Bushra Griffith
Dairy-free and vegan cheeses have become increasingly popular, with many varieties available on the market. While some people are looking for substitutes due to dietary restrictions, others are choosing these options for ethical reasons. Some of the most popular dairy-free cheeses include those made from nuts, like cashew-based shreds that melt and taste like real cheese. There are also dairy-free queso sauces made from vegetables, as well as vegan blue cheeses that are said to taste like the real thing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Creamy, tangy, funky kick, tart |
| Texture | Smooth, velvety |
| Ingredients | Starch, oil, real cultures, spirulina, cashews, potatoes, carrots, nutritional yeast, tomatoes |
| Brands | Spire, Nuts for Cheese, Parmela, Follow Your Heart, FYH, Violife, House Party |
| Preparation | Can be frozen |
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What You'll Learn
Vegan blue cheese recipes
Vegan blue cheese is a great option for those who are vegan or dairy-free but miss the taste of blue cheese. It can be used in the same ways as regular blue cheese, such as on crackers or bread, in a salad, or as part of a vegan snack board.
Recipe 1
This recipe from 'It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken' uses just 8 ingredients and 20 minutes to make (plus chilling time). It is described as creamy, tangy, and funky, with green and blue veins throughout. The recipe uses cashews as its base, which are softened by boiling or soaking before being blended with other ingredients. The creator of the recipe notes that it is not exactly the same as traditional blue cheese but is still delicious.
Recipe 2
This recipe from 'Full of Plants' uses raw cashews as its base and only 5 ingredients in total. The creator of the recipe, Thomas, notes that it is creamy and sharp, and some of those who have tried it claim it is the best vegan cheese they have ever made. The recipe requires a starter culture to trigger the fermentation process and give the cheese its tangy flavor. The creator also notes that the rind of the cheese will be dark blue unless scraped every two weeks.
Recipe 3
This recipe from 'Nora Cooks' is for a vegan blue cheese dressing or dip that is described as chunky, creamy, and tangy. It uses raw cashews, tofu, and simple ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, onion powder, dill, and salt to create a real "blue cheese" feel. The creator of the recipe notes that it is easy to make and delicious to eat, perfect for a vegan wedge salad or for dipping cauliflower buffalo wings in.
Store-bought Options
For those who don't want to make their own vegan blue cheese, there are some store-bought options available. FYH and Violife are two brands that have been recommended by those following a vegan diet.
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Dairy-free cheese brands
Chao
Field Roast's Original Chao is a popular choice among vegans, known for its mild cheddar flavour, soft texture, and meltability. It contains coconut oil, various starches, and fermented tofu, resulting in a creamy mouthfeel.
Daiya
Daiya is a well-known brand in the dairy-free cheese space, offering slices made with potato starch and coconut oil, which melt and stretch perfectly on burgers and sandwiches. Daiya's cheese is also free of the eight most common food allergens, making it a versatile option for those with dietary restrictions.
Tofutti
Tofutti is recognised for its vegan cream cheese and dairy-free ricotta. While its American cheese slices made with palm oil, maltodextrin, and tofu may not be the best melting option, the brand's ricotta is a versatile choice for both sweet and savoury dishes.
Babybel
The iconic cheese snack brand has also entered the dairy-free market with its Plant-Based Cheese Alternative. These snack-sized discs are made with starches and coconut oil, enriched with calcium and vitamin B12, and are soy-free. While they may not be the best for melting, they offer a creamy texture and a tangy aftertaste.
Violife
Violife is a popular dairy-free cheese brand, with products that can be enjoyed hot or cold. They offer a range of options, including Parmesan, which is said to be very close to the original, and a feta-style cheese that can be melted and used with pasta sauce.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart is another brand that offers dairy-free feta cheese and slices that melt perfectly, making them ideal for sandwiches and mac and cheese.
In addition to these brands, it is also possible to make vegan cheese at home using ingredients like cashews and nutritional yeast. However, replicating the texture, taste, and melting characteristics of cheese can be challenging without the right knowledge and ingredients.
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Dairy-free cheese made from nuts
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way, and today, nut-based cheeses taste just like the real thing. Nut cheese is made from various nuts, including cashews, macadamia nuts, and almonds, and is often paired with wine, crackers, and fruit. Nut cheese is a great option for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant but still want to enjoy the delicious taste of cheese.
One popular recipe for dairy-free cheese is cashew cheese, which can be made in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and preferences. For example, an herb-y cashew cheese made with nutritional yeast, agar powder, and cornstarch can be soft and spreadable, perfect for pairing with crackers and grapes. Alternatively, a cashew cheese made with soaked cashews, green onions, miso, and lemon juice can be made using guar gum to create a texture similar to commercial dairy cream cheese. This type of cashew cheese is also a great option for those who want to avoid oil, as it is oil-free.
In addition to cashew cheese, there are other types of nut-based cheeses that can be made at home. For example, a smoky vegan cheese made with almonds, smoked paprika, and maple syrup can be spread on crackers or enjoyed with grapes. Macadamia nuts can also be used to make a dairy-free feta cheese, which can be baked and served with seeded crackers, watermelon, and vegan rosé.
While nut-based cheeses may be a newer concept compared to traditional dairy cheeses, they offer a delicious and healthy alternative for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. With the increasing popularity of nut cheeses, there are now a variety of recipes and brands available, making it easier than ever to enjoy the taste of cheese without the dairy.
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Vegan cheese with casein
Casein is a milk-based protein that is found in around 80% of the protein in milk, cheese, and yoghurt. It is also commonly found in baby formulas. In the past, some soy cheese companies added casein to their products without disclosing it, tricking vegans into consuming it. Casein is a key component in conventional dairy products, creating a stable emulsion and preventing fat and water from separating, which gives milk its smooth texture. These binding elements are also responsible for the meltability and stretchiness of cheese, which are often missing in vegan cheese.
However, vegan cheese with casein may soon be available. Companies such as New Culture, Pureture, Change Foods, Fermify, Zero Cow Factory, and Standing Ovation are working on creating vegan casein. Pureture, for example, has formulated vegan casein via a traditional liquid fermentation process that does not require any regulatory steps to enter the market. It emulsifies yeast and blends it with vegan ingredients to manufacture the protein. The company says its plant-based casein replicates all the functions of dairy casein, creating a product that is cleaner than other alternatives as it eliminates the need for starches, gums, and emulsifiers.
Climax Foods is another company in the vegan cheese game, using artificial intelligence to identify and isolate plant-based proteins that can be used to make new vegan food products. Their first product, a plant-based casein, is made from a proprietary blend of plant proteins that are fermented to create a product with the same structure, function, and taste as dairy casein. New Culture also claims that its plant-based casein is "identical" to dairy casein in terms of structure, function, and taste.
Once these products become available, they will likely be sold through online retailers and specialty food stores, and may even be used by major food manufacturers in their products. This development of plant-based casein is a major breakthrough for the vegan food industry, as it means that cheesemakers can now create vegan cheeses that are indistinguishable from dairy cheeses, making vegan cheese more mainstream and appealing to a wider range of consumers.
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Dairy-free cheese substitutes
One of the most popular dairy-free cheese brands is "Nuts for Cheese", which offers a wide range of cheese alternatives, including a highly-rated Super Blue variety that is said to be "rich and bright with a showstopping spirulina marble". While some claim that it doesn't quite capture the funky flavours of blue cheese, it is still considered a delightful option for those craving a cheese-like experience.
Another brand, Follow Your Heart (FYH), has also gained a lot of attention for its vegan cheese options. While some feel that their blue cheese alternative is lacking a distinct ingredient, others rave about its taste and texture, claiming it brought them to tears of joy.
For those who enjoy making their own cheese, there are also recipes available for creating vegan blue cheese at home. The process is described as simple and quick, requiring only eight ingredients and 20 minutes of preparation time, plus chilling. This homemade version is said to be creamy and tangy, with a funky kick and the characteristic green and blue veins of blue cheese.
In addition to blue cheese substitutes, there are also many other types of dairy-free cheeses available on the market. These include options like smoked gouda, camembert, gorgonzola, and fresh mozzarella, as well as dairy-free queso sauces that are perfect for melting and adding to your favourite dishes. Some of these cheeses are made from nuts, like cashew-based shreds that melt perfectly and come in a variety of flavours.
Whether you're looking for a store-bought option or a homemade recipe, there are now many dairy-free cheese substitutes that can satisfy your cravings without compromising on taste or texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular dairy-free blue cheese options are Spire, Nuts for Cheese, and Vegan Essentials.
There are many different types of vegan cheese, including cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, and queso.
Most dairy-free cheeses are made from nuts. For example, Parmela's shreds are cashew-based and melt perfectly.
