The VegNews Guide to Vegan Cheese

Here at VegNews, we make it our job to be on top of the newest products, the must-try sweets, the gotta-have-it-items. And just as important as it is to know what those items are, we want to share them with you so that you can be the most current conscious consumer out there. So we present to you the VegNews Guides, a series of lists dedicated to the things vegans love most—cheese included.

What is vegan cheese?

In this modern era, we’re blessed with dairy-free cheeses that can do it all, from cheddar for velvety mac and stretchy mozzarella for pizza to pungent aged cheese to pair with wine, cream cheese for bagels, queso fresco for tacos, and freshly grated parmesan for pasta.

Vegan cheese is, simply put, cheese that’s 100-percent free from animal products. Dairy tends to have a bucolic reputation compared to the meat industry because the general mindset is that the animals aren’t being raised for slaughter. But, sadly, that isn’t so.

The dairy industry is inseparable from the veal industry. Cows only produce milk to feed their calves, so making it on a commercial scale relies on the continuous exploitation of the female reproductive system. First, dairy cows are impregnated.

If the calf is male, naturally, he can’t produce milk, and cannot generate a profit that way. So, while female calves go on to be raised as dairy cows, male calves are sold off to the veal industry. Even milk-producing cows meet a sad end: when they can no longer produce milk, they’re sent to slaughter. On top of that, producing dairy takes a major toll on the environment.

Vegan cheese is for anyone—people who want to quit dairy, the lactose intolerant, flexitarians, people who want to eat more sustainably, and people with a broad culinary palate. In short, it’s not just for vegans.

What is vegan cheese made of?

Serving vegan cheese at a get-together is a way to be more inclusive of different diets because it’s so versatile. If you’re allergic to the ingredients in one type of dairy-free cheese, chances are that there’s one out there made from ingredients that you can eat.

In one corner, you have vegan cheese slices and shreds that tend to be made primarily from coconut oil, but there are also options where cashews are the main ingredient. There are also cheeses made from soy and many, many options that are totally soy-free.

In the other corner, there are artisan vegan cheeses, which are made using old-world techniques that take place behind the scenes at the fanciest French cheesemongers, only without the dairy. We’re talking smoked gouda, brie, blue cheese, Camembert, and wheels imbued with lapsang, fig and walnut, rosemary, olives, and more.

These cheeses are usually made from nuts like cashews and almonds, though macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, and even oats may be used. Even more like traditional dairy, they’re usually aged using cultures, resulting in plant-based cheese that tastes as authentic as the real thing. All of them are ripe for pairing with wine.

This list includes those types of vegan cheese as well as slices, shreds, feta crumbles, and more. Here’s our guide to dairy-free cheese:

Boursin

Boursin Dairy-Free Garlic & Herbs Cheese Spread Alternative

Bute Isla nd

Cheddar Style Spread Creamy Sheese
Cheddar Style with Caramelized Onion Sheese Block
Cheddar Style with Garlic & Chives Sheese Block
Cheddar Style with Jalapeño & Chili Sheese Block
Chive Spread Creamy Sheese
English Style Blue Sheese Block
French Style Blue Sheese Block
Garlic & Herb Spread Creamy Sheese
Grated Hard Italian Style Sheese
Grated Mature Cheddar Style Sheese
Grated Mild Cheddar Style Sheese
Grated Mozzarella Style Sheese
Mature Cheddar Style Sheese Block
Mature Cheddar Style Sheese Slices
Mild Cheddar Style Sheese Block
Mild Cheddar Style Sheese Slices
Mozzarella Style Sheese Slices
Red Leicester Style Sheese Block
Red Leicester Style Sheese Slices
Smoked German Style Sheese Block
Spring Onion & Cracked Black Pepper Spread Creamy Sheese
Strong Cheddar Style Sheese Block
Sweet Chilli Spread Creamy Sheese
Edam Style Sheese Block
Gouda Style Sheese Block
Greek Style Sheese Block
Original Spread Creamy Sheese
Wensleydale Style Sheese Block with Cranberries

Catalyst Creamery

Dill Havarti Style Hemp Seed Cheese
Ghost Pepper & Fried Onion Hemp Seed Cheese
Muenster Style Hemp Seed Cheese

Cheeze & Thank You

Black Garlic Truffle Fontina
Dill Havarti
Giardinera Jack
Herbed Feta
Mozzarella Capri
Mustard Seed Smoked Gouda

Conscious Cultures

Barn Cat Aged
Fresh Mozz
Maverick Aged

Cultured Kindness

Brie with Herbes de Provence
Cashew Chevre with Basil & Chive
Cashew Chevre with Caramelized Onion Balsamic
Cream Cheese
Garlic & Dill Hav-A-Hearti
Nutty Dragon
Pepper Brie
Pepper Jill
Smoky Good-ah Cheese
Sweet Hot Mess Cream Cheese

Daiya

Cutting Board Cheddar Shreds
Cutting Board Mexican 4 Cheeze Blend Shreds
Cutting Board Mozza Shreds
Cutting Board Parmesan Shreds
Cutting Board Spicy Monterey Jack Flavour
Cheddar Shreds
Cheddar Slices
Cheddar Sticks
Chive & Onion Spread
Garlic & Herbs Creamy Spread
Jalapeño Havarti Bloc
Medium Cheddar Bloc
Monterey Jack Bloc
Mozza Shreds
Mozza Slices
Mozza Sticks
Plain Creamy Spread
Smoked Gouda Bloc
Smoked Gouda Slices
Swiss Slices

Dr-Cow

Aged Cashew Cheese
Chives Cashew Cream Cheese
Classic Cashew Cream Cheese
Tomato Turmeric Cream Cheese

Field Roast

Creamy Original Chao Block
Creamy Original Chao Shreds
Creamy Original Chao Slices
Garden Herb Chao Slices
Mexican Style Blend Chao Shreds
Smoked Original Chao Slices
Spicy Original Chao Slices
Tomato Cayenne Chao Slices

Follow Your Heart

American Slices
Bleu Cheese Crumbles
Cheddar Finely Shredded
Cheddar Shredded
Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Feta Crumbles
Fiesta Blend Shredded
Garden Herb Slices
Italian Blend Shredded
Medium Cheddar Slices
Mozzarella Block
Mozzarella Block, Organic Soy
Mozzarella Finely Shredded
Mozzarella Shredded
Mozzarella Slices
Parmesan Grated
Parmesean Shredded
Pizzeria Blend Shreds
Pepper Jack Slices
Provolone Slices
Smoked Gouda Slices
Vegan Gourmet Cheddar
Vegan Gourmet Mozzarella

Forager Project

Organic Jack
Organic Mozzarella
Organic Parmesan
Organic Queso Fresco

Good Planet Foods

American Slices
Cheddar Shreds
Cheddar Slices
Hot Pepper Slices
Mozzarella Shreds
Original Cheese Wedges
Parmesan Shreds
Pepper Jack Cheese Wedges
Smoked Gouda Cheese Wedges
Smoked Provolone Slices

Go Veggie Foods

American Slices
Cheddar Slices
Cheddar Style Shreds
Chive & Garlic Cream Cheese
Classic Plain Cream Chese
Grated Parmesan Style Topping
Mexican Style Shreds
Mozzarella Slices
Mozzarella Style Shreds
Pepper Jack Slices

Kite Hill

Almond Milk Ricotta
Chive Cream Cheese Alternative
Everything Cream Cheese Alternative
Garden Veggie Cream Cheese Alternative
Plain Cream Cheese Alternative
Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Alternative
Queso Alternative

Misha’s Kind Foods

Black Truffle
French Connection
Joi
Lox
Ricotta
Sari
Seven Point Five
Smoked Cheddar

Miyoko’s Creamery

Aged Black Ash Cashew Milk Cheese
Aged Herbes de Provence Cashew Milk Cheese
Aged Sharp English Farmhouse Cashew Milk Cheese
Aged Smoked English Farmhouse Cashew Milk Cheese
Double Cream Classic Chive Cashew Milk Cheese
Double Cream Sundried Tomato Garlic Cashew Milk Cheese
Fresh French Style Winter Truffle Cashew Milk Cheese
Cultured Vegan Cheddar Cheese Block
Cultured Vegan Cheddar Cheese Shreds
Cultured Vegan Cheddar Cheese Slices
Cultured Vegan Pepper Jack Block
Cultured Vegan Pepper Jack Slices
Cultured Vegan Pepper Jack Shreds
Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella
Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella Smoked
Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese Classic Plain
Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese Cinnamon Raisin
Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese Everything
Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese Fish-Free Lox
Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese Savory Scallion
Organic Roadhouse Chedda Straight Up Sharp
Organic Roadhouse Chedda Garlic Chive
Plant Milk Cheddar Sticks
Vegan Pizza Mozzarella

Parma!

Better than Bacon Parma!
Chipotle Cayenne Parma!
Garlicky Green Parma!
Original Parma!

Parmela Creamery

Creamy American Slices
Fiery Jack Shreds
Fiery Jack Slices
Mild Cheddar Shreds
Mild Cheddar Slices
Mozzarella Shreds
Sharp Cheddar Shreds
Sharp Cheddar Slices

Rebel Cheese

Ash Chèvre
Blueberry Vanilla Chèvre
Chebrie
Cinnamon & Cognac Gjetost
Dill Havarti
Garlic Herb Bourzin
Gruyere
Honee Pistachio Chèvre
Mozzarella
Parmesan
Pepperjack
Spanish Paprika Chèvre
Sun-Dried Tomato Herb Bourzin
Truffle Brie
Truffle Chèvre

Reine

Artisan Cherry Almond Vegan Cheese
Artisan Chipotle
Artisan Cracked Pepper Dill
Artisan Fig Walnut
Artisan Half & Half Smoked Gouda & Sharp Cheddar
Artisan Heirloom Tomato
Artisan Lemon Lavender
Artisan Sharp
Artisan Smoked
Artisan Smoked Sharp Cheddar
Artisan Spirulina
Artisan Trufflehound
French Style Double Cream Cultured Cream Cheese
Garlic Chive Cultured Cream Cheese
The Plantsman Wedge

RIND

Bleu
Classic Cambleu
Cranberry (seasonal: fall/winter)
Currant (seasonal: fall/winter)
Lapsang
Paprika
Porcini

Rooted Delights

Creamy Mozzah Cheez Wheel
Mild Cheddah Cheez Wheel

Simple Truth

Plant-Based Cauliflower Dip Spicy Queso
Plant-Based Cheddar Cheese Shreds
Plant-Based Mozzarella Cheese Shreds
Plant-Based Cream Cheese Alternative
Plant-Based Dairy Cheddar Style Slices

So Delicious Dairy Free

American Style Slices
Cheddar Style Shreds
Cheddar Style Slices
Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Style Spread
Creamy Original Cream Cheese Style Spread
Mozzarella Style Shreds
Mexican Style Shreds

The Uncreamery

Classic Brie Wheel
Dill Havarti Block
Ghost Pepper Jack Block
Nacho Mama’s Quezo
Smoked Gouda Block
Truffle Brie Wheel

The Vegetarian Express

Parma Zaan Sprinkles

Tofutti

American Cheese Slices
Better Than Cheese Ricotta
Better Than Cream Cheese Plain
Better Than Cream Cheese Herbs & Chives
Better Than Cream Cheese Garlic & Herb
Better Than Creme Cheese Whipped
Mozzarella Cheese Slices

Treeline Treenut Cheese

Blueberry Goat Cheese
Cheddar Shreds
Cheddar Slices
Chipotle Serrano French-Style Cheese
Garlic & Basil Goat Cheese
Herb Garlic French-Style Cheese
Mozzarella Shreds
Original Goat Cheese
Pepperjack Slices
Scallion French-Style Cheese
Sea Salt & Pepper French-Style Cheese

VBites

Mozzarella Style Cheezly Block
Smoked Applewood Vegan Cheese Block
Smoked Applewood Vegan Cheese Grated
Smoked Applewood Vegan Cheese Slices
Vegan Mexican Cheese Block
Vegan Red Cheddar Cheese
Vegan White Cheddar Cheese

Vevan

Ched-Melts
Ched-Shred
Mozza-Melts
Mozza-Shred
P’Jack-Melts
P’Jack-Shred

Violife

Epic Cheddar Flavor Mini
Epic Mature Cheddar Flavor Block
Epic Mozzarella Flavor Mini
Epic Smoked Cheddar Flavor Block
Just Like Cheddar Shreds
Just Like Cheddar Slices
Just Like Cream Cheese Cheddar
Just Like Cream Cheese Garlic & Herbs
Just Like Cream Cheese Original
Just Like Cream Cheese with Chives
Just Like Colby Jack Shreds
Just Like Feta
Just Like Mature Cheddar Slices
Just Like Mozzarella Shreds
Just Like Parmesan Wedge
Just Like Smoked Provolone Slices

Seasonal:
Epic Dairy-Free Summer Celebration Platter