We’ve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 vegan cream cheese. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
The top dairy-free picks that are creamy and melty. The best vegan cheeses prove that dairy isn’t necessary for a gooey grilled cheese, a steaming macaroni and cheese recipe or a decadent slice of pizza. So what really is vegan cheese? And, depending on the base of your vegan cheese, it can be higher in fiber and vitamins than regular cheese. We taste-tested more than 80 vegan cheeses to find our faves so you can add them right into your routine. Tasters agreed that these slices were best for grilled cheese — the subtly smoky slices melt down to give that gooey texture perfect on crusty, grilled bread. Pro tip: Cook on the sandwich on high heat for maximum melty goodness.
Not only packed with salty, sharp flavor, these slices are buttery, soft, and even melt to create the gooey cheesy texture you crave. The strawberry flavor goes perfectly with the creamy coconut base of this vegan cream cheese, making it a perfect sweet spread for toast or a blueberry bagel. Merker says it’s the ideal option for any sweet cream cheese fans. If you’re all for flavor-packed cheese, this smoked mozz is for you. Salty and flavorful with a cashew cream base, this unique take on mozzarella can be enjoyed hot or cold! Tasters wanted to add slices of this super smoky and creamy cheese to sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and even salads.
This cashew milk-based mozzarella is pure magic. Pour this liquid cheese onto your pizza dough and watch it bake into stretchy, gooey goodness in no time! While some of the other shreds we tried had a plasticky taste to them, Violife’s cheddar boasted a funky flavor. Sprinkle these salty, sharp shreds to nachos for some added cheesy flavor or in a tortilla for the ultimate vegan quesadilla. This almond milk-based pick pairs a sharp herb and garlic flavor with a creamy, spreadable texture, making it a perfect addition on your next cheese plate. With just seven ingredients, this fancy cashew-based spread is an ideal creamy option for your next vegan cheese board.
We love it paired with crispy crackers, crunchy bread and dried fruit. Kite Hill’s dairy-free cream cheese is even more proof. This super soft spread is perfect on bagels or schmeared onto raw veggies. If you’re on the hunt for an oniony spread for your breakfast, reach for this carton of cream cheese. Out of all the vegan cheese dips, this queso was the star. This slightly spicy, peppery dip gets its texture from creamy blended cauliflower and almonds, and its rich cheese flavor from nutritional yeast.
Our tasters loved it with chips, pretzels, and sliced veggies, making it a perfect dip to satisfy a crowd! The best vegan cheese shreds not only taste good, they melt down to the gooey, cheesy texture we know and love. Of all of the shreds we tried, this bag melted best. Our tasters loved the mild, sharp flavor and stretchy ability, making it a great topping for pizza.
Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen since 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. Taylor Worden is Delish’s Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. Green Chef Review 2023: Is It Worth It? Yumi Baby Food Review: Is the Service Worth It? Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
Women’s Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. These pleased even the most loyal cheese devotees. One of the hardest parts of going plant-based? Ditching all your favorite dairy products. Thankfully, dairy-free cheeses make the transition to and sticking with a vegan lifestyle a whole lot easier.
The problem is these cheese substitutes don’t all exactly taste, well, good. Not all brands nail the flavor and texture. 80 different cheese-less cheeses to the test. They covered every cheesy vibe in the book, including blocks, shreds, slices, cream cheeses, soft spreads, dips, quesos, and sauces. Some were nut-based, others coconut oil-based, and a few even touted tofu as their main ingredient. Finally, after taste-testing every kind of vegan cheese under the sun, the team curated the best of the bunch. The result: 15 delicious vegan cheeses that can totally pass for the real thing.