Delicious Vegan Substitutes for Cheese You Need to Try

Cheese is a beloved ingredient in many dishes, but for those following a vegan lifestyle or looking to reduce dairy intake, finding satisfying alternatives can be a challenge. Luckily, the world of vegan cheese substitutes has grown tremendously, offering options that deliver on taste, texture, and versatility. Whether you want to sprinkle, melt, or spread, these vegan substitutes for cheese bring flavor and creativity to your meals without compromising your values or dietary needs.

A colorful vegan cheese platter with nuts and fresh herbs

Nut-Based Cheeses

One of the most popular and flavorful vegan substitutes for cheese are nut-based cheeses. Cashews, almonds, and macadamia nuts provide a creamy base that mimics the richness of dairy cheese. These nuts blend smoothly when soaked and processed, creating spreads and blocks that can be flavored with nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs.

• Cashew cheese is versatile and can be made soft or firm. It works well as a spread on crackers or as a creamy addition to pasta sauces.

• Almond cheese tends to have a slightly nuttier flavor and firmer texture, ideal for slicing or crumbling over salads.

• Macadamia cheese offers a buttery richness that melts nicely, making it a great choice for grilled sandwiches or vegan pizzas.

  
  

These cheeses often include probiotics for a tangy, cultured flavor, similar to traditional aged cheeses. You can find many recipes online or buy artisan nut cheeses from specialty stores.

Soy-Based Cheeses

Soy is another common base for vegan cheese substitutes. It provides a neutral flavor and firm texture that can be processed into blocks, slices, or shreds. Soy cheeses often melt well, making them suitable for dishes like vegan grilled cheese or casseroles.

• Tofu cheese is a simple homemade option where firm tofu is marinated or blended with seasonings to create a mild cheese substitute.

• Store-bought soy cheeses come in various flavors such as cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack, offering convenience and variety.

  
  

Soy-based cheeses are rich in protein and widely available, making them a practical choice for many people transitioning to plant-based diets.

Vegan pizza with melted soy cheese and colorful vegetable toppings

Nutritional Yeast and Other Flavor Boosters

Nutritional yeast is a staple ingredient in vegan cooking that adds a cheesy, nutty flavor to dishes. While it is not a cheese substitute on its own, it enhances the taste of many vegan cheese recipes and can be sprinkled on popcorn, pasta, or salads. It can also be added to potatoes, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash to create a nutty cheesy sauce.

Other ingredients that help replicate cheese flavors include:

• Agar agar: A seaweed-based thickener used to create firm vegan cheese blocks.

• Coconut oil: Adds creaminess and helps with melting properties.

• Tapioca starch: Provides stretch and gooey texture, especially in vegan mozzarella.

• Miso paste: Adds umami depth and saltiness.

  
  

Combining these ingredients with nuts or soy can produce cheeses that melt, stretch, and taste surprisingly close to dairy cheese.

Where to Buy Vegan Cheese Substitutes

If you prefer ready-made options, many grocery stores and online shops offer a wide range of vegan cheeses. Look for brands that use natural ingredients and avoid excessive additives. Some popular brands include:

• US options

  • Miyoko’s Creamery

  • Violife

  • Kite Hill

  • Treeline

  • Diaya

  • Good Planet

  • Nuts for Cheese

  • Chao

• Canada options

  • Diaya

  • Violife

  • Nuts for Cheese

  • Chao

These brands offer various styles including creamy spreads, shredded cheeze, cheeze sauces, liquid cheese that firms up in the oven, and cheeze blocks.

If you are looking to start being vegan and want to buy store bought vegan cheeze, check out my store bought cheese substitutions guide.