Andy Montoya
There are many options available for vegans who want to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich. While vegan cheese has improved in taste and texture in recent years, not all varieties are suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches. The most important factor to consider when choosing a vegan cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich is meltability. Some popular options include Violife's Smoked Provolone, Follow Your Heart, and Daiya, which has the added benefit of being relatively healthy compared to other vegan cheeses. For those who want to avoid processed vegan cheeses, there are recipes for homemade vegan cheese sauces that can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches.
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What You'll Learn
The best vegan cheese slices for grilled cheese
Vegan cheese has come a long way in the past decade, evolving from barely edible to actually quite delicious. However, not all vegan cheeses are created equal, and some are better suited for grilled cheese sandwiches than others. The most important factor to consider when choosing a vegan cheese for this purpose is meltability. A lot of vegan cheeses simply don't melt well enough, and when they are the star of the show, as they are in grilled cheese sandwiches, this can be a deal-breaker.
Daiya
Daiya has been widely recommended as the best vegan cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a great texture and flavour, and is mild enough that it won't overwhelm the palate. It also has the lowest amount of sodium per slice (170 mg) and is fortified with Vitamin B12 and calcium.
Field Roast Creamy Original Chao Slices
These slices melt well and have a mellow flavour that is nice, but not overpowering. They are also available in a 'smoked' variety, which has been recommended by several vegan culinary experts.
Violife Smoked Provolone Slices
Violife's Smoked Provolone Slices are another good option, as they have great meltability and taste.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart has been making vegan cheese slices since 1970, and they are still a favourite of many, including Natalie Slater of Bake and Destroy. Their slices melt and stretch, which is exactly what you want in a grilled cheese sandwich. They are also available in a smoked gouda flavour.
Treeline
Treeline's vegan cheese products include slices, shreds, and soft French styles. Their spreadable herb garlic cheese is also highly recommended, especially if you want to add extra cheesiness to your grilled cheese sandwich.
Homemade
If you can't find any of these options at your local supermarket, you can always make your own vegan cheese at home. Many recipes are available online, and some only require a few simple ingredients, such as raw cashews and carrots.
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Making a vegan grilled cheese sandwich
A vegan grilled cheese sandwich is a plant-based, dairy-free twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. It is a quick and easy comfort food that can be made in several ways. Here is a guide on how to make one.
Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients:
- Two slices of sturdy bread (sourdough, rye, or gluten-free bread are good options)
- Vegan butter (or oil)
- Vegan cheese (slices, shreds, or a homemade sauce)
- Optional: vegetables of your choice (e.g. spinach, tomato, onion, or carrot)
Method
First, heat a medium cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating up, prepare your sandwich.
Butter both sides of your bread. If you are using vegetables, sauté them in a separate pan first. For example, you could cook sliced carrots or spinach with garlic. Drain any excess liquid, and stir in vegan cream cheese or cashew ricotta, if using.
Once your skillet is hot, add your bread and lightly toast both sides for about 1-2 minutes. This will give your sandwich a good crunch.
Remove the bread from the pan and spread a layer of vegan cheese on one slice. If you are using vegetables, spread them on the other slice of bread. Place the second slice of bread on top, with the vegetables inside the sandwich.
Cook the sandwich in the skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Flip the sandwich and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Finally, remove the sandwich from the heat and serve immediately. Enjoy your vegan grilled cheese!
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The best vegan cheese sauces for grilled cheese
Vegan cheese has come a long way in the last decade, evolving from barely edible to actually quite delicious. However, not all vegan cheeses are suitable for grilled cheese sandwiches, so it's important to choose one that melts well and has a mild flavor.
Field Roast Chao Cheese
The Creamy Original Chao Slices melt quite well and have a nice, mellow flavor. They are an excellent choice for grilled cheese, according to Nisha Vora, creator of the vegan cooking blog Rainbow Plant Life. The Field Roast Chao Cheese 'Smoked' slices are also recommended by Brandi Doming, author of "The Vegan 8" cookbook.
Violife's Smoked Provolone
This variety is recommended by Ashley Melillo, founder of the plant-based recipe blog Blissful Basil, as well as the founders of Veganosity, Linda and Alex Meyer. They praise its meltability and taste. Natalie Slater of Bake and Destroy also shared a recipe for an elevated sandwich using Violife's Smoked Provolone, along with sliced green apples, red onion, and black pepper.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart has been making vegan cheese since 1970, and their slices are still a favorite of Natalie Slater. She notes that they melt and stretch, which is ideal for grilled cheese. Nisha Vora also endorses this brand, specifically the smoked gouda flavor.
Treeline Cheese
Lauren Toyota, founder of the Hot for Food blog, is a fan of Treeline's spreadable herb garlic cheese. She also recommends their shreds, slices, and soft French styles.
Homemade vegan cheese sauce
For a healthier option, you can make your own vegan cheese sauce. One recipe calls for coconut milk (or plant-based milk of choice), tapioca flour/starch, and nutritional yeast flakes. You can also add spinach, carrot, and seasonings like onion powder, garlic powder, and soy sauce.
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The best store-bought vegan cheese for grilled cheese
There are many options for store-bought vegan cheese that can be used to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. However, it is important to note that not all vegan cheeses are created equal, and some may not melt or taste as desired.
When choosing a store-bought vegan cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich, the most important factor to consider is meltability. A lot of vegan cheeses do not melt well, which is crucial for a grilled cheese sandwich. It is also worth noting that some vegan cheeses have an artificial taste, so finding one with a mild and mellow flavor is essential.
- Daiya: Daiya is a popular choice for vegan cheese, and it has improved over time. It has a good flavor and texture, and it melts well. Daiya has the lowest amount of sodium among the options (170 mg per slice) and also contains added Vitamin B12 and calcium.
- Field Roast Creamy Original Chao Slices: These slices melt well and have a nice, mellow flavor. They are also recommended by vegan culinary experts like Nisha Vora.
- Violife's Smoked Provolone: Recommended by Ashley Melillo, founder of the plant-based recipe blog Blissful Basil, and Veganosity founders Linda and Alex Meyer for its meltability and taste.
- Follow Your Heart: This brand has been around since 1970, and their slices melt and stretch, making them perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches. They are endorsed by Natalie Slater of Bake and Destroy and Nisha Vora, specifically for the smoked gouda flavor.
- Treeline: This brand offers a variety of vegan cheese products, including shreds, slices, and soft French styles. Their spreadable herb garlic cheese is a favorite of Lauren Toyota, the founder of the Hot for Food blog.
- Simply-V or Wilmersburger: These brands are recommended for those in Germany, as they offer good vegan cheddar options.
When using store-bought vegan cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich, it is important to follow the same steps as you would for a traditional grilled cheese. Butter both sides of your bread of choice (sturdy bread, such as sourdough, is recommended for a better crunch), spread or layer the cheese, and cook it in a skillet until golden brown and crispy.
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The best homemade vegan cheese for grilled cheese
Vegan cheese has come a long way in the last decade, but it's still hard to replicate the stretch, melt, and flavor of real cheese. However, with the right ingredients, you can make a delicious, comforting, and cheesy vegan grilled cheese sandwich at home. Here's a recipe for a homemade vegan cheese that's perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients
- Raw cashews or carrots
- Coconut milk or plant-based milk of choice
- Tapioca flour/starch
- Nutritional yeast flakes
- Onion powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, and other seasonings of choice
Instructions
- If using cashews, soak them in water for a few hours to soften them. Drain and rinse before using.
- Grate or chop the carrots into small pieces.
- In a blender, combine the cashews or carrots with the milk, tapioca flour/starch, nutritional yeast, and seasonings.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens.
- Let the cheese sauce cool down and then transfer it to an airtight container.
- To make a grilled cheese sandwich, spread a generous amount of the vegan cheese sauce on a slice of bread.
- Top with another slice of bread and butter the outside of both slices.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and place the sandwich in the pan.
- Cook for a few minutes on each side until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Tips and Variations
- You can also add vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, or peppers to your sandwich for extra flavor and nutrition.
- If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, you can add nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan to the cheese sauce.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free bread.
- If you don't want to make your own vegan cheese, you can use store-bought vegan cheese slices or shreds, such as Daiya, Follow Your Heart, or Violife.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many options for vegan cheese available in the market, but the best one for a grilled cheese sandwich is Daiya, as it has the best flavour and texture. It has the lowest amount of sodium and also contains added Vitamin B12 and calcium.
Some other options for vegan cheese are Violife’s Smoked Provolone, Treeline Cheese, and Follow Your Heart.
There are many recipes for vegan grilled cheese sandwiches. One recipe includes vegan cheddar cheese, vegan butter, and sturdy bread, such as sourdough. Another recipe includes a vegan cheese sauce made with coconut milk, tapioca flour, and nutritional yeast flakes, along with spinach, carrots, and onion.
It is important to select a vegan cheese that melts well. It is also recommended to toast the bread before adding the cheese to give it a good crunch.
