Have you promised yourself to eat healthier in 2021? Are you trying a plant-based diet and found out that you are having cheese withdrawal? Looking for a yummy alternative to your favorite cheesy dish? Trying to find the “right” vegan cheese for you? Look no further, we at Chew & Lush got your back. It has never been this easy to ditch the dairy like 2021.
We still remember the first times we ever tried vegan cheese, several years ago. Trying to recreate our childhood favorite, grilled cheese sandwich, was beyond disappointing. Although the bread was lovely and crispy, the cheese just sat there in a sad little puddle. Bad times.
Thankfully dairy-free cheese has come a long way since then. There are now some really amazing plant-based alternatives out there that not only taste like the real thing, but melt and stretch like it too!
If you miss the occasional slice of cheese after going vegan, don’t you worry! Here are our top ten plant-based alternatives for you so enjoy and be ready to get hungry.
If you’re looking for something a little extra special to wow your guests with at your next dinner party, you can’t go wrong with Miyoko’s! This artisan vegan cheese company has won awards for its exquisite vegan cheeses.
Crafted in the heart of California, Miyoko’s is best known for its gourmet cheese wheels, lovingly made with cashew milk. Our favorite is the French winter truffle, with its intense and earthy flavor. C’est bon!
Want a high-end brand of cheese with lots of quirky flavors? Why not give Canadian brand Nuts for Cheese a go?
We’ve been fans of Nuts for Cheese for a while now, and every time we put together a cheese board for a cozy night in, it is our go-to brand!
There are lots of tasty flavors to try, but we’d recommend Nuts for Cheese’s Super Blue. Not only does it have a tangy and robust taste like Stilton, but it’s even got the authentic blue marbling! This is made with spirulina, which is not only a type of algae but a superfood too!
If you miss the tangy kick of Feta cheese after going vegan, then Violife’s Greek white block will make you think of lazy summer holidays and sipping wine in tavernas! Try crumbling it into a salad or on roasted vegetables. You can even enjoy it on its own with some fresh flatbreads and olives.
There are lots of other mouth-watering flavors to try in the range, including the Epic Mature Grated Cheddar Cheese, ready to be sprinkled on your homemade pizza or favorite pasta dishes.
As we all know, Europe is the spiritual home of cheese, and New Roots has made its home in the snowy hills of Switzerland!
New Roots makes vegan cheese using very traditional methods, ageing and fermenting its range of cheeses from scratch. Our favorite is the vegan ricotta which is divine in a cheesecake or stuffed into pasta shells with spinach and mushrooms.
Not only is New Roots’ range of cheeses delicious, but environmentally friendly too, using 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. YES, we love promoting products with eco-friendly packaging.
If you’re looking for an incredible vegan cheese, why not make a beeline for Treeline?
Based in New York, Treeline makes lots of delicious dairy-free cheeses, including soft cheeses and cream cheeses that are perfect for dipping and spreading!
The business also makes some lush artisan cheeses. We always buy the multipacks, so we have extra yumminess. What can we say… These cheeses tend to disappear really, really quickly!
The lovely thing about Treeline is it is dedicated to corporate social responsibility, supporting lots of locally-based animal charities. That means by buying Treeline cheese, you’re helping animals to have a longer, happier life.
The fantastic thing about Daiya is the sheer variety of different products they have on offer.
From sticks of cheese to nibble on through to ‘cream cheeze’ to spread on your bagels!
Our favorite product by far though is Daiya’s range of ‘shreds’ – plant-based grated cheese. Not only do they come in lots of different flavors but they melt and stretch just like dairy-based cheese!
We always keep a bag or two in our refrigerator for whenever we’re in the mood for nachos, pizza or mac and cheese!
Field Roast is well known for its sausages and burgers, but did you know that the brand also makes cheese too?
Although the range isn’t as broad as some of the other brands on this list – it’s just as delicious! Our favorites include the zingy tomato and cayenne cheese slices and luxurious ‘Mac ‘n’ Chao’ pasta.
Field Roast recommends slicing up plant-based sausages into its Mac ‘n’ Chao for an amazing foodie experience… Hey, who are we to argue with that?
Follow Your Heart started out as a soup and sandwich spot and grew from strength to strength, with a wide range of delicious plant-based cheesy treats.
From shredded cheese to grated parmesan, there are different types and flavours for all taste buds. Chew & Lush´s favorite is the gouda slices, which have a rich smoky flavour. Try them in a sub or in a grilled cheese for a mouth-watering lunch option!
- Wholefoods 365
Wholefoods is an excellent option for healthy foods at great prices, and its 365 range has a wide variety of essential vegan options, meaning that you can enjoy a plant-based alternative for a low, low price.
We love Wholefoods parmesan style shreds which add a creamy and rich flavour to pasta dishes and pizza. They even taste awesome sprinkled over vegetables like asparagus and long-stem broccoli!
A lot of the ranges in this article use cashews and coconut milk in their cheeses, but these aren’t for everyone. If you’re a fan of almond milk, then it’s definitely worth giving Kite Hill a try.
Kite Hill’s range is simple but stunning, with a silky plant-based ricotta and a range of smooth cream cheeses that you can schmear on everything from bagels to crepes. Our fave is the garden veggie blend, which is full of bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic and herbs!
We hope that our delicious guide to our favorite vegan brands will get you saying ‘yes please’… to plant-based cheese!
Which is your favorite go-to plant-based cheese brand?
