Frederic Melton
Blue cheese is traditionally made with cow's milk, but it gets its distinctive colour, smell, and sharp flavour from the mould Penicillium. The tanginess and bluish colour can be achieved without using milk, and there are now several vegan blue cheese options on the market, as well as recipes for making your own. Vegan blue cheese is typically made with cashews or tofu for creaminess, and spirulina to create the blue veins. The result is a tangy, rich, and creamy alternative to traditional blue cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Raw cashews, refined coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, white miso paste, spirulina, salt, onion powder, garlic powder |
| Texture | Creamy, smooth, spreadable, sharp, rich, tangy, salty, slightly earthy |
| Taste | Spicy, funky, mild, strong |
| Preparation | Soften cashews by boiling or soaking, add ingredients to a food processor, blend until smooth, sprinkle with spirulina, swirl |
| Time | 20 minutes to make, plus chilling time |
| Number of ingredients | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan blue cheese ingredients
There are several ways to make vegan blue cheese, and the ingredients used depend on the method chosen. One of the most common bases for vegan blue cheese is cashews, which are favoured for their relatively low cost and "milky" quality. Other nuts, such as macadamia nuts or blanched almonds, can also be used as a base, but cashews are generally considered superior.
To make the cheese, the chosen nuts are typically softened by soaking and then blended to form a creamy texture. To this base, various ingredients can be added to impart the desired flavour and texture. These might include refined coconut oil, which helps the cheese to firm up and spread easily; apple cider vinegar, for a sour tang; and white miso paste, which gives the impression that the cheese has been aged.
To create the characteristic blue veins, spirulina, a type of green-blue algae, can be added. While this doesn't contribute much to the flavour, it makes the cheese look more authentic. Another method for creating veins is to age the cheese, scramble it, and then reassemble it, leaving small holes for the blue mould to grow.
Some recipes also call for additional ingredients such as salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and avocado oil. High-protein plant-based milk, lactic acid, and kappa carrageenan can be used to make melty vegan blue cheeses.
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Vegan blue cheese recipes
Vegan blue cheese is a plant-based alternative to traditional blue cheese. It is often made with raw cashews as a base, which brings the perfect amount of creaminess and richness to the cheese. The cheese gets its characteristic blue/green veins from the Penicillium Roqueforti mold, which also gives it a sharp and piquant flavor.
Recipes
Solid Vegan Blue Cheese
This recipe uses only 8 ingredients and 20 minutes of active prep time (plus chilling time) to make a delicious vegan blue cheese.
Ingredients:
- Raw cashews
- Water
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Onion powder
- Dried dill
- Salt
- Silken tofu (optional)
Instructions:
- Soften the cashews by adding them to a medium pot, covering them with water, and bringing to a boil. Boil for about 10 minutes until the cashews are tender. Alternatively, you can soak the cashews in water for a minimum of 5-6 hours or overnight.
- Drain and rinse the cashews with cold water.
- Add the softened cashews to a high-powered blender along with 3/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, dried dill, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
- If you want to add tofu for a chunkier texture, crumble 1/4th of a block of firm tofu into the mixture.
- Pour the mixture into a container and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing
This recipe is for a creamy, tangy, and healthy vegan blue cheese dressing that is perfect for salads or dipping.
Ingredients:
- Raw cashews
- Water
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Onion powder
- Dried dill
- Salt
- Silken tofu (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups of raw cashew pieces in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Drain the cashews and add them to a high-powered blender.
- Add 3/4 cup water, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, dried dill, and 1 teaspoon of salt to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- If using tofu, pat it dry with paper towels and crumble it into the dressing.
- Stir gently and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to mingle.
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Vegan blue cheese reviews
Vegan blue cheese is a dairy-free alternative to traditional blue cheese, which is typically made with cow's milk. The tanginess and bluish color of blue cheese can be achieved without using milk, and several brands have created delicious vegan blue cheeses using various ingredients and methods.
Reviews of Specific Vegan Blue Cheeses
True Blue by Mouse's Favourite is a gold award-winning vegan blue cheese that has received rave reviews from customers. It is described as mild and creamy when young, gradually becoming stronger and firmer as it matures, making it versatile for different tastes and uses. The company takes pride in using traditional techniques and high-quality ingredients, including cashews, water, salt, and cultures, with a dash of coconut oil for added richness.
NoPigNeva offers a plant-based cashew cheese that has received mixed reviews. Some customers were disappointed that it did not resemble traditional blue cheese closely enough, lacking the umami notes they were expecting. However, others praised the company for its wide range of vegan products and reliable delivery.
Nutty Artisan Foods' Simple Blue Vegan Cheese is another option that has gained popularity, although specific reviews of the product are scarce.
Aldi's vegan blue cheese crumbles are mentioned as tasting surprisingly close to blue cheese when sprinkled on a salad, although they do not resemble blue cheese in appearance.
Reviews of Vegan Blue Cheese in General
Vegan blue cheese has received mixed reviews overall. Some people appreciate the availability of dairy-free alternatives that capture the distinct flavors and textures of blue cheese, such as tanginess and creaminess. However, others find that vegan blue cheese does not fully replicate the experience of traditional blue cheese, particularly in terms of melting and texture.
While opinions vary, the existence of vegan blue cheese options allows those who are vegan, dairy-intolerant, or simply curious to explore and decide for themselves. With ongoing innovation and increasing demand, it is likely that the availability and quality of vegan blue cheeses will continue to improve and evolve.
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Vegan blue cheese brands
There are a variety of vegan blue cheese brands available, each with its unique ingredients and production methods. Here are some popular brands:
RIND
RIND offers a vegan blue cheese with a soft-ripened texture and a sharp flavour from the blue mold rind. They also have seasonal cranberry and currant flavours. Their cheese can be crumbled, sliced, or melted and is available at Kroger and Ralphs, making it easily accessible.
Reine
Reine's Artisan Spirulina is a vegan faux-gonzola cheese that is "cultured, aged, and marbled." It gets its richness from cashews and coconut milk, while spirulina adds a tart taste. The elegant packaging and pairing suggestions, such as fresh or dried pears, make it a sophisticated choice.
Climax Foods
Climax Foods' Blue Cheese is dairy-free, high in protein, and known for its unique blend of coconut oil, potato starch, potato protein, and spirulina. It is gluten-free, soy-free, and boasts a creamy texture with a tangy flavour. Their molecular-level research and commitment to earth-friendly ingredients make them stand out.
Bandit Barn Cat
Bandit's vegan blue cheese is crafted by hand in Pennsylvania. It pairs well with bread, nuts, crackers, and earthy ingredients like mushrooms and beets. While the main ingredients are cashews and coconut oil, the specific production process is not mentioned.
Katonas Kreamery
Katonas Kreamery, a plant-based small business brand, offers CocoBlue, a vegan cheese with a traditional umami flavour and a rich, creamy texture. The blue-veined appearance adds to its appeal, and the curing process is showcased on their Instagram page.
Nuts For Cheese
Nuts For Cheese offers Super Blue, a dairy-free cheese with a tart flavour and smooth texture. While it may not taste exactly like blue cheese, it is highly praised by customers for its superb flavour and texture. It is reasonably priced and conveniently available online.
Vegan Essentials
Vegan Essentials provides a range of vegan blue cheeses, including some made with real cultures, ensuring an authentic "blue" experience. They offer options with distinct flavours and textures, such as the Moo No More cashew truffle le bleu brie.
These brands showcase the creativity and dedication within the vegan cheese-making community, offering delicious alternatives that align with ethical and dietary preferences without compromising taste.
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Vegan blue cheese nutrition
Vegan blue cheese is a plant-based alternative to traditional blue cheese. It is made using a variety of ingredients, such as nuts, cultured vegan yoghurt, tofu, or plant-based milk, to replicate the taste and texture of dairy cheese. The blue veins, which are a distinctive feature of blue cheese, can be created using mould cultures or spirulina, a type of blue-green algae.
One popular recipe for vegan blue cheese uses raw cashews as the base, which provides creaminess and richness. Other ingredients include refined coconut oil, which helps the cheese firm up and gives it a spreadable texture, apple cider vinegar for a sour tang, and white miso paste to give it an aged flavour. This recipe also includes salt, onion powder, and garlic powder to enhance the flavour.
Another recipe uses a similar base of softened cashews but replaces the coconut oil with avocado oil and adds additional apple cider vinegar to create a dip-like consistency. This version also includes dark miso paste and spirulina to achieve the characteristic blue-green veins of blue cheese.
Vegan blue cheese can also be made using tofu, which is similar to making curd from dairy milk. By coagulating the proteins and fats from plant-based milk, and then ageing it, a cheese-like product can be created. This method allows for a melty texture, which is not always achievable with nut-based vegan cheeses.
The nutritional profile of vegan blue cheese will vary depending on the specific ingredients used, but it generally provides a good source of healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins, especially when made with nuts or tofu as the base. The addition of ingredients like apple cider vinegar and miso paste also contributes to the overall nutritional value by providing probiotics, amino acids, and antioxidants.
Overall, vegan blue cheese offers a nutritious and delicious alternative to traditional blue cheese, catering to those following a plant-based diet or looking for dairy-free options without compromising on taste and texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegan blue cheese is a plant-based alternative to traditional blue cheese, which is typically made with cow's milk. It is often made with cashews or tofu to achieve a creamy texture, and spirulina to create the blue veins and tanginess characteristic of blue cheese.
Vegan blue cheese has a tangy and creamy taste with a mild flavour. It is said to have a funky kick to it and is perfect for sandwiches, salads, and soups.
The process of making vegan blue cheese varies depending on the recipe. Some recipes use cashews or other nuts as a base, while others use tofu or plant-based milk. The blue veins can be created by adding spirulina or by culturing and ageing the cheese to allow mould to grow.
There are several brands that offer vegan blue cheese products, including NoPigNeva, Miyokos, and Follow Your Heart. These can be purchased from specialty vegan grocery stores or online. Some supermarkets, such as Kroger and Ralphs, also carry vegan blue cheese products.
