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The best vegan cheeses, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute
From cheddar to blue cheese, discover the best dairy-free alternatives
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
There’s nothing quite like a luxurious cheeseboard with your favourite tipple. And following a vegan diet doesn’t have to mean missing out.
Our team of experts tasted 28 different brands to bring you the very best vegan cheeses, including cheddar, blue and cream cheese alternatives.
So, whether you’re dipping your toe into a plant-based diet, or a committed vegan looking for new, genuinely tasty cheese alternatives to enjoy, we’ve got a tried and tested dairy-free ‘cheese’ to suit every taste.
Best vegan cheese
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What are the best vegan cheeses?
We're pleased to report that the supermarkets have seriously upped their game, with innovative cheese substitutes now available from all the major grocers, as well as the big established brands.
And if you want a good glass of red to go with your cheeseboard, we've also rounded up our experts' favourite vegan wines.
What is vegan cheese made of?
Vegan cheeses are usually made from plant-based ingredients that offer a fattiness resembling that of dairy products. Coconut oil and nuts such as almonds, cashews or macadamias contain a lot of natural fat and are frequently used to achieve that creamy ‘cheese’ texture.
Brands also often use a vegan lactic acid to add umami notes and the tang associated with that typical cheese flavour.
How we test vegan cheese
A line up of 28 vegan cheeses were served blind to a panel of taste testers. Our panel was looking for good creaminess, either from fermentation, live cultures or added lactic acid, with a well-balanced flavour profile that wasn’t too sweet or too salty.
Texture was also important, with scores awarded to vegan options that spread or crumbled like a classic cheese.
Score: 83/100
Dip your toe into the vegan cheese market with Boursin's plant-based version of the brand's iconic garlic and herb cheese. Just like the original it's packed with roasted garlic, parsley and chives – perfect for slathering on crackers or dipping your favourite veg into.
Score: 83/100
These mini cheese snacks are perfect for lunch boxes, with a robust nutty and smokey note that our testers loved. The creamy texture is a real treat and the convenient individually wrapped portions are just the right size for one.
Score: 81/100
Fancy a classic Ploughman's? With a smooth but crumbly texture and a salty aroma, this yellow block is reminiscent of mature cheddar.
Testers enjoyed the flavour, which they found well-balanced, with a parmesan-like nuttiness. Slice, melt or grate and add to sandwiches or use to top your favourite winter dishes.
Score: 79/100
A softer, crumbly cheddar with a mature aroma and hints of nutty parmesan. Our experts found it sweet and salty, and thought it would be ideal for adding to lasagne, jacket potatoes or toasties.
Score: 78/100
This creamy white dip has a fresh aroma of basil, parsley and garlic with a slight tanginess. Though there were hints of coconut, this wasn’t overpowering, and our testers enjoyed the garlic and herb flavour, finding it reminiscent of Boursin.
Score: 77/100
This smooth cream cheese style spread has a strong coconut cream flavour, but this is tempered by a pleasant saltiness, resulting in an overall delicate flavour.
Made from almonds and oats, it would make a good alternative for a cream cheese frosting on a cake.
Score: 74/100
Soft and creamy with a nice thin rind, this vegan alternative to brie has a nutty aroma with notes of mustard and salty, umami flavours reminiscent of truffle.
Only available in store
Score: 72/100
Testers found the strong garlic and salty notes of this creamy white cheese (served in chunks) delicious but lacking in cheese flavour. Hints of vinegar and high acidity make it a good option for adding oomph to crusty bread or stuffed bagels.
Score: 72/100
This thick vegan cream cheese spread has a delicate flavour of sweet almond (each pot contains over 60 almonds) and a touch of fresh chives.
Testers noted the additional flavours of oats and coconut but felt there was a good balance of savoury and sweet.
Score: 71/100
Decorated with pretty dried flowers, this nutty vegan cheese certainly takes the top spot for looks.
Flavour-wise, expect intense truffle with umami and tangy notes that reminded testers of barbecue sauce. Well aerated, the block was also softer than our testers were expecting.
Score: 71/100
This own-brand supermarket buy impressed the panel with its delicious savoury quality and balanced, salty bite. They enjoyed its smooth, crumbly texture, and we also found it was the best vegan cheese for melting. Cheese on toast anyone?
Score: 70/100
A creamy ricotta-style cheese that’s light and fluffy in texture, testers highlighted its distinct aromas and flavours of dairy, similar to a Greek yoghurt. Add to sliced fresh figs or roasted garlic bulbs for a delicious starter.
Score: 70/100
If blue cheese is your thing, this soft white block with brilliant flecks of blue and green running through it could be your new favourite vegan alternative.
Though slightly milder, testers found the flavour immediately reminiscent of a classic blue cheese, with distinct earthy and salty notes.
Eleanor was the GHI’s former senior food and drink writer.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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