Sometimes food manufacturers get it right on the first try. And Field Roast is one of those success stories with their Chao Creamery division. Chao Vegan Cheese Slices launched about five years ago, and quickly became one of the most popular dairy-free cheese alternatives.
Chao hasn’t had to change a thing about their vegan slices formula or packaging – well, except for selling bulk quantities. Early in 2020, they launched Costco packs in the Midwest, Southwest, Texas, and Ontario, Canada regions.
But we had all been waiting for them to expand their product line, and that day has finally arrived. Chao Vegan Cheese Slices now come in five flavors, with Spicy Original and Smoked Original melting into the mix.
Chao Vegan Cheese Slices Make the Cut with Five Flavors
Chao Vegan Cheese Slices were indeed a pleasant surprise, mimicking the unique bite of dairy cheese slices with impressive ease. I found the texture to be remarkably similar to Follow Your Heart Vegan Cheese Slices (not their Vegan Gourmet line), and for good reason. The two have nearly identical ingredients. Chao Creamery uses just one special ingredient to set their dairy-free cheese alternative apart: a touch of fermented chao tofu.
Surprisingly, the fermented tofu does add that “umami” factor to each flavor. We enjoyed all three of the flavors we tried, but the Creamy Original was my favorite. It has a provolone meets white cheddar flavor that is rich and just bold enough. My friend Tess loves the subtle earthy flair of the Coconut Herb, spiked with oregano and black pepper. And I think Tony was partial to the spicy heat of the Tomato Cayenne – perfect for quesadillas or kicking up that dairy-free grilled cheese!
As you can see by my picture below, Chao Vegan Cheese Slices do indeed melt easily when broiled or sandwiched and heated. That said, I thought they were quite tasty cold, for noshing as a snack or adding another sandwich layer.
Creamy Original
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified corn and potato starch, potato starch, fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, natural flavor, olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative) and beta carotene. Contains: soy.*
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Smoked Original (new in 2020!)
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starch, fermented chao tofu(soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calciuk sulfate), sea salt, natural flavor, smoke flavor, olive extract(antioxidant used as a preservative), beta carotene(color). contains: soy*
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Spicy Original (new in 2020!)
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, fermented chao tofu(soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, dried green jalapeno peppers, dried red bell peppers, natural flavor, olive extract(antioxidant used as a preservative), beta carotene(color). contains: soy*
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Tomato Cayenne
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified corn and potato starch, tomato juice, potato starch, chao tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, green and red dried bell peppers, cayenne pepper, natural flavor, olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative), paprika extract and beta carotene. Contains: soy.*
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
Garden Herb
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified corn and potato starch, potato starch, chao tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, black cracked pepper, oregano, natural flavor and olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative). Contains: soy.*
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
More Allergen Notes
Chao is one of the few cheese alternative brands that produces in their own dedicated dairy-free facility.
More Facts on Chao Vegan Cheese Slices by Field Roast
Price: $5.99 per 7-ounce package; $10.89 for a 3-pack at Costco
Availability: Chao Vegan Cheese Slices are sold at Target, Safeway, Albertsons, and Sprouts stores in the U.S., and in select Costco regions in the U.S. and Canada. Look for them in the refrigerated section.
Certifications: Chao Vegan Cheese Slices by Field Roast are Certified Vegan.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Chao Vegan Cheese Slices are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
For More Product Information: Visit the Field Roast website at fieldroast.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
Want to find the shredded one
I used to get the shredded one at Target but can’t find it any more????
Spicy & Tomato Cayenne r THE BEST & soooooo hard 2 find n Atlanta
Over past year, I’ve only found the “Spicy Original”@Sevenanda Health Food Store,Ponce Ave. I’d luv help getting the Tomato Cayenne flavor (HELP)
BEST Vegan Cheese!
The Chao Original Creamy Slices is the 3rd Vegan Cheese I have tried and was BLOWN AWAY by how good it is! The taste, texture and the creaminess is spot on! I would HIGHLY recommend this for everyone to try! Thank you Field Roast!!
Delicious and melts great!
So delicious!!! We’re trying to find great dairy free cheese and we’ve found it! So melty good. My sister is hard to please and she loves it. Thank you.
Tastes similar to Munster when cold
Chao is the first dairy free cheese I tried and I was happily surprised. It tastes mild and buttery like Munster cheese when cold, but I found when it melted it tasted like coconut. I’m new to being dairy free, so I remember dairy cheese well. I think it would be fine on a sandwich or cracker, but personally I’d skip it for grilled cheese, burgers, etc unless you are not sensitive to the flavor of coconut.
Creamy original review
Having to give up dairy isn’t easy, but I’m doing my best. I recently tried this and while I do like it, there’s one major flaw….it’s so danged salty! Take it from someone who does NOT keep salt (or pepper) around.
The other thing I hate is the price, but that’s life for ya.
I like to cut it in half into smaller squares. Lasts longer. 3 month expiration on plastic and it’s still edible after 2 months. Hasn’t made me sick or anything anywho so must be good. 🙂
Best cheese ever!
We wanted to go dairy free but never found a good vegan cheese until Chao. Both my husband & I only eat this brand now. It’s better than real cheese! Creamier! No after taste! Perfect! Ty!!
Great for grilled cheese
Tried both the original and the tomato cayenne and they are both great. The original melts really nice for a grilled cheese, and the tomato cayenne has some great flavor if you want to amp it up!
Great taste but 67.5% fat
Great taste but 67.5% fat. There is no nutritional value to eating it even though it is so good. Easy to just eat the whole package and want more. Best cheese out there but zero health benefits to eating it. Had to give up.
Great Taste for vegan cheese
I am so glad I tried this product! I have been using other vegan cheese very sparingly because I couldn’t get over the taste. I tried the shredded original and was blown away by the taste. I wish I could find the other flavors in my area!
25 Comments
I Love Chao Cheese. Thank You so much!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel alot of Vegan cheeses just don’t taste all that great…BUT FIELD ROAST CHAO cheese slices are the bomb! Not only do the slices taste like REAL CHEESE….when you MELT it onto something…this other WONDERFUL cheesy nutty flavor comes out..its like WOW..a whole different cheese taste and its sooo yummy! I only like the CREAMY ORIGINAL, but I HIGHLY recommend it! And if you check,,there isn’t a whole lot of fat/calories..etc..like real cheese..I don’t mind paying a little extra more for this product!
I love love love the tomato cayenne slices.
Me too – they are so hard to find!
Please send to Guam! SOS we need Chao Cheese !!!
Is it soy free as well? Sadly, so many vegan foods contain soy. My husband is allergic to soy, my son and daughter to dairy (NOT lactose intolerant!). My daughter is also allergic to eggs.
Hi Sonya, this one does contain a very small amount of fermented tofu for flavor. However, the Follow Your Heart Slices & Blocks (NOT their Vegan Gourmet line) are actually the identical ingredients/formula, minus the soy. Definitely just as good and soy-free. Here is info on the Follow Your Heart ones -> https://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/follow-your-heart-cheese-alternative
Where can I buy this please
They have a store locator here -> http://fieldroast.com/where-to-buy/
I would trust anything from Field Roast. Amazing company. I buy all my vegan sausages from them which are flavorful. Has anybody tried cheese from Miyoko’s Kitchen? It’s mail order but looks amazing in Vegan News magazine. Still waiting for this site to do a review on vegan cheesecake and not just cheese 🙁
Yes, we’ve reviewed that one, too, Avi! It’s cultured, so it has bolder flavors than many nut cheeses, and we like a few of the flavors. Here are my notes: http://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/miyokos-creamery-non-dairy-artisan-cultured-nut-cheese
Thank you so much….
I went out and bought a chao cheese original after reading this review in my inbox and I have to say that it was delicious both hot and cold….
I live in Buffalo, N.Y and I am trying to find the Daiya cheese cake, if you could please help me I would greatly appreciate it…
Thanks again,
A.C
Hi A.C., So glad you enjoyed it! I’m actually going to be trialing those cheesecakes myself soon and will review here. I’ve seen them at Whole Foods and Natural Grocers, but have not seen them in conventional grocers. If you have a natural food store in your area, I would check with them to see if they can order in.
Hi Alisa! I just tried the coconut herb. I heated it in my spaghetti and it gave it this yummy, creamy texture. It was also delicious on the rosemary turkey sandwich. Thank you so much!
Yum! Thanks for sharing this Sylvia!
I’m still hoping to find one that is dairy AND soy free. 🙁
Did you not see my recent Follow Your Heart review Jessica? Their new blocks and slices are dairy-free, soy-free, top allergen-free and impressive: http://www.godairyfree.org/product-reviews/follow-your-heart-cheese-alternative
I’ve yet to find a dairy-free cheese that I’ve really liked, but the pictures of this one look promising!! Will research and see if I can find some before my son comes home from college!
I do not lie Kim, nor does the picture, it’s pretty darn promising 🙂
You will LOVE Field Roast Creamy Orginal. It’s mind blowing good!!! It tastes like cheese with an amazing texture without being too bold!!
Agreed! Thanks for sharing your feedback Pamela – so helpful!
This one is seriously amazing! The original is so good, it tastes like real cheese. Before I tried it I never ate vegan cheese because it never tasted good. I am honestly obsessed with this cheese now and pretty much eat it with everything!
So awesome that it fit the bill for you Chloe! I really like it too.
K and I just tried this cheese recently. It is amazing! I can’t wait till it’s available closer to where we live.
Awesome, so glad you guys liked it, too!