Patrick Oconnell
Vegan cheese has come a long way in recent years, with the rise of plant-based diets and increasing demand for dairy-free alternatives. While some people may be hesitant to try vegan cheese, fearing a trade-off in taste or texture, there are now several options on the market that offer a satisfying cheesy experience. So, what is the best vegan cheddar cheese? Well, that depends on your preferences, but let's explore some of the top contenders and their unique qualities. From creamy textures to mild flavours, the world of vegan cheddar is worth discovering.
Best Vegan Cheddar Cheese Characteristics
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Creamy, smooth, not grainy, mild, mushy, granular, greasy, powdery, firm, springy, sticky, stretchy, globby, runny, unpleasant |
| Taste | Salty, tangy, garlicky, herby, spreadable, nutty, sharp, mild, pronounced, bland, sour cream-like, cheesy |
| Ingredients | Coconut oil, almond milk, vitamin B12, potato starch, cashew milk, food starch, natural flavors, sea salt, yeast extract, potato protein, xanthan gum, annatto extract, lactic acid, cultures, tapioca starch, chickpea protein, palm oil, maltodextrin, tofu, cornstarch |
| Brand | Violife, Miyoko's, Kraft, Daiya, Open Nature, The Laughing Cow, Moocho, Tofutti, Parmela Creamery, Green Vie, Nush, Applewood, Sheese |
| Price | £2.19-£3.75 |
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What You'll Learn
The best vegan cheddar cheese for burgers
There are many options for vegan cheddar cheese to add to burgers, each with its own unique flavour and texture. Here is a list of some of the best vegan cheddar cheeses for burgers:
Violife is a well-known brand in the vegan cheese industry, offering a wide variety of products, including vegan cheddar slices and shreds. Their Epic Mature Cheddar Slices are a popular choice for burgers, as they have a strong cheddar flavour and melt well. The slices melt best when steamed in a pan, while the shreds melt easily in the microwave, making them a convenient option for burgers.
Daiya is another popular brand, known for its rich and tangy cheddar flavour. Their slices melt nicely and don't stick to teeth, making them a good option for grilled cheese sandwiches. Daiya's cheddar slices also have a lower amount of sodium and added vitamins, making them a healthier choice compared to other options.
Follow Your Heart offers medium cheddar slices with a smooth and creamy texture that melts well. Their slices are free of GMOs, gluten, preservatives, and artificial flavours, making them a natural option for those with dietary restrictions.
For those who prefer a milder flavour, Violife's cheddar slices might be a better option. While it has the least cheesy flavour among the options, it melts the fastest and has a gooey texture.
In addition to these brands, there are other options available, such as Esti Vegan Cheddar Slices, which offer an authentic cheese flavour and a creamy texture, and Parmela Creamery Plant-Based Mild Cheddar Slices, which are known for their rich flavour and creamy texture.
When choosing the best vegan cheddar cheese for burgers, it's important to consider factors such as flavour, texture, meltability, and personal preferences. These options provide a range of choices to elevate your vegan burgers and satisfy your cheesy cravings.
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The best vegan cheddar cheese for grilled cheese
There are many options for vegan cheddar cheese, but not all of them are suitable for grilled cheese. Some of the options that people have tried and reviewed include:
Violife
Violife is one of the most popular options for vegan cheese. It has great cheddar slices that are said to be stretchy and melty, making them perfect for grilled cheese. It is also one of the more easily available options, being sold at Food Lion, Kroger stores, BJ's Wholesale Club, and Costco.
Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar
Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar is said to be the best vegan cheddar by some, with a good taste even when cold. However, it may be difficult to find this option in stores. Miyoko's also offers a liquid pizza mozzarella and a classic mozzarella wheel, which are highly rated.
Daiya
Daiya is a major brand in the dairy-free cheese scene, offering a wide range of products. While their pizza shreds have received poor reviews, their new oat milk formula is said to melt well and get stretchy, making it suitable for grilled cheese.
Open Nature
This is a house brand found at Albertsons and its family of stores. It has received mixed reviews, with some liking its texture and flavour when melted, but others finding the aftertaste off-putting.
Tofutti
Tofutti is known for its vegan cream cheese, but it also offers dairy-free American cheese slices. These slices are made with Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil, maltodextrin, and tofu. However, they are not suitable for people with soy allergies.
Moocho
Moocho, a product from the Tofurky brand, offers a cheddar flavour, but it has been criticised for its powdery texture and lack of flavour.
The Laughing Cow
The Laughing Cow offers a spreadable cheese alternative in original and garlic and herb flavours. It is made with almond milk and fortified with vitamin B12. However, it has been described as lacking a true cheddar flavour.
Aldi Brand
The Aldi brand has improved its vegan cheese, offering a good option for those on a budget.
In addition to these options, some people also recommend making your own vegan cheddar cheese at home. Ultimately, the best vegan cheddar cheese for grilled cheese will depend on individual preferences for texture, flavour, and meltability.
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The best vegan cheddar cheese for snacking
Vegan cheese has come a long way in recent years, with dairy-free alternatives becoming a game-changer for those following a vegan diet.
When it comes to vegan cheddar cheese for snacking, there are a few options that stand out. One popular choice is Violife, which offers both smoked and original cheddar slices. Violife is known for its great flavour and texture, and their products are widely available in stores. The smoked flavour, in particular, has received rave reviews for its ability to mask any non-cheese flavours, making it a perfect choice for snacking.
Another well-loved option for vegan cheddar is Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar. This cheese is known for its delicious flavour, whether enjoyed cold or melted. However, some people may find it challenging to locate this product in stores.
For those who prefer grated vegan cheddar, the Open Nature house brand, available at Albertsons supermarkets, offers a tasty option. This cheese has received positive reviews for its meltability and overall pleasing flavour, although there are mixed feelings about its aftertaste.
Other notable mentions include the Aldi brand, which offers a budget-friendly option, and the Laughing Cow's plant-based spreadable cheese, which comes in individually packaged wedges, making it perfect for snacking on the go.
While finding the perfect vegan cheddar cheese may involve some trial and error, the options mentioned above provide a great starting point for those looking to satisfy their cheddar cravings.
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The best vegan cheddar cheese on a budget
Vegan cheese has come a long way in recent years, with the rise of plant-based diets and increasing demand for dairy-free alternatives. While some people may be hesitant to try vegan cheese, fearing a compromise on taste and texture, there are now several options on the market that offer delicious and satisfying substitutes for traditional cheddar cheese. And the best part? Many of these options are budget-friendly, so you can enjoy delicious vegan cheddar without breaking the bank.
Violife: A Popular Choice
One of the most popular choices for vegan cheddar is Violife. Violife offers a range of cheddar-style slices and blocks that have received high praise from consumers. Their products are known for their great texture and flavour, melting well and providing a satisfying cheesy experience. Violife's Smoky Cheddar Flavour Slices, priced at £2.80, are a fantastic option for those seeking a budget-friendly vegan cheddar.
Supermarket Alternatives: Affordable and Tasty
If you're looking for an even more affordable option, some supermarket brands offer delicious vegan cheddar alternatives. Open Nature, a house brand found at Albertsons supermarkets, impressed tasters with its cheddar flavour and nice texture when melted. At just $4.99, Daiya's cheddar-style shreds are another budget-friendly option, although some consumers found the texture to be less appealing.
Other Recommendations: Grated, Soft, and Smoked
For grated vegan cheddar, Violife's Original Grated Non-dairy Cheese, priced at £2.75, is a fantastic option that melts quickly and evenly, making it perfect for vegan mac and cheese. If you're in the market for a soft vegan "cheese," Nush offers a delicious cream cheese-style spread, available in plain and chive flavours, for £2.75. For a smoky flavour, the Sporked team raved about a coconut oil-based vegan cheddar that resembled smoked Gouda in taste and texture, although the brand was not specified.
Final Thoughts: Variety and Accessibility
The world of vegan cheese is ever-evolving, with new products hitting the market regularly. While personal preferences may vary, there is now a wide variety of vegan cheddar options available to suit different tastes and budgets. So, whether you're looking for slices, blocks, shreds, or spreads, you can find affordable and tasty vegan cheddar alternatives at your local supermarket or specialty store.
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The best vegan cheddar cheese for a cheese board
Vegan cheese has come a long way in recent years, with the rise of plant-based diets and increasing demand for alternatives to dairy. While some people love vegan cheese, others find it rubbery, plastic-like, or lacking in flavour. However, there are some great options for a vegan cheese board, especially if you're looking for a cheddar-style cheese. Here are some of the best vegan cheddar cheeses to elevate your next vegan cheese board.
Violife
Violife is a popular choice for vegan cheddar cheese. It has great cheddar slices that can be used in a variety of dishes, from grilled cheese sandwiches to cheese sauces. Violife's products are known for their satisfying, cheesy flavour and meltability. They also offer a variety of other vegan cheeses, including mozzarella and camembert, so you can create a diverse cheese board.
Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar
Miyoko's Farmhouse Cheddar is another highly regarded vegan cheddar cheese. It is known for its delicious flavour, whether eaten cold or melted. This cheese used to be difficult to find, but it seems to be becoming more widely available. Miyoko's also offers other varieties, such as mozzarella, so you can explore their range for your cheese board.
Open Nature
If you're looking for a vegan cheddar with a mild flavour, Open Nature is a good option. This cheese received mostly positive reviews for its taste and meltability. It can be found at Albertsons and other supermarket chains, making it a convenient choice for your cheese board.
Boursin
For a vegan cheese that resembles the taste of regular Boursin, this option is a great choice. It's garlicky, herby, and spreadable, making it perfect for a cheese board. This cheese also melts well, so you can use it in a variety of dishes.
Kraft
Kraft offers a vegan cheddar slice that is quite good, according to some sources. While it may not be as widely available as other options, it's worth trying if you're looking for a familiar brand to include on your cheese board.
When creating your vegan cheese board, it's important to consider the flavours, textures, and varieties of cheeses you want to include. You can also add complementary crackers, fruits, and condiments to enhance the overall experience. Enjoy experimenting with these vegan cheddar cheeses and creating a delicious and impressive vegan cheese board!
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Frequently asked questions
The best vegan cheddar cheese depends on your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Some popular options include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, and Miyoko's.
Some factors to consider are taste, texture, meltability, and availability. Some vegan cheeses may have a more pronounced flavour or a tangier taste, while others may be milder and more similar to American cheese. If you are using the cheese for melting, you may want to choose an option that melts well and has a stretchy or creamy texture. It's also important to consider any allergies or dietary restrictions, as some vegan cheeses may contain soy, nuts, or gluten.
According to various sources and taste tests, some specific recommendations for the best vegan cheddar cheese include:
- Violife Smoky Cheddar Flavour Slices
- Sheese Mature Cheddar Style block
- Violife Original Grated Non-dairy Cheese
- Open Nature house brand (available at Albertsons)
