Kamil Perry
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, and is therefore not vegan. However, vegan alternatives to feta cheese do exist, and can be bought or made at home. Some popular brands that offer vegan feta cheese include Violife, Good Planet Foods, and Sheese. Home recipes for vegan feta cheese often use ingredients such as refined coconut oil, tofu, cashews, and various seasonings to mimic the tangy and salty taste and crumbly texture of traditional feta cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegan feta cheese | Made with tofu, cashews, or almonds |
| Uses coconut oil, vegetable shortening, or olive oil | |
| Mimics the taste, texture, and appearance of traditional feta | |
| Dairy-free, lactose-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free options available | |
| Can be used in salads, pasta, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and more | |
| Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or frozen | |
| Commercial vegan feta brands | Violife, Good Planet Foods, Sheese |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, so it is not vegan
- Vegan feta cheese can be made with tofu, marinated in 'feta' flavours
- Cashew-based feta is another vegan option, with a creamy, salty, crumbly texture
- Coconut oil is a key ingredient in vegan feta, as it hardens when cold, helping to mould the cheese together
- Vegan feta can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pizzas, tacos, and pasta
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, so it is not vegan
Feta cheese is traditionally made using sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, and is therefore not vegan. Veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude, as far as possible, all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. This includes the consumption of animal products such as milk and milk by-products.
Feta cheese is a crumbly, salty, and briny cheese that originated in Greece and is one of the oldest cheeses in the world. It is made by curdling milk with rennet, a complex mixture of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach, and then ageing the resulting curds in a brine solution. As the traditional production of feta cheese involves the use of animal products, it is not suitable for vegans.
However, it is possible to make vegan feta cheese using plant-based alternatives. These recipes typically involve marinating extra-firm tofu in 'feta flavours' or using nuts, such as cashews, and oil, such as refined coconut oil, to create a cheese that mimics the taste and texture of traditional feta. These vegan feta cheeses can be used in a variety of dishes, such as salads, wraps, pizzas, and pasta, just like their dairy-based counterparts.
There are also commercial vegan feta cheese options available for purchase. Brands such as Violife, Good Planet Foods, and Sheese offer vegan feta cheese products that are said to taste and crumble like the real thing. These products are often made with coconut oil or olive oil and are fortified with vitamins and minerals. They can be purchased in stores or online, depending on the brand and the region.
By using these vegan alternatives, those following a vegan lifestyle can still enjoy the unique flavour and texture of feta cheese without compromising their ethical values.
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Vegan feta cheese can be made with tofu, marinated in 'feta' flavours
Feta cheese is traditionally made from dairy, but vegans can still enjoy its distinctive flavour thanks to vegan alternatives. These alternatives are made with plant-based ingredients and are free from animal products, making them suitable for those following a vegan lifestyle or diet.
One popular way to make vegan feta cheese is to use tofu as a base and marinate it in feta flavours. This method is not only simple but also yields delicious results, with the tofu taking on the tangy, salty, and savoury notes characteristic of classic feta cheese.
To make tofu feta, start by pressing and draining the tofu to remove excess liquid. This step is crucial, as it creates a firmer texture that can better absorb the marinade's flavours. The tofu can be cut into cubes or crumbled, depending on your preference.
The marinade is a mixture of water, miso, olive oil, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, and oregano. These ingredients combine to create the signature feta flavour. Allow the tofu to marinate in the fridge for at least an hour, but preferably overnight or even up to 48 hours, for the best flavour absorption.
Once the tofu has marinated, you can enjoy your vegan feta! It can be crumbled over salads, pasta, or used in sandwiches, wraps, and even baked dishes. The possibilities are endless, and your vegan feta is sure to add a tasty twist to your meals.
So, while traditional feta cheese is not suitable for vegans, these creative tofu-based alternatives provide a delicious and satisfying option for those following a plant-based diet.
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Cashew-based feta is another vegan option, with a creamy, salty, crumbly texture
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, and occasionally with cow's milk. Therefore, it is not vegan. However, vegans need not despair as there are several vegan alternatives to this crumbly, salty cheese.
One popular option is to use tofu, which can be cut into cubes and marinated in 'feta' flavours. While this option is nourishing and protein-packed, some people feel that it does not taste very similar to dairy feta.
Another alternative is cashew-based feta, which has a creamy, salty, crumbly texture. This option is made with cashews and agar agar powder, and is said to taste very similar to the real thing. It can be used in a variety of dishes such as salads, pizzas, tacos, and pasta.
There are also several store-bought options available for those who do not want to make their own vegan feta. Violife, for example, offers a coconut oil-based Greek white vegan feta that crumbles just like the dairy version. It is also nut-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. Good Planet Foods offers a Greek-style feta made with olive oil, briny olives, and garden-fresh oregano for a unique, flavorful experience. Scottish brand Sheese offers a Greek-style vegan feta that has been nominated for awards and has a slightly crumbly texture.
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Coconut oil is a key ingredient in vegan feta, as it hardens when cold, helping to mould the cheese together
Feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, and is therefore not vegan. However, there are several vegan alternatives to feta cheese available in the market. Some popular brands offering vegan feta cheese include Violife, Good Planet Foods, and Sheese.
Vegan feta cheese can also be made at home with a variety of recipes available online. Most recipes for vegan feta cheese use tofu, which is cut into cubes and marinated in 'feta' flavours. Some people, however, prefer alternatives to tofu, such as cashews. Coconut oil is a key ingredient in vegan feta recipes that use cashews. Coconut oil hardens when cold, helping to mould the cheese together and giving it a firm texture. It is important to use refined coconut oil, which is odourless and tasteless, so that the cheese does not have any coconut flavour.
Vegan feta cheese can be served in a variety of ways, including in salads, wraps, on pizzas, or stuffed into pasta, eggplant, zucchini, or tomatoes. It can also be crumbled over roasted vegetables.
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Vegan feta can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pizzas, tacos, and pasta
Feta cheese is traditionally made from dairy and is therefore not vegan. However, there are many vegan alternatives to feta cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, pizzas, tacos, and pasta.
One popular option is to make vegan feta using tofu. This involves pressing and cubing extra-firm tofu before marinating it in brine and a variety of seasonings, such as lemon juice, white miso paste, olive brine, oregano, and salt. This method creates a vegan feta with a tangy, salty, and savory flavor that can be crumbled into salads, grain bowls, or couscous dishes. It can also be served on flatbreads, pizzas, or stuffed into pasta, eggplant, zucchini, or tomatoes.
Another option for vegan feta is to use nuts, such as cashews and almonds, which are softened and boiled before being blended into a creamy cheese. This cashew almond feta is richer and creamier, making it ideal for spreading on bread, using in salads, or melting on pizza or pasta.
Vegan feta can also be purchased from supermarkets, with brands like Violife offering vegan feta options. These products can be used in a similar manner to traditional feta cheese, adding flavor and texture to a variety of dishes.
Whether homemade or store-bought, vegan feta provides a versatile and nourishing alternative to dairy-based feta, allowing vegans to enjoy the flavors and textures of feta cheese in a variety of culinary applications.
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Frequently asked questions
No, feta cheese is traditionally made with sheep's milk, or a combination of sheep and goat's milk. However, there are vegan alternatives available, and recipes to make your own.
There are several vegan feta cheese products available in the market, such as those by Violife, Follow Your Heart, Good Planet Foods, and Sheese. You can also make your own vegan feta cheese at home using tofu, nuts, or a combination of ingredients such as refined coconut oil, lemon juice, white miso paste, and green olive brine.
Vegan feta cheese products can be found in specialty supermarkets, health food stores, and specialty vegan grocery stores. Violife's products are available in over 50 countries, including the US, UK, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and more. Follow Your Heart's products are available in 23 countries, including the US, UK, Ireland, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and more. Good Planet Foods' products can be found at retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, and Misfits Market. Sheese products can be purchased in the US and UK.
