We’re slap-bang in the middle of ‘Veganuary’ where, as of this year, more than half a million people have pledged to go Vegan for the month of January (Yay!). Do you know one of the biggest struggles for many, though? – giving up cheese! That ooey, gooey, melty, tangy food is so good that people can’t imagine a life without it – but you don’t have to. I’ve already shared a (very popular!) Vegan Cheese Sauce, several other cheese alternatives (listed at the bottom of this post), and recently my take on Vegan Fondue. Now, it’s the turn of this hard-style, sliceable dairy-free cheese.
Tangy, Sliceable, Homemade Vegan Cheese
Honestly, I’m not kidding when I say that this is the best vegan cheese I tried so far. The recipe is actually based on my cheese sauce recipe – which has been loved by thousands of dairy and non-dairy eaters alike since I first posted it way-back-when in 2016 on Instagram! By swapping just a couple of ingredients and a step you can turn the gooey sauce into a hard plant-based cheese worthy of slicing, shredding, or melting on your favorite dishes or adding to fancy cheese boards. The results are a versatile cheese substitute that is entirely addictive and 100% nut-free (without cashews) and something I’ve loved for years (but somehow never posted-oops!). Best of all, this vegan cheese recipe is nut-free and super EASY. There’s no blender required or any fancy kitchen equipment, just a saucepan, and a few bowls! Plus, homemade options are far cheaper than going for anything store-bought and nearly always taste better!
What Is Vegan Cheese?
It’s a dairy-free, cheese substitute for those wanting to experience the taste and texture of cheese without dairy products. I always like to tell new Vegans that trying to find ‘exact’ replicates for dairy cheese varieties can be difficult. In a way, vegan cheese is practically an entirely new food group – so I like to enjoy it for what it is (cruelty-free, and absolutely delicious when done right!) and haven’t looked back. You may never find a vegan cheddar that is exactly like the dairy one you’re used to – but you’ll often find something ‘close enough’ that stands on its’ own merits. And if you ask any vegans that have been around for a while – believe us, your taste buds change, and soon you’ll be craving dairy-free cheese substitutes for their flavor and texture!
The Ingredients & Substitutions
Coconut Milk: use a can of unsweetened full-fat coconut milk, not boxed or ‘lite’ versions. Shake the can well and use everything (the creamy part and water). This doesn’t really add much of a coconut flavor, however, you could also try with another plant-based milk combined with 4 tbsp of refined coconut oil (which doesn’t have any coconut taste at all). Note that the coconut fat content will allow the cheese to melt better. Nutritional Yeast: This will help to add a cheesy flavor and shouldn’t be omitted. Sauerkraut Juice: Will add the familiar flavor and tang of dairy cheese. Alternatively, use other pickling brine, olive brine (then reduce the salt), or water combined with 2 tsp lemon juice/ apple cider vinegar – though I’ve found sauerkraut juice is the best flavor, in my opinion! Tapioca Flour: Will provide a little stretch to the cheese when melting it (i.e. on pizza, toast, etc.). Alternatively, use arrowroot flour. For best ‘melting’ results, use ‘Kappa Carrageenan’. Agar Powder: It’s important to use 100% pure agar powder and not something with less strength – like brands that contain mainly maltodextrin (I use the NOW Foods brand). If you use agar flakes, you’ll need 3x as much (6 tbsp). Alternatively, you could use Kappa Carrageenan, though then you’ll need just 1 1/2 tbsp and won’t need to cook it for 5 minutes – just heat with the other ingredients and simmer for 1-minute maximum. Spices: I use onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Optionally, you can also add a pinch of turmeric powder for a more yellowish color (see recipe notes).
For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.
How To Make Firm Vegan Cheese?
Step 1: Create a cheese sauce
Grease the inside of a medium bowl/dish (mine measures 5.5 x 3-inches/ 14 x 7.5 cm) with a neutral oil and set aside. Add all the ingredients except the sauerkraut juice and tapioca flour to a saucepan and stir well with a whisk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it begins to simmer, set your timer to 5 minutes and allow it to cook (without ever boiling!), stirring occasionally. The mixture will thicken as it cooks.
Step 2: Add the extra ingredients and thicken
In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm sauerkraut juice and tapioca flour. Add the mixture to the saucepan and stir with a whisk.
It’s important that the juice isn’t cold or else it will make the cheese sauce set quickly due to the agar agar.
Continue to simmer for a further minute as the dairy-free cheese thickens further, stirring frequently. Then immediately pour the sauce into the prepared bowl/dish (it begins to harden quickly – so be fast!) and press down lightly with a spatula to smooth it down.
Step 3: Chill the vegan cheese until set
Allow it to cool at room temperature until the bowl is just slightly warm, not hot, and then chill it in the refrigerator for at least three hours (or overnight) until the cheese is fully set. You can now enjoy it!
Serving Suggestions
Now, I know that no-one needs anyone to tell them how to enjoy their cheese; but a few suggestions for this vegan cheese recipe certainly couldn’t hurt.
Slice and serve as part of a cheese board or platter along with fruits, veggies, and Homemade Bread and crackers. Use this dairy-free cheese within sandwiches or toasties – like this Vegan Grilled Cheese or Vegan Kebab Sandwich. Or even melted over this Gluten-Free Naan. Sprinkled over pasta dishes – like this Lentil Bolognese. Within Mexican-Inspired dishes – like these Vegan Enchiladas, or Quesadillas. Sprinkled liberally over fries – like these Loaded Nacho Fries or Chili Cheese Fries. Over pizza – like this Mexican Pizza, Vegan Calzone, or Sweet Potato Pizza. With Burgers and Hotdogs – like this Black Bean Burger. As part of a salad bowl – like this Brown Rice Salad or Mexican Avocado Salad. And lastly, this plant-based cheese can be used in place of, or combined with, most recipes where I’ve used my cheese sauce on this blog, including; Stuffed Zucchini Boats or Stuffed Eggplant, Breakfast Burritos, and tons more!
How to store homemade vegan cheese?
Once set, the leftovers can be kept, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it, in an airtight freezer-safe container, for up to 3 months.
Can I flavor the dairy-free cheese?
Yes, you can definitely experiment with different flavors (another reason this is the best vegan cheese ever). With this hard cheese substitute, I like to experiment with adding different herbs, spices, and seasonings. For instance; garlic and herb, Italian herbs, add extra paprika and a dash of liquid smoke for smokier results, a dash of cayenne/chili powder and some red pepper flakes for heat, truffle or miso paste for extra umami, etc.
Does vegan cheese melt?
This really depends on what cheese substitute you’re using. However, yes, it’s entirely possible to make your dairy-free cheese melt – which this recipe does. Within this recipe, the coconut fats are one element that helps the cheese to melt; meanwhile, the tapioca starch allows the cheese to become stretchy as it melts. While this cheese doesn’t melt as much as dairy versions, there is still some melt and ‘spread’, which I love. See the before and after photo:
Recipe Notes & Variations
You can shred/grate it straight from the fridge or freeze it for 5-10 minutes beforehand. It works either way, as the coconut cheese is quite firm, but the freeze time can make it a little easier. This is because I’ve included ingredients to make this cheese able to melt – so it isn’t quite as solid as it would be, otherwise. For a stronger ‘cheesy’ flavor, feel free to slightly increase the amount of nutritional yeast used. Be careful to measure out the agar and tapioca starch accurately. Even the slightest increase/decrease can change the texture and results of the plant-based cheese quite drastically. Note that some agar agar brands will differ in strength and consistency – so you may have slightly different results from my own. Just make sure to use one that is 100% agar.
Other Vegan Cheese Recipes
Easy Vegan Cheese Sauce Veggie Mac & Cheese Vegan Fondue Dairy-Free Cottage Cheese Vegan Parmesan Vegan Ricotta Cheese Vegan Cheddar Cheese Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
If you give this nut-free vegan cheese recipe a try, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan – I love seeing your recreations.
