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.
Cheese.
I’ve been getting the original creamy Chao cheese for a while now and I’ve loved it since! I’m so glad that I found this alternative when I did because I couldn’t bare to eat cheese any longer. I LOVE IT!
Love it!
Recently found this cheese in my local grocery store and LOVE it! I’ve been using it to top my sloppy (lentil) joe sandwiches for lunch. It doesn’t say how long it is good for in the fridge though, and I couldn’t find any information on the website either.
I know traditional cheese has a stable shelf life but I’m curious if anyone else knows how long these are good for? At my store they were relatively pricey so I want to make sure I use them before they go bad!
Response from Go Dairy Free
Most dairy alternatives suggest use within one week of opening. Unopened, they have a use-by date. According to the company, they last 65 days refrigerated and unopened after the production date.
CHAO cheese has no nutrients except Carbs and fat
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.
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
Good stuff. I’m picky, and cheap. It’s a good purchase. Yummy and creamy.
Amazingly delicious!
This is the best Vegan cheese I’ve ever tasted! I snack on it with Walnuts every day for a nutty cheesy treat! Yumm!
The Best By Far
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).
Delicious!!!
The best non-dairy cheese I have, ever, tasted. It should get 10 Stars…⭐
Love it!!!!! ?
INCREDIBLE
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
The Original Flavor
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.
Buttery flavor
Texture like sliced Chedder. Never found before in a vegan cheese.
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!