One of the main hesitations many people have about going vegan is missing out on cheese. They can't imagine pizza without molten mozzarella or nachos sans the gooey melted cheddar. I promise, vegan cheeses have become so good and realistic that you often can't even tell they're dairy-free. In this ultimate guide to vegan cheese, I'll show you how to get the best texture and flavor, highlight my favorite brands, and share some of my family's tried-and-true cheesy favorites. Let's get into it!
Vegan cheese has come a long way since the first ones that I tried back in the 90s at the health food store.
Those older styles had a strange, fermented aftertaste, kind of like wine, and were not melty at all. A vegan “cheese” pizza was an aberration! The grated shreds of “cheese” were still visible and solid and tasted horrible. The vegan cheeses of today are much better!
In terms of flavor, vegan cheese is very mild. Where the modern vegan cheeses really shine is in their meltability!
What is vegan cheese?
Vegan cheeses are usually made with starches, oils, flavorings, and gums to give them a creamy texture and flavor similar to processed dairy cheeses.
Each brand is a little different, and they usually specialize in the specific plant-based ingredients they use, like coconut oil, cashews, or olive oil.
Depending on the type of cheese, they may add different gums or binders to get just the right texture.
They look and feel like traditional cheeses, but the flavor isn't quite the same.
They're cheese-adjacent, offering a smooth, creamy texture and a close enough flavor.
Most vegan cheeses are more like American cheese slices (in the best way possible) in that they're manufactured to look and melt similar to regular cheese, but they're not quite the same thing.
If you're new to a vegan diet though, don't expect to meet your daily protein goal with dairy-free cheeses.
Many of them are lower in protein and also contain a lot of fat and sodium. I generally recommend eating them in moderation like other processed foods. Fortunately, a little goes a long way, so you can often get by using the cheese like a garnish.
Pro Tip
If you have any allergies to nuts or gluten, read the labels carefully. Most are labelled “gluten free,” “nut free,” and more on the front package.
My best tips for cooking with vegan cheese:
After trying many different vegan dairy products over the past 5+ years, I've learned a thing or two about working with them.
I want you to get the most out of your money and enjoy recipes that feel like the dishes you grew up eating. Here's what you need to know:
Go light!
It’s all about nuance with vegan cheese.
Remember this is not dairy cheese, so it doesn’t taste exactly like it. With a few exceptions for smoked cheeses and spreadable cheeses, you won’t be snacking on vegan cheese like you would with dairy cheese.
You are using vegan cheese to mimic the taste and texture of cheese in your favorite dish.
It is essential to be light handed because vegan cheeses do have a slightly starchy and sticky texture when overdone. But if you use a light hand, the flavor and texture is the perfect way to enjoy beloved foods like pizza, lasagna, enchiladas, etc.
Vegan cheese helps us to not feel deprived as plant-based eaters.
Look for smoky flavors.
When choosing vegan cheeses, start with the smoked types because they have the best flavor.
I have had some really great smoked gouda, smoky provolone and smoked cheddars that are actually good on crackers.
There are also excellent vegan cream cheeses and the vegan Boursin is to die for.
Cover to melt.
If you want vegan cheese to melt perfectly, covering it is usually the key because it will add an element of steaming.
For a grilled “cheese” sandwich, I like to griddle the bread open faced with a slice of cheese on both sides and then add a tablespoon of water to the pan, and cover it until melted.
For baked items, like enchiladas and lasagna, it’s good to bake them covered so there will be some steaming.
Tip: Think outside the box
You also don't always have to use vegan cheese for a cheesy flavor. I often rely on nutritional yeast for that cheesy funk (and the extra B vitamins), and I'll even grate Brazil nuts over pasta for a buttery flavor similar to parmesan. They still scratch that itch, but without needing a specialty product.
The Best Vegan Cheeses
If you've taken a peek in the non-dairy section at your local grocery store lately, I'm sure you've seen lots of different brands. They're easier to buy than ever before, which really makes it so much easier to be vegan.
But, I'd love to help simplify your trial and error process as you taste test all these different vegan cheese brands. These are the brands I rely on the most and that you'll find included in many of my recipes.
You can find these in many grocery stores, including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and more.
GOODPLANeT Foods
(P.S. This post is not sponsored by them, but I have worked with them a lot.)
Their olive oil-based cheeses melt like a dream. They are my favorite to cook with for pizza, lasagna, baked pasta, etc.
I especially adore their smoked gouda wheels, but they've since discontinued them. You can still get the same flavor in slices, but the wheels were great for shredding.
My faves: Their mozzarella shreds, cheddar shreds, Mexican shreds, and smoked gouda slices
Violife
Violife is a tremendously popular brand that is available all over. They adjust the formula for each of their cheeses, but they usually use a mix of coconut oil, modified food starch, and potato starch to get the right texture.
Here's what I like about them:
Their mature cheddar cheese slices are good enough to snack on.
The smoked provolone and Just Like Cheddar make great grilled cheese sandwiches.
If you need a vegan parmesan for sauces and pasta, I really like their vegan parm block.
Again, smoky cheeses typically have a rich flavor and I really like their smoked gouda round slices.
And somehow, their vegan feta tastes exactly like goat cheese. Since I don’t like goat cheese, it is not my favorite.
(For vegan feta, I prefer Follow Your Heart or Trader Joe’s brand.) But again, it's essential to go light because they don’t really taste like feta enough to chow on them. They give nuance to the flavor and add a nice texture.
Vegan Boursin
If you're into spreadable cheeses, then you probably already love Boursin.
You'll be pleased to know that vegan Boursin is to die for, and I challenge anyone to spot the difference. My eight year old will eat this herby, creamy cheese spread on bread with a smile.
Kite Hill
I recently shared a recipe for vegan tortellini pasta salad using Kite Hill's dairy-free tortellini, and it seems that they really have a knack for soft cheeses and spreads.
Their vegan cream cheese is my all-time favorite, especially the chive and garden veggie flavor.
They also make a nice vegan ricotta (Tofutti does, too), but I am more of a tofu ricotta girlie.
Daiya
Daiya makes decent vegan cheeses as well, and are easy to find in so many stores. I like the Daiya frozen vegan pizza and their boxed mac and cheese.
They also make a vegan mozzarella stick that is wicked nostalgic. I use them to make tamales and chile rellenos. They are perfect.
Chao
Chao melts really well, so if you're looking for a vegan cheddar or another cheese to melt onto sandwiches or tortilla chips, they're a good choice.
How often do you eat dairy-free cheese?
To be honest, I don't eat non-dairy cheeses all that often and they aren't a huge part of my diet. I eat them a few times a month, when I make a recipe that is nostalgic or comfort food that needs that cheesy feel.
As a plant-based eater of 6 years, I don’t really crave cheese anymore.
But, I think vegan cheeses are a great tool for new vegans. It can help them to enjoy their favorite foods without the feeling like they're missing out or not knowing how to make foods they are used to eating.
This keeps you from feeling deprived and makes it way easier to eat vegan long-term.
Can you make vegan cheese at home?
Homemade vegan cheeses are becoming more and more popular since many of us are well-armed with a roster of kitchen appliances and can find specialty ingredients easily online. Lots of people do it.
Basically, you combine oil with starch and spices until it thickens into a somewhat gelatinous mixture.
Many of these recipes rely on raw cashews, which can be soaked and blended into a creamy cashew cheese, although that's just one of many options.
The whole process, and learning curve, can be a little time consuming, but totally worth it if you are a cheese lover.
My friend Bailey Ruskus of @chef_bai just came out with her first cookbook called Breaking Up With Dairy that has recipes to make your own vegan cheeses, and more.
If you want to learn how to make your own vegan cheese, check out her cookbook here!
Recipes with Vegan Cheese
If you want to satisfy those cheese cravings without any animal products, you're in the right place. I have lots of great recipes that rely on vegan cheeses to give you that melty, creamy, cheesy funk or cool little pops of saltiness to mellow out a summery salad.
Just be prepared - you will end up hungry by the time you finish reading this!
Italian Eggplant Pasta Bake
Baked pasta is a classic comfort food for me and I grew up on saucy, cheesy pasta. For this dish, fresh eggplant stands in for the meat and the sauce is packed with fresh veggies.
This recipe relies on two different types of vegan "cheese" products: the olive oil-based cheese slices from GOODPLANeT Foods and homemade tofu ricotta. The vegan cheese complements the "ricotta" perfectly and melts like a dream.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Again, this recipe gets its lusciously creamy texture thanks to a mixture of vegan cheese and silken tofu. The two work in harmony together here.
Instead of spending a small fortune on vegan cheese, you can get an extra boost of protein and plenty of creaminess by using silken tofu as the base of the dip.
A little vegan smoked gouda and mozzarella add that melty stretchiness you normally can only get from the real thing. Plus that extra hint of smoky flavor is so good.
Cheezy Vegan Lasagna with Tofu Ricotta
This is easily the best vegan lasagna you'll ever taste. It has a very familiar texture and flavor but without any animal products at all.
The tofu ricotta and nutritional yeast add a creamy, cheesy flavor to the filling, and I rely on GOODPLANeT Foods' mozzarella for the classic melt. There's truly nothing better.
Vegan Enchiladas Verdes
Many of us look forward to the cheese melted on top of enchiladas, which really brings the bold sauces and fillings together. This recipe uses a smoky crumbled tofu filling for that cheesy texture, then top it with your favorite vegan cheese to melt on top just before serving.
Vegan Au Gratin Potatoes
Talk about comfort food! Au gratin potatoes are normally a dairy-rich side dish laden with heavy cream and lots of cheese. This vegan version starts with a simple roux, which is used to thicken the sauce. Melt in your favorite smoked gouda for a creamy, cheesy flavor that bakes into each slice of potato.
You truly cannot tell that this dish doesn't contain traditional dairy cheese and will easily convert even the most diehard cheese-lover.
Black Bean Enfrijoladas
Enfrijoladas are not well-known in the US, but my husband grew up eating them in Mexico. Basically, tortillas are cooked in a thinned down mixture of refried beans, then topped with cheese, salsa, sour cream, and more.
They're so satisfying on their own, but I love to sprinkle a little vegan feta or queso fresco on top for that creamy, slightly tangy taste that really balances out the heartiness of the beans.
Balsamic Strawberry and Feta Salad
When you think fresh strawberry salad, think feta. It's creamy and salty, adding just the right flavor contrast to the sweet, juicy strawberries.
I highly recommend Follow Your Heart for feta. I've rarely found a vegan feta I like, but this one is the real deal.
Vegan Baked Ziti
I could live off of baked ziti every day and swear that absolutely no one would know this recipe doesn't contain real cheese. The ricotta filling is made with crumbled tofu, vegan provolone, and nutritional yeast, so you get the perfect texture, a nice meltiness, and a bold cheesy flavor.
It's absolutely delicious and would be a great option for anyone craving their classic dairy-based faves on a plant-based diet.
Street Corn Slaw
Feta cheese is a stand-out in salads and slaws, and is key in this vegan street corn slaw. It soaks up the creamy chili lime dressing alongside the cabbage and frozen corn, and the whole thing is wicked flavorful.
Air Fried Broccoli Cheese Balls
These cheesy balls are the easiest way to serve more broccoli! They're inspired by the broccoli and cheese balls I grew up on as a kid, and are crispy on the outside with a creamy cheesy mixture on the inside.
We can't get enough of them, and they're easy enough to throw in the air fryer even on a busy weeknight.
To get just the right texture and flavor, you'll need a mixture of vegan parmesan, cheddar, and nutritional yeast, but your hard work will repay you with the most delightfully cheesy snacks ever.
Vegan Elote
Air frying corn helps concentrate the flavor and caramelize the edges, giving it a delicious flavor without having to fire up the grill.
For this dish, you'll want to drizzle the corn with a chili lime sauce, then garnish with cilantro, vegan feta, and lots of lime juice for the perfect flavor.
Dairy-Free Twice Baked Potatoes
These twice baked stuffed potatoes have a cheesy, bacon flavor without a single animal product! They're easy to make, too.
After baking the potatoes for the first time, hollow out the shells, and mix the leftover potato with vegan bacon, broccoli, coconut milk, plant butter, vegan cheddar, and smoked gouda.
Pipe it back in and then bake for a second time to melt the cheese and let that buttery filling infuse the potato shells with crazy good flavor.
Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
Parmesan cheese is a key ingredient in many, many Italian recipes, offering a salty, umami flavor that completes the entire dish. If you're vegan and love Mediterranean flavors as much as I do, you need a solid vegan parmesan cheese to fall back on.
I'm partial to the parmesan from Violife, which tastes great and adds just the right finishing touch to this veggie-packed pasta salad.
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Related Posts
Learning how to pick the right vegan cheese and get the perfect meltiness can take a little time, but I hope these tips help get you started. Want more tips to simplify your vegan diet? Check out the resources below: