Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Ask Alisa»Can you Recommend a “Good” Vegan Hard Cheese Alternative?

    Can you Recommend a “Good” Vegan Hard Cheese Alternative?

    4
    By Alisa Fleming on June 28, 2010 Ask Alisa, In The News

    Vegan Gourmet PizzaQ: Part 2 from Gwen’s Question –Does a good dairy-free pizza cheese exist?

    A: Alisa – Last week I addressed the first part of Gwen’s email on “Why is it so hard to find a good a good dairy-free pizza cheese?” This week I am moving onto the second part of her question asking for recommendations.

    As for “good” vegan / dairy-free cheese alternatives, that is of course a matter of taste. You can view our take on various cheese alternatives in our product reviews, and see all options currently on the North American market (with links to the manufacturers) in our No Dairy Product Lists. But here are some notes on popular brands (ten in total!) that might help to get you started:

    Daiya Foods Shredded Cheese Alternative (tapioca / arrowroot-based and uses pea protein) – Daiya seems to meet that stretchy craving and fill the casein void somewhat. Many reviews say the flavor is good but quite mild. If you really want that lasagna or pizza melt and stretch, this could be the best option, but, if you are looking for a flavor punch, there are probably better brands for you. Nonetheless, some who have snubbed their nose at every other vegan cheese alternative on the market, declared Daiya their Holy Grail. Daiya comes in Mozzarella and Cheddar shreds, and it gets bonus points for being soy-free, gluten-free, and free from the top food allergens. Bags of these cheesy shreds are popping up in natural food stores throughout the U.S.

    Vegan Gourmet Cheese Alternative from Follow Your Heart (soy-based) – Many people swear by this brand, and for years it seemed to be the only decent game in town. The four flavors (Cheddar, Mozzarella, Nacho, and Jack) do share similar taste properties with their dairy cousins and can be used accordingly in recipes. It shreds well, but it takes some coaxing to melt this brand. Sometimes the microwave or a good broil in the oven is required, and even then, there is no guarantee. But, this brand is pretty easy to find in natural food stores and even in many major grocers.

    Teese Vegan “Cheese” (soy-based) – This brand emerged on the market with quite a bang as it was the first cheese alternative to receive many consistent “melting” reports. In fact, some say it melts a little too well, forming a liquid that needs to cool up and firm a bit. In terms of taste, many report that it is close to “real cheese” in flavor.

    Sheese Vegan “Cheese” (soy-based) – This Irish brand gets huge points for variety. From Cheshire to Blue, Edam to Smoked Cheddar, they have their cheese bases covered. The flavors are good, and I have enjoyed it sliced in sandwiches and baked into recipes (like these cheesy scones), but if you are looking for a great “melt” experience, then this may not be your best option. It does shred very well, and will add flavor to your recipes, but don’t expect a gooey topping.

    Cheezly Slices and Blocks (soy-based w/ one soy-free option) – Cheezly from Redwood Foods is the star brand out of the UK. You can find it in some natural food stores in the U.S. and online, and according to the vegan review goddess quarrygirl, “the taste of the cheezly on a pizza was absolutely delicious. It was salty, cheesy, milky, and probably the best tasting fake cheese I’ve ever had.” In terms of texture, she said, “Cheezly’s melt factor was awesome. Pretty much like real cheese.” Like Sheese, they offer a variety of flavors – gotta love the variety out of the UK! They do offer a soy-free cheddar option that uses a potato starch and pea protein base. It is considered a “non-melting” variety, but is reportedly quite tasty.

    Rice Vegan Slices and Blocks from Galaxy Foods (rice-based, soy-free) – Do not confuse the Rice “Vegan” Slices and Blocks with the regular Rice Slices and Blocks from Galaxy Foods. The latter are simply lactose-free and contain casein. They are easily confused, so look for the “Vegan” label specifically if you want a dairy-free option. This brand gets some mixed reviews, but many moms with food allergic children consider it a staple in their shopping carts. The slices are very similar in look to Velveeta slices, and they do melt – in fact, most agree that this cheese alternative tastes much better when melted. I have tried them and they aren’t bad, fairly tasty even. Don’t expect miracles here, but they do melt and can fill a void … particularly when you need a soy-free product that is sold in many stores.

    Tofutti Soy-Cheese Slices (soy-based) – Years ago, before the emergence of so many vegan cheese alternatives, I heard many good things about this product. But … I never recommend it because it is made with hydrogenated oils. Should this factor not bother you, then give them a go!

    Ste Martaen Gourmet Vegan Cheese Alternative (nut-based, soy-free) – I love the concept of this soy-free cheese alternative that is made with very all-natural ingredients, and the flavors are quite good. This is one that doesn’t seem to mimic cheese to my taste buds, but is quite delicious in its own right. We really enjoyed it on sandwiches and cheese, but do not expect it to melt, at all. In fact, even when I finally coaxed it into a sauce (after vigorous stirring and declumping) it resolidified within seconds of being removed from the heat.  I think they use a bit too much agar in their formula to get that nice solid state, which makes the texture a bit to gelatin-like in my book. But it still wins points for the great flavors.

    VeganRella (rice, oat, and starch-based) – I hear great things about this cheese alternatives in terms of taste and texture, and it is reportedly soy-free, but boy are is it hard to locate. I have never actually seen it in stores, and many loyal customers complain that they frequently go in and out of stock at their local supermarket. A few milk-free moms, special dieters, and a good friend who is a kosher chef have all told me that it melts well and has a good flavor … if you can find it. There are other “Rella” cheese alternatives, such as AlmondRella and TofuRella, but they do contain casein (milk protein).

    Soy Kaas-Vegan Blocks (soy-based) – This alternative is made by the same company as VeganRella (Panos Brands). They used to have a Vegi-Kaas that was starch-based (soy-free), but I believe it was replaced by VeganRella. I haven’t found Soy Kaas locally, and have heard little about it since so many people confuse the vegan versions with the non-vegan versions. It reportedly melts decently, and in terms of flavor, like the other cheese alternatives it seems to be a matter of individual taste. Be sure to look for the vegan variety of Soy Kaas specifically (it comes in cheddar and mozzarella), as all of the other hard “cheese” varieties do contain milk.

    For all cheese alternative options plus milk, sour cream, ice cream, and chocolate alternatives, see the No Dairy Product Lists.

     

    Alisa Fleming is the founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. In addition to her own dairy-free lifestyle, Alisa has experience in catering to the needs of various special diets, including gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free, vegan, and multiple food allergies.

    Need Go Dairy Free now? Order the E-Book for immediate delivery or download it to your Kindle

    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    TCBY Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Vegan Options

    TCBY adds Oat Milk Froyo Flavors to this Extensive Dairy-Free Menu

    Dairy-Free Oreo Cookies Guide and news on Gluten-Free Oreos

    Oreo Offers The Most Dairy-Free Cookie Flavors

    Over 50 Dairy-Free Valentine's Day Treats you can Buy at the Store with Allergen Notes and Vegan Options!

    50 Dairy-Free Valentine’s Day Treats you can Buy at the Store

    4 Comments

    1. Clark Huffman on February 18, 2019 11:38 pm

      I wish we could find Soy Kaas cheese. My wife is lactose intolerant and this was the BEST Cheese and now no one carry’s it and i do not know why. I used to grate it myself and take it to the take and bake pizza place and have them make our pizza with soy kaas mozzarella and it was sooooofreaking goood! Now no one carry’s it. Why?

      Reply
    2. Lena on February 13, 2018 7:25 pm

      Treeline is a great brand of vegan cheeses, and their hard cheeses are really good. The cracked pepper flavor is my personal favorite. It grates well and makes delicious cheese sauce, like for mac n cheese.

      Reply
    3. Jennifer Whitford on November 1, 2013 1:28 am

      Your site is so cool. I wish I’d found it when I first found out about my dairy (& other) sensitivities. 🙂

      I’m on the hunt for things that will give me a cheese-like flavor, but isn’t nutritional yeast, which upsets my stomach. Do you know of anything that will give me the cheesy taste? Someone said that cooked maca powder tastes like cheese and the act of heating it up gets rid of its tendency to cause upset tummies. Have you found that to be true? I don’t need a lot of cheese (or even the flavor of cheese), but once in a while I’d like to have the taste of it.
      It’s really amazing how you find that foods don’t need cheese! Food tends to taste just fine without it.
      Thanks.
      Jennifer

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 1, 2013 2:37 pm

        Hi Jennifer, tahini and lemon can help with pungency. Many types of olives have a cheesy taste. If you aren’t vegan/vegetarian, then see this post: http://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/10-minute-dairy-free-pizza

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    Dairy-Free Queso Recipe that's Kindly Allergy-Friendly and Truly Plant-Based - nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, sesame-free, vegan, and even oil-free. From Dreena's Kind Kitchen Cookbook

    Dairy-Free Queso that’s Kindly Nut-Free and Truly Plant-Based

    Free Food Journal! With detailed symptom tracker. Electronic - you can fill, save, and email it on your phone, tablet or computer! Or print it out! Great for Elimination Diets, Health Goals, Doctor and Dietitian Appointments, and More.

    The FREE Food Journal that You and Your Doctor will Love

    Enjoy Life FoodsFames Chocolates. From Brooklyn with loveEat dairy free bookChocolate Emporium
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.