The Ultimate Guide to Store Bought Vegan Cheese Substitutes
- Erika W.
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Finding a good vegan cheese substitute at the store can feel overwhelming. Many people want to enjoy the taste and texture of cheese without dairy, but not all vegan cheeses are created equal. This guide will help you navigate the options, understand what to look for, and pick the best store bought vegan cheese substitutes for your needs.
What Makes a Great Vegan Cheese Substitute
A good vegan cheese substitute should offer a balance of flavor, texture, and meltability. Depending on your recipe or snack preference, you might want a cheese that melts well for pizza or grilled sandwiches, or one that crumbles nicely for salads and toppings.
Key qualities to consider:
Flavor: Some vegan cheeses have a nutty or tangy taste, while others mimic creaminess or sharpness.
Texture: Options range from soft and spreadable to firm and sliceable.
Ingredients: Look for natural ingredients like nuts, coconut oil, or soy rather than artificial additives.
Nutritional content: Some brands add probiotics or extra protein, which can be a bonus.
Popular Types of Store Bought Vegan Cheese Substitutes
The types of cheese substitutes are available:
Nut based
Soy based
Coconut oil based
Starch based
Oat based
Consider food allergies when making a selection of which type of cheese to buy. Do what is best for you.
Each brand offers a distinct flavor profile and meltability. Try tasting them to find the one that suits you best. If you need a starting point, keep reading this article, and towards the end, you'll find some recommended brands and insights I've gathered over the years.
How to Choose the Right Vegan Cheese Substitute for Your Needs
Consider Your Recipe
For melting on pizza or grilled cheese, look for coconut oil or soy-based cheeses with good meltability.
For cheese boards or snacking, nut-based cheeses offer rich flavor and texture.
For salads or crumbling, softer nut-based or tofu cheeses work well.
Taste Test Different Brands
Many stores offer samples or smaller sizes. Try a few to find your favorite flavor and texture. Not all brands are made the same.
Pay Attention to Allergies
If you have nut or soy allergies, look for options made from coconut oil or starches.
Tips for Using Store Bought Vegan Cheese Substitutes
Grate or slice firm vegan cheeses to add to salads or sandwiches.
Warm soft cheeses slightly before spreading for easier application.
Combine different types for a cheese board to offer variety in flavor and texture.
Use nutritional yeast as a topping to boost cheesy flavor without extra calories.
Store vegan cheese properly in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
Recommended Brands to Try
While availability varies by location, some popular and well-reviewed brands include:
VTopian: The best vegan cheese alternative with the same consistency, texture, and meltability as dairy cheese.
Diaya: The closest flavors to dairy cheese with an affordable price point.
Violife: Offers coconut oil-based cheeses with excellent meltability.
Follow Your Heart: Soy and coconut oil-based options with a variety of flavors.
Chao: Soy based cheese with some of the best flavor and is it's own unique cheese.
Nuts for Cheese: Cashew based and best brie substitute.
Tofutti: Soy based cream cheese and sour cream substitutes.
Trying a few brands will help you find the best match for your taste and cooking style. Here are a few notes I have from buying these over the years.
VTopian
VTopian is the finest cheese brand I've ever tasted. It's perfect for anything you'd typically use cheese for. This artisanal cheese is locally produced in Portland, Oregon, using a cashew base fermented with the same cultures as dairy cheeses. I've tried every variety they offer, and each one consistently delivers in terms of flavor, richness, and meltability. They taste and mimic dairy cheese.
The only downside to this brand is its price; it's quite costly. That's my only complaint. If you haven't tried them yet, I suggest you do. I favor them over Rebel Cheese.
Diaya
When I became vegan four years ago, this brand didn't taste great and resembled plastic. After they updated their product to include oat milk and potatoes (making it one of the best top 9 allergen-free options), it now tastes and melts just like dairy cheese. I use it on everything, including:
Pizza
Mac n' cheese
Charcuterie
Mashed potatoes
Grilled cheese
Toasted bread
Sandwiches
Cheese sauces for dipping
Snack cheese
Sprinkling cheese for salads and other dishes
With the product's revamp, my omnivore guests can't distinguish it from dairy cheese. While serving it, they didn't realize it was dairy-free and inquired if I was comfortable having dairy in my home, knowing I'm vegan. When I revealed it wasn't dairy, they were surprised. This is now my go-to out of any brand.
Violife
Before Diaya was revamped, I consistently used Violife. It serves as a great alternative to dairy cheese in various ways, with its product being made from coconut oil and potatoes. Before Diaya's product overhaul, I applied this to everything in my home, including:
Pizza
Mac n' cheese
Charcuterie
Mashed potatoes
Grilled cheese
Toasted bread
Sandwiches
Cheese sauces for dipping
Snack cheese
Cream cheese/spreadable cheeses
Sprinkling cheese for salads and other dishes
The only downside to this one is that it doesn't melt as well as Daiya. Aside from this, my omnivore guests often (though not always) don't realize it's vegan cheese, depending on the dish I prepare.
One product of theirs that I can't get over is their feta cheese. In my opinion, it's the best vegan alternative because it can be either creamy or crumbly based on how much water is removed. Their feta is good on crackers, salads, and pizza.
Follow Your Heart
A lot of people are fond of this brand. When there are no other choices at the grocery store, I purchase it. Similar to Violife and Daiya, it works well on various dishes and offers a flavor close to dairy. Personally, I find it doesn't melt as effectively or taste similar to dairy cheese. Many vegan restaurants use it, and it's decent, though not as good as some other brands available.
I personally prefer some of their other products such as their veganase (mayo alternative) and their salad dressings. In my opinion they have the best ranch and ceasar products.
Chao
This vegan cheese brand is crafted from soy and provides a distinctive flavor unlike any other cheese. I often substitute it for Swiss cheese in some of my recipes. We primarily use this cheese for:
Mac and cheese
Cheese sauces
Grilled cheese sandwiches
Snack cheese
Addition in charcuterie
Nuts for Cheese
This small, locally-owned business in British Columbia provides a unique cashew-based brie alternative. It is fermented using the same methods as traditional dairy brie but is made from cashews.
It's creamy, rich, and tastes just like the dairy version. It's so delicious that my omnivore guests can't tell the difference. For a brie substitute, I wouldn't recommend any other brand because nothing else compares.
Tofutti
This soy-based cream cheese is incredible. It doesn't taste like traditional cream cheese but has its own unique flavor, which is why it's called "better than cream cheese." It's thick and creamy, making it a wonderful addition to sauces, mashed potatoes, or as a spread on a bagel. In my opinion, it's the best product for cream cheese and comparable to Daiya's offering.
Tofutti's sour cream is also worth trying. By mixing it with water, you can achieve a consistency similar to dairy sour cream. Many vegan restaurants serve it this way.
Other brands of vegan cheeses
Some other brands of vegan cheeses available:
Good Planet: Olive oil based
I personally dislike this one because it tastes like olive oil. The brand could use some improvement.
Miyoko's Creamery: Cashew based
I personally don't enjoy this one because it feels like I'm eating a bunch of cashews. If I wanted cashews, I'd just grab some from my pantry. The product could use some improvement.
Trader Joe's Dairy Alternative Cheese: Cashew or starch based
This brand is satisfactory. If you're in a hurry and can't visit another store, it's a viable choice. Their cheese shreds are a reasonable substitute, and I particularly like their vegan cream cheese, which closely resembles dairy cream cheese.
Kite Hill: Cashew or Almond based
I'm not a fan of their cream cheese because it tastes too much like a bunch of nuts. If I wanted nuts, I'd just take some from my pantry. However, their other products are good. I haven't tried their ricotta yet, so I can't comment on that. Their yogurt is also quite good.
Treeline: Cashew based
This brand provides an excellent spreadable cheese that I highly recommend. It's on par with other brands and is fantastic. You can enjoy it on fruits, vegetables, crackers, bagels, breads, or anything else you like. It's also a perfect spread on sandwiches.
Rebel Cheese: Cashew based
A small business in the US creates outstanding cheeses using the same fermentation method as dairy. Their cheeses rank among the finest I've ever tasted, and I strongly recommend them.
Final Thoughts
This list was created to show that there are alternatives available. The most common compliant I hear from people as a barrier to go vegan is they can't give up cheese. I hope this list is helpful for you to make a decision to go vegan.
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