Randy Chandler
With the rise of veganism and plant-based diets, the demand for dairy-free cheese has increased. While the market was initially dominated by soy-based products, many leading vegan cheese brands have reformulated their recipes to exclude soy. This has left consumers with soy allergies wondering if there are any dairy-free cheese options available that are also soy-free. Fortunately, there are now several dairy-free cheese alternatives that do not contain soy, including those made from nuts, rice, and other plant-based sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free cheese with soy | Difficult to find |
| Dairy-free cheese without soy | Available in the market |
| Dairy-free cheese market | Focused on soy initially, but now has many other options |
| Dairy-free cheese with soy | Can be made at home |
| Dairy-free cheese without soy | Can be made at home |
| Dairy-free cheese brands | Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Miokos, Whole Foods 365, So Delicious, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Vitalite Dairy Free, Treeline, Cheeze & Thank You, Vegan Gourmet, Teese, Cheezly, Go Veggie, Sheese, Nuts for Cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Soy-based dairy-free cheese still exists
It might be surprising to some, but soy-based dairy-free cheese does indeed exist. In fact, in the early days of dairy-free cheese, soy was the primary focus. However, over time, soy fell out of favour and many leading vegan cheese brands reformulated their recipes to exclude it. Despite this shift, some brands have continued to produce soy-based dairy-free cheese, and there are also recipes for making your own at home.
Brands that sell soy-based dairy-free cheese
Some brands that sell soy-based dairy-free cheese include Cheeze & Thank You, a Denver-based company that uses organic soy milk and tofu to create artisanal vegan cheese flavours. Their products are available in the US at natural food stores like Whole Foods, as well as through local pickup and shipping. Another brand is Soyana, a German vegan alternative company that makes dairy-free cheese products from nuts and soy-based formulas. Their soy-based cheeses are tofu-heavy, resulting in higher protein and nutritional content compared to other vegan cheese alternatives.
Other brands that offer soy-based dairy-free cheese options include Mad Cheese, an Ohio-based company with varieties like Mad Parma and Fet-ahhh; Mrs. Cheng’s Soy Cheese in Hawaii, which is crafted with house-made tofu and unique spices like anise and cinnamon; One Love Planet in New Zealand, which uses almonds and soy in some of its cheeses, including chevie and brie; and Veggie Karma in Barcelona, which ships throughout Europe and uses soy in its ricotta and mozzarella varieties.
Making your own soy-based dairy-free cheese at home
It is also possible to make soy-based dairy-free cheese at home, with recipes that use soybeans in the form of soy milk, miso, or tofu. These recipes can be simple and quick to make, and some claim to closely mimic the texture and flavour of traditional dairy cheese. For example, a recipe for a dairy-free cheese sauce uses tofu, miso, salt, water, and other seasonings to create a creamy, umami-rich sauce that can be used in various dishes.
The challenges of creating dairy-free cheese
Creating dairy-free cheese that matches the taste, texture, and functionality of traditional dairy cheese has been a challenge for food scientists. The chemistry involved in replicating the unique properties of dairy is complex, and finding alternatives that melt, stretch, and brown like dairy cheese is a difficult task. However, the increasing demand for plant-based and allergen-friendly options has driven innovation in this space, leading to a wider range of dairy-free cheese alternatives, including soy-based options.
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Leading vegan cheese brands have moved away from soy
It is possible to find dairy cheese that is soy-free. However, in the past, the dairy-free cheese market was predominantly focused on soy-based products. Today, leading vegan cheese brands have moved away from soy, reformulating their products to exclude common allergens, including soy.
Some popular vegan cheese brands that have formulated their products without soy include Follow Your Heart, Violife, and Daiya. Follow Your Heart offers a range of soy-free products, including dairy-free parmesan, crumbled blue cheese, shreds, and blocked mozzarella. Violife manufactures a variety of vegan cheese products, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and Mexican-style shreds, as well as cream cheese alternatives, mature cheddar slices, dips, feta, and shaved parmesan. Daiya's products, including their Cutting Board Collection Shreds, have improved in flavor and texture, and their cheese melts smoothly, making it a good option for pizza and macaroni.
There are also other notable brands that offer soy-free vegan cheese options. Parmela Creamery, for instance, produces aged shredded cheddar-style cheese made from cashew milk, which can be found at select retailers like Whole Foods and Wegmans. Treeline, a cashew-based brand, offers a French-style spreadable cheese with a beautiful spread and a good amount of protein. For those looking for a nut-free option, a Nut-Free Vegan Cheese Sauce made with nourishing, wholesome ingredients can be used for mac 'n' cheese, quesadillas, and more.
While some brands have moved away from soy, it is still possible to find soy-based vegan cheeses. Field Roast's Chao Slices, for example, are soy-based and provide a better umami bite. Toffutti, known for its Better Than Cream Cheese product, also uses palm oil and non-GMO tofu in its formulation. Cheeze & Thank You is another brand that uses organic soy milk and organic tofu to craft wedges of artisanal vegan cheese flavors, which can be found at natural food stores like Whole Food.
In addition to these brands, there are also recipes available for creating your own dairy-free cheese alternatives at home, some of which include soybeans in the form of soy milk, miso, or tofu.
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You can make your own dairy-free cheese with soybeans
While it is challenging to replicate the unique properties of dairy cheese, it is possible to make a dairy-free cheese with soybeans. In fact, soy-based cheese was prevalent in the early days of the dairy-free cheese market. However, soy fell out of favour due to allergy concerns, and many leading vegan cheese brands reformulated their products to exclude common allergens, including soy.
Despite this shift, some companies continue to produce dairy-free cheese with soybeans, and you can also make your own at home. Here is a simple recipe for a dairy-free cheese made with soybeans:
Ingredients:
- Soy milk (unsweetened)
- Tapioca starch (or a mixture of potato starch and corn starch)
- Olive oil (extra virgin)
- Nutritional yeast
- Salt
- Lemon (for acidity)
- Soy yogurt (plain, unsweetened)
Method:
In a pot or saucepan, combine the soy milk, tapioca starch, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and salt. Whisk until there are no lumps. Then, warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously. You can adjust the acidity to taste by adding lemon juice.
For a tangy, creamier cheese, you can also add plain, unsweetened soy yogurt to the mixture. This recipe is versatile and can be used as a base for various flavours and textures. For a saltier, more pungent finish, you can add coconut oil, miso, and vinegar.
Tips:
- For a stringy, melty texture, use unsweetened soy milk.
- Soy yogurt adds a tangy, sourish note to the cheese, similar to the flavour profile of real cheese.
- To achieve the perfect melt, gently check the texture with a knife or fork.
- For the creamiest results, use an oven set to 425°F.
With this recipe, you can create a dairy-free cheese with soybeans that is versatile, nutritious, and flavourful.
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Popular brands of dairy-free cheese
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way in recent years, with new brands constantly being introduced. Here are some of the most popular brands of dairy-free cheese:
Violife
Violife is a popular brand of dairy-free cheese that offers a variety of cheese alternatives, including mozzarella, cheddar, and Mexican cheese. Their products are known for their creamy texture and good flavour, resembling traditional cheese. They are also free from soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and preservatives.
Daiya
Daiya is a well-known dairy-free cheese brand that has been around for a while. Their new and improved formula, made with potato starch and coconut oil, melts and stretches well, making it a good option for sandwiches and pizzas. Daiya's products are free from the top eight allergens, including soy, and are widely available in stores.
Field Roast
Field Roast's Original Chao slices are a favourite among experts and vegans. The cheese is made with fermented soybeans and coconut, giving it a slight umami flavour and a creamy mouthfeel. It melts easily and has a mild cheddar-like taste, making it perfect for sandwiches and quesadillas.
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery is an artisanal plant-based creamery based in California. They offer a variety of cheese alternatives, including a Roadhouse Cheddar Cheese Spread made from certified organic cashews, coconut oil, and vegan cultures. Their products are designed to mimic the texture and flavour of real cheese while being gluten-free and soy-free.
Nuts for Cheese
Nuts for Cheese is a Canadian brand that offers a range of plant-based, gluten-free, and soy-free cheese alternatives. Their cheeses are made from cashew milk that is fermented with a proprietary culturing agent called Rejuvelac, made in-house from sprouted, organic quinoa. This process helps to mimic the flavour and qualities of full-dairy cheese.
Vitalite Dairy Free
Vitalite Dairy Free offers Cheddar Style Slices that are plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan. Their slices are made from water, coconut oil, various starches, and gums, resulting in a neutral flavour that is not nut-based. While the texture is somewhat dry, the aroma is distinctly cheddar-like.
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Dairy-free cheese is hard to make
Dairy-free cheese is usually made with starches, yeast, and vegetable oils. Some recipes use soybeans in the form of soy milk, miso, or tofu. Other recipes use nuts, such as cashews, macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or raw sunflower seeds. These nuts and seeds need to be boiled to soften them. Some recipes also include coconut oil, salt, garlic, and olive brine.
Creating a dairy-free cheese that melts like traditional cheese is particularly challenging. When melted, dairy-free cheese often retains its original shape and does not brown like dairy cheese. To achieve a creamy melt, it is necessary to use high heat, such as an oven set to 425°F. Microwaving the cheese before moving it to the oven can also help jump-start the melting process.
Some brands of dairy-free cheese have managed to create products that melt smoothly. However, these cheeses may have a mild flavour that is not evocative of cheese. Finding the right balance of flavour and texture in dairy-free cheese is a difficult task, and it is challenging to replicate the familiar taste and mouthfeel of dairy-based products.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are dairy cheese options that are soy-free.
Some popular brands of soy-free dairy cheese include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miokos, and Daiya Foods.
Yes, the Violife and Follow Your Heart brands are known for melting well.
Yes, the Violife brand is both soy-free and nut-free. Vitalite Dairy-Free Cheddar Style Slices is another option that is nut-free and soy-free.
Yes, there are recipes available for making soy-free dairy cheese alternatives at home, often using ingredients like tofu, cashews, and nutritional yeast to achieve a creamy texture and cheesy flavor.
