Bushra Griffith
With the rise of veganism, the demand for plant-based cheese has increased. However, replicating the taste, texture, and melting characteristics of dairy cheese is challenging. While some vegan cheeses fall short in terms of flavour and meltability, others stand out for their delicious taste and versatility. This paragraph will explore the best vegetarian cheese options available, offering a range of flavours and textures that cater to different preferences and culinary applications. From creamy cheeses perfect for alfredo sauce to tangy, salty varieties ideal for grating, we will uncover the top choices that deliver on taste, texture, and functionality.
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What You'll Learn
Best vegan cheeses for grilled cheese
While vegan cheese has come a long way, it's still hard to replicate the stretch, melt, and flavor of dairy cheese. However, there are some great options for vegan grilled cheese.
Daiya cheese has been praised for its flavor and texture, with some considering it the best vegan cheese for grilled cheese. It melts well and tastes good, satisfying both vegans and meat-eaters. Daiya cheese slices are available in different varieties, including cheddar.
Field Roast Chao Slices is another popular option for grilled cheese. While it doesn't taste like traditional dairy cheese, it melts into a creamy, gooey texture, delivering on a "cheese vibe." The original flavor is recommended, described as mild but good, and it melts well. The brand also offers a macaroni and cheese product, Mac n Chao, which suggests that their cheese slices could be ideal for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Vegan cheddar cheese is also a good option for grilled cheese sandwiches. It can be made with raw cashews as a base or with whole food ingredients, and it spreads easily on bread, providing a melty, stretchy texture similar to regular cheese. Some recipes suggest using vegan mayonnaise, such as Earth Balance original spread, instead of butter for a less salty, slightly tart flavor.
When making a vegan grilled cheese sandwich, it's recommended to use sturdy bread, such as sourdough or whole grain sandwich bread, for a better crunch and flavor. Gluten-free bread is also an option. Toasting the bread before adding the cheese and grilling it can enhance the flavor and texture.
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Best vegan cheeses for melting
There are many options available for those looking for the best vegan cheeses for melting. Here are some of the top-rated vegan cheeses for melting:
Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda
With a score of 9.8 out of 10, Follow Your Heart's Smoked Gouda is one of the best vegan cheeses for melting. It is perfect for homemade pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches.
Violife Epic Mature Cheddar
Violife's Epic Mature Cheddar is one of the highest-rated vegan cheeses out of hundreds within the discovery app. It is perfect for those looking for a stronger-tasting cheddar to melt. This cheese is also great to eat raw on crackers or straight from the block.
Applewood Smoked Gouda
Applewood's vegan cheese has unique packaging that speaks to what you’re probably looking for in a vegan cheese, which is one that “melts beautifully”. This delicious vegan cheese is a smoky-flavoured alternative that is smooth and creamy, as well as being free from soya and gluten.
Sheese Cheddar Style with Jalapeno and Chilli
This vegan cheese gets a 9 out of 10 rating for how well it melts. It is great for grilling, putting in the oven on top of a meal, or making a toastie.
Miyokos Creamery Mozzarella
Miyokos Creamery's Mozzarella is a cashew cheese that melts amazingly in grilled cheese.
Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese
Kite Hill's Chive Cream Cheese is a vegan cream cheese that is super thick and creamy with tons of flavour. It is a great option for those looking for a vegan cream cheese that melts well and is perfect for spreading on toast, bagels, or vegan croissants.
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Best vegan cheeses for sandwiches
There are several options for creating the best vegan cheese sandwiches. Here are some ideas and recipes to get you started:
Boursin Cheese Sandwich
This sandwich features Boursin cheese, a creamy vegetarian cheese, layered with roasted red peppers, arugula, and other vegetables of your choice. You can toast the bread and spread Boursin cheese on each slice, adding in your desired fillings. If you prefer a different type of creamy cheese, you can substitute Boursin with goat, mascarpone, brie, or ricotta.
Veggie Cream Cheese Sandwich
For a refreshing and satisfying option, try a veggie cream cheese sandwich. This sandwich features an herbed cream cheese spread, with fresh herbs such as dill, basil, and chives, and a variety of vegetables like tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and sprouts. You can also add more cheese, such as dill havarti or muenster, and a tangy honey mustard sauce to elevate the flavors.
Vegan Grilled Cheese Sandwich
If you're looking for a classic, comforting option, a vegan grilled cheese sandwich is a great choice. You can make your own vegan cheddar cheese using a base of cashews and carrots, or use store-bought vegan cheese slices or shreds. Spread a generous layer of vegan cheddar cheese on thick slices of buttered sourdough bread and grill until toasty and golden brown. This sandwich is crispy, buttery, salty, and incredibly flavorful.
Customizable Veggie Cheese Sandwich
You can also create your own veggie cheese sandwich by mixing grated carrots, bell peppers, sweet corn, and onions with herbs, green chili, garlic, pepper, coriander leaves, and grated cheese of your choice. You can then spread this mixture on buttered bread slices, cover with another slice, and toast it in a pan or a sandwich maker until the cheese melts.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on creating delicious vegan cheese sandwiches. Feel free to experiment with different types of bread, cheeses, and vegetable combinations to find your favorite combinations!
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Best vegan cheeses for pizza
There are several options for vegan cheese to put on pizzas. Miyoko's Creamery has a mozzarella-style cheese that is pourable and made from cashew milk. It has a mild flavour and is stretchy and gooey, though it does not stretch like dairy mozzarella. It is also available in shredded form. Good Housekeeping's Chief Food Director, Kate Merker, describes it as a "total game changer".
Another option is to make your own cashew mozzarella, which can be made gooey and stretchy. Miyoko Schinner's cookbook, 'The Homemade Vegan Pantry', has a recipe for this.
Whole Foods' store brand, 365, has created a mozzarella-style cheese made from potato and tapioca starches. It has a nutty flavour when raw and, after baking, has a small cheese pull.
For those looking for a cheese with lower saturated fat and sodium, Go Veggie Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds and Treeline Dairy-Free Mozzarella Shreds are good options, with 0 grams and 1 gram of saturated fat per ounce, respectively.
Finally, for those who want to avoid vegan cheese altogether, a good option is to sprinkle nutritional yeast on top of the pizza.
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Best vegan cheeses by aroma
While the aroma of vegan cheese is not often discussed, there are a few examples of vegan cheeses that have been praised for their smell. Here is a list of the best vegan cheeses by their aroma:
Cathedral City Plant-Based Cheese
Cathedral City's vegan cheddar cheese has been described as having a fruity smell, akin to that of a block of mature cheddar. The reviewer was impressed by how closely the aroma and appearance resembled that of dairy cheddar.
Honestly Tasty's Shamembert
This vegan Camembert has been praised for its heavenly aroma, with slightly fruity and earthy notes. The reviewer claimed that the cheese not only looked and smelled like dairy Camembert but also tasted like it.
Violife Cheddar
Violife is a popular brand of vegan cheese that offers a wide range of products, including cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. While there is no specific mention of the aroma of Violife cheeses, they are known for having strong, savoury notes that pair well with various dishes.
I Am Nut OK Fetamorphosis
This vegan feta cheese has received a perfect score of 10/10 for aroma by one reviewer. While the texture may not be an exact replica of dairy feta, this cheese delivers on taste and is made with simple ingredients.
Cashew-Based Cheeses
Cashew-based cheeses, such as Misha's cheese and the Canadian brand Nuts for Cheese, are often praised for their smooth and spreadable texture. While the aroma is not specifically mentioned, the versatility and flavour of these cheeses make them a popular choice for vegan consumers.
It is worth noting that the aroma of vegan cheese can vary greatly depending on the ingredients used, and some may have stronger scents than others. However, the cheeses mentioned above have been highlighted for their pleasant aromas or their close resemblance to the smell of dairy cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a variety of vegetarian cheeses available in the market. However, the best one depends on the usage and individual preferences. Some popular options include Violife, Miyoko's, Chao, and Good Planet.
Some good options for grilled cheese sandwiches are Follow Your Heart American cheese, Miyoko's liquid pizza mozzarella, and Trader Joe's vegan parmesan shreds.
Miyoko's liquid pizza mozzarella is considered one of the best options for pizzas as it melts well and has a good texture.
Trader Joe's vegan parmesan shreds, Credo's cashew queso, and Honestly Tasty's Shamembert are considered good options for snacking.
