Andy Montoya
There are several vegan alternatives to goat cheese available in the market, such as Treeline Cheese, Vegnature, and Cultured Kindness. These vegan cheeses are made from various ingredients like cashews, vinegar, lemon juice, and probiotics, and are designed to mimic the tangy flavor and creamy, crumbly texture of traditional goat cheese. They can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and cheese plates. For those who prefer to make their own vegan cheese at home, there are also recipes available online that can be prepared within an hour and cultured overnight for a more authentic goat cheese flavor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 1 hour |
| Ingredients | Cashews, lemon juice, vinegar, water, agar-agar, probiotic capsules, dried fruits, maple syrup, herbs, spices |
| Taste | Tangy, creamy, crumbly |
| Texture | Sliceable, spreadable, meltable |
| Uses | Salads, sandwiches, cheese plates, dips, grilling, baking |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week |
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What You'll Learn
Making vegan goat cheese at home
Vegan goat cheese is an incredibly flavorful and versatile alternative to traditional goat cheese. It is also very easy to make at home. The recipe is straightforward, and you will be able to make it again and again.
To make vegan goat cheese, you will need the following ingredients:
- Cashews
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Vinegar
- Probiotic capsule
Optional ingredients:
- Agar-agar
- Kappa carrageenan
- Minced dates, figs, or dried apricots
- Chopped candied pecans or walnuts
- Maple syrup or other sweetener
First, soak the cashews in water for several hours. Then, boil them for 15 minutes with lemon juice and water. Next, blend the boiled cashews with vinegar, the contents of a probiotic capsule, and water until smooth. You can then add agar-agar and pour the mixture into a mold. Leave the mixture to cool at room temperature for around 30 minutes. If you added probiotics, cover the mold and leave it in a dark, warm place overnight. Your vegan goat cheese will be ready to eat in under an hour! It will keep for about a week in an airtight container in the fridge.
You can crumble the cheese with a fork and roll it in herbs or other flavorings at room temperature. It is also great baked or grilled and pairs well with a beet salad, cherry tart, or crisp crackers.
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Vegan goat cheese alternatives
There are several vegan alternatives to goat cheese that you can buy or make yourself.
Commercially Available Vegan Goat Cheese
Some commercially available vegan goat cheese options include:
- Treeline Cheese: This brand offers a dairy-free, creamy, tangy, and goat cheese alternative that is perfect for pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and cheese plates. Their Blueberry Vegan Goat-Style Cashew Cheese was voted the Best Vegan Cheese by USA Today's Reader's Choice Awards.
- Vegnature: This brand was recommended by a Reddit user as a good goat cheese alternative, although it may only be regionally available.
- Cultured Kindness: A cheese shop in Portland, Oregon, that offers a vegan "goat cheese" option.
Homemade Vegan Goat Cheese
If you prefer to make your own vegan goat cheese, there are several recipes available online. The basic process typically involves soaking nuts (such as cashews) in water for several hours, and then blending them with ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, and probiotic capsules or rejuvelac. You can also add flavors such as minced dates, figs, or dried apricots for a sweet variation.
- The Fiery Vegetarian: This recipe uses cashews, lemon juice, and agar-agar to create a creamy, tangy, and dairy-free goat cheese alternative. It can be sliced, crumbled, baked, or grilled and is ready in under an hour.
- Spabettie: This recipe is for a gluten-free vegan goat cheese that involves culturing plant-based cheese to achieve tangy flavors. It also includes instructions for making the cheese sliceable by using kappa carrageenan or agar-agar.
Tips for Serving and Storing Vegan Goat Cheese
When serving vegan goat cheese, it is recommended to bring it to room temperature to make it easier to roll in herbs or other coatings. For slicing, it is better when chilled. To store, wrap the cheese tightly in cheesecloth or use a fine mesh strainer, and place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cheese should stay fresh for about a week.
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Vegan goat cheese recipes
Yes, there are vegan alternatives to goat cheese. These are usually made with cashews or tofu, and can be flavoured with lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, and other ingredients to achieve a tangy, creamy flavour and crumbly texture.
Recipe 1: The Fiery Vegetarian's Vegan Goat Cheese
This recipe uses cashews, lemon juice, and agar-agar to create a cheese that can be sliced, crumbled, baked, or grilled. It takes under an hour to make, but if you want to add probiotics and culture your cheese, you'll need to leave it overnight.
Ingredients:
- Cashews
- Water
- Lemon juice
- Agar-agar
- Probiotics (optional)
Instructions:
- Cover the cashews with water and add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Prepare your moulds. The Fiery Vegetarian recommends using a tall thin glass lined with baking paper.
- Process the cashews with the other ingredients and add hot water with agar-agar.
- Pour the mixture into your moulds.
- If you're adding probiotics, cover the moulds and leave them in a dark, warm place overnight.
- Store the cheese in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for about a week.
Recipe 2: Spabettie's Vegan Goat Cheese
This recipe also uses cashews, but with the addition of vinegar and probiotic capsules to create a tangy flavour.
Ingredients:
- Soaked cashews
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Probiotic capsules
- Water
- Minced dates, figs, or dried apricots (optional)
- Chopped candied pecans or walnuts (optional)
- Maple syrup or other sweetener (optional)
Instructions:
- Combine the cashews, vinegar, lemon juice, probiotic capsules, and water in a food processor or high-speed blender.
- If you want to add sweetness, stir in minced dates, figs, or dried apricots, and chopped candied pecans or walnuts.
- Shape the cheese into a disc or log and serve with your favourite jam.
- Wrap the cheese tightly in cheesecloth, or use a fine mesh strainer to reduce/remove liquid.
- Refrigerate the cheese in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid and enjoy within one week.
Recipe 3: Plant Power Couple's Vegan Goat Cheese
This recipe uses tofu instead of cashews, which means there's no need to soak anything ahead of time. It also includes coconut oil and miso paste to create a soft, spreadable cheese.
Ingredients:
- Extra firm tofu
- Refined coconut oil
- Lemon juice
- White miso paste
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Plain unsweetened non-dairy milk
Instructions:
- Drain the water from the tofu.
- Combine the ingredients in a food processor.
- (Optional) Shape the cheese into tubes and wrap them in plastic. Place in the fridge for 60-90 minutes before serving.
- Serve as a spread with crostini, crackers, bread, cucumbers, or vegetables.
- Store leftover cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
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Vegan goat cheese brands
While traditional goat cheese is not vegan, there are several vegan alternatives available. These are typically made using nuts, such as cashews, and can be made at home or purchased from specialty brands.
Some popular brands that offer vegan goat cheese include Treeline and Tyne Chease. Treeline's "Dairy-Free French-Style Cheese" can be found at Natural Grocers and Kroger supermarkets in the US. Tyne Chease, on the other hand, offers a variety of vegan cheeses, which can be purchased through their website.
Homemade Vegan Goat Cheese
For those who prefer to make their own vegan goat cheese, there are numerous recipes available online, such as those provided by The Fiery Vegetarian and Spabettie. These recipes typically involve soaking nuts, such as cashews, in water, and then blending them with ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, and probiotic capsules to create a tangy, creamy, and crumbly cheese that resembles traditional goat cheese.
PETA's Vegan Starter Kit
For those interested in exploring veganism further, PETA offers a free vegan starter kit that includes recipes, tips on eating out, and health information. This can be a valuable resource for anyone looking to make the transition to a vegan lifestyle, which not only benefits animals but also has positive impacts on the planet and personal health.
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Vegan goat cheese reviews
There are several recipes for vegan goat cheese available online, with varying reviews. The Fiery Vegetarian, for example, offers a recipe that can be made in under an hour. The recipe creator describes the cheese as "creamy tangy dairy-free goodness, perfect for slicing, crumbling, baking and grilling". They also note that the cheese can be cultured with probiotics for a more goat-like flavour.
The Spabettie recipe for vegan goat cheese has received positive reviews from readers who have tried it. One reader, Rachel, says that the cheese tastes "EXACTLY like chèvre" and that she will "probably make this once a week for the rest of my life". Another reader discovered Spabettie because of this recipe and has made it three times. The recipe creator, Kristina, says that she has "never tasted a vegan cheese product that really did taste like cheese. Until this one".
The Fiery Vegetarian recipe has also received positive reviews, with one user on Instagram saying it is the "best cheese EVER!". However, they do note that the uncultured version does not taste exactly like goat cheese, but that it is still a "delicious" alternative.
Both recipes are described as easy to make, with The Fiery Vegetarian's recipe taking around two months to perfect. The Spabettie recipe involves culturing and fermenting, which may be off-putting to some, but the recipe creator notes that it is straightforward and that the results are outstanding.
Overall, both recipes seem to be well-received by those who have tried them, with the Spabettie recipe potentially tasting more like traditional goat cheese due to its culturing process. However, The Fiery Vegetarian's recipe offers a quicker alternative that still delivers on taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is such a thing as vegan goat cheese. It is made without goats' milk and is perfect for those who are allergic to dairy or are vegan.
Vegan goat cheese has a tangy flavour and a creamy and crumbly texture. It is very similar to traditional goat cheese and is versatile, spreadable, and can be used for baking and grilling.
There are a few options for buying vegan goat cheese. Some brands include Treeline Cheese, Vegnature, and Cultured Kindness. Treeline Cheese is available in stores across the US, Cultured Kindness is available in Portland, Oregon, and Vegnature is regionally available.
Yes, it is possible to make vegan goat cheese at home. Recipes vary but typically involve soaking cashews and combining them with lemon juice, vinegar, and probiotics. The cheese can then be cultured overnight to enhance the tangy flavour.
