Essentially, vegan cheese which is part of cheese analog is any plant-based substitute for dairy cheese.
When we want something similar to cheese without supporting the abusive dairy industry, vegan cheese is our go-to solution and some may even have it due to lactose intolerance.
Years of trial & error have resulted in many vegan cheese products to be introduced into the market. They now come in many versions as their dairy counterparts that are both hard or soft, and can come as spread, sliced, grated, and perhaps most importantly even melt like the real thing!
It is important to note that some cheese may be free from lactose but still contain casein, which is the major protein contained in cow’s milk, so always make sure to check the labels.
However, all the cheese brands mentioned in this post being vegan you can experiment freely without the hassle of checking the labels.
How Do Vegan Cheese Substitutes Compare with Dairy Cheese?
Traditional dairy cheese is made using the milk protein known as casein found in the milk of animals like cows, goats, buffalo, and sheep.
To begin the process of making cheese, an enzyme called rennet is added to the milk, which helps the curdling (coagulation) process. Rennet is a combination of enzymes, extracted from the stomachs of the animals.
Although there are other ways in which cheese can be produced, adding rennet is the most common and widespread method. As a result, you get dairy cheese with different tastes, textures, and forms.
In a sense, non-dairy cheese substitutes are made in a similar way. It begins with a protein which is physically altered by the addition of another agent. However, in the case of vegan cheese, the protein mass is sourced from plants and the action of ‘curdling’ is performed by lactic bacteria rather than stomach enzymes from animals.
To produce firmer vegan cheeses, additional ingredients like oils and emulsifiers may be added. Other ingredients like nuts, soy, tofu, and seeds can give the end product greater nutritional value than their dairy counterparts, and many people find these non-dairy cheese substitutes easier to digest (no lactose).
Just like dairy cheeses, there are many different varieties of dairy-free cheese substitutes, so it is a good way to expand your taste palate and experience new sensations!
The Question on Everyone’s Lips—Does Non-Dairy Cheese Taste Like Real Cheese?
While the best vegan cheese brands are said to truly rival the taste, texture, and flavors of ‘real’ cheese, at the base level they are different.
The base protein which is used is different, and therefore the taste is going to be slightly different. Now that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a bad thing, isn’t it?
In the process of dairy cheese making the curd (consolidated protein) gets attached to each other and with different stages of aging, produces varying flavors. With vegan cheeses, apart from the aging & bacterial process, a different flavor is also achieved through the addition of other ingredients; which may add a different layer of flavors all together.
It’s pretty safe to say though, that just like some people love certain varieties of dairy cheese and dislike others, you may find a similar experience with vegan cheese. What’s considered delicious by one person might just not work for another. Taste, just like beauty, can be subjective, so staying open-minded may help you a lot.
You may not like the first vegan cheese you try, or you might be completely blown away! There’s certainly a whole new world of exploring to do once you’ve opened the door. Essentially, don’t set out with the mindset – is it as good as dairy cheese? But rather explore each option on its own merit.
What are The Ingredients That Make Best Vegan Cheese?
Because there are so many different sources of vegetable-based proteins and fats, there’s a huge variety of ingredients that can be used to make vegan cheese. Just some of the common ingredients are soy protein, vegetable oils like coconut, palm, sunflower or safflower, nuts such as almonds, macadamias and cashews, protein-rich flours like tapioca, arrowroot and even pea protein may be used as bases.
Then to achieve different flavors and textures, nutritional yeast, vegetable glycerine, agar flakes and natural enzymes and assorted bacterial cultures may be added.
Types of Vegan Cheese, Based On Key Ingredients
Soy Cheese
Made from soy milk, soy vegan cheese is one of the most common and popular vegan cheeses. Relatively low in fat and overall calories, they also come in a variety of flavors and forms, from mozzarella to cheddar, and Gouda to pepper jack. They can be sliced, shredded and tend to melt well too while being a good source of protein.
Nut Cheese
Some of the most common nuts used to make vegan cheese are cashews, macadamias, and brazil nuts. These cheeses tend to spread very well and often used as a topping for bread, crackers, and vegetables. Nut cheeses are usually an excellent source of calcium, potassium and phosphorous, and also contain healthy fats, iron, and antioxidants.
Seed Cheese
Seeds are a popular base to make hard cheeses and ideal for grating over pasta dishes. Sunflower seeds are a popular choice, as are pignoli nuts, sesame seeds, and hemp seeds. Each type of seed tends to create the resulting cheese with its own unique taste. Seeds are often an excellent source of vitamins, antioxidants as well as healthy fats, protein, potassium, iron and phosphorous.
Rice Cheese
A rice base made from water and rice flour is the main ingredient of this cheese. Cheddar and pepper jack are popular variations, and rice cheese comes mainly in blocks or slices.
Vegan Cheese Nutrition
Calories:
Because there are so many different varieties of vegan cheeses, each brand differs somewhat. They generally range from about 30 to 80 calories per serving.
Protein:
In general vegan cheese provides 2g of protein per serving.
Fat:
Vegan cheese tends to be lower in fat than their dairy counterparts, and it is a great way to reduce your cholesterol, since all the products used are of plant origin.
Carbohydrates:
Most vegan cheese brands provide about 2g of carbohydrates per serving.
Introducing the Best Vegan Cheese Brands on the Market!
Vegan Cheddar Style Cheese
Great for veggie burgers, slice thinly and use for sandwiches, or to indulge in a macaroni and cheese!
Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese–Vegan Gourmet Cheddar Cheese Alternative
Follow your heart vegan cheese is one of the best vegan cheese brands and a favorite among those that enjoy cooking with a cheese that melts, cooks and even browns under the grill just like the ‘real’ thing! It’s just as perfect on crackers for a quick snack too.
Vegan Cheese Shreds/Mozzarella
Vegan mozzarella cheese can make a great pizza topping. Can also use them to add more delight to quesadillas, burritos, nachos or any other dish to your liking.
Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese–Vegan Gourmet Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
A non-dairy mozzarella alternative with a cheesy taste and texture which melts extremely well!
Read the full review here
Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
Daiya is a household name among the vegan cheese brands and no wonder why so many vegan restaurants use it. If you want to add more cheesy flavor depending on the recipe, then this does a better job than mozzarella. Try it with recipes that require melted cheddar like pizzas, mac & cheese, grills, etc.
Read the full review here
Daiya Pepperjack Style Shreds
The slightly spicy finish to these vegan cheese shreds makes them ideal for use in Mexican dishes like nachos, burritos, and quesadillas or any meal that could use a little extra zing!
Vegan Cheese Slices
Perfect for creating that well-loved classic, the grilled cheese sandwich, these slices are smooth, creamy and bursting with flavour! Great to use as a filling or just as a quick snack all on their own.
GO Veggie Sliced Cheddar Cheese
Apart from being completely free of animal products and cholesterol, gluten, lactose, and of course, dairy; this cheese alternative slices, stretches, melts and bursts with flavor. Even better though, they contain only half the calories per serving, one-third of the fat and 40% more calcium than their dairy counterpart.
Daiya Swiss Style Cheese Slices
These creamy slices have that slightly sharp flavor which Swiss Cheeses are so renowned for, and make the perfect addition to any grilled or plain sandwich.
Daiya Provolone Style Cheese Slices
If you’re a cheese and wine lover, then you’re in for a treat with these great tasting vegan cheese slices that pair oh so nicely with crackers and your favorite bottle of red wine!
Field Roast Chao Slices Collection
Field Roast Creamy Original with Chao Tofu Chao Slice
Field Roast is no new name for vegans though its latest vegan cheese range just launched in 2015. But boy, hasn’t this already made a name for its self, brought to you by an award-winning company. If you enjoy cheese with truly unique and creamy character, then you must try these! Made with coconut oil base and flavored with tofu in the traditional Vietnamese way, they’re perfect for use on burgers or sandwiches which melt as well if you need to!
Field Roast Tomato Cayenne with Spicy Pepper Chao Slice
Feeling a bit more experimental by now? Then Tomato Cayenne Chao Slices by Field Roast, flavored with tomato, spicy bell peppers and a touch of cayenne give a sharp, spicy flavor to delight your palette.
Field Roast Coconut Herb with Black Pepper Chao Slice
Another flavor in the Field Roast Chao Slices Collection. Get this and keep on broadening your palate!
Read the full review here
Best Vegan Cream Cheese Brands / Vegan Cheese Spread
Soft, creamy, and spreadable, are the qualities you can expect from these best vegan cream cheese brands! Once you try these cream cheese spreads they are bound to take up permanent residency in your fridge!
Use as a dip for veggies or chips and the creamy and garlic varieties are just as good to indulge in pasta dishes. Use the spicier Mexican style to create an awesome grilled cheese sandwich, pizzas, or nachos, bagels and savory muffins! Well, as you can see, these non-dairy cream cheese substitutes can be versatile as their dairy counterparts.
Tofutti Brand Non-Hydrogenated Better Than Cream Cheese
These non-dairy Tofutti Products contain no milk, butterfat or cholesterol, and are certified kosher and parve.
Creamy Sheese Garlic & Herb Cheese Spread
This award-winning vegan cheese spread is non-hydrogenated, GMO-free, gluten-free and made in Scotland from a coconut oil base, and extremely versatile. It’s just as good for making the ultimate mashed potato, melted over asparagus, stirred into your favorite soups and sauces or to spread on bread.
Read the full review here
Creamy Sheese Cheddar Style Cheese Spread
Non-hydrogenated, GMO-free, gluten-free and imported from Scotland, this cheddar spread is bound to be a favorite with kids of all ages. Ideal for deep dish pizzas, potato bakes, and pasta sauces, making that delicious grilled sandwich or spreading on rye bread, crackers, bagels or crumpets. Did I forget the joy of a quick and satisfying dip?
Read the full review here
Heidi Ho Organic Creamy Chia Cheeze
If you’re not a fan of vegan cheeses made with nutritional yeast, then try this tasty alternative which is made from chia seeds! Gluten, soy and dairy free, this vegan cheese is perfect for a delicious macaroni cheese dish, spread on sandwiches for a quick snack, or heated and poured over your favorite steamed veggies.
Heidi Ho Organic Smoky Chia Cheeze
The smokey character of this cheese makes it perfect for serving at any barbecue (of course meatless BBQ). Suitable as a nachos topping or a pizza base for that ‘wood-fired oven’ taste as well! Also ideal for an artichoke dip, creamy au gratin potatoes or for preparing a truly creamy alfredo. This vegan cheese is made from all organic vegetables, chia seeds and nuts.
Vegan Cheese Dressings
When you need to make that fresh salad extra special, create a decadent glaze, spice up your grilled veggies or just add something extra to a sandwich, then these versatile dressings will deliver flavor to rave over!
Daiya Blue Cheeze Dairy-Free Dressing
With that rich, sharp and tangy flavor which blue cheese is so famous for, this is the ultimate grilled veggie dressing for former cheese lovers that really packs in the flavor!
Read the full review here
Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Go Veggie Vegan Parmesan Grated Cheese
Basically, you can use this grated vegan cheese wherever you’d normally use to sprinkle parmesan! Great for adding that extra zing to pizzas, pasta dishes, soups and fresh salads. Dairy and gluten free.
Read the full review here
Don’t forget to read the labels with any new cheese alternative you try unless it’s vegan certified, and keep experimenting with different types of vegan cheese so that you can be on your way to find the best vegan cheese brands fully suited for you!
Relevant Posts
- Vegan Cheese Brands Review
- Vegan Meat
- Best & Healthiest Vegan Bread
- Vegan Milk
- Vegan Chocolate
- Vegan Ice Cream
- Vegan Cookies