Vegan Cheese Roundup

One of the biggest obstacles for people is the idea of giving up cheese.
Whether for health reasons, beliefs, whatever,
cheese is such a decadent food and I get it, I was one of those people
17 years ago.
However, I gave up all animal products for health purposes back then
and had no alternatives for a delicious cheese option,
settling in to the notion that I may never experience
tasty cheese again.
Until now!
And now, the options are not only endless, they are spectacular!
I’ve seen the non-dairy industry grow by leaps and bounds
in the last few years but no one
has “nailed” the cheese world until recently.
Sure, there were attempts and sure, some still work in certain applications
but now, we have what the dairy world has!
From slices to spreads, shreds to shakable, the vegan cheese world
is a force to be reckoned with!
Here’s what’s out there now, in order of amazingness per category!

Slices

1. Field Roast Chao Slices – First place for their incredible texture, flavor & uncanniness to the real thing. Your mind will be blown! Their varieties are delicious, the only drawback is they are soy based (for those avoiding soy) but they are non-gmo! Delicious on sandwiches , crackers or on their own!
2. Follow Your Heart Slices – Tied for first place for their incredible texture, flavor & uncanniness to the real thing. You won’t be able to eat just one slice! Soy and gluten free gives them an edge over the competition. Delicious on sandwiches , crackers or on their own!
3. Go Veggie – Fine for sandwiches, melts ok
4. Daiya – Fine for sandwiches, melts well, not recommended for eating without bread or crackers

Gourmet

1. Miyoko’s Kitchen – Yum-mazing! Finally, a brand of organic, vegan, non-gmo, nut cheese that can be served proudly at wine & cheese parties! It’s revolutionary!
2. Kite Hill – Soft, creamy and tasty, also great for a cheese plate.
3. TreeLine – Tied for second as this cheese is also quite delightful
4. Tofutti Ricotta – A great option for Italian recipes
5. Tofutti Mascarpone – A great option for sweet Italian recipes
6. Heidi Ho – Flavorful and with a Feta variety, it amps up it’s block cheese product line
7. Dr. Cow – Good gourmet cheese but pricey for the package size

Spreadable

1. Daiya Cream Cheese – With 3 delicious varieties, get your bagels ready for awesome topping! And cheesecakes galore!
2. Follow Your Heart Cream Cheese– Tied for first for the same reasons!
3. Parmela Cream Cheese – Amazing sweet cream cheese styles that is a very close second
4. Go Veggie Cream Cheese– Also, not far behind it’s competitors
5. Nutty Cow – Offers some fun flavors different than their competitors
6. Chia Craft –  Tasty nut based cream cheese
7. Tofutti – An oldy but goody

Shakeable

1. Go Veggie Parmesan – Can’t beat it for Italian faves and bakes well in recipes
2. Parmela Parmesan– Tasty but the package runs out quickly due to small packaging

Shreds

1. Follow Your Heart – Tastes and melts quite nice for pizzas, sandwiches and more! Closest in flavor to a melted cheese!
2. Daiya – Ties for first as these guys exploded in their first year with a fabulous melty vegan cheese
3. Go Veggie – Melts nicely, a bit grainy

Blocks

1. Follow Your Heart – Nice for slicing, melts well
2. Heidi Ho – Unique flavors
3. Daiya – The reformulation is quite nice, much better than their slices
4. Shreese – Imported and tasty

Meltables

1. Teese – Great for sauces and pizzas, melts the best of all its competitors
2. Daiya – a good second
3. Follow Your Heart – tied for second!

Sauces

1. Food for Lovers – In mild and spicy varieties, this cheese sauce is gluten free, soy free and delicious!
2. Heidi Ho – A nice thick and creamy second!
3. Nacho Mom’s – Also in mild and spicy, it is also quite nice

So no matter your fancy, it’s available and I’m positive it’s only going to get better from here!