Frederic Melton
Parmesan is a hard Italian cheese with a rich, savoury flavour and crumbly texture. It is used to add a salty, nutty, or creamy touch to pastas, risottos, salads, and baked dishes. If you're looking for an alternative to Parmesan, there are several options available, including dairy-based and dairy-free substitutes. Dairy-based substitutes include Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Manchego, and Lincolnshire Poacher, while dairy-free alternatives include nutritional yeast, dairy-free Parmesan, and nut-based mixtures.
Cheese substitutes for Parmesan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegan option | Nutritional yeast, dairy-free Parmesan, a combination of kelp powder, ground sesame seeds and walnuts, and salt |
| Dairy option | Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, Lincolnshire Poacher, Halloumi, Feta, Goat's Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Comte, Manchego |
| Non-cheese option | Breadcrumbs, sea salt flakes, salted capers, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional yeast
In addition to its flavour and versatility, nutritional yeast offers several health benefits. It is an excellent source of B vitamins, including vitamin B12, which is crucial for vegans as it is typically found in animal-based foods. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA production, red blood cell formation, and nerve health. Nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein, with the amount varying by brand. For example, 2 tablespoons of Bob's Red Mill nutritional yeast contain 4 grams of protein.
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Dairy-free Parmesan
You can also make your own dairy-free Parmesan at home with a simple recipe using nuts and nutritional yeast. Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pine nuts, and macadamia nuts are great options, and you can use a single nut or a mix of nuts depending on your preference. Simply blend the nuts with nutritional yeast and salt to taste, and you have a delicious, versatile dairy-free Parmesan that can be sprinkled on salads, entrees, or used in breading and coatings.
For a nuttier flavor, you can roast the nuts before blending, and if you want to add more depth to the flavor, you can include onion powder or garlic powder. This homemade dairy-free Parmesan is not only tasty but also incredibly versatile, and you can experiment with different ingredients and ratios to find your perfect blend.
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Breadcrumbs
To make your own breadcrumbs, start by drying bread in the oven for about six minutes, or until dried but not toasted. Then, let the bread cool and add it to a food processor to grind it into crumbs. Spread the crumbs on a pan and return them to the oven for about five to six minutes, or until they are lightly toasted.
When using breadcrumbs as a substitute for Parmesan, you can add flavour by infusing olive oil with garlic, anchovies, dried herbs, chilli pepper, or citrus zest. Heat the oil in a pan, add the breadcrumbs, and stir until they absorb the oil. You can then sprinkle the toasted, flavoured breadcrumbs over your favourite dishes to add crunch and flavour.
While breadcrumbs don't provide the same nutritional benefits as Parmesan, they are a flavourful and affordable substitute, adding texture and visual interest to dishes.
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Nuts
Other nuts that can be used include walnuts, brazil nuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds. These nuts can be blended with salt, nutritional yeast, and a touch of lemon juice to create a tangy, sharp, and rich umami flavor. This combination is perfect for sprinkling on pasta, salads, and pizza.
If you are looking for a nut-free option, you can replace the nuts with hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. Blending these seeds with other ingredients can create a delicious vegan Parmesan substitute with a powdery texture.
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Other cheeses: Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Lincolnshire Poacher, Manchego, Halloumi, Feta, Cheddar, Asiago, Mozzarella
Grana Padano is a hard cheese produced in northeastern Italy and aged for at least nine months. It is made from part-skim milk and has a grainy texture and nutty flavour. It is a more affordable alternative to Parmigiano Reggiano, but it is not inferior in quality.
Pecorino Romano is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep's milk. It has a crumbly texture and a sharper, saltier flavour than Parmesan. Its intense profile makes it perfect for grating over pasta or adding to soups, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
Lincolnshire Poacher is a hard, mature, unpasteurised cow's milk cheese. It has a fruity, nutty flavour and a hard texture, making it a fantastic British alternative to Parmesan. It is a versatile substitute that can be grated on pasta, used for cheese on toast, or added to cauliflower cheese.
Manchego is a Spanish cheese made from the milk of Manchega sheep in the La Mancha area. Fresh Manchego is soft, but aged Manchego is harder and makes a better substitute for Parmesan.
Halloumi has a softer and less crumbly texture than Parmesan, but it provides a similar salty kick. It can be grated over dishes in a similar way.
Feta is saltier than Parmesan and does not melt as well, but it will give an intense boost of flavour.
Cheddar is not as hard or flavourful as Parmesan, but when finely grated, it will still give a pleasant cheesy flavour.
Asiago is a hard and crumbly cheese with a sharper, nuttier flavour than Parmesan. It can be grated on pasta or soup, melted in the oven, or added to salads.
Mozzarella has a mild, creamy flavour and a soft, stretchy texture. While it does not make a good direct substitute for Parmesan, it can be combined with a pinch of nutritional yeast or a hard cheese to enhance its flavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Nutritional yeast is a common vegan substitute for Parmesan. It is naturally low in fat and calories and provides a nutty kick. You can also make your own dairy-free Parmesan using a combination of kelp powder, ground sesame seeds and walnuts, and salt.
Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Lincolnshire Poacher, and Manchego are all hard cheeses that can be used as substitutes for Parmesan. If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, Asiago d'Allevo is a good option. For a saltier option, try Comté.
Toasted breadcrumbs, also known as 'pan gratato' or 'the parmesan of the poor', are a great non-cheese alternative to Parmesan. You can also sprinkle your dish with sea salt flakes or salted capers to replicate the salty taste of Parmesan.
