Is Cheese Vegan? Everything You Need To Know

It ain’t easy being cheesy. The baseline for cheese is usually ones that are made with dairy. That’s all well and good, but we want something better!

Enter the world of vegan cheeses. What is vegan cheese? As the name suggests, these are made with zero animal byproducts. No cow’s milk, cream, or anything of the like. All the ingredients come from plants! 

There are a couple of concerns most folks have when switching their dairy-based options, and those are taste and texture. When it comes to the latter, there are a handful of products that fail to melt, grate, or crumble the way normal cheese would. We’d argue the same can be said with normal cheese - that some are better than others. That’s why finding the right kind matters! Don’t worry, we'll recommend some for you before we wrap things up. 

When it comes to the taste, you get the same experience with the regular and more unique flavor pairings - from herby to smoky. Cream cheese, provolone, brie, feta, gouda, pepper jack, parmesan… Vegan cheese doesn’t just come in a cheddar option. This should convince you to make the switch!

What Is Vegan Cheese Made Of?

We mentioned how vegan cheese is (of course) made with plant-based ingredients. But….which particular ones? 

Your usual base is often made with coconut oil, nuts, oats, and soy. You’d be right in thinking that these usually have neutral, non-overpowering flavors right about now. These ingredients, for the most part, aim to replicate the right texture. If you think about it, it makes sense. You know coconut oil solidifies when cold and melts when put through heat - cheese should do that!

So where does vegan cheese get its flavor? Nutritional yeast is the go-to. This has a cheesy taste already and that blends well with other ingredients that you add like almonds and cashews. 

That being said, with ingredients being so accessible, you can totally make batches of vegan cheese at home for yourself. We, like others, still prefer to purchase ours from our favorite brands. Listen, we just don’t have the time and patience to find the right ingredient ratios to make some! Getting ready-made vegan cheeses is just so convenient. 

Is Vegan Cheese Healthy?

After hearing about coconut oils or other vegetable oils being used to make vegan cheese, the next concern is usually if they are healthy. Let’s put it this way, they aren’t NOT healthy. Let us explain.

Let’s take coconut oil as an example. A lot of brands use it and it is often a source of saturated fats. But eating some vegan cheese won’t immediately put you at risk for cardiovascular disease (which is the usual concern). Plus, the salt and seasoning added to make vegan cheese similar to regular ones also mean that it may have more sodium than your regular variants.

Nutritionally, the scales aren’t even. There are brands that don’t fortify their products with essential nutrients. Dairy-based cheeses just naturally have more calcium and other vitamins when compared to your usual plant-based cheeses. That’s not to saythey don’t come with nutrients, though!

Given all these, we cannot say that vegan cheese is unhealthy. That simply isn’t true! Almonds, oats, coconut oil, cashews, and other plant-based ingredients are already healthy. It’s just a fact. Just remember - When it comes to all kinds of cheese, moderation is key. Too much will obviously be bad for you. But the right amount shouldn’t affect your health negatively.

Plus, what if we simply can’t have dairy? Vegan cheese is a godsend for lactose intolerants. As more and more brands start making plant-based substitutes, you can bet that recipes will keep on improving. We have faith in that!

What Cheese Is Vegetarian and Vegan?

Time for the fun part! Here are some of our favorites and the types of cheeses we eat most often. 

Cheddar, Gouda, and Popular Cheeses

Daiya Medium Cheddar Style Block

Everyone loves a good cheddar. For all your comfort food recipes by Daiya, Daiya’s Medium Cheddar Style Block will melt and grate as needed.

Good Planet Foods Smoked Gouda Cheese Wedges

Dressed up in a fancy cheese board or simply packed into your kids’ lunch box, Good Planet Foods’ Smoked Gouda Cheese Wedges is a flavorful favorite!

Follow Your Heart Pepper Jack Cheese Slices 

For burger-loving vegans, Follow Your Heart’s Pepper Jack Cheese Slices is a must-have. Why stop there? Make more subs, wraps, and sandwiches with this delicious pick.

Mozzarella and Melty Cheeses

Miyoko's Creamery Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Pizza. Needs. Mozzarella. Enough said. This Cashew Milk Mozzarella from Miyoko's Creamery has the perfect texture and tastes like a dream. 

Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Cheese Block 

Grate on top of mac and cheese, slice and add to a sandwich… Follow Your Heart’s Mozzarella Cheese Block is a great all-around cheese for all kinds of recipes.

Creamy Cheeses

Violife Just Like Feta

Toss some of Violife’s Just Like Feta on a fresh salad or other Greek-inspired recipes. With this block, you can slice, dice, or crumble as much cheese as you need.

Oatly Cream Cheese

Oatly’s cream cheese comes in a plain and chive & onion flavor. Spread your fave on a toasted bagel and you won’t miss the dairy alternative at all.

Dippy Cheeses

Roadhouse Classic Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread

Rich and creamy, Roadhouse Classic’s Sharp Cheddar Cheese Spread can make plain old breadsticks awesome and veggies way more flavorful! Try dipping a freshly-baked pretzel in it!

Vegan Valley Cashew Cheeze Alfredo Sauce

If we’re talking cheeze, we’re naturally going to talk about pasta. Vegan Valley’s Cashew Cheeze Alfredo Sauce is a quick and easy sauce that you can also use for casseroles and roasts.

Is Vegan Cheese on the Menu? You Bet It Is!

For all your cheesy needs, no other place is better than Vegan Essentials. You can shop for vegan cheese ingredients and pre-made options right here!