Despite the popularity of Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese alternative, the hip supermarket chain has opted to completely change their recipe. They’ve swapped chickpea protein for the soy protein, cut the cornstarch, and switched up several other ingredients. It still looks enticing, but how does it taste?
Trader Joe’s Changes Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe, Now It’s Soy-Free!
Rumor has it, the new version of Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese alternative is firmer than the old one, but still quite tasty. Be sure to leave your own rating and review below once you try it. It helps others make an informed purchasing decision.
Original
Ingredients: water, coconut oil, modified potato starch, chickpea protein, sugar, salt, natural flavors, sodium citrate, deactivated yeast, lactic acid, citric acid, yeast extract, guar gum, xanthan gum, nisin.
Nutrition (per 2 tablespoons): 90 calories, 9g fat, 4g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
More Allergen Notes
Some of you might be concerned about the ingredient nisin in the new formulation. This preparation can be made from milk, but in this case, it is not. There is no milk disclaimer on this product.
Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative Prior Formula
You might still see the old recipe in some stores. The ingredients were actually quite different, and contain soy. The old ingredients are: filtered water, coconut oil, mid-oleic sunflower oil, soy protein concentrate, cornstarch, sea salt, tricalcium phosphate, natural flavors, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, vegan culture, lactic acid (non-dairy).
More Facts on Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative
- Price: $2.79 per 8-ounce tub
- Availability: Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative is sold exclusively at Trader Joe’s stores in the U.S.
- Certifications: We did not note any certifications on Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and keto-friendly.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Trader Joe’s website at www.traderjoes.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.
Average Reader Review
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What Others Are Saying ...
Old TJ cream cheese version was better
The new cream cheese is as hard as a block of cheddar left in the fridge without cover. It does not whip up nicely as the old one. I’ll start looking elsewhere for vegan cream cheese in making cheesecakes. Really bummed by this change.
The Best
Lactose intolerant for 40 yrs, tried many brands. Bought this at Trader Joe’s last month, a winner! Great texture & taste. Only problem, nowhere on container does it say how long it lasts after opening!! HELP
Response from Go Dairy Free
I’m not sure! As long as it smells good and isn’t moldy! The brands seem to vary a lot.
New formulation is great
I did not care for the original TJ’s dairy free cream cheese. It was too watery and I didn’t love the taste. This is firmer but still spreadable and has no noticeable odd taste or aftertaste. From what I recall from many years ago, it tastes most like dairy block cream cheese I used to enjoy. After dealing with spoilage of expensive vegan cream cheese, I’m happy that I tried this newer recipe and will stick with it.
Absolute favorite cream cheese alternative
Great
The Best Alternative
I have tried several brands, this is my favorite by a long shot.
If I wanted butter, I'd use butter.
So, what’s great about soy in cream cheese is that it makes it more fluffy and creamy. The new recipe melts like butter and totally loses the consistency it should have as a cream cheese alternative. I used to love Trader Joe’s Cream Cheese Alternative and Tofutti cream cheese. Trader Joe’s new recipe has definitely taken it down a few notches. Still, it’ll do.
Best cream cheese I have had yet
I personally hated the original version. It didn’t taste anything like cream cheese and this one is the most similar to Philadelphia block cc. I don’t have problems spreading it.
The best vegan cream cheese
This is better than the old formula and now the favorite of all vegan cream cheese products that have entered our household.
A waste of money
Bad taste and texture. Xanthan gum
Hard as a rock
Can’t figure out whether to throw it at someone or put it in a blender to make it palatable!
