We Tried 80 of the Best Vegan Cheeses — These 8 Were Our Favorites
The top dairy-free picks that are creamy and melty.
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The best vegan cheeses prove that dairy isn’t necessary for a gooey grilled cheese, a steaming macaroni and cheese recipe or a decadent slice of pizza. And while we love the real deal (we'll take cheese any way it's served!), we found the best vegan cheese brands and choices for any dairy-free or vegan diet.
So what really is vegan cheese? It can be made from a variety of ingredients, like soy, coconut and tree nuts (cashew, almond) which are blended and fermented to give the final product a little bit of funk, like you’d find in a slice of dairy cheese. And, depending on the base of your vegan cheese, it can be higher in fiber and vitamins than regular cheese.
While not all vegan cheese is created equal, our top picks boast the best texture and flavor to add into all your favorite vegan recipes. If you hear ‘vegan cheese’ and words like ‘bland’ or ‘rubbery’ immediately come to mind: think again. Our favorite cream cheeses, ooey-gooey melted mozzarellas, savory slices and dippable quesos not only melt and spread, but have a variety of delicious, dairy-free flavors from smoked gouda slices to sweet strawberry cream cheese.
We taste-tested more than 80 vegan cheeses to find our faves so you can add them right into your routine. Whether you're trying to melt a slice for a crispy, crunchy vegan grilled cheese, on the hunt to swap out the dairy to make a delicious vegan lasagna recipe, or even searching for a cheese to top your favorite crackers (gluten-free or otherwise), these sliced, shredded, and creamy vegan cheese options will give you plenty of variety to add to your everyday diet. Looking for other vegan swaps? Check out our picks for the best vegan food products of 2022.
Tasters agreed that these slices were best for grilled cheese — the subtly smoky slices melt down to give that gooey texture perfect on crusty, grilled bread. Pro tip: Cook on the sandwich on high heat for maximum melty goodness.
Violife Just Like Mature Cheddar Cheese Slices
Craving an ultra-cheddary cheese? Introducing: Just Like Mature Cheddar. Not only packed with salty, sharp flavor, these slices are buttery, soft, and even melt to create the gooey cheesy texture you crave.
The strawberry flavor goes perfectly with the creamy coconut base of this vegan cream cheese, making it a perfect sweet spread for toast or a blueberry bagel. Merker says it's the ideal option for any sweet cream cheese fans.
If you're all for flavor-packed cheese, this smoked mozz is for you. Salty and flavorful with a cashew cream base, this unique take on mozzarella can be enjoyed hot or cold! Tasters wanted to add slices of this super smoky and creamy cheese to sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and even salads.
Miyoko's Creamery Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella
This cashew milk-based mozzarella is pure magic. Pour this liquid cheese onto your pizza dough and watch it bake into stretchy, gooey goodness in no time! Kate Merker, Good Housekeeping's Chief Food Director, says that this cheesy pour is a total game changer.
While some of the other shreds we tried had a plasticky taste to them, Violife's cheddar boasted a funky flavor. Sprinkle these salty, sharp shreds to nachos for some added cheesy flavor or in a tortilla for the ultimate vegan quesadilla.
This almond milk-based pick pairs a sharp herb and garlic flavor with a creamy, spreadable texture, making it a perfect addition on your next cheese plate. Editorial Assistant Samantha MacAvoy says, "It's creamy, herby and would be great on crackers. This is a winner!”
Treeline Soft French-Style Herb-Garlic Nut Cheese
With just seven ingredients, this fancy cashew-based spread is an ideal creamy option for your next vegan cheese board. We love it paired with crispy crackers, crunchy bread and dried fruit.
This seasoning has developed a serious cult following (we love everything-bagel-flavored, well, everything), and Kite Hill's dairy-free cream cheese is even more proof. This super soft spread is perfect on bagels or schmeared onto raw veggies.
If you're on the hunt for an oniony spread for your breakfast, reach for this carton of cream cheese. The subtle chive flavor complimented the super soft (almost whipped) texture perfectly, making it an ideal topping for your morning bagel, or an ultra creamy dip for veggies.
Out of all the vegan cheese dips, this queso was the star. This slightly spicy, peppery dip gets its texture from creamy blended cauliflower and almonds, and its rich cheese flavor from nutritional yeast. Our tasters loved it with chips, pretzels, and sliced veggies, making it a perfect dip to satisfy a crowd!
365 by Whole Foods Market Non-Dairy Mozzarella Shreds
The best vegan cheese shreds not only taste good, they melt down to the gooey, cheesy texture we know and love. Of all of the shreds we tried, this bag melted best. Our tasters loved the mild, sharp flavor and stretchy ability, making it a great topping for pizza.
Expertise: Food writing and editing. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas (rock chalk!) About Me: As the Digital Culinary Editor at Delish, Taylor writes and updates recipe intros with an SEO-focus, co-creates and sends the daily newsletter, and offers team-wide support to ensure that recipes are the best they can be. She worked previously as a Freelance Editor on the Hearst Lifestyle group, where she updated recipes and galleries and contributed ideas for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Prevention, and more. Taylor loves to try out different restaurants and bakeries around Brooklyn and is always hunting for her new favorite coffee shop and wine bar. When she's not writing about everything lemon-blueberry or one of our many margaritas, she can most likely be found reading, browsing her favorite bookstores, or enjoying a little treat.
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