Randy Chandler
With veganism on the rise, the demand for plant-based cheese has soared. While some people opt for making their own vegan cheese at home, there are now a plethora of realistic-tasting store-bought options available. The best plant-based cheese will depend on its intended usage, as some are better suited for melting, snacking, or spreading. Some popular plant-based cheese brands include Miyoko's, Violife, Follow Your Heart, Chao, Babybel, and The Laughing Cow. Factors such as aroma, taste, texture, and meltability are considered when determining the best plant-based cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Tangy, salty, buttery, sweet, mild, sharp, pungent, lemony, cheesy, creamy, nutty, acidic |
| Texture | Soft, crumbly, creamy, smooth, solid, synthetic, rubbery, melty |
| Ingredients | Nuts, chickpeas, oils, cashews, nutritional yeast, coconut oil, calcium citrate, almond milk, vitamin B12, coconut milk, food starch, pea protein, pumpkin, nooch, oats, aqua faba, miso |
| Aroma | Fruity, cheesy |
| Use cases | Sandwiches, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, nachos, pizza, pasta, sauce, dips, quesadillas, enchiladas, roasted potatoes, subs, lasagna, manicotti, grilled cheese, alfredo sauce, fettuccine, boards, bowls |
| Brands | Miyoko's, Babybel, The Laughing Cow, Follow Your Heart, Violife, Chao, Kite Hill Foods, Philadelphia, Treeline, Minimalist Baker, Nisha, Field Roast, Miyoto Mozz, Herbivorous Butcher, MozzaRisella, JULIENNE BRUNO, Burrella, Cathedral City |
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What You'll Learn
The best shop-bought plant-based cheeses
Veganism has become increasingly popular in recent years, and the market for vegan cheese has grown with it. There are now a plethora of realistic-tasting vegan cheeses available to buy, with some replicating the texture, taste, and melting characteristics of cheese more successfully than others.
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery is a high-end plant-based product company that makes everything from plant-based butter to vegan artisan cheese wheels. Their organic cashew milk mozzarella is priced at $8.49 for an 8-ounce package. While the product is considered expensive, it is a fan favorite and is perfect for using as an alfredo sauce for fettuccine.
Babybel
The same Babybel that manufactures snacking cheeses in the little red wax discs also released a plant-based snacking cheese in 2022. These snacks come in bags of six and are made with modified food starch, coconut oil, and calcium citrate. They are designed for snacking rather than melting and have a tangy aftertaste reminiscent of mozzarella.
The Laughing Cow
The Laughing Cow carries a few plant-based products, including a spreadable cheese alternative in original and garlic and herb flavors. Each cheese circle includes eight foil-packaged wedges, making them perfect for snacking and food on the go. This cheese is made with almond milk and fortified with vitamin B12. While the original flavor lacks flavor and has a gelatinous texture, the garlic and herb version has a better texture and a subtle spice.
Cathedral City Plant-Based Cheese
Cathedral City's vegan cheese alternative has a fruity smell, a soft and crumbly texture, and a creamy, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. It is available to purchase from Sainsbury’s, Asda, Tesco, Ocado, and Morrisons for £3.60. However, the coconut flavor is quite prominent when eaten cold.
JULIENNE BRUNO's Burrella
This London-based brand creates plant-based gourmet cheeses, such as their vegan burrata, which has won a Great Taste Award. While the texture is softer than expected, closer to cottage cheese, it is impressively creamy.
Other Notable Mentions
- Violife Cheddar: Best for melting on enchiladas or roasted potatoes.
- Chao Creamy Original: Best for sub sandwiches.
- MozzaRisella's Classic Cheese: A vegan mozzarella that melts perfectly on pizzas.
- Herbivorous Butcher: A vegan shop in Minneapolis that offers delicious cheese substitutes, including brie.
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The best homemade plant-based cheeses
Making vegan cheese at home is a great option for those who want complete control over the ingredients and flavours. The process is typically easy, and the only special tool you need is a blender. Here are some of the best recipes and tips for creating delicious plant-based cheeses at home:
Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is a popular choice for vegans and can be used in a variety of dishes. To make it, soak cashews in water for a few hours, then drain and blend them with nutritional yeast, salt, lemon juice, and water until you get a creamy texture. Cashew cheese is perfect for making alfredo sauce for fettuccine or as a base for nacho cheese. It can also be used in lasagna or as a spread on sandwiches.
Pumpkin and Nooch Blend
For a unique and tasty mac and cheese, try blending pumpkin and nooch (nutritional yeast) together. This combination creates a creamy and cheesy sauce that can also be drizzled over nachos or baked on a homemade pizza.
Aqua Faba and Nooch Nacho Cheese
Aqua faba, or bean water, can be used as a base for a nacho cheese sauce. Simply blend it with nutritional yeast and other spices to create a delicious and cheesy sauce.
Fermented Cashew Cheese
Fermented cashew cheese is another level up in complexity and flavour. It involves culturing cashews with probiotic powder and then blending them with water, lemon juice, and salt. This process gives the cheese a tangy and sharp flavour. It's perfect for those who enjoy a more mature and pungent taste.
Nisha's Queso
This easy recipe by Nisha requires throwing a bunch of stuff into a blender and creating a perfect sauce. It's a quick and tasty option for those who don't have the time or patience for more intricate recipes.
Tips for Success
When making plant-based cheeses at home, it's important to focus on flavour and texture. Ensure that your ingredients are of good quality and that you're using the right combinations to achieve the desired taste and mouthfeel. Additionally, don't be afraid to manipulate and build upon the basic recipes to create something truly special. Lastly, while store-bought vegan cheese might not always live up to expectations, it can be a convenient option when you're short on time or ingredients.
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The best plant-based cheeses for sandwiches
There are a variety of plant-based cheeses available that are ideal for sandwiches. One of the most popular brands is Field Roast Chao, which offers a range of cheese slices, including the Original Chao, Creamy Original Chao, and Spicy Original Chao. These slices are known for their mild cheddar flavour, smooth texture, and excellent meltability, making them perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. The brand also offers shredded cheese, which is a versatile option for sandwiches and other dishes.
Another well-known brand is Violife, which offers a diverse range of cheese slices. Their selection includes Smoked Provolone, Smoked Gouda, and Just Like Mature Cheddar slices, all of which melt well and deliver a satisfying stretch. Violife also offers a unique product, the Just Like Feta block, which has a salty and briny taste, reminiscent of a blend of goat cheese and feta, perfect for a Greek-inspired sandwich.
For those seeking a cream cheese alternative, Kite Hill Foods offers an almond-based option with a subtle tang. It is available in various flavours, including plain and chive, making it a delicious spread for bagels or sandwiches. Another cream cheese alternative is Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, which is said to taste identical to its dairy-based counterpart, offering an authentic cream cheese experience.
Lastly, Babybel, known for their iconic snacking cheeses, has expanded into the plant-based market with their new vegan snacking cheese. These bite-sized treats, made with coconut oil and calcium citrate, offer a creamy texture and a tangy aftertaste, evoking the flavour of mozzarella. While not designed for melting, these cheeses can add a delightful cheesy note to sandwiches or be enjoyed as a standalone snack.
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The best plant-based cheeses for melting
Field Roast Chao Slices
Field Roast is known for its vegan meat replacements, and its Chao slices are a popular choice for those seeking a meltable plant-based cheese. The slices have a slightly firm texture when served cold but melt beautifully into a classic grilled cheese sandwich. The original Chao slices have a mild cheddar flavour, while the Vegan Chao slices offer a light funkiness from fermented soybeans.
Babybel Plant-Based Cheese
Babybel, known for its snacking cheeses, introduced a vegan version in 2022. The plant-based alternative has a green wax wrapper and a softer, smoother, and creamier texture than its dairy-based counterpart. It has a mild flavour reminiscent of cream cheese and melts well, making it suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's Creamery is a California-based company that produces high-end, luxe vegan cheese wheels. Their Mozzarella cheese is highly recommended for its meltability and authentic flavour. It is perfect for pizza, pasta, casseroles, and even a vegan cheese board. Miyoko's also offers other cheese varieties, such as herbes de Provence and smoky farmhouse cheddar.
Kite Hill
Kite Hill, based in California, produces a vegan cream cheese made with almonds. This dairy-free alternative is light, fluffy, and versatile. It is ideal for spreading on bagels or mixing into dips and comes in various flavours, including chive and garden vegetable. Kite Hill also offers a vegan ricotta cheese praised for its incredible flavour and versatility.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart offers a range of vegan cheeses that melt well, including Smoked Gouda, Pepper Jack, shredded mozzarella, and shredded cheddar. Their Smoked Gouda is highly rated for melting and is perfect for homemade pizzas or grilled cheese sandwiches.
These plant-based cheeses offer excellent meltability and flavour, making them popular choices for those seeking vegan alternatives to traditional dairy cheeses.
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The best plant-based cheeses for taste and texture
The rise in veganism has prompted the development of plant-based cheese, but replicating the texture, taste, and melting characteristics of dairy cheese is challenging. However, some plant-based cheeses stand out for their flavour and mouthfeel. Here are some of the best options:
Miyoko's Creamery: A fan favourite, this cashew cheese is perfect for making a creamy Alfredo sauce for fettuccine. It has a strong, acidic flavour resembling dairy-based cream cheese, with a high price tag of $8.49 for an 8-ounce package.
Misha's Cheese: This smooth and spreadable cheese is great for dipping with pita chips or bread.
Cathedral City Plant-Based Cheese: With a fruity aroma and soft, crumbly texture, this vegan cheddar is the most realistic option on the market. It has a creamy mouthfeel and melts well, although the coconut flavour is noticeable when eaten cold.
MozzaRisella's Classic Cheese: This vegan mozzarella melts perfectly on pizzas.
JULIENNE BRUNO's Burrella: While it lacks the traditional mozzarella-style shell, this vegan burrata is impressively creamy and soft, resembling cottage cheese in texture.
For specific uses, here are some recommendations:
- Slices for sandwiches: Chao slices are a good option, and Babybel also makes plant-based snacking cheese.
- Shredded cheese: The Field Roast brand is a favourite for sandwiches and shredded cheese dishes.
- Mozzarella for lasagna: Miyoto Mozz is an excellent choice.
- Melting on enchiladas or roasted potatoes: Violife Cheddar melts well.
- Grilled cheese: Follow Your Heart American cheese or Chao slices are recommended.
- Sub sandwiches: Chao creamy original is ideal for cold subs.
- Pizza: Miyoko's liquid pizza cheese closely approximates melted pizza cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options available for plant-based cheese, and the best one depends on your preferences and intended use. Some popular options include:
- Miyoko's Creamery, a fan-favorite nut-based cheese.
- Kite Hill Foods Cream Cheese Alternative.
- Babybel, a plant-based alternative to their famous snacking cheeses.
- The Laughing Cow, a spreadable cheese alternative in original and garlic and herb flavor.
- Violife Cheddar, which is great for melting on enchiladas or roasted potatoes.
- Follow Your Heart American cheese, which is great for grilled cheese.
- Chao Creamy Original, which is best for sub sandwiches.
- MozzaRisella’s Classic cheese, a vegan mozzarella that melts well on pizzas.
- JULIENNE BRUNO’s Burrella, a vegan burrata alternative.
- Cathedral City Plant-Based Cheese, a realistic vegan cheddar option.
Some plant-based cheeses that are great for grilled cheese include Follow Your Heart American cheese, Chao slices, and the shredded variety of Cathedral City Plant-Based Cheese.
Some popular plant-based cheese sauces include Nisha's queso recipe, a blend of pumpkin and nooch for mac and cheese, cashew and oat for lasagna, and aqua faba and nooch as a base for nacho cheese.
Some plant-based cheeses that are great for sandwiches include Violife Cheddar, Chao slices, and Miyoko's Mozz.
Miyoko's liquid mozzarella and MozzaRisella’s Classic cheese are popular options for plant-based mozzarella that melts well on pizzas.
