Patrick Oconnell
There are a variety of cheese substitutes available for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or allergic to dairy. Some popular options include nut-based vegan cheeses, such as those made from cashews, almonds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, or sunflower seeds. Coconut oil or coconut milk can also be used as a base for vegan cheese. For those looking for a store-bought option, popular brands include Violife, which offers a range of cheese styles including mozzarella, cheddar, and feta, and Nurishh, which offers dairy-free cream cheese made with coconut oil and food starches. Some other substitutes for cheese in dishes include hummus, avocado, tahini, and olives, which can provide a similar creaminess or saltiness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Nut-based vegan cheeses, hummus, avocado, tahini, and olive oil can be used as cheese substitutes. |
| Texture | Vegan cheese does not melt as well as regular cheese. |
| Type | Some popular types of vegan cheese include mozzarella, cheddar, feta, parmesan, gouda, and cream cheese. |
| Brands | Popular brands of vegan cheese include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, Nurishh, and Miyoko's. |
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What You'll Learn
Commercial plant-based cheese alternatives
One popular option is Violife, which offers a variety of cheese alternatives, including cheddar, cream cheese, and feta. Violife cheese melts well, making it a versatile option for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, or as a topping for veggie burgers. Another well-known brand is Follow Your Heart, which offers smoked gouda slices and dairy-free parmesan. The smoked gouda melts and stretches, making it a good substitute for grilled cheese or burgers, while the parmesan can be used as a finishing cheese or in baked pasta dishes.
For those seeking a cream cheese alternative, Kite Hill offers a dairy-free option made with almond milk, enzymes, xanthan gum, and mushroom extract. This cream cheese has a strong and acidic flavour that closely resembles its dairy-based counterpart and comes in a variety of flavours, including strawberry, garden veggie, chive, and everything. However, some reviewers have noted that it can mould easily. Another cream cheese alternative is offered by The Laughing Cow, which provides a spreadable cheese made with almond milk and fortified with vitamin B12. This cheese also includes coconut milk for creaminess and comes in original and garlic and herb flavours.
In addition to these options, there are several other plant-based cheese alternatives worth considering. Miyoko's, a high-end plant-based company, offers a variety of cheese products, including mozzarella, which is excellent for pizza and lasagna. Babybel also offers plant-based cheese rounds that can be peeled and spread on bread or enjoyed as a snack. For those seeking a shredded cheese alternative, Field Roast is a good option, and for a creamy mozzarella-like cheese, Myokos Vegan Mozz is a popular choice.
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Vegan cheese recipes
There are many options for vegan cheese substitutes, including store-bought options and homemade recipes.
Store-bought options
There are several options for store-bought vegan cheese, including:
- Violife: This brand offers a variety of vegan cheeses, including cheddar, cream cheese, and feta.
- Follow Your Heart: Smoked Gouda slices, dairy-free parmesan, and other sliced cheese varieties are available from this brand.
- Daiya Swiss Style Slices: These vegan cheese slices taste similar to dairy-based Swiss cheese.
- Miyoko's: This brand offers liquid mozzarella, mozzarella wheels, and cheese rounds.
Homemade recipes
If you prefer to make your own vegan cheese, there are several recipes you can try. Many of these recipes use similar base ingredients, such as cashews, coconut oil, and nutritional yeast, but vary in their additional ingredients and preparation methods. Here are some specific recipes to try:
Cashew-based cheese
This recipe uses raw cashews as the base, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture. The addition of refined coconut oil adds richness and helps the cheese firm up when chilled. Olive brine contributes an aged, tangy flavour, while garlic and salt enhance the overall flavour.
Potato and cashew cheese
Yukon gold potatoes and cashews are blended to create a creamy texture, while nutritional yeast provides a nutty, savoury flavour. Garlic and onion powder add depth of flavour, and apple cider vinegar gives the cheese a tangy finish.
Smoky vegan cheddar
This recipe incorporates smoked paprika to create a smoky flavour profile. It can be served as a loaded queso dip with guacamole, pico de gallo, and black beans.
Spicy cheese
For those who prefer a kick of heat, this variation includes blending a tablespoon of pickled jalapeños or a chipotle pepper into the cheese mixture.
Vegan feta
This simple recipe involves blending, setting, baking, and scoffing! It can be made with tofu, resulting in a fresh and protein-packed alternative. Marinating the cheese with rosemary and garlic adds a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Vegan halloumi
This cashew-based recipe involves pressing, marinating, and frying tofu to create a spongy texture.
Vegan ricotta
Light and refreshing, this recipe uses soy milk as a base and can be added to homemade ravioli, spread on toast, or crumbled over salads.
Other tips
When making vegan cheese at home, a blender is typically the only special tool required. Soaking cashews before blending may be necessary, depending on the power of your blender. Additionally, feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours to create your own unique variations.
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Dairy-free substitutes for hard cheeses
- Chunks of avocado, which add creaminess and substance to a dish. Adding a squeeze of lemon or lime and some sea salt flakes or herbs creates a closer match to tangy goat cheeses.
- Grated Brazil nuts, which can be sprinkled on pasta dishes or anywhere parmesan is usually grated over. While not as salty as parmesan, Brazil nuts add a similar hit of deeply savoury umami flavours.
- Olives provide a salty burst of flavour and are a good dairy-free and vegan alternative to parmesan or other hard cheeses.
- Sun-dried tomatoes are another option, adding a burst of sweetness to a dish instead of a salt hit.
- Hummus can be used as a substitute for ricotta as a spread for toast or as a sauce component for pasta or lasagna.
- Tahini (sesame seed paste) will give the creaminess of melted cheese, although the texture won't be the same.
- Silken or firm tofu can be pureed in a food processor to create an oozy sauce. Adding onion powder, nutritional yeast flakes, and salt can enhance the cheesy flavour.
- Salted capers are another option, although capers in vinegar can also work.
- Toasted breadcrumbs, called 'pan gratato' in Italy, can be sprinkled over pasta to add crunch and visual interest.
In addition to these substitutes, there are also a variety of commercial plant-based cheese options available, such as vegan cream cheese, mozzarella, mature cheddar, and roquefort. These can be purchased from grocers or made at home using recipes available online.
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Vegan cheese brands
While giving up dairy can be challenging, there are many vegan cheese options available that can help satisfy your cravings. Vegan cheese is typically made with plant-based ingredients and comes in various forms, such as shredded, sliced, or liquid. Here are some popular vegan cheese brands to try:
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery is a well-known vegan cheese brand that offers a variety of products. Their liquid mozzarella, for example, is perfect for pouring over pizza before baking, giving it a browned, cheesy finish. They also have a cashew-based vegan mozzarella with a salty, tangy flavour that can be used in recipes like potato salad.
Violife
Violife is a European brand that has been around since the 1990s and has gained popularity in the US. They offer a range of vegan cheese options, including mozzarella and cheddar shreds, as well as cream cheese and feta. While their shreds may not stretch like traditional cheese, they melt nicely, especially in a covered pan, making them perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart offers a variety of vegan cheese options, including smoked gouda slices, Swiss-style slices, and dairy-free parmesan. Their smoked gouda melts and stretches well, and their Swiss cheese slices taste remarkably similar to dairy-based Swiss cheese. Their parmesan is a great store-bought option for pre-shredded parmesan with a neutral taste that melts beautifully in the oven.
Kite Hill Foods
Kite Hill Foods offers an almond-based vegan cream cheese that comes in original and other flavours. It has a subtle tang and is made with wholesome ingredients. The plain variety works well in recipes, while the chive flavour is a tasty spread for bagels.
Chao Creamery
Chao Creamery's vegan shreds are a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. They melt well and have a mellow, neutral cheesy flavour without any strange aftertaste.
Misha's
Misha's cheese is a smooth and spreadable vegan option, perfect for a cheese board or as a dip. It is cashew-, almond-, and shallot-based and comes in various flavour options, such as jalapeno, oregano, and thyme.
While finding the perfect vegan cheese substitute can be challenging, these brands offer a variety of tasty options that can satisfy your cheese cravings. Remember that you can also make your own vegan cheese at home, giving you complete control over the ingredients and flavours.
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Nut-based vegan cheeses
Cashews are a popular choice for nut-based cheeses due to their mild, buttery taste and their ability to blend into a creamy, smooth texture. However, it is important to consider the ethical implications of cashew production, which often involves exploitative labour practices and exposure to harmful chemicals. Other nuts used in vegan cheese production include almonds and macadamia nuts.
Some popular brands of nut-based vegan cheese include Nuts For Cheese™, which offers a variety of certified organic, dairy-free, and gluten-free cheeses and dips made from organic cashews. Their product, Un-Brie-Lievable™, has received rave reviews from customers. Another brand to consider is Vtopian Artisan Cheeses, which uses fair trade cashews in their products.
In addition to store-bought options, homemade nut-based vegan cheeses are also an option for those who want complete control over the ingredients and flavours. Recipes for nut-based vegan cheeses typically require a blender and simple ingredients such as agar, tapioca starch, and nutritional yeast flakes. However, it is important to note that achieving the perfect texture can be challenging, as even slight variations in ingredient measurements can lead to drastic changes in the final product.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many cheese substitutes available, but the best one depends on the type of cheese you are trying to replace and your dietary preferences. For example, if you are looking for a substitute for soft cheeses like ricotta, goat cheese, or cream cheese, you could try Macadamia 'Ricotta', a squeeze of lemon or lime with avocado, hummus, or a nut-based vegan cheese.
Brazil Nut 'Parmesan' is a delicious substitute that can be sprinkled on pasta dishes or anywhere you would normally use grated parmesan. You can also use toasted breadcrumbs, also known as 'pan gratato', or salted capers.
Violife is a popular brand of vegan cheese that offers a range of products that melt well, including cheddar, mozzarella, and feta. Follow Your Heart is another brand that offers a dairy-free parmesan that melts great in the oven and can be used in baked pasta recipes or sprinkled over pizza and risotto.
