I want to clear up a couple things about Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative upfront. First, do not confuse it with Vegan Gourmet cheese alternative, which is also made by Follow Your Heart. These two product lines have completely different formulas. The Follow Your Heart line is also soy-free, but the Vegan Gourmet line is made with soy. The packaging looks somewhat similar, so they are easy to confuse.
Second, Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative is identical in formula to Chao cheese alternative, except Chao adds a wee bit of fermented tofu for their own unique umami flavor. As mentioned, Follow Your Heart is soy-free. So if you like one brand, there’s a good chance you’ll like the other. They have the same texture and melt, and their flavors aren’t too far apart.
Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative Comes in 7 Dairy-Free Varieties
To preface, I don’t miss cheese. I’ve never really even liked cheese (I know, *gasp* am I really American?). So my only reason for seeking out the best cheesy options is for all of you. That said, I fell hard for Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative.
I only wish the blocks were easier to find (they seem to be phasing the blocks out), because they grated well. But the slices work well in recipes too. We tried the Cheddar in pan-fried corn quesadillas (pictured below), atop nachos and in sandwiches. We savored both the Mozzarella and Provolone in lasagna and on pizza (pictured below). And the Garden Herb was nibbled as a snack, melted into sauce, and used on sandwiches and salads. The flavors for all fit seamlessly with their respective specialties.
Is it exactly like dairy cheese? Probably not. But does it taste delicious both cold and “melted”, does it add pungent cheesy flavor to recipes and quick meals, and does it have an alluring mouth feel? Yes, indeed!
In terms of melting, Follow Your Heart cheese does, but may look less appealing and not as creamy if melted on top of your meal. I recommend using it as a middle layer in heated recipes, like you would with lasagna or quesadillas. As you can see, with pizza I simply piled on the toppings and it turned into the perfect ooey-gooey ingredient.
Mozzarella
Ingredients: filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starches, potato starch, sea salt, natural flavor (plant sources), olive extract, beta carotene for color.
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
Medium Cheddar
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
American
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
Smoked Gouda
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
Provolone
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
Pepperjack
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
Garden Herb
Nutrition (per 20-gram slice): 60 calories, 4.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars, 0g protein.*
More Facts on Follow Your Heart Cheese Slices
Price: $4.99 per 10-slice or 7-ounce package
Availability: Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative is sold at major grocers throughout the U.S., including Albertsons/Safeway, Walmart, Sprouts, and more. You can also find several varieties in the United Kingdom at Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, Whole Foods Market, and other grocers.
Certifications: Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative is Certified Kosher Pareve.
Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Follow Your Heart Cheese Alternative is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
For More Product Information: Visit the Follow Your Heart website at www.followyourheart.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.
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What Others Are Saying ...
Love it!
My son has a dairy and egg allergy, so we’re trying new options and I’m discovering a lot of vegan foods I like. This cheese is REALLY good. Like, I’m a fan of regular cheese and the provolone tastes almost exactly like normal provolone. It melts on a grilled cheese, is creamy, and even has that just slightly tangy cheese smell. The texture is just a bit more creamy and soft than normal cheese but I’m obsessed. I actually find myself using it instead of regular cheese. I haven’t tried the other varieties so far but definitely will!
The American is great for grilled cheese!
Follow Your Heart American slices are perfect for grilled cheese!!
Very good
I use this on chicken Parmesan. (Dairy free version). Melts well!
Smoked Gouda!
Of all the readily available slices, FYH Smoked Gouda is my favorite. Nicely smoked and melts great.
Flavorful and melty cheese alternative
Flavorful, melty, and a delicious upgrade to so many meals, snacks and recipes … we don’t really care if they taste exactly like dairy cheese because these thick cheesy slices and easy-to-shred blocks are just darn awesome in their own right. That said, they are definitely cheesy, and provide tasty nostalgia when cooked into pizza, lasagna and quesadillas and even served cold atop sandwiches and salads.
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Thanks for your recent listing of best alternative cheese. I was able to find Follow Your Heart to use on tacos. I purchased a block of cheddar. It grated well and tasted great! I have a dairy allergy and am grateful that I have delicious alternatives.
That’s marvelous! Thanks for coming back and sharing your thoughts Barbara 🙂