Andy Montoya
Vegan cheese has come a long way, but it's still hard to replicate the stretch, melt, and flavor of dairy cheese. While some vegan cheeses can add flavor to veggie burgers, they often fall short when used in grilled cheese sandwiches. However, there are now several vegan cheeses that melt and stretch just like regular cheese. In this article, we will explore the best melting vegan cheeses, from shredded varieties to briny feta, and discover how to create the perfect grilled cheese sandwich using plant-based alternatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best melting vegan cheese overall | Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda |
| Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour | |
| Babybel | |
| Miyoko's Mozzarella | |
| Chao | |
| Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds | |
| Best melting vegan cheese slices | Daiya |
| Follow Your Heart | |
| Chao | |
| Violife | |
| Best melting vegan cheese shreds | Violife |
| Best melting vegan cheese for pizza | Miyoko's Mozzarella |
| Sheese Cheddar Style with Jalapeño and Chilli | |
| Violife |
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What You'll Learn
Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella
In terms of taste, Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella has a mild and creamy flavour, reminiscent of traditional dairy-based mozzarella. Its texture is described as soft and chewy, which lends itself well to melting applications. This cheese is a good option for those seeking a dairy-free alternative that mimics the meltability and taste of traditional mozzarella.
When compared to other vegan cheeses, Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella stands out for its melting capabilities. Some vegan cheeses tend to struggle with melting, either refusing to melt at all or turning into a liquid state. However, Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella has been specifically noted for its ability to melt beautifully and seamlessly, much like traditional cheese.
While Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella has been praised for its melting abilities, it's important to note that individual preferences may vary. Some people may prefer other vegan cheese options, such as the highly-rated Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour or the Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda, which are also known for their melting capabilities and unique flavours. Ultimately, the best vegan cheese for melting comes down to personal taste and the specific requirements of each dish.
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Violife Epic Mature Cheddar
Violife is a well-known brand in the vegan cheese space, with its shreds, slices, and blocks melting smoothly and boasting a solid, cheesy flavour. The brand's Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour block is one of the best-rated vegan cheeses when melting is considered, scoring a whopping 10 out of 10.
Violife's Epic Mature Cheddar is a dairy cheese alternative that delivers all of the cheddar flavour without any junk. It is 100% free from dairy, lactose, gluten, soy, gluten, nuts, and artificial preservatives. The cheese is made from filtered water, coconut oil, food starch-modified (potato & corn), potato starch, salt (sea salt), organic ground sunflower kernel, mature cheddar flavour (vegan sources), lactic acid, olive extract, beta carotene (colour), and vitamin B12.
Violife's Epic Mature Cheddar can be used in a variety of ways. It can be grated over pasta dishes, melted into a velvety sauce, or even eaten raw on crackers. The cheese has a strong cheddar taste, so it is perfect for those looking for a more pronounced flavour.
Violife itself claims that the Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour block melts great, and many vegan cheese lovers agree. The cheese can be purchased at Whole Foods Market, and it comes in a 7.05 oz block.
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Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way, with brands offering a variety of shredded, sliced, and snacking options. Vegan cheese lovers have different preferences for melting cheese, some may prefer using a grill, while others may opt for melting cheese in an oven.
Follow Your Heart has been in the vegan food business since 1970, with its award-winning Vegenaise being a popular offering. The brand also offers other plant-based alternatives, such as vegan mayonnaise, and believes that better food choices can lead to a better world.
The Smoked Gouda cheese slices from Follow Your Heart have impressed many consumers, with some reviewers claiming that the brand has "cracked the vegan cheese code". The cheese's flavour is perfectly balanced, with a subtle sweetness and smoky and salty notes. The slices are priced at around $6 for 10 slices, which is comparable to other plant-based and dairy-based cheese options.
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Babybel
The original flavour of Babybel's vegan cheese has a mild and creamy taste, similar to cream cheese, and pairs well with crackers, fruits, and nuts. The cheese itself is soft and chewy, with a green wax coating, a nod to the environmental benefits of dairy-free cheese.
In addition to the original flavour, Babybel offers a White Cheddar flavour in their plant-based line. This variety has a subtle, musky flavour and a soft, creamy texture. It pairs well with crackers, fruits, and other sides and is a great addition to a vegan cheese board.
Overall, Babybel's vegan cheese is a convenient and tasty option for those seeking a dairy-free cheese that melts well. It is a versatile product that can be enjoyed as a snack or used in various recipes, making it a good choice for those looking to add a melting vegan cheese to their repertoire.
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Tesco Jalapeno and Chilli
Tesco's Jalapeno and Chilli vegan cheese is a tasty alternative to dairy cheese. It is a coconut oil-based product, with added calcium, and is priced at £2.25 for 200g.
The cheese has an orange colour, similar to a Double Gloucester, with flecks of red and green from the peppers and jalapenos. It has a strong pepper flavour with a spicy chilli kick. It is a good cheese for crumbling and melting, and can be used in a grilled cheese sandwich or melted on toast.
Tesco's Jalapeno and Chilli vegan cheese has received mixed reviews. Some people enjoy the flavour, describing it as "really good" and "tasty", with a nice texture. Others have found the taste "disgusting" and too strong. However, it is worth noting that this cheese received a favourable review in The Guardian, suggesting that it is a good option for those looking for a vegan cheese alternative.
Overall, Tesco's Jalapeno and Chilli vegan cheese is a convenient and affordable option for those looking for a spicy, melting vegan cheese. It is a good choice for grilled cheese sandwiches and adding a kick to meals.
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Frequently asked questions
The best melting vegan cheese depends on your personal preferences and requirements. However, some of the highest-rated vegan cheeses that melt well include:
- Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda
- Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour
- Daiya
- Applewood Smoky Cheese Alternative
- Miyoko's Creamery Mozzarella
- Field Roast Chao Slices
When melting vegan cheese, it is important to remember that different types of vegan cheese melt at different temperatures and thicknesses. It is recommended to cook vegan cheese on lower heat than you would normally and to keep an eye on it. Additionally, allowing the cheese to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before melting can improve the melting process.
If you are looking for alternatives to store-bought vegan cheese, you can experiment with making your own using tapioca starch, cashews, or cooked chickpeas. Nutritional yeast is also a popular vegan cheese substitute that can be whipped into a queso or used in soups.
