Best Vegan Cheese Brands to Try in 2025: Melty, Creamy, and Flavorful Choices
Creamy shreds and artisan wheels melt perfectly while meeting dietary requirements.
Best Vegan Cheese Brands to Try in 2025
As the demand for plant-based foods continues to rise, the market for vegan cheese has flourished. Whether you’re searching for creamy spreads, melty shreds, or artisan wheels, today’s vegan cheese brands deliver impressive flavor, texture, and versatility that rival dairy-based varieties.
Below, discover top picks for every need—from budget-friendly favorites to indulgent showstoppers, nut-free swaps, and crowd-pleasing snackables.
Why Choose Vegan Cheese?
- Health-conscious: Many vegan cheeses are cholesterol-free and lower in saturated fat.
- Sustainable: Plant-based options have a smaller environmental footprint than dairy cheese.
- Allergy-friendly: Lactose-free and often available in nut-free, soy-free, and gluten-free formats.
- Ethical: No animal-derived ingredients involved.
Top Vegan Cheese Brands and Their Best Products
Below we’ve organized popular brands according to style, flavor, melt-ability, and dietary considerations. Each brand is selected for their innovation, accessibility, and rave reviews from both vegans and cheese-loving omnivores.
1. Violife
Violife stands as one of the most recognized vegan cheese brands globally, celebrated for its wide variety and convincing flavor profiles. From mozzarella and cheddar shreds to feta, cream cheese, and parmesan wedges, Violife caters to almost every cheese craving.
- Best for: melty textures, bold flavor, allergy-friendly formulations
- Popular picks: Mature Cheddar Slices, Mozzarella Shreds, Feta Block, Parmesan Wedge
- Diet: Free from nuts, soy, gluten; coconut oil-based
- Melting: Cheddar shreds and slices melt beautifully on burgers, pizzas, and burritos. Best when steamed or microwaved for optimal texture.
- Price: Slightly on the higher side, but considered worth it for authentic flavor and performance.
2. Boursin Dairy-Free Spread
This beloved French-style cheese spread now comes in a vegan format, produced in partnership with Follow Your Heart. Boursin’s Dairy-Free Garlic & Herbs spread is crafted with coconut oil and seasoning, mirroring the flavor and aroma of the classic version.
- Best for: cheeseboards, dips, snacking
- Texture: Buttery, rich, slightly less creamy than the dairy original but packed with garlic, chive, and parsley notes.
- Pairs with: Crackers, crudites, crusty bread, or as a soft sauce for vegetables.
- Spreadability: Can be thinned for easier spreading at parties or used straight from the container for a luxurious mouthfeel.
3. Palace Culture Herbs de Provence
Palace Culture brings artisan nut-based cheeses to the vegan market. Their Herbs de Provence option is crafted from fermented organic cashews and Anglesey sea salt and aged for two weeks. This cheese is aromatic, tangy, and packed with live cultures for digestive health.
What others are reading
- Best for: cheeseboards, wine pairings, gut health
- Flavor: Creamy texture meets fragrant herbs and a lemony zest; sharpness from fermentation adds depth.
- Meltability: Easily spreadable, melts in the mouth or baked over toasted bread.
- Bonus: Contains live cultures, B vitamins, and minerals for added nutritional benefits.
4. Honestly Tasty Shamembert
Honestly Tasty offers Shamembert, a camembert-style vegan cheese prized for its rich, tangy flavor and soft, bloomy rind. Made from cashews, this cheese bakes and ripens to mimic dairy camembert—complete with the addictive funk and aroma.
- Best for: baking, spreading, indulging on a cheeseboard
- Expert review: “Creamy, cheesy, and with umami notes from truffle oil; indistinguishable from the dairy version,” according to testers.
- Meltability: When baked, the inside turns smooth and silky, perfect for dipping and spreading.
5. Trader Joe’s Vegan Cheese
For accessibility and affordability, Trader Joe’s private-label vegan cheeses are a hit. Their mozzarella-style shreds melt well for the price, and seasonal cashew dips add variety to household meals.
- Best for: everyday comfort food, budget-friendly swaps
- Try: Mozzarella Style Shreds, Vegan Cream Cheese, and cashew-based dips
6. Daiya Oat Milk Shreds
Daiya continues to evolve its recipe, now using oat milk for a creamier texture. Their shreds, all coconut-based and nut-free, are easy to find in mainstream supermarkets and deliver solid, gooey results for nachos and baked dishes.
- Best for: allergen-friendly comfort dishes
- Try: Cheddar Style, Mozzarella, and Four Cheese Blend
- Price: Moderately priced and widely available; often stocked at national retailers.
7. Simple Truth Vegan Cheese
Kroger’s Simple Truth line delivers no-fuss, mild-flavored vegan cheeses at budget prices. Their shreds are typically nut-free and work well in everyday recipes.
- Best for: mild flavor, nut-free needs, budget shoppers
- Try: Cheddar and Mozzarella Style Shreds
8. Good Planet
Good Planet sets itself apart with coconut oil-based cheeses free from nuts, soy, and gluten. The shreds offer a mild flavor and solid texture, especially when heated, making them ideal for those with multiple allergies.
- Best for: nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free diets
- Try: Smoked Gouda, Cheddar Slices, Mozzarella Shreds
Popular Vegan Cheese Styles and Best Uses
Each cheese brand focuses on different formats. Here are popular vegan cheese styles and their ideal uses:
| Style | Texture | Best Uses | Typical Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreds | Melty, stringy | Pizza, casseroles, quesadillas | Violife, Daiya, Trader Joe’s |
| Slices | Firm, flexible | Sandwiches, burgers, grilled cheese | Violife, Good Planet |
| Spreads & Dips | Creamy, thick | Crackers, vegetables, toast | Boursin, Trader Joe’s, Palace Culture |
| Blocks & Wheels | Firm, crumbly or soft | Cheeseboards, baking, slicing | Honestly Tasty, Palace Culture |
How Vegan Cheese Is Made
Vegan cheese is crafted using a blend of plant-based ingredients—and modern innovation has pushed the flavor and texture ever closer to traditional dairy varieties:
- Nut-based: Cashews, almonds, and macadamia nuts are soaked, blended, fermented for tang, and aged for texture.
- Coconut oil-based: Offers a creamy mouthfeel and great melting behavior (used by Violife, Good Planet).
- Oat milk: Newer recipes (e.g., Daiya) for smoother consistency and less aftertaste.
- Starches and gums: Tapioca, potato starch, and xanthan gum help bind ingredients and provide stretchiness.
- Cultures & enzymes: Fermentation adds flavor, umami, and gut-friendly benefits, especially in artisan cheeses.
Nutrition and Allergen Information
Most vegan cheeses are lower in calories and saturated fat than their dairy counterparts, but check labels for sodium levels and processed ingredients. Here’s a quick summary of allergen and nutrition highlights:
- Nut-free options: Violife, Daiya, Good Planet, Trader Joe’s, Simple Truth
- Gluten-free: Most major brands, but always check for cross-contamination warnings.
- Protein: Nut-based cheeses offer the most protein; coconut oil-based cheeses less so.
- Live cultures: Artisan brands (Palace Culture, Honestly Tasty) promote gut health.
Tips for Enjoying Vegan Cheese
- For best melting: Cover vegan cheese slices while heating; microwave shreds for gooeyness.
- Baked wheels: Bake Shamembert or similar style for a decadent, scoopable centerpiece.
- Dips and spreads: Pair with crusty bread, artisan crackers, or seasonal fresh vegetables.
- Cheeseboards: Combine wheels, spreads, nuts, fruit, and pickles for variety.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Does vegan cheese taste like real cheese?
A: Many top brands mimic the flavor, aroma, and texture of dairy cheese very closely—especially aged wheels and spreads made with fermented nuts and live cultures. Modern shreds and slices are also impressively cheesy, especially Violife and Daiya’s new oat milk blends.
Q: Is vegan cheese healthy?
A: Most vegan cheeses are lower in saturated fat and calories compared to dairy cheese. Nut-based options offer protein and beneficial fats; those with live cultures (like Palace Culture and Honestly Tasty) support gut health. Processed varieties may be high in sodium, so check nutrition labels if you’re concerned about salt intake.
Q: Which vegan cheese melts the best?
A: Violife shreds and slices, Daiya oat milk blends, and Trader Joe’s mozzarella-style shreds are top performers for melting. For baked wheels, Honestly Tasty Shamembert delivers a smooth, gooey inside reminiscent of classic camembert.
Q: Are there nut-free vegan cheeses?
A: Yes. Violife, Daiya, Good Planet, Simple Truth, and Trader Joe’s branded cheeses are all nut-free. These are excellent choices for those with allergies or sensitivities.
Q: How should I store vegan cheese?
A: Keep sealed cheeses refrigerated. Once opened, tightly wrap or store in an airtight container to prevent drying. Artisan wheels and spreads often last a week or more once opened—check best-before dates for specifics.
Vegan Cheese Shopping Cheat Sheet
- For bold flavor: Try Palace Culture or Violife mature cheddar.
- For melting: Violife, Daiya (oat milk), Trader Joe’s shreds.
- For snacking/dips: Boursin Dairy-Free, Palace Culture spreads.
- For cheeseboards: Honestly Tasty Shamembert, Palace Culture wheels.
- On a budget: Trader Joe’s, Simple Truth, Daiya.
- Allergy-friendly: Good Planet, Violife (nut/soy/gluten-free).
Final Thoughts
The vegan cheese market in 2025 offers something for everyone, from everyday meal staples to artisan indulgences. Whether you’re seeking authentic melt and stretch, bold flavors, probiotic benefits, or allergy-friendly formulations, it’s easier than ever to fill your fridge with dairy-free cheese you’ll actually love.
References
- https://www.tastingtable.com/1134914/best-vegan-cheese-brands-ranked-worst-to-best/
- https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/products/best-vegan-cheese-alternatives-uk-supermarkets/
- https://olivesfordinner.com/best-vegan-cheese-brands/
- https://vegananj.com/the-best-vegan-cheese-brands/
- https://www.vegetariantimes.com/reviews/vegan-cheese-ranking/
- https://www.treelinecheese.com/collections/all-cheeses
- https://vegoutmag.com/food-and-drink/dna-top-dairy-free-cheese-brands-that-actually-melt/
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
