The Best Vegan Cheese Brands (Dairy-Free Cheeses)

If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say “I could never go vegan because I love cheese too much!’ well, I’d have… a lot of nickels. But, like many things in food, and in life, there is an art and a science to plant-based cheeses – and I’m here to tell you that you do not have to sacrifice taste or texture whether you’re dairy-free, vegan, or flexitarian. There are many genuinely delicious options out there, and I’m super excited to share my list of the best vegan cheese brands with you.

When assessing vegan cheese brands, it’s important to evaluate the use case: i.e., what’re you using the cheese for? There’s a vegan cheese for everything, but not every vegan cheese is made for every type of dish. For example, there are certain vegan cheeses that really are best melted (on pizzas, paninis, grilled cheese, lasagna, etc.), some that are perfect for cheese boards and spread onto a cracker, others that are better in salads…you get the drift.

I’m going to break it all down for you, but let’s just level set on what vegan cheese is, because that’s a question I get a lot, too.

How is vegan cheese made?

Vegan cheese is often made from coconut oil, nuts (usually cashews), or a combination of the two. And, similar to dairy-based cheeses, it involves a fermentation process to get that cheesy tang that we all know and love. The beauty of vegan cheese is that you won’t get the stomach ache that so many experience with conventional cheese (it’s estimated that 68% of the world’s population has lactose intolerance), and you also don’t have to worry about things like high cholesterol. Vegan cheese is also far more planet-friendly than conventional dairy – so there are a ton of reasons to make the swap to dairy-free fromage. And trust me when I say that there is no sacrifice to your level enjoyment when you opt for one of these incredible plant-based cheese brands.

Let’s get into it!

Best All-Around Vegan Cheese: Miyoko’s Creamery

Confession: I have an obsession with Miyoko’s. And it’s not just because it started in Sonoma County, where I grew up. But they’ve set the bar so very high for vegan “dairy” products. From their cream cheese, to their cheese wheels, cheese slices, mozzarella, butter (oh, the butter), they’ve really nailed every single product. I’ve tried every single one so far (again, I’m obsessed), and each possesses that tangy, creamy goodness we all know, love, and expect from cheeses. Miyoko’s is also organic and doesn’t use seed oils or gums, so the ingredients are always high-quality and very clean. And, they’re a Certified B Corp! Miyoko’s has also become so big that they’re available at tons of grocery stores, from Ralphs, to Whole Foods, Sprouts and beyond. They have a handy store finder here so you can find the closest Miyoko’s products to you.

Best Artisanal Vegan Cheese: Rebel Cheese

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing artisanal cheese to bring to your next gathering, plated on a gorgeous cheese board, or just to enjoy at home with some great crackers, Rebel Cheese is the way to go. They make true plant-based fromage – from smoked cheddar, to cave-aged brie, to pepper jack, to chevre, to gruyere, they’ve got it all. They’re really one of the best vegan cheese brands out there when it comes to “fancy” cheese. They’re typically retailed at speciality or gourmet grocers, but you can use their store finder to see if they’re sold near you or just order online (they’re offering two free cheeses with a $50 purchase right now)!

Easiest to Find at Conventional Grocery Stores: Violife

I’ve been really impressed by how Violife has stepped up their game over the past few years, and love that they’re available at such a wide range of grocery stores. They’re easily one of my favorites for shredded vegan cheese that’s excellent for melting purposes – I almost always have their “just like cheddar shreds” in my fridge and they’re a go-to in recipes like my vegan enchilada casserole or really any time I want melty, gooey, delicious cheese (we’re talking grilled cheese, lasagna, quesadillas, etc). Pro tip with Violife: I’d say their cheeses really thrive when melted, as opposed to just cold out of the fridge. But they’re sold at everywhere from Vons and Pavilions, to Whole Foods, to Ralphs, to Bristol Farms and beyond. Store finder here for an extra assist.

Best Spreadable Vegan Cheese: Treeline

Treeline is another fantastic artisanal cheese, and I think where they really shine is their french-style spreadable cheese (the herbed garlic, pictured above, is fantastic and always included in my Misfits Market order). They also make ricotta, sour cream, and tasty dips like sour cream & onion and tzatziki. Their ingredients are also very clean: there’s no palm or coconut oil, and they’re non-GMO certified. Treeline is also available at an array of grocery stores like Ralph’s, Wegmans, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Giant, Natural Grocers, Erewhon, Bristol Farms, and Misfits Market. Store locator here.

Best Vegan Feta: Follow Your Heart

Feta is an important cheese – for salads, stuffed peppers, you name it – and I’m happy to report that Follow Your Heart’s vegan feta does not disappoint. It has that drier feta consistency that you’re looking for, excellent flavor, and I’ve been loving it in an antipasto salad – so I had to include this one of my list of the best vegan cheese brands. Follow Your Heart is a fantastic option for many vegan products, in fact: from salad dressings, to cheeses, to veganaise, to cream cheese, and shredded/sliced vegan cheese. They also have an incredible restaurant in the Valley! And, Follow Your Heart also has a handy store locator on their website so you can find their products near you.

Well, that does it for my ranking of the 5 best vegan cheese brands. If I missed one of your favorite dairy-free cheeses or if you have any questions, drop me a line in the comments!

If you’re looking for more plant-based food swaps and recommendations, check out my extensive vegan grocery list, or if you’re looking for virtual grocery shopping options that are low-waste, I highly recommend Misfits Market.