Finding the Right Flavor and Texture in Dairy-Free Cheese
Choosing the best-tasting dairy-free cheese is a matter of personal preference and intended use. The quality of vegan cheese has dramatically improved over the last decade, with many new formulas hitting the market that offer satisfying flavor and texture. Brands use various bases, including cashews, almonds, soy, coconut oil, and oat cream, each lending unique characteristics to the final product. The key to a successful dairy-free switch is often to consider what function the cheese needs to perform—a gooey grilled cheese requires different properties than a gourmet cheeseboard selection.
Top Picks for Melting and Cooking
For those who miss the gooey stretch of melted cheese on a pizza, sandwich, or in mac and cheese, several brands stand out. Vegan cheese doesn't melt exactly like dairy cheese, but it can soften, become creamy, and even stretch a bit.
The Melt Champions
- Violife: This is a consistently recommended brand for its superior meltability, particularly the Mozzarella Shreds and blocks. Melted on pizza or stirred into a casserole, Violife delivers a creamy, cheesy result without the artificial aftertaste of older formulas.
- Miyoko's Creamery Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella: A truly innovative option, this cashew-based liquid cheese is poured directly onto pizza and bakes into a bubbly, browned mozzarella layer. It provides excellent coverage and flavor for pizza and pasta bakes.
- Field Roast Chao Creamy Original Slices: These slices, made with fermented tofu, are celebrated for their creamy texture and mild, cheddar-like flavor. They melt beautifully in grilled cheese sandwiches and quesadillas, creating a smooth and satisfying gooeyness.
- Daiya (New Oat Milk Formula): After reformulating with an oat cream base, Daiya's shredded cheeses offer a much-improved melt and flavor, making them a solid choice for recipes like vegan mac and cheese or quesadillas.
Delicious Options for Snacking and Cheeseboards
If you prefer your cheese cold on crackers or as part of a charcuterie spread, cultured nut-based cheeses are often the best route. These artisanal products develop complex, tangy, and rich flavors through the fermentation process, much like traditional dairy cheeses.
Artisanal and Aged Vegan Cheeses
- Miyoko's Creamery Aged Cheese Wheels: Crafted using traditional cheesemaking techniques, these aged cashew milk cheese wheels offer gourmet flavors like Smoked English Farmhouse and Herbes de Provence. They have a satisfyingly firm yet creamy texture, perfect for a sophisticated cheeseboard.
- Rebel Cheese: Known for their high-end artisanal vegan cheeses, Rebel produces a range of convincing bries, chevres, and smoked cheddars that are ideal for special occasions and cheese plates.
- Treeline French-Style Cheeses: Made from cultured cashews and flavored with ingredients like garlic and herbs, these soft, spreadable cheeses are tangy and decadent. They are excellent on baguettes, crackers, or even used as a dip base.
Essential Spreads and Toppings
From bagels to dips, there is a dairy-free alternative for every need. These spreadable and grated options deliver convenience and great taste for everyday use.
Versatile Vegan Toppings
- Kite Hill Cream Cheese: Made from an almond milk base, Kite Hill's cream cheese spreads have a delicious tangy flavor and smooth, spreadable consistency that rivals the dairy version. They are great on bagels or in dips.
- Violife Le Rond Camembert Flavour: This product melts into a rich, runny texture when baked, making it a fantastic centerpiece for a baked cheese appetizer. Its tangy, mild flavor is convincing even to dairy eaters.
- NOOCH IT! Cashew Grated Cheeze: This is an organic, grated parmesan alternative made from cashews and nutritional yeast. It adds a nutty, cheesy flavor when sprinkled over pasta, popcorn, or salads.
Comparison of Top Dairy-Free Cheeses
To help simplify your choice, here is a breakdown of some of the most popular and best-tasting dairy-free cheeses based on their flavor, texture, meltability, and best use.
| Brand | Flavor Profile | Meltability | Best Used For | Base Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyoko's Creamery | Authentic, complex, tangy | Excellent (Liquid Mozzarella) to Good (Block) | Pizza, charcuterie, pasta sauces | Cashew milk |
| Violife | Mild, salty, cheesy (often coconut-based) | Very good; melts smoothly | Grilled cheese, mac and cheese, pizza, sandwiches | Coconut oil, starches |
| Field Roast Chao | Creamy, mild, buttery with some tang | Excellent; very melty | Grilled cheese, burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas | Coconut oil, fermented tofu |
| Daiya (New Formula) | Mild, satisfying cheddar or mozzarella taste | Good; melts and stretches | Pizza, mac and cheese, baked dishes | Oat cream, coconut oil |
| Kite Hill | Tangy, smooth, subtle nutty finish | N/A (spread only) | Bagels, dips, cheesecake | Almond milk |
| Follow Your Heart | Mild, cheddar-style; smoky gouda option | Good; shreds melt well | Tacos, quesadillas, pasta dishes, feta on salads | Coconut oil, soy |
Tips for Cooking with Dairy-Free Cheese
- Adjust Expectations: Vegan cheese is its own product and will have a unique texture and flavor. Embrace the differences rather than seeking a perfect replica.
- Use the Right Type: Choose products specifically designed for melting if that is your goal. Most shredded or sliced versions work best for cooked dishes.
- Heat Gradually: Vegan cheeses can take longer to melt than dairy. Cooking on a lower heat setting for a longer time can prevent burning and lead to a smoother melt.
- Grate Your Own: For blocks like Violife Parmesan, grating it yourself often leads to a better, more delicate melt in hot dishes like pasta.
- Combine Brands: Some cooks find success combining different brands to achieve a desired taste and texture profile, for instance mixing a sharp-flavored cheese with a milder, better-melting one.
Conclusion: The Best Tasting Dairy-Free Cheese is a Personal Journey
Ultimately, there is no single answer to the question, "What is the best tasting dairy free cheese?" as it varies based on the application and your personal flavor preferences. The market now offers an impressive array of high-quality, delicious options for every need, from the exceptional melt of Violife and Miyoko's to the gourmet tang of Miyoko's aged wheels and Rebel Cheese. By experimenting with different brands and bases—like cashew for richness, coconut for melt, and almond for tang—you can discover the ideal plant-based cheese to satisfy any craving. The best approach is to try a few different types based on the flavor and use you desire and enjoy the delicious innovations available today.
The Rise of High-Quality Vegan Cheese
An authoritative source on the progress of plant-based cheese is available from VegNews' 2024 Cheese Awards, which details winners in various categories and highlights the significant advancements in flavor, texture, and variety. Find their list and analysis here: VegNews.com The First-Ever VegNews Cheese Awards.
