. This dressing typically costs around $10 for an 8-ounce bottle.
In addition to these classic options, there are also several creative dairy-free dressings available commercially. For example, Delishably offers recipes for dairy-free dressings like Maple Vinaigrette, Faux Ranch, Carrot Ginger, Raw Avocado, Spicy Coconut Peanut, and Mango Avocado. These recipes are simple to make at home and do not contain excess sugar, salt, or GMO soybean oils.
With the growing popularity of dairy-free and vegan diets, the availability of commercial dairy-free dressings is likely to continue expanding, providing consumers with a diverse range of options to suit their dietary needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Some dairy-free substitutes for blue cheese include gorgonzola, vegan blue cheese, vegan feta, roasted salted nuts, capers, and olives.
Yes, Follow Your Heart and Daiya Blue Cheese salad dressings are dairy-free and have a thick consistency.
To make a dairy-free blue cheese dip, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, pepper, salt, and blue cheese in a food processor or blender.
