Understanding Your Diet: Does Papa Murphy's cheese have rennet?

November 10, 2025 •

3 min read

For those on a vegetarian diet, knowing the source of ingredients is crucial, especially concerning cheese, since many traditional recipes use animal-derived rennet. This has led many to question, 'Does Papa Murphy's cheese have rennet?', particularly in its standard mozzarella and cheddar blends. The answer, confirmed by the company itself, is that the enzymes or rennet used are from a non-animal source.

Quick Summary

Papa Murphy's clarifies that the enzymes used to produce its standard cheeses come from a non-animal, microbial source, making them suitable for vegetarians. The company also offers a dairy-free Violife cheese alternative for vegans.

Key Points

Non-Animal Rennet: Papa Murphy's uses microbial enzymes (non-animal rennet) for their standard cheese production, making it suitable for vegetarians.
Microbial Source: Microbial rennet is derived from microorganisms like fungi, rather than from animal stomachs, providing a vegetarian-safe coagulant.
Vegan Alternative: For those on a vegan diet or with dairy allergies, Papa Murphy's offers a Violife dairy-free cheese option.
Dietary Transparency: Papa Murphy's provides detailed ingredient information on its website, confirming the source of its cheese enzymes for consumer clarity.
Differentiation from Traditional Cheese: Unlike many traditional cheeses (like Parmigiano Reggiano) that must use animal rennet, Papa Murphy's products are designed with wider dietary inclusivity.
Informed Choice: Knowing about the type of rennet used allows customers to make conscious, informed decisions about their pizza choices based on their dietary needs.

The Verdict on Papa Murphy's Cheese

For vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions, the ingredients in cheese can be a primary concern. The good news for Papa Murphy's customers is that the company addresses this directly. According to the official Papa Murphy's website, the rennet used in their cheese production is from a non-animal source. This means that the standard whole-milk mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on their pizzas are suitable for vegetarians. The ingredient lists further specify the use of "microbial enzymes," confirming the non-animal origin of the coagulant.

Understanding Rennet: Animal vs. Microbial

Rennet is a crucial component in cheesemaking, causing milk to coagulate and separate into solid curds and liquid whey. Historically, rennet was extracted from the stomachs of young ruminant animals, such as calves, a process that is not compatible with a vegetarian diet. However, modern food science has developed several vegetarian-friendly alternatives:

Microbial Rennet: This is a milk-clotting enzyme produced by certain types of microorganisms, like molds and fungi, grown in a lab. It is a reliable and cost-effective substitute for animal rennet.
Fermentation-Produced Chymosin (FPC): A specific type of microbial rennet, FPC uses microorganisms that have been genetically engineered to produce chymosin, the key enzyme in animal rennet. This is the most common type used in commercial cheesemaking today.
Vegetable Rennet: Derived from plants like thistles or nettles, this is less common due to flavor inconsistencies but is another vegetarian option.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options at Papa Murphy's

Beyond their standard cheese, Papa Murphy's caters to a range of dietary needs with additional offerings. For those who avoid all animal products, including dairy, the company provides a plant-based alternative.

Dairy-Free Violife Cheese

To ensure everyone can enjoy pizza night, Papa Murphy's has partnered with Violife to offer a dairy-free, mozzarella-style cheese alternative. Violife is a 100% vegan product, free from dairy, soy, nuts, gluten, and preservatives, making it a safe choice for those with allergies or vegan dietary requirements. This option is available for most pizza creations, allowing for full customization.

Comparison: Rennet Types and Suitability

To clarify the differences, here's a comparison of the key cheesemaking agents and their suitability for various diets.


Feature	Animal Rennet	Microbial Rennet (FPC)	Violife Dairy-Free Cheese
Source	Stomach lining of young ruminant animals (e.g., calves)	Fermented microorganisms (e.g., fungi, yeast)	Plant-based ingredients (e.g., coconut oil, starch)
Suitability	Not vegetarian or vegan	Vegetarian, not vegan	Vegan and Vegetarian
Melting Properties	Traditional, well-understood melt	Good, consistent melt	Specially formulated for a creamy melt
Flavor Profile	Can contribute to aging characteristics	Less likely to cause bitterness in aged cheeses	Mild, mozzarella-like flavor
Use Case	Traditional European cheeses (e.g., Parmigiano Reggiano)	Common in commercial, mainstream cheese production	Dairy-free pizzas and dishes

Making Informed Pizza Choices

With this information, individuals following a vegetarian diet can confidently order from Papa Murphy's, knowing that the standard cheese is made with microbial, non-animal rennet. Vegans and those with dairy allergies can opt for the Violife dairy-free cheese, ensuring a delicious and compliant meal. This commitment to transparent ingredient sourcing allows consumers to make informed choices that align with their nutritional and ethical values.

For more information on specific ingredients, Papa Murphy's encourages customers to check their official nutrition page, which provides detailed lists for each product. Understanding your food and the way it's prepared is an essential part of maintaining a healthy and consistent diet, and in the case of Papa Murphy's, it's a straightforward process to get the right information.

Conclusion: Making Informed Pizza Choices

It is clear that Papa Murphy's standard cheese is vegetarian-friendly, utilizing non-animal, microbial rennet. This is a crucial detail for customers who maintain a vegetarian lifestyle. The company's transparency, coupled with the availability of a dedicated dairy-free, vegan Violife cheese option, demonstrates a commitment to catering to diverse nutritional preferences and restrictions. By understanding the different types of rennet and the availability of dairy-free alternatives, customers can easily tailor their pizza to fit their specific dietary needs and enjoy a delicious, worry-free meal from Papa Murphy's.

Visit the official Papa Murphy's website for their complete nutrition facts and allergen information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Papa Murphy's standard cheese is vegetarian. The company uses enzymes from a non-animal, microbial source to produce its cheese.

Microbial rennet is a milk-clotting enzyme derived from the fermentation of microorganisms such as fungi or mold. It functions similarly to traditional animal rennet but is vegetarian-friendly.

No, not all cheeses contain animal rennet. Many modern commercial cheeses, including Papa Murphy's, use microbial rennet or fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC). However, some traditional cheeses, particularly those from Europe, are still made with animal rennet.

Yes, Papa Murphy's offers a plant-based, dairy-free Violife cheese option for customers who are vegan or have dairy restrictions.

You can check the ingredient label for terms like 'microbial enzymes' or 'vegetarian enzymes'. If the label only lists 'enzymes' or 'rennet,' it's best to contact the manufacturer directly to confirm the source.

Yes, Papa Murphy's states that their standard cheese with non-animal rennet and the Violife dairy-free cheese option are available across all their locations.

In addition to cheese, many of Papa Murphy's crusts (original, thin, pan, stuffed) are vegan, and they offer a variety of vegetarian toppings like fresh vegetables. You can check their official nutrition page for a comprehensive list.