Kamil Perry
There are many soy-free cheese substitutes on the market today, which is great news for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. Some popular options include Violife cheese, which is made from coconut oil and starches, and Miyoko's Creamery, which uses cashews, coconut oil, and tapioca starch as a base. For those looking for a cheddar-style shred, an anonymous option uses palm oil and mimics the sharp flavor of cheddar cheese. Daiya is another popular brand that offers dairy-free cheese that melts and tastes like real cheese. For those who are feeling adventurous, a homemade recipe for a dairy-free cheese sauce includes tofu, tahini, soy sauce, nutritional yeast, and seasonings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Cashew, Potato, Rice, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Starch, Palm Oil, Potato Starch |
| Labels | Organic, Non-GMO, Palm Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan |
| Certifications | Plant-Based, Kosher, Vegan, Non-GMO |
| Brands | Miyoko's Creamery, Chao, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Violife |
| Taste | Sweet, Sharp, Mild |
| Texture | Soft |
| Melting | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan cheese options
There are several vegan cheese options available that are soy-free. Some of these include:
Daiya
Daiya is one of the most well-known brands of vegan cheese, offering a wide range of products, including shreds, slices, sticks, and more. Their cheese is made with a dairy-free oat cream blend, which gives it a creamy and dreamy texture. Daiya cheese melts flawlessly, making it perfect for pizzas, mac & cheese, and other dishes. The brand has recently introduced a new line called "Cutting Board Shreds" that has received positive reviews for its melting and stretching capabilities.
Field Roast’s Original Chao
This vegan cheese is a favourite among experts and is highly recommended for its flavour, texture, and meltability. It has a slightly sweet flavour similar to mild cheddar and a soft texture that allows it to melt easily, making it ideal for sandwiches and quesadillas.
Miyoko’s Creamery
Miyoko’s Creamery uses simple ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, and tapioca starch to create delicious vegan cheese. Their products are organic, non-GMO, palm oil-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.
Violife
Violife cheese is made from a base of coconut oil and various starches, which is a good indicator of its melting capabilities. It is also a good source of vitamin B12, which is often lacking in vegan diets. Violife cheese is free from nuts, making it suitable for individuals with nut allergies.
Follow Your Heart
This brand offers vegan cheese shreds that are environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced. While the shreds do contain palm oil, the palm fruit oil is sustainably grown and harvested from certified farms in South America.
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Gluten-free cheese
Most cheese is naturally gluten-free, but some commercially available cheeses may contain gluten. People who are gluten intolerant should carefully check the labels of packaged or processed cheese before consuming it. Ingredients to watch out for include wheat, barley, rye, wheat starch, and modified food starch made from wheat.
Some cheeses that are usually gluten-free include:
- Cheddar
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Feta cheese
- Goat cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Provolone
- Ricotta cheese
- Swiss cheese
There are also non-dairy, gluten-free cheese alternatives available, which are usually made from plant sources, such as nuts or soy. Some of these products are gluten-free, but others may contain gluten, so it is important to read the labels carefully. For example, Miyoko's Creamery uses simple ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, and tapioca starch to create a gluten-free, soy-free cheese alternative. Another option is Violife cheese, which is made from coconut oil and various starches and is also gluten-free and soy-free.
Some people who are gluten intolerant may also be lactose intolerant, so lactose-free cheese alternatives may be a good option. Go Veggie has a line of lactose-free cheese that is also gluten-free and peanut-free. Daiya is another brand that offers dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free cheese alternatives, although some people may be allergic to the coconut used in their products.
In addition to these commercial options, there are also recipes available for making your own gluten-free, soy-free cheese alternatives at home, often using nuts and seeds as a base.
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Nutritional content
Nut-based cheeses: These are often made from nuts like cashews and seeds. They are a good source of healthy fats and can provide some protein and fibre. Nut-based cheeses are also usually free from common allergens like dairy, soy, and gluten, making them a good option for those with food sensitivities. However, they may not be suitable for individuals with nut allergies.
Coconut Oil-Based Cheeses: Violife cheese, for example, uses coconut oil and starches as a base. This type of cheese is a good option for those seeking a nut-free alternative. It is also often a source of vitamin B12, which is important for vegans as it is predominantly found in animal products. Coconut oil-based cheeses tend to melt well, making them a versatile option for cooking and shredding over dishes like pasta.
Potato and Rice-Based Cheeses: Some soy-free cheese alternatives use potato and rice as a base, such as the brand Daiya. These options are suitable for those with multiple allergies, as they are typically free of the eight most common allergens, including dairy, egg, gluten, soy, and tree nuts. However, they may contain coconut, so individuals with coconut allergies should be cautious.
Palm Oil-Based Cheeses: Some soy-free cheese options, like those from the brand Follow Your Heart, use palm oil as a base. While palm oil has faced environmental sustainability concerns, some companies source palm fruit oil from certified farms that practice sustainable growth and harvesting. Palm oil-based cheeses are versatile and can be used in both hot and cold dishes.
Lactose-Free Cheeses: For those who are lactose intolerant but still wish to consume dairy, there are lactose-free cheese options available. Brands like Go Veggie and Trader Joe's offer lactose-free cheese alternatives. However, it's important to read labels carefully, as some lactose-free products may still contain soy.
When choosing a soy-free cheese substitute, it's important to read the ingredient lists and nutrition labels carefully to make an informed decision based on your specific dietary needs and preferences.
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Taste and texture
One popular option is Daiya, which offers a range of dairy-free cheese products, including shreds, slices, and sticks. Daiya's products are known for their meltability and stretch, making them a versatile choice for sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and mac and cheese. Their new formula, which includes a blend of potato starch and coconut oil, has received praise for its improved taste and texture. However, some people may be allergic to coconut, so it's important to consider this when choosing Daiya as a soy-free cheese alternative.
Another brand that has gained attention for its dairy-free cheese is Miyoko's Creamery. Their products are made with simple ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, and tapioca starch. Cashew-based cheese alternatives are known for their creamy texture and mild flavour, making them a versatile option for various dishes.
If you're looking for a cheddar-style soy-free cheese, the shreds offered by Follow Your Heart are a popular choice. These shreds mimic the sharp flavour of cheddar cheese, making them perfect for quesadillas, tacos, and mac and cheese. They are also versatile in terms of temperature, as they melt well into hot dishes and hold up when served cold. However, it's important to note that these shreds do contain palm oil, which has environmental implications.
For those seeking a soy-free alternative to Parmesan cheese, Violife offers a product made from coconut oil and various starches. This cheese alternative is a good source of vitamin B12, which is often lacking in vegan diets. It is also free from nuts, making it suitable for those with nut allergies.
Lastly, homemade cheese alternatives made from nuts or seeds can be a tasty and soy-free option. These DIY alternatives provide control over the ingredients used and allow for customisation to suit individual taste preferences and dietary restrictions.
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Availability
There are several soy-free cheese alternatives available on the market. These include:
- Daiya Foods: Daiya's dairy-free cheese is made with a blend of oat cream, potato starch, and coconut oil. It is known to melt well and is free from the eight most common food allergens, including soy. Daiya's products are available in shreds, slices, and sticks, and are suitable for various dishes, including pizza, mac & cheese, and sandwiches.
- Chao: Field Roast's Original Chao is a cheddar-style soy-free cheese that is perfect for sandwiches, quesadillas, and tacos. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a soft texture that melts easily.
- Miyoko's Creamery: This brand uses simple ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, and tapioca starch to create soy-free cheese alternatives.
- Violife: Violife cheese is made from a base of coconut oil and various starches. It is a good source of vitamin B12 and is free from nuts, making it suitable for those with nut allergies.
- Go Veggie: This brand offers a line of lactose-free cheese that is also soy-free.
In addition to these pre-made options, some people opt for homemade soy-free cheese alternatives, such as those made from nuts and seeds. Nut cheeses, in particular, are worth considering, and there are cookbooks available that provide recipes for soy-free cheese alternatives, such as "Eat Dairy Free" by Alisa and the "Go Dairy Free" series.
While the availability of these soy-free cheese alternatives may vary depending on your location, they can often be found in health food stores, specialty grocery stores, and sometimes even mainstream supermarkets. Online shopping is also an option, with some brands like Daiya Foods offering direct-to-consumer sales through their websites.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several soy-free cheese substitutes available, including those made from nuts and seeds, coconut oil, cashews, tapioca starch, and potatoes. Popular brands include Violife, Daiya, Chao, and Miyoko's Creamery.
There are soy-free cheddar-style shreds that mimic the sharp flavor of cheddar cheese. These shreds are versatile and can be used in hot and cold dishes such as quesadillas, tacos, and mac and cheese.
Yes, there are several vegan and gluten-free mozzarella alternatives available that are soy-free. Brands such as Daiya, Vegan Gourmet, and Follow Your Heart offer mozzarella-style shreds or slices that can be used on pizza or in other dishes.
Yes, some soy-free cheese alternatives are nut-free. For example, Violife cheese is made from coconut oil and various starches and is free from nuts. This can be a good option for those with nut allergies who are looking for a soy-free cheese substitute.
Yes, there are soy-free cheese alternatives that melt well, such as Daiya's dairy-free cheese, which uses an Oat Cream™ blend to create a creamy and melty texture. Chao, a vegan cheddar-style cheese, is also praised for its meltability and is a good option for sandwiches and quesadillas.
