Cheese is one of the foods that is usually hard for people to ditch when they are transitioning to a Vegan lifestyle, at least for me, it was, I used to love cheese.
When you think of pizza, pasta, sandwichs... Cheese goes well on many savory options and in most cases, makes them better!
Fortunately, these days there are so many options these days, in slices, in cream, in block...you name it!
What’s in vegan cheese?
Vegan cheese ingredients depend on their style.
Fancier cheeses like gourmet or artisanal-labeled are traditionally made with a misture of cashews, oil, cultures, spices and time, yes, they need time to ferment.
Common day cheeses, like slices or shreds are usually made with oils, starches, nutmilk or water, lactic acid (vegan), and natural flavorings or spices.
Their list tends to be bigger than the fancy ones, but contain ingredients like starch and oil which help with the melting process.
Here are some of the Best Cheese Brands:
Violife offers a diverse range of vegan cheeses, including slices, blocks, shreds, and cream cheeses. Their products are known for their delicious flavor and meltability, making them great options for many culinary uses.
Country of Origin: Greece
Availability: Violife cheeses are available at major retailers, health food stores, and online platforms globally.
Main Ingredients: Main ingredients in Violife cheeses often include coconut oil and other plant-based ingredients, with natural flavorings, thickeners, and emulsifiers used to achieve taste and texture.
Daiya is known for its wide range of dairy-free cheese alternatives, including shreds, slices, blocks, and cream cheeses. Their products are known for their meltability and are suitable for various dishes, from pizzas to grilled cheese sandwiches.
Country of Origin: Canada
Availability: Daiya products are available at major grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers globally.
Main Ingredients: Daiya cheeses are primarily made from tapioca starch, coconut oil, and pea protein, with additional flavorings and thickeners added to improve taste and texture.
Treeline offers a range of artisanal vegan cheeses with a rich and tangy flavor. Their cheeses are handcrafted in small batches and aged to perfection, providing a gourmet dairy-free experience.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Treeline cheeses can be found at select specialty food stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers in the United States.
Main Ingredients: Treeline cheeses are primarily made from cashews and probiotics, with added seasonings and cultures for flavor development.
Follow Your Heart offers a variety of vegan cheeses, including slices, shreds, blocks, and cream cheeses. Their products are known for melting well and flavor, making them suitable for sandwiches, pizzas, and other culinary creations.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Follow Your Heart cheeses are available at major grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers nationwide.
Main Ingredients: Follow Your Heart cheeses are primarily made from plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, soy protein, and natural flavorings, with added thickeners and emulsifiers for texture.
Nurishh offers a variety of vegan cheese alternatives made from natural, plant-based ingredients. Their range includes slices, shreds, and spreads, providing options for sandwiches, snacks, and cooking.
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Availability: Nurishh products can be found at select grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Main Ingredients: Nurishh cheeses are primarily made from plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, nutritional yeast, and natural flavorings, with added thickeners and emulsifiers for texture.
Tofutti specializes in dairy-free cheeses, creams, and frozen desserts. Their products are known for their creamy texture and versatility, offering options suitable for spreading, melting, and snacking.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Tofutti products can be found at select grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers in the United States and internationally.
Main Ingredients: Tofutti cheeses are typically made from a blend of soy protein, vegetable oils, and other plant-based ingredients, with added flavorings and thickeners.
Laughing Cow offers a variety of vegan cheese spreads perfect for snacking, dipping, or spreading on crackers and bread.
Country of Origin: France
Availability: Laughing Cow vegan cheese spreads can be found at select grocery stores, specialty food stores, and online retailers in Europe and North America.
Main Ingredients: Laughing Cow vegan cheese spreads are typically made from plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, plant-based milk, and various herbs and spices, with added flavorings for taste.
Kite Hill offers a variety of artisanal vegan cheeses made from almonds and other plant-based ingredients. Their cheeses are known for their creamy texture, perfect for cheese boards, sandwiches, and pasta dishes.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Kite Hill cheeses can be found at major grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers nationwide.
Main Ingredients: Kite Hill cheeses are primarily made from almonds and other plant-based ingredients, with added cultures and seasonings for flavor enhancement.
Miyoko's Creamery is renowned for its artisanal, plant-based cheeses. Their options include various cheese types, from aged nut-based cheeses to soft spreadable varieties.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Miyoko's Creamery products can be found at major retailers, health food stores, and online platforms globally.
Main Ingredients: Miyoko's Creamery cheeses are made from cashews and other plant-based ingredients, with added cultures and natural flavorings to achieve their distinctive taste and texture.
Chao is a brand known for its innovative vegan cheese slices and blocks, crafted with traditional Asian fermentation techniques for unique flavor profiles. Their cheeses are perfect for sandwiches, burgers, and cheese platters.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Chao cheeses can be found at select grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers in the United States and internationally.
Main Ingredients: Chao cheeses are typically made from ingredients like coconut oil, fermented tofu, and traditional Asian seasonings and added flavorings and thickeners for taste and texture.
Boursin offers a range of vegan cheese spreads, known for their creamy texture and rich flavor. Their dairy-free alternatives are good options for spreading on crackers, sandwiches, or using as a dip for veggies.
Country of Origin: France
Availability: Boursin vegan cheese spreads can be found at select grocery stores, specialty food stores, and online retailers in Europe and North America.
Main Ingredients: Boursin vegan cheese spreads are typically made from ingredients like coconut oil, plant-based milk, and various herbs and spices, with added flavorings for taste.
Nooch It offers a variety of vegan cheese sauces and seasoning blends made with nutritional yeast, a popular ingredient known for its cheesy flavor.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Nooch It products are available for purchase online through their website and select retailers in the United States.
Main Ingredients: Nooch It products are primarily made from nutritional yeast, along with spices, herbs, and other natural flavorings to enhance taste.
Good Planet Foods offers vegan cheese alternatives which include slices, shreds, and blocks, providing options for sandwiches, pizzas, and more.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Good Planet Foods cheeses are available at major grocery stores, health food stores, and online retailers nationwide.
Main Ingredients: Good Planet Foods cheeses are primarily made from plant-based ingredients like coconut oil, potato starch, and natural flavorings, with added thickeners and emulsifiers for texture.
Pamela Creamery specializes in artisanal vegan cheese shreds and slices. Their cheeses are aged, offering rich flavors and textures reminiscent of traditional dairy cheeses.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Pamela Creamery cheeses can be found at select specialty food stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers in the United States.
Main Ingredients: Pamela Creamery cheeses are primarily made from cashews and other plant-based ingredients, with added cultures and seasonings for flavor development.
Srimu offers a selection of artisanal vegan cheeses. Their cheeses are handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality and flavor, providing a delicious dairy-free alternative for cheese lovers.
Country of Origin: United States
Availability: Srimu cheeses can be found at select specialty food stores, farmers' markets, and online retailers in the United States.
Main Ingredients: Srimu cheeses are primarily made from cashews and other plant-based ingredients, with added cultures and seasonings for flavor development.
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to cheese. And they come in all different shapes. From blocks, to slices, to shreds, to spreads you can find a option that suits you.
Some of them can even be found at your local supermarket!
"In a world full of choices, choose compassion." 💚🌱