Chao Vegan Cheese Slices Make the Cut with Five Flavors

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. 

What Others Are Saying ...

CHAO cheese has no nutrients except Carbs and fat

3.0 rating

September 15, 2020

With the product has a good texture and flavor, why not add some protein and calcium? This would make a wonderful a slice of cheese on toast or anything else.

Anna

Response from Go Dairy Free

Keep in mind that adding protein and calcium will change the texture and flavor. Protein adds unique binding, and calcium is a mineral, so it will add a slight amount of grit to the texture that will have to be worked with in a whole new formula. Unfortunately, those aren’t minor additions you are requesting! I would suggest perhaps enjoying the cheese alternative on things with protein and calcium instead 🙂

Really creamy

5.0 rating

July 31, 2020

Good stuff. I’m picky, and cheap. It’s a good purchase. Yummy and creamy.

Lisa

Amazingly delicious!

5.0 rating

June 26, 2020

This is the best Vegan cheese I’ve ever tasted! I snack on it with Walnuts every day for a nutty cheesy treat! Yumm!

Ronna

The Best By Far

5.0 rating

June 20, 2020

Out of all the Vegan Cheeses that I’ve tried Chao Creamy Original is the best in taste and texture. Would love to see this as a shredded Cheese Version but I’ll never stop looking for this one on the refrigerator shelf in my local stores (Ingles, Whole Foods, Walmart and Target).

Storm Rathburn

Delicious!!!

5.0 rating

April 24, 2020

The best non-dairy cheese I have, ever, tasted. It should get 10 Stars…⭐
Love it!!!!! ?

Mary Trott

INCREDIBLE

5.0 rating

April 14, 2020

i hate vegan cheese, its always awful, but this one is actually really good??? very shocked. melts like normal cheese and also tastes really good and i actually had a really good time for the first time ever

fiona

The Original Flavor

5.0 rating

January 28, 2020

I’ve tried so many vegan cheese products and am often extremely dissatisfied. Chao is amazing. I prefer original flavor. It actually melts like cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. This product is the closest thing to dairy cheese in the market.

Nancy Rupp

Buttery flavor

5.0 rating

January 25, 2020

Texture like sliced Chedder. Never found before in a vegan cheese.

Jimmy Israel

Amazing cheese!

5.0 rating

March 30, 2019

I loved Chao creamy original slices. I turned out taking two slices and making 4-5 servings or macaroni and cheese and stored the left overs in the fridge. It’s literally MY FAVORITE CHEESE! and I’m finding it is making the dairy free transition a lot easier (allergy to dairy) and I found mine at Walmart! It’s only downside 11 slices per pack for $5.50. But there are BIG slices.

Katelyn Fahler

Great cheese alternative that melts

5.0 rating

February 19, 2019

Donning a captivating “product of Greece” label, we expected great things from this cheese alternative, and were not disappointed. With a delightful bite that we found pleasing both cold and melted, each flavor had tasty “umami” underpinnings from a not-so-secret ingredient.

Alisa