Cheese is often one of the hardest foods for vegans to give up. That’s because cheese has been scientifically proven to be addictive, and triggers the same region of the brain as many addictive drugs!
By the end of the first week of my vegan journey, I was already craving a grilled cheese sandwich. I was so close to breaking and eating just one slice of my favorite cheddar cheese… Then, one of my good friends told me about vegan cheese.
If you’ve been having irresistible cheese cravings and you’re looking to get your cheddar fix, then you’ve come to the right place!
In today’s post, I’ll be showing you the best vegan cheese brands that I’ve tried over the past few years. Whether you’re looking for traditional slices, shredded vegan cheese, or even vegan mozzarella cheese, I’ve got you covered!
Who’s ready to get cheesy?
- Mild, smooth flavor, similar to gouda cheese
What Is Vegan Cheese Made Of?
Traditional cheese comes from dairy and is made by separating the milk protein from the liquid. The cheese-making process also results in whey protein, one of the most popular protein supplements for bodybuilders and athletes.
For obvious reasons, vegans don’t consume milk, cheese, whey, or other animal-derived dairies. Thankfully, some crafty chemists and cooks came along and started making vegan cheese!
Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the most common ingredients used to make vegan cheese:
| Vegan Cheese Ingredients | What It’s Used For |
| Plant-based milk | Creates a dairy-like consistency and provides protein. |
| Coconut oil | Used to create a thick, creamy texture. |
| Potato starch and/or Cornstarch | Used to thicken the cheese and hold the vegan cheese together. |
| Tofu and soy products | Provides protein, texture, and a slight umami flavor profile. |
| Salt | Real cheese is often salted on the outside. To give consumers a similar flavor profile, most vegan cheese uses at least a small amount of salt in its products. |
| Nutritional yeast | Deactivated yeast flakes are a popular vegan seasoning and food additive that’s said to mimic the flavor profile of savory, aged cheese. |
Curious how it tastes? Check out this BuzzFeed video of people trying vegan cheese for the first time:
What Brands Of Cheese Are Vegan?
Not long ago, vegan cheese was a rare luxury. Today, there are a number of great brands that sell dairy-free, cruelty-free vegan cheese alternatives. Some of the best vegan cheese brands include:
- Treelife
- Violife
- Field Roast
- Vegan Valley
- Miyoko’s Creamery
I’ve reviewed some of these companies’ best vegan cheese products below, so be sure to check them out!
The 4 Best Vegan Cheese Brands To Try In 2024
Here are some of the best vegan cheese brands that are guaranteed to satisfy your queso cravings!
1) Treeline Vegan Soft Herb and Garlic Cheese (link)
Flavor Profile: Garlic and herb
If you’re a fan of soft, French-style cheese or flavorful cream cheese, then Treeline Vegan Soft Herb and Garlic Cheese make for a wonderful snack! Its soft texture makes it the perfect spreading cheese to top off some crackers or toast with.
Personally, I like to spread a bit on top of a cracker and then top it off with some fresh fruit jam (thank me later).
This soft vegan cheese spread is made using real cashews, filtered water, sea salt, lemon juice, brown rice, scallions, garlic and onion powder, basil, white pepper, and oregano.
This makes for a smooth, creamy, thick, and filling vegan cheese that tastes just as good as a dairy-based cheese spread.
It also includes added L. Acidophilus, an all-natural vegan-friendly probiotic! So, not only does it taste great but it’s also excellent for your gut health.
Why I Like It:
- Contains vegan probiotics.
- Smooth, creamy texture that’s great for spreading.
- Authentic flavor from real garlic and herbs.
- No soy or gluten, made with real cashews and cashew milk.
What Could Be Better:
- It’s a little salty, so it might not be good for low-sodium dieters.
2) Field Roast, Chao Vegan Cheese Slices (link)
Flavor Profile: Mild, smooth flavor, similar to gouda cheese
If you’re looking for vegan cheese slices to melt on a vegan deli sandwich, then Field Roast, Chao Vegan Cheese Slices are excellent. The slices have a mild cheese flavor, that’s similar to gouda or provolone cheese.
The slices melt perfectly and have a wonderfully soft, creamy texture that makes them perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches!
Field Roast Chao Vegan Cheese is made using water, coconut oil, starch, tofu, olive oil, sea salt, and vegan-friendly “natural flavors.” It’s a simple, clean, and mostly healthy vegan cheese recipe that you’ll never feel guilty about.
Why I Like It:
- Pre-sliced vegan cheese is perfect for sandwiches and grilled cheese.
- Mild flavor that’s similar to gouda or provolone.
- Not overly salted.
- Made by Greek cheesemakers.
What Could Be Better:
- The flavor may be a bit too mild for those looking for a sharp bite.
3) Miyoko’s Creamery Fresh VeganMozz Artisan Cheese (link)
Flavor Profile: Light mozzarella
If you’ve been looking for the perfect vegan mozzarella cheese to make your own homemade vegan bruschetta or Napolitan-style pizza, then Miyoko’s Creamery Fresh VeganMozz is perfect!
This authentic vegan mozzarella is made with water, coconut oil, cashews, tapioca, sea salt, and cultured sugar. It uses all-natural, organic ingredients with a traditional culturing process.
This results in a vegan mozzarella with a consistency that’s remarkably close to a real ball of Italian-style mozzarella.
Why I Like It:
- Traditionally cultured to create a smooth, authentic vegan mozzarella alternative.
- Perfect for making vegan Italian dishes.
- Smooth, creamy texture.
- Made with organic ingredients.
What Could Be Better:
- It’s a bit expensive.
4) Violife, Mature Cheddar-Style Slices (link)
Flavor Profile: Sharp cheddar
If you enjoy the sharp bite of aged cheddar cheese, then Violife Mature Cheddar-Style Slices will be right up your alley. This vegan cheese recipe is similar to the other brands of vegan cheese, using water, coconut oil, and starch base.
However, Violife adds a vegan-friendly sharp cheddar flavor into the mix that makes the slices deeply savory with a slightly sharp bite!
Why I Like It:
- Sharp cheddar bite.
- Pre-sliced and great for sandwiches.
- Melts perfectly.
- Added vitamin B12.
What Could Be Better:
- Some people mention that it’s a bit too oily.
What Vegan Cheese Is Healthy?
All of the vegan cheese brands mentioned above are healthy when eaten as part of a balanced diet.
They’re made using all-natural, plant-based ingredients like cashew milk, nutritional yeast, coconut oils and MCTs, and soy. As long as you’re not over-eating it, vegan cheese is a great source of protein, healthy fats, and even calcium!
Is Violife Vegan Cheese Healthy?
Violife is definitely one of the healthier vegan cheese brands that I’ve tried. The company makes its cheese base from filtered water, coconut oil, potato starch, olive oil, and vegan cheese flavoring.
It’s also a great source of vegan-friendly B12, which is an essential vitamin that vegans often become deficient in!
Conclusion – What’s The Best Vegan Cheese Brand?
If I had to pick the best vegan cheese brand to go with, then I’d go with Violife Vegan Cheese. Their cheddar slices taste amazing on deli sandwiches and grilled cheese, which are two of my favorite lunchtime meals!
Plus, I really like how Violife adds vitamin B12 to their vegan cheese varieties.
Using the right type of vegan cheese and bread can make or break how your sandwich turns out. Keep on reading to find out my favorite brands of all-natural vegan bread next!
