There are more than 50 vegan cheese brands on the market right now, which is quite a jump from when Daiya was the only player in town. With artisan vegan cheese, as well as blocks, shreds, wedges, dips and spreads, finding the right vegan cheese for you can be a lot. If you have certain allergies, getting the right vegan cheese for you can be even more work. That’s why we’ve created the Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese.

We’ve combed through a virtual ton of information to create this vegan cheese guide. The guide is broken down into categories — Artisan Vegan Cheese, Vegan Cream Cheese and Spreads, Most Accessible Vegan Cheese, Blocks – Wedges – Slices and our favorite, Melty Cheese.

Every listing includes the base ingredients, as well as flavors and where to purchase. This guide is designed to help you make it easy to discover vegan cheese that you want to buy.

The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Cheese

Featured Cheese: Pleese Foods

Developed in Harlem, New York out of necessity, co-founders Kobi and Abev Regev’s Pleese Foods has been sited as one of the most innovative plant-based cheeses on the market by Pizza Today.

Pleese Foods was created to fill the void when it came to allergy-friendly, plant-based cheeses on the market. The Regev’s wanted to offer a delicious alternative to dairy-cheese that could not only withstand the scrutiny of New Yorkers looking for that perfect slice of New York-style pizza, but also one that melted, and was school-safe and kid-approved.

“We’ve been New Yorkers longer than we’ve been vegan,” says Kobi. “When we changed our diet for health reasons in 2014, the biggest pain point we had was life without decent pizza. The tastier dairy free cheese options on the market were either made from nuts or soy, and the more widespread versions would never be approved by New Yorkers. We set out to create an authentic tasting plant based cheese that would be so good that no one could tell the difference, and we’ve been blown away by people’s responses.”

Developed with a proprietary blend of bean proteins and potato starches, and mixed with natural fats, Pleese Cheese melts gorgeously, and delivers a texture that’s nearly identical to melted dairy cheese. 

We’ve been fortunate enough to stalk them … er … try their vegan cheese in New York City at Vito’s Slice Shop and y’all, it’s good. The husband-and-wife duo are currently working on expanding to other markets, including Las Vegas, in the very near future. They’re also the premiere sponsor of our 5th annual Vegan Dining Month this January.

If you’d like your favorite restaurant to sprinkle some of their vegan cheese on pizzas and more, send this form to them to get some free samples to experiment with in the kitchen.

Artisan Vegan Cheese

Featured Cheese: Vtopian Artisan Cheeses

Vtopian Artisan Cheeses is a 100 percent vegan business that’s women-owned and based in Portland, Ore. They make cultured cashew cheese in small batches using organic cashews and locally-sourced ingredients. Cheeses are free of artificial flavorings and use only whole ingredients. What’s more, Vtopian cheeses are high in magnesium, which could help lower blood pressure. Magnesium is also good for bones, teeth and nerves. The cheeses are also high in protein, iron and heart- and gut-healthy. The most popular cheeses are Smokey Cheddar and Caramelized Onion.

Base: organic cashews, organic homemade yogurt, organic local vegetables

Flavors: Aged White Cheddar, Aged Black Garlic, Peppercorn Brie, Caramelized Onion, Chive and Dill, Lavender, Port Cheddar, Smokey Cheddar, Spicy Cheddar, Dark Chocolate Strawberry Brie 

Available: selection locations including vegan grocery stores like Food Fight!, Nooch Vegan Market, Riverdel, as well as Whole Foods and Natural Grocers, also available online

Reine

Clean, authentic, flavorful vegan cheese crafted using traditional dairy cheese technique and aged 30-90 days. Reine cheese rounds are created with ethically-traded, certified organic ingredients and are free of dairy, gluten, soy, gums, starches, fillers, coconut oil or palm. In addition, they are non-GMO and cholesterol-free. Rich in plant-based protein, healthy fats, minerals and teeming with a spectrum of gut-healthy, live probiotics. Tangy, rich, creamy and sliceable—perfect for cheese plates and charcuterie platters! Created by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and certified vegan by Vegan.org.

Flavors: Sharp, Smoked, Spirulina, Trufflehound, Chipotle, Cracked Pepper Dill, 

Base: cashews, filtered water

Available: select stores in Calif., Conn., Fla., NY, Penn., Tenn., Tex., or online

Catalyst

Base: hemp seed

Flavors: Muenster, Dill Havarati, Ghost Pepper, Fried Onion

Available: select retailers, Vegan Essentials

Darë

Base: cashew

Flavors: Brie, Gouda, Mozzarella; cream cheese

Available: select stores, online

Cheezehound

Flavors: Catskill Fire, Chaser, Mulshenok, Grey Day Blue, Ostego, Blanco Mellowrella, Barneveld

Available: Riverdel (NYC), online

Dr. Cow

Base: cashew, macadamia

Flavors: Plain, Cajun, Smoked, Truffle, Reishi Mushroom

Available: online

Forager

Base: cashew milk yogurt

Flavors: Parmesan, Mozzarella, Jack, Queso Fresco

Available: online

Jules Foods

Base: cashew

Flavors: Spreads – Cheddar, Gouda, Cheddar Jalapeño; Wheels – Gouda, Classic, Truffle

Available: select locations, online

Misha’s Kind Foods

Base: cashew, almonds, shallots

Flavors: Smoked Cheddar, Black Truffle, Sari (sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic, cilantro) , French Connection (Herbs de Provence, Grains of Paradise, black olives), Lox (dill, capers, roasted carrots), Joi (jalapeño, oregano, thyme), Seven Point Five (jalapeño, habanero, strawberries), Ricotta

Available: online

Nuts for Cheese

Base: cashew

Flavors: Wedges – Artichoke and Herb, Chipotle Cheddar, Smoky Gouda, Super Blue, Black Garlic

Available: Select locations, online

Riverdel

Base: cashew

Flavors: Truffle Fog, Champagne Saffron Lemon, Pepper Billy, Truffle Billy, Fig and Caramelized Onion Billy, Billy Holiday, Mustard Cheddar, Picante, Drunken Billy, Pumpkin and Sage, Smokey Ash Billy, Billy Blue

Available: Riverdel Cheese (Essex Market, NYC), online

The Uncreamery

Base: cashew (wheel), almond (block)

Flavors: Wheel – Truffle Brie, Classic Brie; Blocks – Ghost Pepper, Smoked Gouda, Dill Havarati; Dip – Nacho Mama’s Quezo

Available: select locations, online

Three Girls Creamery

Base: cashew

Flavors: Blocks – Mozzarella; Wheels – Mini Aged Cashew, Dill Havarati, Brie En Croute

Available: Online

Vromage

Base: varies – cashews, macadamias, pine nuts, pistachios, almonds,  hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds

Flavors: Veganzola, Goat –  Cranberry, Chives, Herb; Feta – Herb, Basil; Cheddar – Spicy, Mozarella; Camembert, Picorino with Ash, Pâté de Noix Gras, Brie – Fresh Truffle; Pepper Jack, Truffle Cream, Ricotta

Available: online

Wendy’s Vegan Cheese

Base: cashews, pure soy milk

Flavors: Almond Chedda, Baby Blue, Garden of Eden, Sweet and Sassy, Fig and Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Mt. St. Helen’s Smoked Salt and ‘Shrooms, Chipper Cheddar, Spicy Cheddar, Taste of India

Available: online

Yvonne’s Vegan Kitchen

Flavors: Goatless Cheese – Cranberry and Dill, Black Truffle, Roasted Garlic Onion and Chive, 

Available: select locations, online

Vegan Cream Cheese + Spreads

Kite Hill

(See Most Accessible for more details)

Flavors: Plain, Everything, Chive

Miyoko’s

(See Most Accessible for more details)

Flavors: Cinnamon Raisin, Classic Everything, Plain, Savory Scallion, Fish-Free Lox

Mundus

Flavors: Roasted Garlic, Pumpkin

Available: Shop online

So Delicious

(See Most Accessible)

Flavors: Creamy Original, Chive and Onion

Spero

Base: sunflower

Flavors: Cream Cheese – Original, Herb, Strawberry, Smoked Salmon, Chocolate; Spreads – Cheddar, Goat, Smoked

Available: select locations, online

Three Girls Creamery

(See Artisan for more details)

Flavors: Veggie and Herb, Strawberry

Tofutti

Base: water, soy

Flavors: Original, Garlic and Herb, Herbs and Chive, Whipped

Available: Stores, online

Trader Joe’s

Base: coconut oil, potato starch, chickpea protein

Flavors: Original

Available: Trader Joe’s

Treeline

Base: cashew cream

Flavors: Plain, Strawberry, Chive and Onion

Available: nationwide, online

Violife

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Cream Cheese with Chives

Available: nationwide

Wayfare Cheese

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Cheddar, Nacho Cheddar with Jalapeños

Available: select stores, online

Vegan Cheese Dips

Core & Rind

Base: organic cashews, pumpkin, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast

Flavors: Sharp and Tangy, Bold and Spicy, Rich and Smoky=

Available: Whole Foods Midwest, Sprouts, independent retailers across US and Canada, Thrive Market or using their store locator.

Good Foods

Base: almond

Flavor: Queso Dip

Available: online

Go Veggie 

(See Blocks for more details)

Flavor: Classic Plain, Chives and Garlic

Jules Foods

(See Artisan for more details)

Flavors: French Onion, Cheddar Jalapeño, Ranch

Kite Hill

(See Most Accessible for more details)

Flavors: Queso, Tzatziki, Ranch, French Onion

Miyoko’s

(See Most Accessible for more details)

Flavors: Roadhouse Chedda Straight Up, Garlic Chive

Moocho

(See Most Accessible for more details)

Flavors: Plain, Garden Vegetable, Strawberry

Mother Raw

Flavors: Everything, Nacho, French Onion, Ranch, Roasted Garlic, Spinach Dip, Spicy Queso

Available: select stores, online

Mundus

(See Cream Cheese for more details)

Flavors: Cultured Queso

Mylk Dog

Base: almond milk, cashews

Flavors: Spicy Fiesta, Original Notcho Cheez

Available: online

Siete

Base: cashews

Flavors: Blanco Queso, Nacho Queso

Available: Select locations, online

Trader Joe’s

(see Cream Cheese for more information)

Flavors: Tzatziki, Caramelized Onion Dip, Creamy Cashew Fiesta

Wayfare Cheese

(see Spreads for more info)

Flavors: Original Cream Cheese, Onion and Chive Cream Cheese, French Onion, Ranch

Most Accessible Blocks, Shreds, Slices

Daiya

Base: filtered water, tapioca flour, coconut oil, expeller-pressed canola and/or safflower oil (shreds); oat base, coconut oil, modified potato starch, chickpea protein (blocks)

Flavors: Slices – American, Smoked Gouda, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Swiss, Provolone; Shreds – Parmesan, Mexican 4-Cheese, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Cheddar/Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Cheddar; Blocks – Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Smoked Gouda, Jalapeño Havarati

Available: stores nationwide, online

Moocho

Base: water, expeller-pressed coconut oil, sunflower oil, potato starch and tapioca starch

Flavors: cheddar, fiesta and mozzarella

Available: Safeway (Denver), H-E-B, Harmon’s, Woodman’s (store locator) and online

Chao Creamery

Base: coconut

Flavors: Slices – Original, Original Smoked, Original Spicy, Tomato Cayenne, Garden Herb; Shreds: Original, Mexican; Blocks – Creamy

Available: nationwide and online

Follow Your Heart

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Shreds – Cheddar, Mozzarella, Italian, Fiesta, Parmesan; Slices – Gouda, Provolone, American, Pepper Jack, Garden Herb; Blocks – Mozzarella; Specialty – Bleu Cheese crumbles, Feta crumbles, Parmesan grated

Available: nationwide

Kite Hill

Base: almond milk

Flavors: Almond milk ricotta

Available: nationwide, online

Miyoko’s

Base: cashew milk

Flavors: Sticks – Cheddar; Slices – Cheddar, Pepper Jack; Blocks – Cheddar, Pepper Jack; Mozzarella (fresh, liquid); Wheels – Double Cream Classic Chive, Sun-Dried Tomato Garlic, Double Cream Garlic Herb, Aged Sharp English Farmhouse, Aged Smoked English Farmhouse, Aged Herbs de Provence, French Winter Truffle, Aged Black Ash; Cream Cheese (see listing); Dips (see listing)

Available: nationwide, shop online

So Delicious

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Shreds – Mexican, Cheddar, Mozzarella; Slices – American, Cheddar

Available: nationwide

Tofutti

(See Cream Cheese for more details)

Flavors: American

Trader Joe’s

(see Cream Cheese for more details)

Base: almond

Flavors: Shreds – Mozzarella; Slices – Cheddar

Treeline

Base: cashew

Flavors: Goat – Original, Garlic, Basil; Shreds – Mozzarella, Cheddar; Slices – Pepper Jack, Cheddar; Blocks – Herb Garlic, Sea Salt and Pepper, Scallion, Chipotle-Serrano, Classic, Cracked Pepper

Available: stores nationwide, online 

VioLife

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Shreds – Colby Jack, Mozzarella, Cheddar; Slices – Cheddar, Mature Cheddar, Smoked Provolone; Blocks – Mature Cheddar, Smoked Cheddar, Feta, Mozzarella, Parmesan

Available: nationwide

Whole Foods 365

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Slices – Cheddar, Gouda; Shreds – Cheddar, Mozzarella

Available: Whole Foods Markets nationwide

Blocks, Shreds, Slices

Good Planet

Base: coconut oil, potato starch, palm oil

Flavors: Slices – American, Cheddar, Smoked Provolone, Garlic and Herb, Hot Pepper; Shreds – Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Cheddar; Wedges – Original, Gouda, Pepper Jack

Available: online, select stores 

Go Veggie

Base: soy, coconut

Flavors: Slices – Cheddar, American, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella; Shreds – Cheddar, Mexican, Mozzarella; Parmesan grated; Dips

Available: Nationwide

Nabati

Flavors: Shreds – Mozzarella, Cheddar

Available: select stores, online

Nafsika

Base: coconut

Flavors: Slices – Mozzarella, Smoked Provolone, Swiss, Smoked Gouda, Cheddar; Shreds – Parmesan, Mozzarella, Poutine; Feta crumbles

Available: select locations, online

Parmela Creamery

Base: whole cashew milk

Flavors: Shreds – Mozzarella, Sharp Cheddar, Mild Cheddar, Fiery Jack; Slices – Sharp Cheddar, Mild Cheddar, Creamy American, Spicy

Available: select locations

Vevan

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Shreds – Mozzarella, Cheddar, Pepper Jack; Slices – Mozzarella, Cheddar, Pepper Jacks; Marinated Bites – Mozzarella, Mozzarella Anti Pasti

Available: select stores

Pizza Cheese

Featured: Pleese Cheese (see top of post for details)

Daiya (see Most Accessible)

Follow Your Heart (see Most Accessible)

Numu

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Mozzarella

Available: Whole Foods nationwide, select restaurants

Teese Cheese

Base: coconut oil

Flavors: Mozzarella, Cheddar

Available: select restaurants

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