One of the hardest things for people to give up when eating plant-based isn’t necessarily the meat. It’s often the cheese. Cheese is just so good any way you eat it. It’s delicious uncooked on a cracker. It’s unbelievably comforting melted on pizza or mixed with noodles. You can toss it in a salad, and it’s great when it’s fried and crispy.
That probably didn’t convince anyone to give up cheese, but there are many great reasons to eat plant-based at least a few times a week if not full-time. And even if you aren’t plant-based, but someone in your life is, there are some cheese substitutes that do please.
Not all cheese is created equal and that goes for plant-based too. I don’t like to always cook with it, but I have tried a lot of the brands over the years and definitely have my go-to favorites.
Shredded Cheese
I am being honest. I am not a huge fan of plant-based shredded cheese in general. I don’t like the taste, texture, or how it melts (or doesn’t melt). I don’t use it much when I cook. But there is one exception, and that is Daiya’s Mexican shreds. I have used all their cheese shred flavors and this is the only flavor I use when I cook. It already includes some mild seasoning, and it melts nicely but is tasty unmelted too. It’s my go-to for all things Mexican, including tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and dips.
Having said all that, I love all the flavors of Daiya’s block cheese. They have cheddar, jack, mozzarella and more. Believe me when I say, it’s worth buying the block cheese and using your cheese grater. It tastes creamier and melts better and it is noticeably different than the same flavor that comes shredded.
Don’t be afraid to shred your cheese, you’ll get big muscles!
Italian Cheese
I do a lot of Italian cooking and I love using both these parmesans. Follow Your Heart is my go-to for any recipes or finishing touch on pasta that calls for parmesan. It tastes so much like real cheese that I use it for everyone in my house and they don’t know they aren’t eating the real thing. The Violife just like Parmesan comes in a block and I use it when I want some fancy finishing shreds or shaves for atop my food.
Salad Cheese
There are two cheeses that are synonymous with salads – feta and blue cheese. Follow Your Heart makes them both well. Each one comes already crumbled in a container ready to use. The added bonus, they also make a fantastic vegan blue cheese dressing. If you are like me and love a good chunky dressing, then you can toss some of their crumbles into the creamy salad dressing. I promise you it will take your wedge salad to new places.
Appy Cheese
Who doesn’t like a creamy appetizer cheese to spread on a cracker. I recently discovered Treeline’s Cashew Pimento Cheese and it’s fabulous. Besides being super creamy and spreadable and delicious, it also takes me back to my childhood when we had pimento cheese at the holidays. This cheese spread comes in other flavors as well.
Outdoor Adventure Cheese
My family is very outdoorsy. We love to hike, camp, backpack and kayak. Years ago, my husband and I would take a block of cheese, some crackers and cold beer on our adventures. It was such a treat after a long day. That treat has been missing since our plant-based days, but not anymore. That round cheese individually wrapped in wax is now available for us as well. Babybel Vegan White Cheddar is so tasty, creamy, and well, nostalgic. It’s great on its own, on a cracker, or even in a wrap. And because it’s sealed in wax, it’s perfect for those hot summer adventures.
