Read This Before You Buy Vegan Cheese Again
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If you’ve ever bitten into a slice of vegan cheese and thought, “Hmm… this tastes weird,” you are definitely not alone. Let’s be honest—vegan cheese is one of the trickiest swaps on the plant-based journey.
Before you add that next block of cheddar-style to your cart, here are 6 Things You Should Know About Vegan Cheese—because taste isn’t the only thing that matters.
1. Not All Vegan Cheese Is Actually Healthy
Just because it’s dairy-free doesn’t mean it’s good for you. Many vegan cheeses are made from refined oils, starches, and gums with barely any real food. Some are more like ultra-processed science projects than nourishing alternatives.
Check the ingredients! The shorter the list and the more nuts or legumes up top, the better.
2. Cashew-Based Is Usually Your Best Bet
We’ve tried a lot of brands (seriously, a lot), and cashew-based cheeses usually win in both flavor and texture. They’re creamier, tangier, and closer to real cheese than oil-based versions.
If you’re serving a cheese board for guests (or your picky kids), this is the type that usually gets the best reaction.
3. Melting Can Be Hit Or Miss
If you’re buying vegan cheese hoping for that gooey, stretchy pizza effect—temper your expectations. Some brands melt beautifully, others just sit there and turn into a weird oily blob.
Pro tip: Look for labels that specifically say “melts well” or try grating and covering with foil to help it soften faster.
4. Some Contain Allergens Or Hidden Animal Ingredients
Always read the label. Some vegan cheeses still include casein or other milk-derived enzymes (yes, even if they say “plant-based”). Others use coconut, soy, or almonds—big red flags if you or your kids have allergies.
To be safe, look for certified vegan logos and brands that clearly state “dairy-free.”
5. Homemade Vegan Cheese Is Way Easier Than You Think
Once we learned how to make our own cashew cheese sauce in a blender, we were hooked. With just 5 ingredients (cashews, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and nutritional yeast), you can whip up a creamy dip or sandwich spread that tastes better than store-bought.
Our kids even love it stirred into pasta.
6. Price Doesn’t Always Equal Quality
Some of the pricier brands let us down, while a $4 tub of garlic-herb spread from the co-op became a family favorite. Try a few and take notes on what your family likes.
And if something’s been in your fridge for 2 months and no one’s touched it… maybe it wasn’t worth it.
Final Thoughts
Vegan cheese has come a long way—but it’s still a work in progress. The good news? There are more options than ever, and with a little label-reading (and taste-testing), you’ll find the ones that work best for your family.
We’ve had plenty of flops, but we’ve also found some serious winners—and nothing beats watching our boys chow down on nachos or mac and “cheese” without missing the dairy one bit.
