We Tried Almost 100 Vegan Cheeses to Find the Best Ones

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. And while we love the real deal (we'll take cheese any way it's served!), we found the best vegan cheese brands and choices for any dairy-free or vegan diet.

So what really is vegan cheese? It can be made from a variety of ingredients, like soy, coconut and tree nuts (cashew, almond) which are blended and fermented to give the final product a little bit of funk, like you’d find in a slice of dairy cheese. And, depending on the base of your vegan cheese, it can be higher in fiber and vitamins than regular cheese.

While not all vegan cheese is created equal, our top picks boast the best texture and flavor to add into all your favorite vegan recipes. If you hear ‘vegan cheese’ and words like ‘bland’ or ‘rubbery’ immediately come to mind: think again. Our favorite cream cheeses, ooey-gooey melted mozzarellas, savory slices and dippable quesos not only melt and spread, but have a variety of delicious, dairy-free flavors from smoked gouda slices to sweet strawberry cream cheese.

We tried more than 80 vegan cheeses to find our faves so you can add them right into your routine. Whether you're trying to melt a slice for a crispy, crunchy vegan grilled cheese, on the hunt to swap out the dairy in your go-to lasagna recipe, or even searching for a cheese to top your favorite crackers (gluten-free or otherwise), these sliced, shredded, and creamy vegan cheese options will give you plenty of variety to add to your everyday diet.