The search for the perfect plant-based alternative to dairy cheese has come a long way from the single, often waxy, options of yesteryear. Today's market is flooded with innovations from artisanal fermented nut cheeses to mass-market shredded varieties designed specifically for melting. Finding the brand that best suits your needs depends heavily on what you plan to use it for—a simple slice on a sandwich, a gooey pizza topping, or a sophisticated cheese board.
How We Judge the Best Vegan Cheese
Determining the "best" vegan cheese is subjective and depends on several key criteria. Here is what we consider when evaluating the top brands:
- Taste Profile: Does it have a tangy, savory, or rich flavor? Does it mimic the dairy original's taste, or offer a unique, enjoyable plant-based flavor?
- Texture and Mouthfeel: Is it creamy, crumbly, soft, or firm? The texture is a major factor in replicating the cheese experience, especially for cultured and artisan varieties.
- Meltability: For hot dishes like pizza or grilled cheese, how well does the cheese melt and stretch? Does it become a satisfyingly gooey topping or simply turn into a goopy sauce?
- Ingredients and Ethics: What are the base ingredients (cashew, coconut oil, soy)? Does the brand have ethical supply chains? Some larger food corporations with dairy ties have acquired popular vegan brands, which may be a consideration for some consumers.
Top Contenders for the Best Vegan Cheese
Best All-Around: Miyoko's Creamery
Miyoko's has earned its reputation as a fan favorite for a reason: quality ingredients and outstanding versatility. Made primarily from organic cashews, Miyoko's products, from their mozzarella wheels to their spreadable cheese wheels, excel in delivering a rich, creamy, and authentic cheese flavor. Their products are not just for vegans; they are enjoyed by dairy consumers as well.
- The Mozzarella Wheel: A standout for caprese salads or even melting on pizza, though it behaves more like fresh mozzarella than a low-moisture shred.
- The Double Cream Garlic Herb: This spreadable artisan cheese is a perfect addition to any cheese board, delivering tangy, rich flavors that impress even the most discerning palates.
Best for Melting: Violife
If a reliably gooey melt is your top priority, Violife is a solid choice. This brand offers one of the widest varieties of formats, including shreds, slices, and blocks, all formulated to melt beautifully. Unlike some older vegan cheeses that struggled with melting, Violife delivers a satisfying gooeyness perfect for classic comfort foods.
- Violife Just Like Cheddar Shreds: A go-to for quesadillas, casseroles, and loaded nachos, providing a gooey texture and mild cheddar flavor.
- Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds: Designed specifically for pizza, these shreds melt and bubble, giving a result very similar to traditional dairy mozzarella.
Best Artisanal: Rebel Cheese
For those seeking a high-end, complex flavor experience, look no further than Rebel Cheese. This brand focuses on creating gourmet, aged plant-based fromage that rivals fine dairy cheeses. Their varieties, which include cave-aged brie and smoked cheddars, are perfect for sophisticated cheese boards and special occasions.
Best for Spreading: Treeline Cheese
Treeline specializes in French-style spreadable cheeses, and their herbed garlic variety is a consistent favorite. With clean, simple ingredients and a non-GMO certification, Treeline offers a fresh and tangy spread that is ideal for bagels, crackers, and vegetable dips.
Comparison Table: Top Vegan Cheese Brands at a Glance
| Brand | Best For | Key Ingredients | Melt Factor | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyoko's Creamery | Overall Versatility, Artisan Boards | Organic Cashews | Good on Wheels, okay on shreds | Tangy, creamy, authentic |
| Violife | Melting on Pizza/Grilled Cheese | Coconut Oil | Excellent Melt | Mild, classic cheese flavor |
| Rebel Cheese | Gourmet Boards | Nuts (specifics vary) | Varies by product | Complex, nuanced, aged |
| Treeline Cheese | Spreading | Nuts (Cashew) | Not intended to melt | Fresh, herby, garlic flavor |
| Daiya | High Availability, Melting | Tapioca, Coconut Oil | Excellent Melt (new formula) | Mild, savory, classic |
Making the Right Choice for Your Needs
When navigating the wide world of vegan cheese, consider your application first. For a sandwich or cracker, a good-quality slice from Violife or a spread from Treeline might be ideal. If you are baking a pizza, a shred from Violife or Daiya will provide the best melting performance. For a dinner party, investing in an artisanal wheel from Miyoko's or Rebel Cheese can be a real showstopper.
Understanding Ingredients
Many of the best-melting cheeses rely on coconut oil and starches like tapioca flour to achieve their desired texture. These ingredients, while functional, offer less protein and can be higher in saturated fat compared to nut-based alternatives. On the other hand, nut-based cheeses, especially those from Miyoko's and Rebel, derive their creaminess and depth from whole food ingredients like cashews, often resulting in a more complex flavor profile.
Ethical and Health Considerations
Beyond taste, ethics are a major consideration for many vegans. It is important to know that some popular vegan brands are owned by parent companies with significant dairy interests. For example, the Kerry Group, which owns the dairy-free brand Pure, also owns brands like Cheesestrings. For those who want to avoid supporting dairy companies altogether, seeking out independent vegan brands like Miyoko's or Violife (owned by Upfield, a plant-based company) is the way to go.
Nutritionally, vegan cheese can vary significantly from dairy cheese. While it is always cholesterol-free, protein content is often lower unless made with a soy base. On the other hand, many vegan cheeses are fortified with important vitamins like B12 and calcium to match dairy products. Always read the nutrition label to understand what you are consuming.
How to Store Vegan Cheese for Optimal Freshness
Storing vegan cheese properly is key to maximizing its flavor and shelf life. Most commercial vegan cheeses should be refrigerated and stored in an airtight container once opened. Artisanal nut-based cheeses are often best enjoyed soon after purchase, as they can lose their delicate texture and flavor over time. Wrapping softer cheeses in parchment paper first can help preserve them for a little longer.
Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Vegan Cheese
Deciding who has the best vegan cheese is a personal journey, as the perfect option depends on individual taste and intended use. Miyoko's Creamery stands out for its high-quality, versatile, and artisanal offerings, while Violife and Daiya excel in delivering a functional and satisfying melt for comfort foods. For the sophisticated palate, brands like Rebel Cheese offer aged, complex flavors worthy of any cheese board. By considering your specific needs, preferred ingredients, and ethical standards, you can navigate the impressive array of options to find your new dairy-free favorite. The rapid innovation in the vegan cheese market means that delicious, cruelty-free alternatives are now more accessible and diverse than ever before. For a deeper dive into the world of dairy-free options, refer to this Treehugger Guide to Vegan Cheese.
