Andy Montoya
Grilled cheese is a beloved comfort food for many, but can vegans enjoy this classic dish? The traditional grilled cheese sandwich is made with butter and cheese, neither of which are vegan-friendly. However, with a few simple substitutions, it's entirely possible to make a delicious vegan grilled cheese. This usually involves vegan cheese, bread, and various vegetables and sauces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bread | Sourdough, whole wheat, rye, gluten-free, multigrain, Ezekiel Sprouted Bread |
| Butter | Vegan, dairy |
| Cheese | Vegan, dairy, cheddar, mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, sweet potato, cashew, Daiya, Follow Your Heart |
| Vegetables | Spinach, kale, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, avocado |
| Other ingredients | Ranch, pesto, mayo, mustard, garlic, oil, vegetable broth |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan grilled cheese recipes
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are a delicious and comforting meal that can be made with a few simple substitutions. The classic recipe uses butter and cheese, but plant-based alternatives can be used to achieve the same great taste. Here are some recipes and tips to help you create the perfect vegan grilled cheese sandwich.
Ingredients
The key ingredients for a vegan grilled cheese sandwich are vegan butter or oil, vegan cheese, and bread. You can use any type of vegan cheese that melts well, such as vegan cheddar, mozzarella, or cream cheese. For the bread, sturdy bread is better for crunch and flavor; sourdough or rye are great options. If you want to add extra flavor to your sandwich, you can include spreads like vegan mayo, mustard, or ranch, and vegetables like spinach, avocado, tomatoes, peppers, or caramelized onions.
Method
To make the perfect vegan grilled cheese sandwich, start by heating a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. While the pan is heating up, butter both sides of your bread or brush the outside of the slices with oil. Once the pan is hot, add your bread and lightly toast both sides for about 1-2 minutes. This step is not necessary, but it gives the bread a nice crunch.
After toasting the bread, remove it from the pan and spread your chosen vegan cheese on one slice of bread. You can also add any desired toppings, such as sliced tomatoes or spinach, at this stage. Place the second slice of bread on top and cook until the bread is golden brown, about 2-4 minutes on each side. If you want a meltier sandwich, you can microwave it for about 15-20 seconds after frying.
Variations
There are endless variations and substitutions you can make to create your perfect vegan grilled cheese sandwich. Here are some ideas:
- Instead of store-bought vegan cheese, you can make your own vegan cheese sauce using raw cashews and tapioca flour as a base.
- If you're not a fan of vegan butter or oil, you can toast your bread in a toaster before adding the cheese and heating it in the microwave.
- For extra crispness, brush the outside of the bread slices with butter or oil before grilling.
- Add some spinach and a pinch of salt to your sandwich for an extra dose of greens.
- Include a spread like vegan ranch on the inside of the sandwich for extra flavor.
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Vegan cheese alternatives
Vegan cheese is typically made with wholesome ingredients like nuts, seeds, tofu, oats, or beans. They are often thickened with starch or flour and given a realistic flavor with spices, herbs, and condiments.
Some common ingredients found in homemade and store-bought vegan cheese include:
- Nuts and seeds: Cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
- Coconut: Coconut oil or coconut milk.
- Starches/flour: Potato starch, all-purpose flour, tapioca starch, cornstarch, agar agar, or carrageenan.
- Kite Hill Foods Cream Cheese Alternative: This almond-based vegan cream cheese comes in original and other flavors, with a subtle tang and wholesome ingredients.
- Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese: This option may not be as wholesome as Kite Hill Foods, but it tastes just like dairy cream cheese.
- Trader Joe's Vegan Feta Cheese Alternative: This vegan feta cheese tastes remarkably similar to dairy-based feta and is sold at a reasonable price.
- Follow Your Heart Feta Crumbles: A good vegan feta option that’s pre-crumbled, sharp, tangy, and melts well. It’s also very allergen-friendly.
- Miyoko’s Creamery Cheese Wheels: Miyoko's is a well-known vegan cheese brand, with products made from wholesome ingredients. Their spreadable cheese wheels are great on baguettes, crackers, crudites, etc.
- Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella: This cashew-based vegan cheese stretches and melts like dairy cheese, making it a great option for pizzas, salads, and paninis.
- Babybel Plant-Based Cheese Rounds: These vegan cheese rounds are a favorite among many, tasting very similar to regular cheese.
In addition to these store-bought options, there are also several recipes for making your own vegan cheese at home. For example, a simple vegan grilled cheese sandwich can be made with vegan bread, vegan butter or oil, and vegan cheese. The sandwich can be grilled on a hot pan for a few minutes on each side until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
While vegan cheese has not perfectly replicated the taste and texture of dairy cheese, it is a great alternative for those who are dairy-free or vegan, as it does not cause pain or suffering to animals.
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Vegan bread options
A vegan grilled cheese sandwich is a hot sandwich with melted plant-based cheese between two slices of toasted bread. The bread used in a vegan grilled cheese sandwich should be sturdy, and preferably sourdough, for the best crunch and flavour. However, there are many vegan bread options to choose from.
Veganism, as a philosophy and way of living, seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty. In dietary terms, this means dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals. This includes animal-based ingredients like dairy (milk, butter, yoghurt, and whey), eggs, and honey.
Many types of bread are vegan, but some contain animal ingredients. When buying bread, it is important to read the ingredients and check for animal-based products. Some ingredients, like mono and diglycerides, are often plant-based but can be derived from animal sources. White flour may also contain L-cysteine from the refinement process, which is derived from feathers, pig hair, or human hair.
Some popular vegan bread options include:
- Thomas New York Style Bagels: These bagels come in several vegan flavours, including blueberry, cinnamon swirl, plain, and cinnamon raisin.
- Cobblestone Bread Co.: This national brand offers vegan options like Pumpernickel and Seeded Sandwich Rolls.
- Lender's brand: Lender's also has many vegan bread options.
- Bagels from local bagel shops and retailers like Noah's, Einstein Brothers, Dunkin' Donuts, and Starbucks are typically vegan, but avoid egg bagels or bagels with cheese.
- Regional grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, and Meijer, and national chains like Aldi, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods, usually have vegan bread options.
Making your own bread is also an option, as it is relatively easy and ensures you know exactly what ingredients are being used. All you need are flour, warm water, salt, and yeast.
So, while there are many vegan bread options available, it is important to read labels and ingredient lists to ensure that the bread you choose aligns with your dietary needs and preferences.
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Additional ingredients
There are many additional ingredients that can be used to enhance the flavour of a vegan grilled cheese sandwich. The most popular choice is to add vegetables such as spinach, kale, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and carrots. These vegetables can be prepared in a variety of ways, such as sautéing or slicing them into strips. You can also add seasonings of your choice to further enhance the flavour.
Another popular option is to include a spread or sauce in the sandwich. Some popular choices include ranch, pesto, and mayonnaise. These spreads can be store-bought or made at home, with recipes available online. For example, a simple vegan mayonnaise can be made by blending soaked cashews with other ingredients.
There are also a variety of vegan cheese options to choose from, both store-bought and homemade. Store-bought options include "Daiya", "Follow Your Heart", "Simply-V", and "Wilmersburger". Homemade options include cashew mozzarella, cashew ricotta, vegan cream cheese, and various vegan cheese sauces. These sauces can be made with ingredients such as tapioca flour, white beans, or sweet potatoes.
Finally, some people choose to add avocado, peppers, or caramelized onions to their sandwiches for extra flavour and nutrition.
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Nutritional information
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are a plant-based alternative to the classic comfort food. They are made with vegan cheese, bread, and a variety of additional ingredients. The nutritional information for a vegan grilled cheese sandwich will vary depending on the specific ingredients used, but here is an overview of the nutritional profile based on the ingredients mentioned in the recipes:
Calories and Macronutrients:
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches typically contain a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The bread contributes to the carbohydrate content, while the vegan cheese provides protein and fat. For example, one recipe for a vegan grilled cheese sandwich made with sourdough bread and vegan cheddar cheese provides approximately 468 calories, 58.8 grams of carbohydrates, 15.2 grams of protein, and 20 grams of fat. The type of bread and cheese used will impact the macronutrient distribution.
Fats:
The type of fat in vegan grilled cheese sandwiches can vary depending on the ingredients used. Some recipes may use vegan butter or oil for grilling the sandwich, contributing to the overall fat content. The type of vegan cheese can also affect the fat profile, as some cheeses may be made with nuts, such as cashews, which provide healthy fats.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches can be a good source of certain vitamins and minerals. For example, the addition of vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, or kale can boost the vitamin and mineral content. Specifically, these sandwiches may provide vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, and potassium. The nutritional yeast commonly used in vegan cheese recipes is a good source of vitamin B12, which is important for vegans as it is predominantly found in animal products.
Sodium:
Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches can contain a significant amount of sodium, depending on the ingredients used. This is mainly contributed by the bread and the vegan cheese, as well as any additional seasonings or condiments. For example, the aforementioned recipe provides 831 mg of sodium per sandwich.
It is important to note that the nutritional information provided is a rough estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used in different recipes. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional profile, it is recommended to calculate the nutritional information using the actual ingredients and a nutrition calculator. Additionally, when purchasing or consuming pre-made vegan grilled cheese sandwiches, it is essential to read the nutritional labels carefully to account for any allergens or dietary restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, vegans can eat grilled cheese. Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches are made with vegan cheese and butter alternatives.
You can use any type of bread, but sturdier bread is better for crunch and flavour. Sourdough, rye, whole wheat, gluten-free, and multigrain bread are all good options.
You can use store-bought vegan cheese, such as "Daiya" or "Follow Your Heart", or make your own. Some homemade vegan cheese options include cashew mozzarella, vegan cheese sauce, dairy-free sweet potato cheese, and sliceable vegan cheese.
You can add vegetables like spinach, kale, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, or caramelized onions. You can also add condiments like vegan mayonnaise, mustard, or ranch.
