Cheese is one of those ingredients that makes everything taste better - who doesn't love it sprinkled over fresh pasta or melted onto pizza? If you're vegan or lactose-intolerant though, you may have had to cut cheese out of your everyday diet. Luckily, there are plenty of dairy-free alternatives to satisfy your cheesy cravings!
If you're having trouble deciding between creamy spreads, sandwich slices, and bargain-sized cheddar blocks, take a look at our list of recommendations to buy in the UK from Tesco, Asda, and Waitrose. With top brands like Violife, Applewood, and Nush in our list, you'll be sure to find the perfect vegan cheese in no time!
First things first, let's explore the different types and flavours of dairy-free cheeses that are available to buy online. Then, we'll look at useful nutritional information such as fat content, calories, and added calcium.
The form of cheese you buy will depend on how you plan to use it in the kitchen. Pre-grated cheese is ideal for pizza toppings or as a finishing layer for pasta, whereas slices are designed for easy sandwich preparation or casual snacking.
Soft cheese and cream-style spreads go perfectly with bagels or can be incorporated into dishes like risotto. You might even want to use them as a dip for crunchy vegetables like celery and carrots.
Lastly, blocks of cheese are versatile so they can be sliced or grated as and when you need them. They're also a more cost-effective option as they're usually larger in size and should last you a while.
Next, what's your favourite variety of cheese? There are plenty to choose from! The most common kind in the UK is cheddar, an English cheese which has a mild but slightly tangy taste.
Gouda, which originates from Holland, is also delightfully tangy and rich in flavour. In contrast, Italian favourite mozzarella and Greek-style cheese like feta are fresh and creamy tasting.
If you prefer something with an even stronger taste, herby and smoky varieties of cheese are also available. Some brands even add ingredients like jalapeño or chilli for a touch of fiery flavour!
Cheese is naturally high in fat and calories, and dairy-free varieties are no different due to the prevalence of coconut oil in most brands. As the NHS recommends that adults consume no more than 70g of fat a day, it's advisable to monitor your intake from foods like cheese.
If you're trying to lose weight, look for a product with a lower fat and calorie content if possible. Or if you don't want to give up your favourite brand entirely, despite its high-fat content, just make sure you only indulge occasionally!
Dairy-based cheeses tend to have high levels of calcium, so those on a vegan or dairy-free diet may be concerned about making sure they get enough of this vital mineral.
According to the NHS, adults require approximately 700mg a day, which can be extracted from a variety of different foods including leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale.
Some vegan cheeses conveniently contain added calcium, which is a fantastic bonus if you need to increase your levels. So as well as being tasty, they're good for your teeth and bones - what more could you ask for?
Now that we've explored the main factors you should look out for when choosing a dairy-free cheese, it's time to check out our recommendations. From smoky flavoured slices to smooth herby spreads, we've got something for everyone!
£2.50
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Grated mozzarella |
Fat Content | 25.9 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 313 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 150 mg |
Chive
£2.75
Weight | 150 g |
---|---|
Type | Chive-flavoured spread |
Fat Content | 17 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 209 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | - |
Jalapeño & Chilli Cheddar
£2.25
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Jalapeño and chilli block |
Fat Content | 20.8 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 294 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 150 mg |
£2.25
Weight | 170 g |
---|---|
Type | Cream cheese spread |
Fat Content | 26.4 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 260 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g |
£2.50
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Cheddar slices |
Fat Content | 20.2 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 285 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 281 mg |
£2.16
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Greek-style block |
Fat Content | 29 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 305 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | - |
£3.30
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Gouda slices |
Fat Content | 22.5 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 300 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | - |
£2.29
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Cheddar block |
Fat Content | 26.3 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 318 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 736 mg |
£2.50
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Grated cheddar |
Fat Content | 24 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 298 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | - |
£2.30
Weight | 200 g |
---|---|
Type | Smoky block |
Fat Content | 24.5 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 305 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 282 mg |
Image | 1 ![]() Applewood | 2 ![]() Violife | 3 ![]() Koko | 4 ![]() Follow Your Heart | 5 ![]() Violife | 6 ![]() Vitalite | 7 ![]() Waitrose | 8 ![]() Tesco | 9 ![]() Nush | 10 ![]() Sheeze |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Vegan Smoky Cheese Alternative | Original Flavour Grated | Deliciously Mellow Dairy-Free Alternative | Smoked Gouda Style Slices | Greek White Block | Dairy-Free: Slices | Vegan Original Soft Spreadable | Free From: Coconut Oil Alternative | Dairy-Free Almond Milk Cheese | Vegan Grated Mozzarella Style |
Features | Affordable, Delicious, and Melts Beautifully | Perfect for Pizza and Pasta | Tangy and Versatile, With a Coconut Base | Sweet, Smoky-Tasting Slices | Ideal for Adding to Summer Salads | A Calcium-Rich Cheddar Alternative | Deliciously Light and Creamy | Fiery and Full of Flavour | A Protein-Packed Spread That's Great in Recipes | Smooth, Mozzarella-Style Shreds |
Price | £2.30 | £2.50 | £2.29 | £3.30 | £2.16 | £2.50 | £2.25 | £2.25 | £2.75 | £2.50 |
Weight | 200 g | 200 g | 200 g | 200 g | 200 g | 200 g | 170 g | 200 g | 150 g | 200 g |
Type | Smoky block | Grated cheddar | Cheddar block | Gouda slices | Greek-style block | Cheddar slices | Cream cheese spread | Jalapeño and chilli block | Chive-flavoured spread | Grated mozzarella |
Fat Content | 24.5 g | 24 g | 26.3 g | 22.5 g | 29 g | 20.2 g | 26.4 g | 20.8 g | 17 g | 25.9 g |
Calories Per 100 g | 305 kcal | 298 kcal | 318 kcal | 300 kcal | 305 kcal | 285 kcal | 260 kcal | 294 kcal | 209 kcal | 313 kcal |
Calcium Per 100 g | 282 mg | - | 736 mg | - | - | 281 mg | 150 mg | - | 150 mg | |
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That's your cheese alternative sorted - which other vegan treats are you looking to try? We've got plenty of recommendations to help you find the dairy-free milk, yogurt, or ice cream of your dreams!
Whether you're looking for a creamy spread or a slice of tangy cheddar, we hope our tantalising list of vegan cheeses has tickled your taste buds! Why not try out a different one each time you do your grocery shopping and see which one you like best?
Author: Nicola McClements
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