What is vegan cheese and can it replace milk cheese?
Traditionally, cheese is a dairy product, which means it is derived from milk (cow, goat, and sheep). Of course, it is not suitable for vegans.
Fortunately, many companies offer vegan cheeses that are free from milk and animal enzymes. And many of them even have a good taste that can satisfy the most devoted fans of milk cheeses.
If you are interested in vegan alternatives to milk, make sure to check out my article on plant based milk!
Cheese Production: Dairy & Vegan
Traditional cheeses are made from casein, a milk protein derived from the milk of animals such as cows, goats, sheep and buffalo. During the manufacturing process, rennin, a group of enzymes produced in the stomachs of animals, is added to milk.
Rennin is the cause of the curdling process, at the end of which cheese is obtained. While there are alternative ways to make different types of milk cheese, using rennin is the most common way to make cheeses with different flavors, textures and shapes.
On the other hand, vegan cheese is 100% plant-based. The process of making it involves the consolidation of protein mass from different plant sources with the help of lactobacilli, which can also be added to increase acidity. Oils, emulsifiers and thickeners can also be used to produce harder vegan cheeses.
Vegan Cheese Ingredients
Depending on the brand and recipe, vegan cheeses can be made with ingredients such as soy protein (used in shiny, smooth, supple varieties), crystallized vegetable oil (coconut, palm, or safflower), nutritional yeast, agar flake thickeners, nuts (including cashews, macadamia and almonds), tapioca flour, natural enzymes, vegetable glycerin, bacterial cultures, arrowroot, and even pea protein isolate.
Certain vegan cheese varieties can be extensively processed to achieve the desired flavor and texture. Just as a “gluten-free” food is not necessarily healthy, the epithet “vegan” does not guarantee a harmless meal. Remember, some vegan cheeses are just as processed foods as standard American processed cheeses and veggie burgers.
Today, however, a growing number of cheese manufacturers are ditching industrially processed ingredients and using traditional cheese aging, bacterial cultures and very minimal ingredients such as nut milk, enzymes and salt.
Vegan Cheese Flavor
The fundamental difference between dairy cheese and vegan cheese is the lack of consolidated protein in the latter, otherwise known as cottage cheese. Making milk cheese involves the stages where proteins attach to each other, resulting in a variety of unique flavors and textures.
Since vegan cheeses do not undergo protein modification, they do not have the complex flavors inherent in cheeses, the source of which is curdled, oxidized, pasteurized and aged milk.
However, thanks to the use of bacteria and the aging process that many manufacturers have now adopted, we have some delicious vegan cheeses available that rival dairy in flavor and texture.
Making Your Own Vegan Cheese
The production of vegan cheeses does not require the use of complex processing methods that are only feasible under industrial conditions.
In fact, they can turn out to be much more useful if you make them yourself, since you have complete control over the process of adding certain ingredients.
Best Vegan Cheese On The Market
Below we have some vegan cheeses that we love here at SynfullyVegan! Have a look and see why we love them.
Applewood – Smoky Vegan Cheese Alternative Block
A delicious smoky flavored vegan cheese alternative, with added calcium and vitamin B12
- Smooth and creamy
- Melts beautifully
- Free from dairy, soya, lactose & gluten
- Source of B12 & calcium
- Vegan
Violife – Epic Mature Cheddar
Perfect to eat straight from the pack, our new Epic Mature Cheddar flavor vegan cheese block is our best block ever – deliciously crumbly, with protein and vitamin B12. Truly Epic!
- New generation dairy-free block.
- That is closest to the real thing ever made
- Excellent Taste
- Epic Crumble
- Amazing Mouth feel
- Attractive Packaging
Applewood – Vegan Mexicana Cheese
A spicy vegan block blended with a Mexican spice mix and real Bell and Jalapeño pepper pieces. Spice up your sandwiches, wraps and toasties.
Ingredients:
- Water,
- Coconut Oil,
- Potato Starch,
- Rehydrated Peppers 3% (Water, Red & Green Peppers, Red and Green Jalapeño Peppers),
- Modified Maize Starch,
- Reduced Sodium Sea Salt,
- Mexican style seasoning (Paprika, Chilli, Cumin, Sugar, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic powder, Tomato powder, Onion, Paprika extract, Bell Peppers, Tomato granules, Parsley, acidity regulator: Citric Acid),
- Dried Yeast,
- Thickener (Carrageenan),
- Natural flavoring,
- Calcium Phosphate,
- Calcium Chloride,
- Vitamin B12.
Vegan Cheese Slices – Smoked Gouda Style
Elevate your cheese party with this decadent hickory-smoked Gouda. Pair this Gouda with caramelized onions for a gourmet panini or add it to mac n cheese for a sophisticated take on the American classic!
Ingredients
- Filtered Water
- Coconut Oil
- Modified Potato and Corn Starches
- Potato Starch
- Sea Salt
- Natural Smoke Flavor (Plant Sources)
- Olive Extract
- Beta Carotene for Color
Koko – Dairy Free Cheddar Cheese Alternative
Koko Dairy Free alternative to cheddar is completely dairy free and has a mature but mellow taste which we believe is the closest to dairy cheddar on the market. It’s perfect sliced on sandwiches, grated as a topping or used in cooking.
It’s also great from a nutritional perspective as it has fewer calories and less fat than dairy cheddar but contains the same level of calcium plus added vitamins D2 and B12.
What’s more it’s free from artificial colors, preservatives and flavorings.
The only fortified dairy-free cheese on the market, our cheddar block is suitable for vegans, coeliacs and those with allergies.
Violife – Prosociano (Vegan Parmesan)
The vegan alternative to Parmesan cheese, perfect addition for salads and pasta.
Ideal for dishes requiring a stronger taste of cheese. This will enhance the flavor and add richness and protein. It can be grated and added to sauces, or sprinkled on top of pasta dishes. You could also include it in crumb coatings to add richness and flavor.
Ingredients
- Water
- Starch
- Modified Starch
- Coconut Oil (17%)
- Sea Salt, Rice protein
- Flavorings
- Olive Extract
- Color: B-Carotene
- Vitamin B12
Not to be confused with GMO (Genetically Modified) ingredients
MozzaRisella – Vegan Mozzarella
The goodness of Italian rice, the beauty of Mozzarella. A completely vegetable-based cheese that’s naturally free from lactose and allergens. Once germinated, brown rice is processed and pressed to obtain a vegetable milk. This milk is used to create MozzaRisella, a healthy alternative to fresh cheeses.
100% Organic, Dairy-Free, Soya-Free and Gluten-Free.
Ingredients
- Biosurice 46% (water, germinated whole rice 20.8%, salt, apple vinegar)
- Water
- Cold pressed coconut oil
- Sunflower oil infused with oregano
- Lemon juice
- Thickening agents: agar-agar, gum arabic, xanthan gum, carob flour
Bute Island Sheese Creamy 100% Dairy Free Cheese
The Garlic & Herb Creamy Sheese is a joyous Dairy Free alternative to cream cheese.
The award-winning Garlic & Herb made with Coconut oil, has established itself as a Vegan and Kosher firm favorite non-dairy alternative.
Garlic & Herb Creamy Sheese is so versatile: it tastes great on toasted bagels & muffins, or spread thickly on toasted crumpets. But stirred into your favourite sauces or soups, it will definitely make them creamier and thicker.
Garlic & Herb is also ideal in mashed potato or melted on fresh new potatoes, asparagus or peas (and just a greedy thought: used instead of margarine globally).
It gives your pasta recipes a new lease of life and transforms your vegetable pies too. So what more could we ask for?
Bute Island Foods – 100% Dairy Free Sheese, Mature Cheddar Vegan Cheese Block
Bute Islands’s Mature Cheddar style Sheese is a 100% soya and dairy free cheese alternative made with coconut oil.
It’s free from lactose, gluten and produced using animal free process. It’s kosher and perfect for vegans and anybody looking to substitute dairy from their diet.
The incredible texture of Bute Islands’s new Mature Cheddar style Sheese slices even better than before. Every bite melts on your tongue to release an outstanding taste. It also melts in a jiffy when cooked or grilled on toast for instance.
Mature Cheddar style Cheese is the perfect choice for all sorts of savory vegan Croque Monsieur as well as pasta bakes the whole family will love.
Violife – Greek Style Block – Feta Alternative
The refreshing taste of Mediterranean-flavor bites will have you craving back for more.
- 100% dairy-free, soya-free and gluten-free
- Amazing flavor, perfect for salads & starters
- With coconut oil
- Certified Vegan
Green Vie – Greek Style – Vegan Feta Cheese
Finally a Vegan Feta crumbles! GreenVie brings you a refreshing taste of Mediterranean flavor bites will have you craving for more. Enjoy it in all Greek & Mediterranean dairy- free dishes, and use it just like Feta!
- The first vegan Feta with crumbly texture
- 100% dairy-free, soya-free and gluten-free
- Amazing flavor, perfect for salads & burgers
- With coconut oil
- Certified Vegan
Schlagfix – Vegan Mascarpone
This is a light, deliciously smooth vegan mascarpone by Schlagfix. Perhaps the first in the world!
It can be used in variety of dishes like pasta fillings, risottos and for making a glorious vegan Tiramisù.
Bute Island Foods – 100% Dairy Free Cheese, Wensleydale Style with Cranberries Sheese
Wensleydale with Cranberries style Sheese is a delicious, fruity, dairy-free alternative to cheese. Why not add the fruity succulence of Wensleydale with Cranberries to appealing cheese boards or cubed in salads for that extra tang?
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Kosher
- Non-dairy alternative
- Made with coconut oil
Bute Island Sheese Creamy 100% Dairy Free Cheese – Cheddar Style Spread
Creamy Dairy-Free Alternative to Cream Cheese, creamy soya cheese
Sometimes all you’d need to enjoy this Vegan and Kosher Cheddar non-dairy alternative made with Coconut oil, is a teaspoon. And yeah before you know it, the tub’s empty!
It spreads so easily and tastes so cheddary. Here’s a trick: you can grill your Cheddar style Creamy Sheese. To do so, spread it thickly on your favorite bread, lightly drizzle olive oil all over, and place under a hot grill.
Now watch it go golden, and try not to dribble. Of course the Cheddar style is also ideal spread onto your deep pan pizza bases, heaped onto your jacket potatoes, mixed into your mash, melted on oven-fresh bread or, for making Sheesy sauces for pasta and potato bakes for instance, making it perfect for kids (as well as for all us grownups out there).
But indeed, you can still decide to simply spoon the Cheddar onto rye bread, rice cakes, crumpets and bagels, or decide to dip crisps, tortilla chips and freshly cut crudités straight into the tub (well, if it’s not empty yet).
Green Vie Grated, Vegan Parveggio Style
A sharp fruity, nutty taste that will add great savor to your pasta, salads and risotto! Bellissimo!!!
Bute Island – Blue French Style Sheese Wedge
Like Blue English, our Blue French style Sheese comes in a wedge. Similar to Blue English, but perhaps slightly tangier with regards to its “blue” flavor, and the eye appeal of those blue flecks, to create an authentic look, reminiscent of French cheese.
Violife – Mozzarella Flavour Violife Grated Cheese
Try making your own pizza and use our vegan mozzarella flavor grated cheese with fresh tomato puree. For the perfect family meal.
Vegan Cheese Recipes Of Favorite Dishes
Below you will find some of your favorite dishes that use traditional cheese and how to make them vegan. No reason why you can’t enjoy your food!
Vegan Mac & Cheese Recipe
If you’re just learning how to incorporate vegan cheese into your diet, then this recipe is perfect for you, it’s pretty simple.
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. whole wheat pasta
- 3/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large cup of water to a boil. Prepare the pasta as directed on the package.
When the pasta is cooked, drain the liquid into a separate cup.
Sauce
Mix yeast, olive oil, and slowly pour over the boiling water remaining after cooking the pasta, pouring over a tablespoon. If you need a thicker sauce, add less water. You can also add small amounts of unsweetened vegan milk and vegan butter for a thicker consistency.
Adding Seasonings To Vegan Cheese
Variations: You can add mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or pumpkin to the sauce. This option is especially good for children who don’t eat enough vegetables. Simmer vegetables until tender. Next, you need to crush them and mix with yeast, oil and water. Orange foods give the sauce a cheerful color and sweet flavor. The kids will love it.
Season the vegan pasta with a few pinches of cumin, paprika, or cayenne pepper (one of the three ingredients or both). You can try adding a little toasted garlic or red chili.
Complement the texture and content of the vegetables with steamed peas (I do this right over the pasta in a colander) and broccoli. Or, sauté it with kale orchard, then sprinkle the mixture on pasta and cheese.
To turn this recipe into a baked pasta recipe, heat your oven to 218 degrees Celsius. Follow the directions above, being careful not to dry out the sauce during the baking process. Grease a baking sheet and add the pasta and cheese to the dish.
Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and grated vegan cheese if desired. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the dish is brown and crispy at its top.
Cashew Ricotta Recipe
Ricotta is a traditional Italian cheese made from cow’s or sheep’s milk whey left over from the preparation of mozzarella or other cheeses. This is a soft cheese that literally melts in your mouth. However, you can replace it with a vegan version using cashews!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 heads of garlic
- 1 pound hard tofu (dehydrated and crushed)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Preparation
Place cashews in a cup, cover with water and let sit overnight.
Dry the cashews well and place in a food processor. Process the nuts until they resemble breadcrumbs. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the mixture looks like a thick paste.
Use the resulting product as a filling for lasagna, manicotti, and in dips and rolls. In addition, you can vary the seasoning by replacing the nutmeg with fresh herbs such as basil or oregano, adding cinnamon to add a sweet flavor to the dish.
Instead of making your own vegan cheese, you can purchase good quality varieties (such as Daiya or Kite Hill). Serve vegan cheddar balls at your next dinner party and wow your guests by letting them know there isn’t even a drop of milk in this cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated vegan cheese
- 4 tablespoons vegan oil
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 12 – 24 green olives stuffed with allspice
Preparation
Mix cheese with olive oil, coconut oil, flour, water, salt and paprika.
Using about one teaspoon of olive dough, roll out the tortillas on a thinly floured surface and wrap the olive in the dough.
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The olive balls can be kept frozen at this point.
About 30 minutes before serving them, heat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Bake the balls until they are golden brown. Serve warm.