“CHEESES”

A QUICK NOTE ON VEGAN “CHEESE”: Vegan “cheese” in all forms and flavors has really improved over the last few years but there are 2 poor qualities that remain mostly across the board IMO. The first is that is that vegan “cheese” continues to be difficult to melt sometimes. The second is that, once melted, it becomes very sticky which can present difficulties when working with it and cutting things it’s in or on, like pizza. Speaking of pizza, I will also note that when it comes to shredded vegan “cheese” on pizza, you should go sparingly with it. You definitely will appreciate it better if you don’t drown your pizza in it!

Daiya – Daiya is a classic but they’re also always improving their products for better flavor, texture, and meltability (all of which was really needed in the vegan “cheese” world for many years). They also have a decent selection of shreds to choose from including blends perfectly suited for tacos, pizza, and more!

Follow Your Heart – Another classic available in either “Cheddar” or “Mozzarella” varieties.

Violife – Violife offers up the most realistic “cheese” flavor and texture I’ve found in a vegan “cheese” but it isn’t cheap! They, like Daiya, offer up the classic flavors but also a couple blends, and an amazing Shaved “Parmesan” option too.

Daiya, Follow Your Heart, and Violife – All 3 of these brands offer classic slices flavor options like “Cheddar” or “American,” but they also offer once hard-to-find options such as “Provolone,” “Swiss,” and “Gouda” too. My go-to for hot and melty sliced cheesary (yes, that’s a word) is Follow Your Heart’s “American” slices and my go-to for cold sliced cheesary (think sandwiches and Lunchables) are the slices from Daiya and Violife.

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – My absolute, hands-down favorite vegan “cream cheese.”

Daiya Cream Cheeze – Oh look, Daiya again lol… no surprise they also offer a vegan “cream cheese” or “cheeze” as they call it and it’s pretty damn good! It comes in 3 flavors: classic, strawberry, and chive and onion.

Tabitha Brown (for Target) Cream Cheese Style Spread – While there are only 2 flavor options to choose from (strawberry or caramelized onion), there’s really nothing to complain about here! These are tasty “cream cheeses” created by TikTok star Tabitha Brown and you’ll definitely want to check out her other products as well… all exclusively at Target.

Kite Hill – Kite Hill offers a plain option as well as an everything option, a chive option, and a garden veggie option, all made using an almond-milk base.

Philadelphia – What a time to be alive… Philadelphia now makes vegan “cream cheese” and it’s delicious! They currently offer 3 flavors to choose from.