Best Store-Bought Vegan Cheeses: Top Brands, Tasty Picks, and Tips for Every Recipe

When I first went vegan I worried I’d have to say goodbye to cheese forever. Luckily plant-based cheese has come a long way and now there are so many delicious options right on store shelves. Whether I’m craving a gooey grilled cheese or a sprinkle of parmesan on pasta I can always find something that hits the spot.

Trying new vegan cheeses has become a bit of an adventure for me. Some taste so much like the real thing I have to double-check the label. If you’re curious about the best store-bought vegan cheeses or just want to find a new favorite you’re in the right place.

What to Look for in Store-Bought Vegan Cheeses

When I’m teaching about vegan cheese, I focus on health, taste, and how well it works in recipes. Shoppers find plant-based cheese varieties for every taste, but a few key details make the best picks stand out.

Ingredients and Nutritional Value

Clean labels matter most for me when choosing vegan cheese. Short lists with whole food ingredients, like cashews, coconut oil, or chickpea flour, add nutritional value and avoid additives. Nutritional content varies: for example, some brands like Miyoko’s or Kite Hill pack protein from nuts, while others favor starches or oils, making them higher in fat and lower in protein. I always scan for calcium, B12, and sodium mg levels per serving, since many options show big differences. Unsweetened products with minimal preservatives get priority for my own recipes.

Texture and Melting Ability

Texture and melt make or break vegan cheeses in cooked dishes. Slices and shreds from brands like Violife or Daiya usually melt well in grilled cheese or lasagna, while blocks from Treeline and Chao offer a firmer, creamy bite, better for cold platters or sandwiches. Some nut-based cheeses excel with a spreadable consistency, which I use often for dips. Not every vegan cheese melts evenly, so for pizza or baked recipes, I look for labels that mention “melts” or “stretches,” then test them out in my kitchen classes.

Flavor Varieties

Variety in vegan cheese flavors unlocks more recipe options. Shoppers find cheddars, mozzarellas, goudas, and pepper jacks among the most common; brands like Follow Your Heart or Parmela Creamery highlight bold profiles or smoky notes. For healthier picks, I target aged or cultured vegan cheeses—these often deliver deeper umami, perfect for charcuterie boards or sprinkling over pasta. Classic flavors work for familiar comfort foods, while spiced or herbed versions help me reinvent salads or wraps for my students.

Top Brands Offering the Best Store-Bought Vegan Cheeses

Store shelves offer a large range of vegan cheese options for any meal. I’ve tried these brands in a pro kitchen and at home, making sandwiches, pizzas, and creamy sauces.

Violife

Violife vegan cheese impresses me with its creamy texture and variety. Shreds, slices, and blocks—all are coconut oil-based with added B12 and calcium. I’ve used Violife Cheddar slices for quick sandwiches and the Parmesan for grating on pasta. It melts evenly on pizza and holds up in grilled cheese, ranking high for both convenience and flavor.

Miyoko’s Creamery

Miyoko’s Creamery creates artisan-style vegan cheese from organic cashew milk. I favor their cultured butter and classic mozzarella. Each product delivers tangy, full-bodied flavor, great for cheese boards or melting over lasagna. Fermentation gives Miyoko’s a depth similar to dairy cheese, making it a standout for foodies and recipe creators.

Daiya

Daiya leads the market for allergen-free vegan cheese, using tapioca starch and coconut oil. Slices, shreds, and blocks are soy-free, gluten-free, and melt consistently. I toss Daiya shreds on casseroles and find their cream cheese spread creamy and versatile for baking. The flavor profile is milder but shines in recipes where melt and stretch matter.

Follow Your Heart

Follow Your Heart balances taste and nutrition with non-GMO, soy-based cheeses. The American slices create traditional deli sandwiches, and their Parmesan topping finishes soups or salads. I appreciate the company’s focus on clean ingredients and omegas from flaxseed oil. Texture stays firm in cold dishes and smooth when heated.

Chao

Chao slices surprise with their rich umami, using fermented tofu for depth. The Creamy Original flavor suits burgers and melts into quesadillas. I like Chao in both cold and hot lunches, since it offers a slightly savory, authentic taste and a smooth, firm texture without gluten or nuts.

Best Store-Bought Vegan Cheeses by Category

I often explore cheese alternatives for every recipe type. Here’s how I pick vegan cheeses for melting, slicing, or spreading, making plant-based meals both tasty and easy.

Best for Melting: Pizza and Grilled Cheese

I recommend Violife Mozzarella Shreds and Daiya Cutting Board Cheddar Shreds for recipes that call for gooey, melty cheese. Violife melts evenly on pizza or baked ziti, creating a creamy pull. Daiya shreds stretch well in grilled cheese and quesadillas. Miyoko’s Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella transforms into a bubbly, authentic melt on flatbreads and pasta bakes. For best results, I use low- to medium-heat when melting these cheeses since higher temperatures can affect texture.

Best for Slicing: Sandwiches and Snacks

I keep Chao Creamy Original Slices and Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda on hand for sandwiches or snack platters. Chao slices hold their shape and layer smoothly in deli-style sandwiches or wraps. Follow Your Heart slices taste rich and savory, making them ideal for vegan charcuterie boards or paninis. Violife also offers mature cheddar and provolone slices with firm textures that work well in stacked sandwiches and bento lunches.

Best for Spreading: Bagels and Crackers

I choose Kite Hill Cream Cheese Style Spread for breakfasts, Miyoko’s Vegan Roadhouse Cheddar Spread for snacking, and Treeline Herb-Garlic Soft French-Style Cheese for entertaining. Kite Hill spreads softly on bagels with a tangy, cultured flavor. Miyoko’s spread mimics classic pub cheese, pairing well with pretzels or crostini. Treeline adds a creamy, herby note to crackers and veggies. These plant-based spreads use simple ingredients like nuts and live cultures, creating smooth options for both daily and special-occasion recipes.

Tips for Choosing and Using Vegan Cheese Alternatives

Check ingredient lists for quality

I always start with the label. Brands using whole foods—like cashews, almonds, or oats—deliver cleaner flavors. Fewer additives usually mean a more natural taste and a more satisfying texture.

Consider nutritional value

I pick vegan cheeses with added calcium and B12, keeping sodium lower than 400 mg per serving. Some products, such as certain blocks and slices from Miyoko’s Creamery or Kite Hill, offer 2–4g of protein per serving, which boosts nutrition in plant-based dishes.

Match cheese type to your recipe

I use shreds from Violife or Daiya for melting on pizzas, pastas, and quesadillas. Slices from Chao and Follow Your Heart give sandwiches and burgers a creamy bite. Spreads—like those from Treeline and Kite Hill—work best on crackers or mixed into dips.

Experiment with flavors and textures

I rotate between sharp, smoky, and herbed varieties—such as smoked gouda by Follow Your Heart or herbed cashew cheese from Treeline—when I want to vary my pasta, salads, and snack boards.

Test meltability before serving guests

I always do a quick melt test in the oven or on the stove. Some vegan cheeses, even within the same brand, melt better than others. Shreds made for pizza or grilled cheese usually perform best at higher temperatures and with a touch of steam.

Store and serve properly

I keep vegan cheese airtight in the fridge and bring it to room temperature before serving, which improves texture and flavor for most blocks and slices.

Pair textures and flavors with complementary foods

I love pairing creamy spreads with crunchy bread or crisp veggies. Tangy sliced vegan cheese balances well with fruits like apple or fig, especially on plant-based cheese boards.

Start with small amounts

I sprinkle or layer vegan cheese lightly the first time I try a new brand in a recipe. This lets distinct flavors shine through and keeps the dish balanced if the cheese has a bold taste.

Conclusion

My journey with vegan cheese has been full of surprises and delicious moments. There’s something really satisfying about finding that perfect plant-based cheese for your favorite dish or snack.

With so many options out there it’s easier than ever to enjoy cheesy flavors without compromise. I hope you’ll have as much fun exploring new brands and recipes as I have—your next favorite might be just one bite away.