Bushra Griffith
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way in recent years, with a variety of options now available that taste and melt just like the real thing. While some people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of cheese, others may need to avoid it entirely and opt for non-dairy alternatives. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious dairy-free cheeses to choose from, including those made from nuts, coconut, and other plant-based sources. Some popular brands include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's, Treeline, and Chao, offering a range of flavors such as smoked gouda, mozzarella, cheddar, and cream cheese. These cheeses are perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and even desserts!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella, Cream Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Goat Cheese, Cheddar, Parmesan, Feta, Queso, Gouda, Brie, Ricotta, Mascarpone, Havarti, Limburger, Muenster, Camembert, Jack |
| Brand | Violife, Treeline, Miyoko's, Tofutti, Daiya, Chao, Field Roast, Follow Your Heart, Nuts for Cheese, Parmela, Boursin, Misha's, Julie Piatt |
| Base Ingredient | Cashew, Coconut, Almond, Figs, Balsamic Vinegar, Blueberry, Garlic, Basil |
| Pros | Smooth, Creamy, Good Texture, Melts Well, Good Taste, Free from Soy, Gluten, Nuts, Preservatives, Long-Lasting, Affordable |
| Cons | Poor Taste, Funky Flavour, Expensive |
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What You'll Learn
Mozzarella
Dairy-free mozzarella is a great option for those who are dairy-free, vegan, or just looking for a cheese alternative. Many options are available on the market, with varying ingredients and textures, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Violife is a popular choice for dairy-free mozzarella, with many positive reviews. It is dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, and preservative-free. It has a good flavour and melts well, though some find it a bit salty. It is also available in smoked gouda flavour, which is highly rated.
Daiya Foods is another option for dairy-free mozzarella, with a new oat milk formula that has improved melt and flavour. Their mozzarella shreds are designed for melting, making them perfect for pizza, casseroles, and sauces. Daiya's shreds have a smooth texture and rich flavour, and they are also gluten-free.
Miokos Pourable Mozzarella is a unique, cashew-based liquid cheese that has a smooth and creamy texture. It cooks well and is popular with vegans and those who are dairy-free, but some may not enjoy the flavour.
Trader Joe's also offers a cashew-based mozzarella, which is not very creamy and has a unique flavour.
With so many options available, those looking for dairy-free mozzarella can find one that suits their taste and texture preferences, whether it's for pizza, lasagna, or any other dish!
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Cream cheese
There are a variety of dairy-free cream cheese options available. Some popular brands include Kite Hill, Trader Joe's, Tofutti, Treeline, Violife, Daiya, Miyokos, Philadelphia, and WayFare. Each brand offers unique flavours and textures that cater to different preferences.
Kite Hill is widely regarded as one of the closest alternatives to regular cream cheese in terms of taste and texture. It is a good option for baking and frosting due to its softer consistency. Kite Hill also offers a chive flavour that adds a tangy twist to your cream cheese.
Trader Joe's offers a vegan cream cheese alternative that is generally well-liked. It has a whipped consistency, making it ideal for spreading, although some users have noted inconsistencies in texture. It is also the most affordable option among the brands mentioned.
Tofutti's Better Than Cream Cheese is a long-standing favourite that now comes in four flavours and a whipped version. The plain, garlic and herb, herbs and chive, smoked, and whipped plain versions are all excellent choices for a Sunday morning bagel.
Treeline is another brand that offers a slightly different take on dairy-free cream cheese, with a well-rounded, lightly tangy taste and rich texture. It is perfect for spreading, frostings, fillings, and dips, and it holds up well in cooked and baked recipes. Chive & Onion is a popular flavour that pairs well with smoked salmon.
Violife is a well-known brand for its dairy-free cheese products, and its cream cheese is a good option for those who prefer a milder flavour. It has a neutral taste and a thick, creamy texture, making it suitable for spreading.
Daiya's cream cheese has received mixed reviews, with some describing it as having a weird putty texture that falls short of the desired cream cheese flavour. However, others have found it suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Miyokos offers a chive cream cheese that has a firmer texture and a buttermilk-like tang. It is available at Target and some health food stores.
Philadelphia's cream cheese alternative has a buttery taste and a texture similar to Tofutti, although some find it rather bland with a strange chemical taste.
WayFare's cream cheese alternative stands out for its thick texture, resembling that of dairy-based cream cheese. It has a neutral taste and is free from overpowering flavours. It can be purchased at local natural health stores or online.
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation for the best dairy-free cream cheese. Each brand and flavour caters to different tastes and preferences. While some prioritize a close resemblance to regular cream cheese, others offer unique flavours and textures that stand on their own. It's worth experimenting with different options to find the one that suits your palate and culinary needs.
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Smoked gouda
Dairy-free cheese is a great option for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. It can be made from a variety of base ingredients, including coconut milk, cashews, and almonds, and is often crafted using special cheesemonger techniques.
One popular option for dairy-free cheese is smoked gouda. This variety of cheese has a rich, creamy texture and a subtle smoky flavor. It is also gluten, soy, and nut-free, making it a good option for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. You can make it at home with coconut milk or cashews, and it pairs well with crackers, sandwiches, and fruits on a charcuterie board.
Violife, a popular brand of dairy-free cheese, offers smoked gouda slices that are free from dairy, soy, gluten, lactose, nuts, and artificial preservatives. They are crafted from plant-based ingredients and enriched with Vitamin B12, offering a bold and rebellious flavor to satisfy cheesy cravings.
Another brand, Follow Your Heart, offers sliced dairy-free gouda that melts smoothly and has a buttery flavor. This option is ideal for those who want a vegan cheese that can be used in a variety of recipes, such as scrambled eggs, without sacrificing taste.
Dairy-free smoked gouda is a versatile and delicious option for those who are unable or choose not to consume dairy. It can be purchased from specialty stores or made at home, offering a creamy texture and smoky flavor that rivals traditional cheese.
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Goat cheese
Blueberry dairy-free goat cheese is a popular option, as it has a sweet and tart flavor that pairs well with salads and greens. Garlic and basil goat cheese is another variety that goes well with pizza, pasta, or bruschetta.
It is always recommended to consult with a medical professional before introducing new foods if you have allergies or intolerances.
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Cheddar
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way in the last decade, and there are now many delicious vegan options available.
Violife is a popular brand of dairy-free cheese, and they offer a dairy-free cheddar that has received positive reviews for its taste and meltability. It is produced in Greece and can be found at Kroger stores.
Miyoko's offers an aged smokehouse cheddar, a semi-hard cheese crafted using traditional cheesemonger techniques in Sonoma County, California. This cheese is smoked for over four weeks and is recommended to be paired with apricots or a sweet jam.
Aldi offers bagged plant-based cheddar, which has been praised for its excellent melt and taste.
Daiya's dairy-free cheddar has also been recommended for grilled cheese sandwiches.
These dairy-free cheddar alternatives are emulsions of starch and coconut oil, with slight formula variations between brands. They are intended to add rich, flavorful umami to dairy-free dishes, and most succeed in doing so. While some varieties can be enjoyed cold, the consensus is that these cheeses are better when melted.
For those who are lactose intolerant, it is important to note that harder, mature cheeses like cheddar naturally contain almost zero lactose.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many dairy-free cheese options available today, including zucchini cheese, nutritional yeast, creamy dips and spreads (such as guacamole, tahini sauce, and hummus), and vegan cheeses made from nuts, soy, and yeast flakes. Some popular brands offering dairy-free cheese alternatives are Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, and Miokos.
Dairy-free cheese alternatives may not taste exactly like dairy cheese, but they can still satisfy your cheese cravings. Some alternatives, such as those made with nutritional yeast, are said to have a distinct and satisfying cheesiness.
There are several dairy-free alternatives to cream cheese available, including options from Violife, Follow Your Heart, and Tofuti.
Some popular dairy-free alternatives to mozzarella cheese are Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miokos Pourable Mozzarella, and Daiya.
