Bushra Griffith
There are many vegan cheese options available, and shredded cheddar-style cheese is no exception. In fact, there are several brands that make vegan shredded cheddar cheese, including Follow Your Heart, Open Nature, So Delicious, and Violife, which is widely available and popular among those with dairy allergies and aversions. While some vegan cheeses have been criticised for their texture and taste, Violife's Just Like Cheddar Shreds are said to melt, stretch, and pull like regular cheese, and have a mild, tangy flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of brands that make vegan shredded cheddar cheese | 10 |
| Number of brands that make vegan mozzarella cheese | 10 |
| Number of brands taste-tested by Make It Dairy Free | 10 |
| Number of brands taste-tested by Sporked | 14 |
| Vegan shredded cheddar cheese brands | Violife, Miyoko's Creamery, Open Nature, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, So Delicious, Trader Joe's, Vevan, Chao, Earth Island |
| Vegan shredded mozzarella cheese brands | Miyoko's, Violife, Vevan, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, So Delicious, Trader Joe's |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese options
There are several options for vegan shredded cheddar cheese available in the market. Here are some of the popular choices:
Violife Just Like Cheddar Shreds
Violife offers a vegan and dairy-free alternative to shredded cheddar cheese. The product is free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives. It is certified by the Vegan Society and is Non-GMO Project Verified. The cheese is made with plant-based ingredients and enriched with Vitamin B12. Violife's cheddar shreds are known for their creamy texture and mild flavour, making them perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or sprinkling on top of soups. The product is easily available at retailers like Walmart and has received positive reviews from consumers for its taste and meltability.
Miyoko's Creamery Plant Milk Cheddar Shreds
Miyoko's Creamery offers a vegan shredded cheddar cheese made with oat milk and organic ingredients. This dairy-free option is designed to melt easily and provide a stretchy, gooey texture similar to traditional cheese. It can be used in various dishes, such as chilli, dips, or plant-based nachos. Miyoko's products are known for their high quality and have received positive reviews for their taste. However, their farmhouse cheddar variety, which was once considered the best vegan cheddar, has been discontinued.
Follow Your Heart Shredded Dairy-Free Cheddar-Style
Follow Your Heart offers a vegan shredded cheddar-style cheese that provides a creamy, dairy-like experience. Their product is a good option for those seeking a cheddar-style cheese to add to their meals.
Open Nature Cheddar Style Shreds
Open Nature offers a vegan shredded cheddar cheese option that has impressed consumers with its taste and quality. It is available at Safeway.
Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
Daiya offers a vegan shredded cheddar cheese that has a mixed reputation among consumers. While some find it gummy and unpleasant, others appreciate the new oat milk formula, which melts well and stretches without becoming gummy. Daiya also offers a Mexican 4 Cheeze Style Blend that can be used as an alternative to shredded cheddar.
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Taste and texture comparisons
There are several options for those seeking vegan shredded cheddar cheese. However, as a dairy consumer diving into the world of dairy-free shredded cheese, be aware that many vegan cheeses do not taste like cheese at all. Some brands are better than others at replicating the taste and texture of dairy-based cheese.
Violife's Just Like Cheddar Shreds are dairy-free and vegan. They melt, stretch, and pull, delivering the cheesy deliciousness that cheese lovers crave. Violife's shreds have a mild tang like a mild cheddar, and their texture is silky, melting in the mouth. They are also good for melting and can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches or sprinkled on top of tomato soup. Violife's shreds are free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives, and are kosher.
Miyoko's Creamery also offers a dairy-free shredded cheddar cheese made from oat milk and all organic ingredients. This cheese is crafted to melt and can be added to meals for a cheesy, gooey stretch. It can be sprinkled on chilli, added to a warm dip, or used to make plant-based nachos.
Follow Your Heart offers a vegan shredded cheddar-style cheese. This cheese is described as "creamy".
Other options for vegan shredded cheese include Open Nature Cheddar Style Shreds, Daiya Mexican 4 Cheeze Style Blend, Follow Your Heart Parmesan, Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds, So Delicious Mexican Style Shreds, So Delicious Cheddar Style Shreds, and Trader Joe’s Mozzarella Style Shreds Cashew Cheese.
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Best ways to cook with it
There are several options for vegan shredded cheddar cheese, which can be used in a variety of recipes. Here are some of the best ways to cook with it:
Nachos
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese is a great option for making nachos. You can sprinkle the cheese on top of tortilla chips, add some chilli, and enjoy the cheesy goodness. Some brands, like Miyoko's, offer a Mexican cheese blend that is perfect for this dish.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese can also be used to make delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. The cheese melts well and gives a creamy texture to the sandwich. You can also sprinkle some shredded cheddar on top of tomato soup for an extra cheesy kick.
Pasta
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese can transform a simple pasta dish into a cheesy delight. It melts easily and adds a creamy texture to the pasta. You can make a simple macaroni and cheese or get creative with other ingredients to make a more complex dish.
Burritos
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese is a great addition to burritos. It melts well and stretches, giving your burrito that cheesy pull you crave. You can also add some chilli or other spices to give your burrito an extra kick.
Pizza
While many prefer a mozzarella-style cheese for pizza, some vegan shredded cheddar cheeses can work well. The cheese melts and stretches, creating that classic, ooey-gooey pizza experience.
With these options, you can enjoy the cheesy flavour and texture you love, while still adhering to a vegan diet. These vegan shredded cheddar cheeses offer convenience and versatility, making them a great addition to any fridge.
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How it compares to dairy-based cheese
There are several options for vegan shredded cheddar cheese available in the market. Popular brands include Violife, Follow Your Heart, and Miyoko's. These vegan cheeses are made from plant-based ingredients and are designed to mimic the taste, melt, and stretchiness of dairy-based cheddar cheese.
When comparing vegan shredded cheddar cheese to its dairy-based counterpart, there are several key differences to note. Firstly, vegan shredded cheddar cheese is made from plant-based sources such as organic cultured oat milk, organic coconut oil, and various types of starch, whereas dairy-based cheddar cheese is made from cow's milk. This difference in ingredients leads to variations in taste, texture, and nutritional content.
In terms of taste, while some people find vegan shredded cheddar cheese to be satisfying and similar to real cheese, others find it lacking in comparison to dairy-based cheese. It is worth noting that the preference for vegan or dairy cheese may depend on individual taste buds and expectations. Some people suggest that taking a break from dairy cheese can help reset expectations and make the transition to vegan cheese more enjoyable.
One of the main qualities sought after in shredded cheese is its ability to melt and stretch. Some vegan shredded cheddar cheeses, like Miyoko's and Violife, are designed to melt and stretch like dairy-based cheese, making them suitable for dishes like grilled cheese, nachos, and dips. However, other vegan cheeses may not achieve the same level of stretchiness, even if they melt well. This can be a factor to consider when choosing a vegan shredded cheddar cheese.
Nutritional content is another important aspect to consider when comparing vegan and dairy-based cheeses. While dairy-based cheddar cheese is a good source of protein and vitamins, vegan shredded cheddar cheese may not provide the same nutritional benefits. It is often made primarily of starch, water, and oil, with little to no protein content. Therefore, if one is looking to replace dairy cheese with vegan cheese in recipes like mac and cheese, which rely on cheese for protein and vitamins, it is important to consider alternative sources of these nutrients.
Lastly, vegan shredded cheddar cheese can be a great option for individuals with dietary restrictions, such as lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. It provides an opportunity for those who are unable to consume dairy to still enjoy cheesy dishes and experience the convenience of having shredded cheese in their fridge.
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Health and nutrition considerations
There are several health and nutrition considerations to keep in mind when discussing vegan shredded cheddar cheese. Firstly, vegan cheese options are important for individuals who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, as they provide an alternative to traditional cheese made from animal milk. This allows those with dietary restrictions to still enjoy the taste and texture of cheese without experiencing adverse health effects.
However, it is important to note that the nutritional profile of vegan shredded cheddar cheese can vary significantly from its dairy-based counterpart. While dairy cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals, vegan cheese options may not offer the same nutritional benefits. Some vegan cheeses are primarily made of flavoured starch, water, and oil, with little to no protein content. This means that dishes that rely on cheese for nutritional value, such as mac and cheese, may not provide the same nutritional benefits when made with vegan cheese. Therefore, individuals adopting a vegan diet should be mindful of their protein and vitamin intake to ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs.
On the other hand, vegan shredded cheddar cheese may offer certain health benefits that dairy-based cheese does not. For example, some vegan cheeses are enriched with Vitamin B12, which is essential for maintaining healthy blood and nerve cells. Additionally, vegan cheese options are often free from artificial preservatives and common allergens such as dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, and nuts, making them more inclusive for individuals with dietary restrictions or allergies.
It is worth mentioning that the taste and texture of vegan shredded cheddar cheese can vary greatly between different brands. Some options may have a milder flavour or a coarser texture compared to traditional cheese, while others may successfully mimic the taste and meltability of dairy-based cheese. Personal preferences and specific dietary needs will play a role in determining the best vegan shredded cheddar cheese for an individual.
In conclusion, while vegan shredded cheddar cheese provides a valuable alternative for those who cannot or choose not to consume dairy, it is important to be mindful of the nutritional differences between vegan and dairy-based cheese. Individuals adopting a vegan diet should ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs through other sources if their vegan cheese options are lacking in protein and other essential vitamins and minerals.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are several vegan shredded cheddar cheese options available. Some popular brands are Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Miyoko's, and Open Nature.
Vegan shredded cheddar cheese can be used in a variety of dishes. You can sprinkle it on chili, add it to a warm dip, make grilled cheese sandwiches, or sprinkle it on top of tomato soup. It can also be melted to make a cheese sauce for dishes like mac and cheese or nachos.
Opinions vary on the taste of vegan shredded cheddar cheese compared to its dairy-based counterpart. Some people find that it tastes very similar to regular cheddar cheese, while others find that it lacks the same strong flavor profile. Ultimately, it may come down to personal preference and taste buds.
