Frederic Melton
Cheddar cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, but is it vegan? Traditional cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk and therefore does not fit a vegan diet. However, there are now hundreds of vegan cheddar cheeses available to buy online and in-store. These are made with plant-based ingredients and can be melted, grated, and sliced. You can also make your own vegan cheddar at home with a variety of recipes to choose from.
Is Cheddar Cheese Vegan?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegan | No |
| Non-Vegan | Yes |
| Vegan Alternatives | Yes |
| Number of Vegan Alternatives | 200-300 |
| Vegan Ingredients | Agar Agar, Nutritional Yeast, Lemon Juice, Onion Powder, Paprika, Miso, Coconut Milk, Plant Milk, Oil, Turmeric Powder, Tahini, Tomato Paste, Olive Brine, Tapioca Starch, Kappa Carrageenan, Tapioca Flour, Cornstarch, Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Dijon Mustard, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Pepper, Smoked Paprika |
| Non-Vegan Ingredients | Cow's Milk |
| Preparation Time | 15 minutes |
| Freezer-Friendly | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Commercially available vegan cheddar cheese
Cheddar cheese is traditionally made with cow's milk, but there are now many vegan alternatives available. Commercially available vegan cheddar cheese has been around since the 1970s or 1980s, and the number and variety of vegan cheeses have increased since then. In the early 1990s, for example, Soymage was the only brand of vegan cheese available in the United States. Now, vegan cheddar cheese can be found in many grocery stores and restaurants, and there are almost 300 vegan cheddar cheeses available worldwide.
Some popular brands of vegan cheddar cheese include Violife Mature Cheddar Slices, Aldi Plant Menu Cheddar, and Nomaggio. These cheeses can be melted, grated, or sliced and used in a variety of dishes such as pizza, grilled cheese sandwiches, crackers, and snack platters.
The ingredients used to make vegan cheddar cheese vary but typically include plant-based milks, oils, nutritional yeast, and agar agar powder or flakes. Some recipes also call for spices such as smoked paprika, turmeric, and onion powder to add flavor and color.
In addition to commercially available options, there are also many recipes for making vegan cheddar cheese at home. These recipes often include similar ingredients to store-bought varieties, such as plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, and agar agar, but allow for more customization and experimentation with different ingredients and flavors.
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Homemade vegan cheddar cheese recipes
Cheddar cheese is traditionally made with cow's milk, but there are now many vegan alternatives available. These are made with a variety of plant-based ingredients, and you can even make your own vegan cheddar cheese at home. Here are some recipes to try:
Smoky Red Pepper Vegan Cheddar Cheese
This recipe uses raw cashews as its base, to which you add red bell pepper for colour and flavour, and smoked paprika for a mildly smoky flavour. It also includes ingredients like lemon juice, coconut oil, tahini, soy sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and salt. This cheese can be grated, melted, or mashed, and is delicious on crackers, sandwiches, or grated on pizza.
Tangy Vegan Cheddar Cheese
This recipe is made with just 8 ingredients and is firm and sliceable. It is perfect for cold sandwiches, grilled cheese, or as an addition to a snack platter with crackers and grapes. To make this cheese, you'll need cashews, lemon juice, refined coconut oil, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, paprika, turmeric, salt, and water. You'll also need agar agar powder or kappa carrageenan to help the cheese set.
Vegan Sharp Cheddar Cheese
This recipe uses raw cashews, which can be softened by boiling or soaking, and a variety of other ingredients to create a sharp cheddar flavour. These include lemon juice, coconut oil, tahini, soy sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, red pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and salt. This cheese can be frozen for an extra-firm texture, perfect for slicing or grating, or served straight from the fridge for a softer texture.
Coconut Milk Vegan Cheddar Cheese
This recipe uses coconut milk or any other plant-based milk to create a rich and creamy cheese. You can also add oil, such as refined coconut oil, to make it even creamier. Other ingredients include nutritional yeast, onion powder, lemon juice, paprika, and miso, which give it an authentic cheddar cheese flavour. This cheese can be sliced and grated, and there is also a version that melts and stretches.
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Nutritional information of vegan cheddar cheese
Traditional cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk and is therefore not vegan. However, there are now many vegan alternatives to cheddar cheese that are made with plant-based ingredients. These vegan cheddar cheeses can be found in supermarkets, bought online, or even made at home.
One recipe for vegan cheddar cheese includes raw cashews, red bell pepper, smoked paprika, coconut oil, tahini, soy sauce, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice. This recipe also includes agar agar powder, a type of vegan gelatin derived from seaweed that is essential for making the cheese firm. Other recipes for vegan cheddar cheese may use coconut milk or other plant-based milk instead of cashews for a creamier texture.
Nutritional information for a 600g batch of vegan cheddar cheese is as follows:
- Serving size: 4 slices (approximately 1 ounce)
- Calories: 76kcal
- Carbohydrates: 4.2g
- Protein: 2.2g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Sodium: 346mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0.9g
This vegan cheddar cheese can be sliced, grated, melted, mashed, or frozen for up to 3 months. It is a good alternative to traditional cheddar cheese for those who do not consume animal products or dairy.
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Ingredients of vegan cheddar cheese
Traditional cheddar cheese is made with cow's milk, which is not vegan. However, there are many vegan alternatives to cheddar cheese made with plant-based ingredients. These vegan cheddar cheeses can be bought online or in-store, or made at home.
Some of the key ingredients in vegan cheddar cheese include:
- Agar Agar: This is a crucial ingredient in making the cheese firm. Agar agar is a clear vegan gelatin derived from seaweed. It is added to water and boiled, then blended with the other ingredients. The powder form is stronger and hence more commonly used than the flakes.
- Nutritional Yeast: This is a yellow powder that adds a cheesy flavour to the vegan cheese.
- Miso: This adds a bite to the cheese, contributing to the cheddar flavour.
- Plant-Based Milk: Coconut milk is a popular choice for its creamy texture, but other plant-based milk alternatives can be used as well.
- Oil: Coconut oil is a common choice, but any oil will work.
Other ingredients that can be added to enhance the flavour and texture of the vegan cheddar include lemon juice, onion powder, paprika, cashews, red bell pepper, and tahini.
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Texture and taste of vegan cheddar cheese
There are several recipes for vegan cheddar cheese, and the texture and taste can vary depending on the ingredients used and the method of preparation.
One recipe for vegan cheddar cheese uses raw cashews as the base, to which other ingredients are added to create a sharp cheddar flavour. The cashews can be softened by either boiling or soaking them in water. Smoked paprika is added to create a mildly smoky flavour, and red bell pepper provides colour and flavour. This recipe results in a cheese that can be grated, melted, or mashed, and has a firm and sliceable texture. It is delicious on crackers, sandwiches, or grated on pizza.
Another recipe for vegan cheddar cheese uses coconut milk as the base, which makes the cheese rich and creamy. Plant-based milk and oil can also be used instead of coconut milk. Nutritional yeast is added to give the cheese a cheesy flavour, and lemon juice, onion powder, and paprika are included for flavour and colour. Agar agar, a vegan gelatin derived from seaweed, is essential for making the cheese firm and sliceable. This recipe results in a cheese that can be sliced, grated, and melted, and has a crumbly yet spreadable texture.
Some recipes for vegan cheddar cheese may include tapioca starch, which helps the cheese melt and stretch. Kappa carrageenan can also be added to make the cheese firmer and easier to shred.
The taste and texture of vegan cheddar cheese can vary depending on the ingredients used and the preparation method. Some cheeses may have a more crumbly or spreadable texture, while others may be firmer and more sliceable. The taste can range from tangy to sharp and cheesy, with some cheeses having a smoky flavour. Overall, vegan cheddar cheese can be a delicious and versatile alternative to traditional cheddar cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Traditional cheddar cheese is made from cow's milk and is therefore not vegan. However, there are now almost 300 varieties of vegan cheddar cheese available to buy online or in-store, or to make at home.
Vegan cheddars are typically made from plant-based milk, oil, nutritional yeast, agar agar, and various herbs and spices.
Yes, you can melt some vegan cheddars, although they may not melt in the same way as dairy cheese.
