These 14 Cheddar Brands and Recipes Ditch the Dairy, Not the Melty, Gooey Goodness

The earliest reference to cheddar cheese dates back to 12th century England. It was first made in a village called, you guessed it, Cheddar. The cheese was first stored in the region’s caves (in the cliffs of the now world-famous Cheddar Gorge), which served as natural refrigerators. Nowadays, cheese is still made in the cliffs, but most cheddar is commercially produced outside of the region. It’s one of the world’s most popular cheeses, and the market for cheddar alone is expected to reach more than $86 million by 2032. 

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But there are some big problems with cheddar cheese. Most of it is produced with the help of intensive factory farming, for example. In the US, research suggests that more than 99 percent of animal products on the shelves come from animals that were raised in cramped, industrialized conditions. And the dairy industry is also harmful to the environment. As a whole, the livestock industry emits around 14.5 percent of global emissions (to put that in perspective, aviation is responsible for 2 percent of emissions).

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However, there is another way to enjoy the smooth texture and signature flavor of cheddar cheese without the animals. The vegan cheese market is growing (in 2021, it was worth more than $2.4 billion), and many of the products on the market effectively mimic the much-loved flavors of cheddar, from mild to mature.

RELATED: Who Makes the Best Vegan Shredded Cheese? The Tastiest Dairy-Free Shreds on the Market

7 vegan cheddar cheese brands

Here, we’ve compiled a few of our favorite vegan brands that make vegan cheddar cheese, plus tasty recipes to cook with it. 

Violife

1 Violife

Greek brand Violife has been making vegan cheese since the 1990s. Its first dairy-free product was created for Greek Orthodox fasting days (when no animal protein can be eaten), but since then, it has grown into a global brand, catering to vegans and flexitarians all over the world. Its extensive dairy-free range includes several delicious vegan cheddar options made from coconut oil, including its Just Like Cheddar Shreds.
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Daiya

2 Daiya

This Canadian brand has long been the go-to for North American vegans. Daiya was founded in 2008, and since then, its plant-based product portfolio has expanded significantly. As well as pizzas, sauces, dressings, and desserts, you can find plenty of vegan Daiya cheese on the shelves, including its Cheddar Shreds, which offer a “velvety melt” and a “smooth texture,” according to the brand.
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Follow Your Heart

3 Follow Your Heart

Follow Your Heart is widely known for its Vegenaise, but this popular Californian brand offers several delicious products, including multiple types of vegan cheese. Whether you prefer sliced, shredded, or finely shredded, Follow Your Heart has the vegan cheddar for you.
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Field Roast

4 Chao Creamery

Field Roast vegan cheese brand Chao Creamery doesn’t label its products after specific varieties of cheese, but from its notable portfolio, the Creamy Original Chao Slices and the Creamy Original Chao Shreds are the closest to cheddar in taste and texture.
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5 Good Planet Foods

If you prefer a stronger, deeper cheddar flavor, check out Good Planet Foods’ Olive Oil Cheese Cubes in Sharp Cheddar. It also offers Cheddar Olive Oil Cheese Shreds, too, which are milder in flavor.
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Parmela Creamery

6 Parmela Creamery

Farm-to-table brand Parmela Creamery, which uses cashews and traditional cheesemaking methods to make its plant-based cheeses, offers several types of vegan cheddar, including Sharp Cheddar Slices, Mild Cheddar Slices, Sharp Cheddar Shreds, and Mild Cheddar Shreds.
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Vevan

7 Vevan

At Vevan, award-winning master cheesemakers world-renowned for their dairy cheeses have swapped out their animal-based ingredients for plant-based alternatives. The result is a lineup of vegan cheeses that taste, look, and feel just like their dairy counterparts. Vevan’s product range includes the cheddary Ched-Shred and Ched-Melts.

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How to cook with vegan cheddar: 7 tasty recipes

Vegan cheddar cheeses usually boast good melting properties and versatile flavor, and without doubt, they can add a comforting appeal to a variety of recipes. Check out some of our favorite dishes to cook with vegan cheddar below.

Danielle Keith

1 Vegan Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli cheddar soup is hearty, creamy, and delicious, hence why it’s a favorite at Panera. But you can get all the same flavor and texture by combining ingredients like cashews, nutritional yeast, russet potatoes, and vegetable broth, and serving the final result in a crusty bread bowl. No store-bought vegan cheddar is needed for this one, it’s all homemade.
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Candice Hutchings

2 Vegan Garlic Bread Dippers With Jalapeño Cheddar

Buttery garlic bread is at its best when it’s paired with delectable dipping sauces, like creamy garlic and jalapeño cheddar. This dish is perfect as an appetizer, on the side, or just as a tasty movie night snack.
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Dustin Harder

3 Vegan Savory Waffle With Vegetable Ragout and Cheddar Fondue

These waffles are made with a delightful blend of soy milk, orange juice, and spices, and then topped with decadent cheddar fondue, tofu ragout, and sautéed vegetables. It’s the perfect dish for a springtime brunch.
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Dustin Harder

4 Vegan Cheeseburger Tater Tots With Cashew Cheddar Sauce

These crispy golden tots taste delicious with a flavorful cashew cheddar sauce topping. Again, there is no store-bought cheddar in this recipe. Instead, the sauce is homemade with a blend of pumpkin, cashews, and spices.
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Ashley Hankins

5 Stuffed Vegan Chili Cheese Dog Bites

If you’re looking for the perfect summer cookout dish, check out these savory rolls, which are filled with smoky chili and vegan cheddar cheese hot dogs. They’re fun, tasty, and guaranteed to be a hit with kids and adults alike.
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Eric Isaac

6 Cheesy Vegan Tex-Mex Tofu Tacos

Charred vegetables, savory tofu scramble, and vegan cheddar combine to create these flavorful, egg-free breakfast tacos. Garnish with avocado and cilantro for a super satisfying Tex-Mex delight.
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Jasmine Briones

7 Cheesy Stuffed Vegan Baked Potato Rolls

Soft, fluffy, and filled with potato, these rolls (which kind of look like cinnamon rolls!) are stuffed with vegan cheddar and bacon bits. It’s a tasty and unique meal that is set to become your new favorite.
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