What kind of cheese can a vegan eat?: A complete guide to vegan cheese

November 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to market research, the global vegan cheese market was valued at $3.9 billion by the end of 2024, demonstrating significant growth in plant-based options. With a rapidly expanding selection, it is now easier than ever to explore the answer to the question: What kind of cheese can a vegan eat?

Quick Summary

Vegan cheese is crafted from a wide array of plant-based ingredients like nuts, soy, and starches, offering a variety of formats from shreds and slices to gourmet blocks. Modern dairy-free options feature improved flavor and texture, replicating the taste and meltability of traditional cheese for all culinary uses.

Key Points

Diverse Ingredients: Vegan cheeses are made from a variety of plant-based sources, including nuts (cashews, almonds), soy, coconut oil, and starches.
Variety of Styles: A wide range of vegan cheese styles exists, including shreds, slices, blocks, spreads, and artisanal fermented wheels.
Improved Meltability: Modern vegan cheeses, particularly those containing coconut oil or specifically designed formulas, have significantly improved melting properties for cooking.
Variable Nutrition: While often lower in cholesterol, the nutritional content of vegan cheese varies; protein and micronutrients like calcium and B12 are typically lower unless fortified.
Uses and Applications: Different vegan cheeses are best suited for different culinary uses, from melting on pizza to being served cold on a cheese board.
Homemade Option: For better control over ingredients and nutrition, many delicious and simple recipes exist for making vegan cheese at home.

The Rise of Plant-Based Cheese

For decades, cheese has been a staple in many diets, but the demand for dairy-free alternatives has spurred innovation in the food industry. Today, vegan cheese is no longer limited to a few waxy, flavorless products. The market is now filled with a diverse array of plant-based cheeses that cater to various tastes, textures, and culinary applications. Whether you're a long-time vegan or simply exploring more plant-based options, understanding the different types and what they're made of is key to finding the perfect substitute.

How Vegan Cheese is Crafted

Unlike dairy cheese, which is made from animal milk, vegan cheese is created from a range of plant-based sources. The process often involves fermenting a nut or seed-based liquid with bacteria cultures, similar to traditional cheese-making methods. Thickeners and fats are then added to achieve the desired texture and meltability.

Base Ingredients: Common bases include cashews, almonds, soy (tofu), and coconut oil. Cashews and almonds are frequently used for creamy, rich cheeses, while soy-based options can offer a higher protein content. Coconut oil is often a key ingredient for achieving a smooth, melted consistency.
Thickeners: Ingredients like tapioca starch, potato starch, and agar-agar are used to provide body and texture, making the cheese sliceable or spreadable. Tapioca starch, in particular, is valued for its ability to create a stretchy, gooey effect when melted.
Flavoring Agents: To achieve that characteristic cheesy flavor, manufacturers use a blend of savory ingredients. Nutritional yeast is a very common addition, providing a nutty, cheesy taste and a boost of B vitamins. Other flavor enhancers include garlic powder, onion powder, miso paste, and various herbs.

Popular Vegan Cheese Varieties and Their Uses

The modern vegan cheese market offers a variety of products designed for different purposes, mimicking their dairy counterparts. Here are some of the most popular types and how they are best used.

Shreds: Available in mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack styles, these are ideal for melting onto pizza, pasta, or quesadillas. Brands like Violife and Daiya offer effective melting shreds.
Slices: Perfect for sandwiches and burgers, vegan cheese slices from brands like Chao Creamery and Field Roast are known for their creamy texture and authentic taste.
Blocks: These are versatile for slicing, cubing, or grating. Artisanal brands such as Miyoko's Creamery offer aged, complex blocks suitable for a sophisticated cheese board, while brands like Violife provide more accessible block options.
Spreads and Cream Cheese: Soft, spreadable options are great for bagels, dips, and sauces. Kite Hill, Tofutti, and Miyoko's make popular vegan cream cheese alternatives.
Feta: Crumbly and tangy, vegan feta is perfect for salads and Mediterranean dishes. Follow Your Heart and Violife produce acclaimed versions that capture the authentic flavor profile.
Parmesan: This is often available in a grated shaker or a wedge for grating. Nutritional yeast itself can be a great parmesan substitute, but many brands offer pre-made options like Violife's Just Like Parmesan Wedge.

Comparing Popular Vegan Cheeses


Vegan Cheese Brand/Type	Primary Ingredient Base	Meltability	Texture (Cold)	Best For...
Miyoko's Liquid Mozzarella	Cashews	Excellent (pourable)	Liquid	Pizza, bakes
Violife Shreds	Coconut Oil	Good, becomes creamy	Firm, thick shreds	Pasta, pizza, mac and cheese
Field Roast Chao Slices	Coconut oil, tofu	Very good	Smooth and creamy	Grilled cheese, burgers, sandwiches
Kite Hill Cream Cheese	Almond Milk	N/A (spreadable)	Soft and tangy	Bagels, dips, cheesecake
Follow Your Heart Feta	Soy, oil blend	Not designed to melt	Firm, crumbly	Salads, grain bowls
Daiya Cheddar Slices	Potato/Tapioca Starch	Good	Smooth, firm	Grilled cheese

Nutritional Aspects of Vegan Cheese

When evaluating vegan cheese, it's important to understand the nutritional differences compared to dairy cheese. While vegan cheese offers a cholesterol-free alternative, its overall nutritional profile can vary significantly depending on the base ingredients.

Protein: Dairy cheese is a good source of protein, but vegan cheese often has a lower protein content, especially those made primarily from oils and starches. Nut- and soy-based versions typically have more protein.
Fat: The fat content can be similar or lower than dairy cheese. However, the type of fat differs. Many coconut oil-based vegan cheeses can be high in saturated fat, so it's important to read the label.
Calcium and B12: Traditional dairy cheese is naturally rich in calcium and vitamin B12. Vegan cheeses are not, but many are fortified to help consumers meet their daily intake requirements. Vegans should ensure they get B12 from other fortified foods or supplements.
Sodium: Like dairy cheese, vegan cheese can be high in sodium, used for flavor and preservation. Checking nutrition labels for sodium levels is recommended.
Fiber: Dairy cheese contains no fiber, but nut-based vegan cheeses may offer some dietary fiber, which is beneficial for gut health.

Creating Homemade Vegan Cheese

For those who prefer to control their ingredients or enjoy a DIY project, making vegan cheese at home is a popular option. Many recipes use a base of soaked cashews or sunflower seeds blended with ingredients like nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and seasonings. For a firmer, sliceable texture, ingredients like agar-agar can be used to set the mixture. Homemade cheeses can be a healthier, minimally processed alternative, as you can manage salt and fat levels directly.

Conclusion

Today's vegan cheese market offers a vast and improving landscape for dairy-free diets, providing delicious and functional alternatives for virtually every cheese application. From gooey, meltable shreds for pizza to sophisticated artisanal blocks for a gourmet platter, there is a vegan cheese for every need. Consumers should be mindful of the ingredients and nutritional content, particularly concerning saturated fat and fortification with key vitamins like B12. Whether store-bought or homemade, the choices mean that a vegan diet no longer has to miss out on the rich, comforting flavors of cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegan cheese is typically made from a base of plant-derived ingredients such as nuts (like cashews and almonds), soy (tofu), coconut oil, seeds (sunflower, sesame), and starches like tapioca.

Not all vegan cheeses melt in the same way. Meltability often depends on the ingredients, with those made with coconut oil or specific starch blends (like tapioca starch) generally melting and becoming gooey more effectively than nut-based artisanal blocks.

Yes, many brands offer nut-free vegan cheese options, making them suitable for those with nut allergies. These are often made with a base of soy, starches, or seeds.

The healthiness of vegan cheese varies widely by brand and ingredients. While typically cholesterol-free, some can be high in saturated fat and sodium. Many are not naturally high in protein or calcium unless fortified, so it's essential to check the nutritional label.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that has a nutty, savory, and cheesy flavor. It is a common ingredient in vegan cheese recipes to add a distinct cheesy taste and often provides a good source of B vitamins.

Yes, many vegan cheeses are perfect for cheese boards. Artisanal and hard block vegan cheeses, often made from cashews and fermented, are specifically designed to be served cold on platters.

Yes, making vegan cheese at home is a popular option that allows for customization. Many recipes rely on simple, wholesome ingredients like soaked nuts, nutritional yeast, and thickeners.

In general, dairy cheese is higher in protein and naturally contains more calcium and B12. Vegan cheese has no dietary cholesterol and may contain fiber if nut-based, but its protein, calcium, and B12 levels are often lower unless fortified.