Types of Vegan Cheese: How To Make Plant-Based Eating Extra Delicious
If you’ve ever said “I’d go plant-based, but I love cheese too much,” this article is for you.
Just as with the world of dairy-based cheese, the vegan cheese market is full of options. Plant-based products are typically classified by the dairy cheese they resemble and their traits and use cases, such as shredded cheese for cooking versus snacking options for cheese boards. Their ingredients vary too, and their packaging is transparent about what’s in them.
With all the types of vegan cheese on the market today, this take is all but destined for retirement.
What is vegan cheese made of?
Plant-based cheeses are often made of soy, tree nuts, or (most commonly) coconut oil, though many options are soy-free. Occasionally, a dairy-free cheese may contain wheat, but most plant-based cheese alternatives are gluten-free.
The ingredients in plant-based cheeses are often fermented, aged, smoked, and seasoned with herbs and spices to make the end product. The exact process varies by product and brand — Trader Joe’s plant-based mozzarella-style shreds, for example, aren’t made in the quite same way as Daiya’s sliced cheddar.
Types of vegan cheese
Almost any dairy cheese you can easily find at grocery stores is available as a plant-based option too, including:
- Cream cheese: With vegan cream cheese, you’ve got a reliable morning spread, and that’s not all. Many plant-based cream cheeses are as perfect as dairy ones for baking cheesecake and making rich, luscious frostings.
- Mozzarella: Soft, mild, and slightly tangy and sweet, plant-based mozzarella cheese is worth savoring, especially the cashew milk-based mozz ball from Miyoko’s Creamery.
- Cheddar: Sharp, fatty, and a bit sweet, plant-based cheddar, such as Violife’s shreds, suits all your favorite breakfasts, sandwiches, and hearty stews.
- Mexican blend: When Taco Tuesday comes around or your favorite quesadilla recipe is on deck, plant-based Mexican blends get the job done.
- Feta: This is the tangiest and briniest cheese that’s easy to find plant-based, especially from Follow Your Heart. It’s a great addition to liven up salads and add some salty fattiness.
- Pepper jack: Though a rarer find, the buttery and lightly spicy flavor of plant-based pepper jack is great for sandwiches, Mexican dinners, and everything in between.
- Parmesan: Sprinkle plant-based parmesan on salads, pizzas, or savory dishes for a rich, lightly nutty edge.
There are also different plant-based cheeses for different purposes, including:
- Shredded or crumbled cheeses: From mozzarella to cheddar options, vegan shredded cheese is great for any meal that involves melting cheese, including homemade pizza. Crumbled cheese, by comparison, is usually an option only for plant-based feta.
- Cheese slices: These slices are more likely to melt than most plant-based cheeses, so try them in a classic grilled cheese recipe for a melty, ooey-gooey delight.
- Snacking cheeses: This includes cheese dips and the plant-based versions of Babybel’s classic wax-covered cheese wheels.
- Spreadable cheeses: Enjoy these on toast, a bagel, or however else you’d normally enjoy cream cheese.
- Cheese blocks or wedges: Cut this plant-based cheese into slices, blocks, or cubes — the world is your oyster mushroom.
How to choose the right vegan cheese for your meal
1. Does it melt?
Nut-based cheeses are known not to melt well, and plant-based snacking cheeses are specifically formulated not to melt. That’s great if you’re just putting plant-based cheese on cold sandwich or a cheese board. It’s not ideal, to say the least, for main dishes that call for melted cheese.
2. Do I need shredded cheese?
When you do need to melt cheese for a recipe, turn to plant-based shreds. Most of these melt well, even if not as well as dairy cheese. You won’t get the iconic cheese pull with plant-based options, at least for now.
For something slightly less processed, buy a block of plant-based cheese and shred or grate it yourself. You’ll largely avoid the coagulants that prevent plant-based shreds from clumping together, though how well a block of plant-based cheese manually shreds or grates varies tremendously by product.
3. Do I need a spreadable cheese?
If the answer is yes, start with plant-based cream cheeses, which are often available in your favorite dairy cream cheese flavors, such as garlic and herb. You may also encounter plant-based cheese dips and non-cream cheese spreadable options, all of which should suit your needs.
4. Is my recipe hot or cold (or a cheese board)?
For a cold recipe such as a salad, you’ll do great with plant-based cheeses not formulated for melting. The same is true if you’re assembling a plant-based cheese board or just looking for a quick snack. With hot recipes, choose a type of plant-based cheese that’s known to melt, such as shreds or slices.
5. What allergies and dietary restrictions should I keep in mind?
A cheese can be plant-based and still pose other dietary challenges. If you’re soy- or nut-free, tread carefully, as these ingredients are especially common in plant-based cheeses. If you’re gluten-free, triple-check the ingredient lists of any plant-based cheeses you’re considering to ensure no wheat or other foods that contain gluten are in the cheese. That said, whatever dietary restrictions you have, there’s a plant-based cheese for you.
6. What do people say about the cheese?
Plant-based eaters have very, very strong opinions about which plant-based cheeses are best for which purposes. They have equally strong opinions on how each cheese tastes. Scour internet forums for commentary, and ask your plant-based friends for their input. The information you need might lie right within your own plant-based community.
Purple Carrot’s favorite cheesy recipes
Plant-based cheese shines bright in these Purple Carrot meal kits and ready-to-eat meals.
Purple Carrot’s favorite cheesy recipes
1. Seitan Chop Sandwiches
Plant-based cheddar sauce transforms meat-like seitan protein and a classic pretzel bun into a melty, drippy delight equally suited to fast food restaurants and gastropubs.
Get the Seitan Chop Sandwiches recipe
2. Spicy Quesabirria Tacos
Get your mozz on with these plant-based cheesy tacos, in which Fable® shiitake protein, diced onions, and fresh herbs elevate your everyday queso-filled taco into so much more.
Get the Spicy Quesabirria Tacos recipe
3. Family Bake Eggplant Parm
Have it two ways with this ready-to-eat eggplant parm bake. Marinara sauce and plant-based mozzarella form the savory-sweet outer layer, and a sprinkle of plant-based parmesan on top adds some gorgeously nutty richness.
Get the Family Bake Eggplant Parm meal
4. Spinach Lasagna
The heartiest casserole around just got even better. Packed with healthy spinach and comforting layers of thick noodles, this ready-to-eat lasagna covered in marinara and plant-based mozzarella is the healthy, cheesy dinner you deserve.
5. Reuben Patty Melts
Indulge in a diner classic but make it plant-based with these reuben patty melts. Plant-based beef and mozzarella bring the classic savory American experience, with sauerkraut, sourdough slices, dill pickle chips, and our in-house Secret Sauce adding even more comfort.
Get the Reuben Patty Melts recipe
Explore plant-based cheeses with Purple Carrot
Although plant-based cheeses aren’t yet as universal at grocery stores as their dairy predecessors, that’s a non-issue with Purple Carrot. Our chef- and dietitian-prepared meal kits and ready-to-eat meals are delivered right to your doorstep, meaning you don’t have to spend any time whatsoever hunting down plant-based cheeses. Shop Purple Carrot now for $100 off your first month of deliveries.
