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  4. 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More)
  • 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More) 1
  • 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More) 2
  • 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More) 3
  • 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More) 4
  • 10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More) 5

10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK 2022 (Violife, Applewood, Nush, and More)

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!


Last updated 28/03/2024
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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Vegan Cheese in the UK - Buying Guide

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.

1

Slices, Spreads, or Shreds - Which Type of Cheese Do You Need?

Slices, Spreads, or Shreds - Which Type of Cheese Do You Need?

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.

2

Decide on a Variety to Suit Your Taste Buds

Decide on a Variety to Suit Your Taste Buds

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!

3

As It's High in Fat and Calories, Monitoring Your Intake of Cheese Is Important

As It's High in Fat and Calories, Monitoring Your Intake of Cheese Is Important

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!

4

Opt for a Product With Added Calcium If You're Concerned About Your Levels

Opt for a Product With Added Calcium If You're Concerned About Your Levels

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? 

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10 Best Vegan Cheeses in the UK

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!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Applewood

Vegan Smoky Cheese Alternative

Applewood Vegan Smoky Cheese Alternative 1

£2.30

Low Mid

Affordable, Delicious, and Melts Beautifully

2

Violife

Original Flavour Grated

Violife Original Flavour Grated 1

£2.50

Mid

Perfect for Pizza and Pasta

3

Koko

Mature Cheddar Alternative

Koko  Mature Cheddar Alternative  1

£2.29

Low Mid

Tangy and Versatile, With a Coconut Base

4

Follow Your Heart

Smoked Gouda Style Slices

Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda Style Slices 1

£3.30

High

Sweet, Smoky-Tasting Slices

5

Violife

Camembert Soft Cheeze

Violife Camembert Soft Cheeze 1

£2.16

Low

Ideal for Adding to Summer Salads

6

Vitalite

Free From Blue Cheese Alternative

Vitalite Free From Blue Cheese Alternative  1

£2.50

Mid

A Calcium-Rich Cheddar Alternative

7

Waitrose

Vegan Original Soft Spreadable

Waitrose Vegan Original Soft Spreadable 1

£2.25

Low Mid

Deliciously Light and Creamy

8

Tesco

Free From Coconut Oil Alternative To Jalapeno & Chilli CheddarJalapeño & Chilli Cheddar

Tesco Free From Coconut Oil Alternative To Jalapeno & Chilli Cheddar 1

£2.25

Low Mid

Fiery and Full of Flavour

9

Nush

Dairy Free Spread - Garlic & HerbChive

Nush Dairy Free Spread - Garlic & Herb 1

£2.75

High Mid

A Protein-Packed Spread That's Great in Recipes

10

Sheeze

Mozzarella Style Block

Sheeze Mozzarella Style Block  1

£2.50

Mid

Smooth, Mozzarella-Style Shreds

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

ApplewoodVegan Smoky Cheese Alternative

Vegan Smoky Cheese Alternative 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£2.30
Low Mid
Reference price
£2.30
Low Mid

Affordable, Delicious, and Melts Beautifully

This smoky cheese alternative by Applewood has been receiving rave reviews from the UK vegan community, and it even won gold at the Free From Food Awards 2020! Not only is it delicious but it's high in calcium and vitamin B12.


Smooth and creamy, this product melts effortlessly - perfect for making hot toasties on a cold day! Best of all, it's incredibly cheap so we've no doubt that it'll become a staple of your weekly shop. 

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No.2

ViolifeOriginal Flavour Grated

Reference price
£2.50
Mid

Perfect for Pizza and Pasta

This mild, cheddar-style grated cheese by Violife is made with coconut oil and fortified with vitamin B12. At only £2.50, it's a cheap and cheerful cheesy option. Plus, the resealable bag gives it a slight edge over the previous product in our ranking and means that it should last you a while!


You should definitely try this product out if you're looking for a cheese alternative to suit a variety of dishes. It can be sprinkled over pretty much anything - for best results, we recommend veggie pizza or yummy tomato pasta!

No.3

Koko Mature Cheddar Alternative

Mature Cheddar Alternative  1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£2.29
Low Mid
Reference price
£2.29
Low Mid

Tangy and Versatile, With a Coconut Base

This alternative to cheddar by Koko is made from coconut and is totally free from artificial colourings, flavours, and preservatives. It also has added calcium, as well as vitamins D2 and B12.


Tangy but not too overpowering, this versatile cheese tastes equally as yummy sliced in sandwiches with a dollop Branston pickle as it does grated on top of a jacket potato. Give it a try if you're craving cheddar!

No.4

Follow Your HeartSmoked Gouda Style Slices

Smoked Gouda Style Slices 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£3.30
High
Reference price
£3.30
High

Sweet, Smoky-Tasting Slices

This Gouda-style cheese by US brand Follow Your Heart has a tasty hickory-smoked flavour that's sharp yet sweet. It works well in a simple sandwich or even as a topping for pasta dishes like macaroni. 


We love the fact that this product comes pre-sliced for added convenience, and we're impressed at how affordable it is considering it's an imported brand. It's just a shame that it's not more widely available!

No.5

ViolifeCamembert Soft Cheeze

Reference price
£2.16
Low

Ideal for Adding to Summer Salads

Calling all feta fans! This block by Violife is the only Greek-style cheese alternative around, so we just had to include it on our list. With a distinctive salty flavour, it's the ideal ingredient for adding to summer salads or Mediterranean dishes and enjoying alongside a glass of wine!


Although this cheese won't be to everyone's taste, the low price is sure to appeal to those who want to try something a bit different without breaking the bank.

No.6

VitaliteFree From Blue Cheese Alternative

Reference price
£2.50
Mid

A Calcium-Rich Cheddar Alternative

These cheddar-style slices by Vitalite can be served hot or cold, so you can eat them with crackers or melt one over your favourite vegan burger. They're fortified with added calcium and vitamin B12 too, so you can feel good about your snacking!


We must admit that the flavour of this product is a bit bland in comparison to some of the other picks on our list. If you're just using it for a simple sandwich though, this won't matter too much.

No.7

WaitroseVegan Original Soft Spreadable

Vegan Original Soft Spreadable 1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£2.25
Low Mid
Reference price
£2.25
Low Mid

Deliciously Light and Creamy

If you've been missing the light yet indulgent taste of Philadelphia, then this yummy tub by Waitrose is for you! We recommend spreading this cream cheese on toast or a poppy seed bagel for a filling brunch or a quick snack. As it has no added flavours, you could even use it to make desserts like cheesecake or key lime pie.


Although this product is a little higher in fat than some of our other choices, we think the delicious taste makes it all worthwhile. It's pretty budget-friendly too!

No.8

TescoFree From Coconut Oil Alternative To Jalapeno & Chilli CheddarJalapeño & Chilli Cheddar

Free From Coconut Oil Alternative To Jalapeno & Chilli Cheddar 1
Source:tesco.com
Reference price
£2.25
Low Mid
Reference price
£2.25
Low Mid

Fiery and Full of Flavour

If you prefer your cheese to have a bit of a kick then you'll love this jalapeño and chilli infused cheddar alternative by Tesco. Not only is it full of flavour but it has a great texture and melts easily.


Whilst this product may be too spicy for some, we think it's got just the right amount of heat. Try it with chutney on oatcakes for a decadent lunch or cut it into chunks and snack away!

No.9

NushDairy Free Spread - Garlic & HerbChive

Dairy Free Spread - Garlic & Herb 1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£2.75
High Mid

A Protein-Packed Spread That's Great in Recipes

This thick and creamy chive-flavoured spread by Nush is made using artisan almond milk that's prepared freshly each day in their UK based factory. As each pot contains over 60 almonds, this product is a fantastic source of protein!


Unfortunately, this is a bit of a small tub for the price and it's not suitable for those with nut allergies. Still, it's a delicious product that works great in pasta recipes or comforting dishes like mashed potato.

No.10

SheezeMozzarella Style Block

Mozzarella Style Block  1
Source:waitrose.com
Reference price
£2.50
Mid
Reference price
£2.50
Mid

Smooth, Mozzarella-Style Shreds

This grated cheese by old-school vegan brand Sheeze has a smooth, mozzarella-style texture. This means it's suitable for a range of uses, including pizza toppings, cheesy bakes, and sprinkling on top of pasta dishes.


Sadly, this product is fairly high in saturated fat and calories, due to the coconut base. Some reviewers find it a bit greasy too when heated up, but overall it's a decent all-rounder that's inexpensive!

More Dairy-Free Delights to Try!

More Dairy-Free Delights to Try!

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!

Summary

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

Top 5 Vegan Cheeses

No. 1: ApplewoodVegan Smoky Cheese Alternative

No. 2: ViolifeOriginal Flavour Grated

No. 3: Koko Mature Cheddar Alternative

No. 4: Follow Your HeartSmoked Gouda Style Slices

No. 5: ViolifeCamembert Soft Cheeze

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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