What Is The Best Dairy Free Cream Cheese

Why Trust The Spruce Eats

Non Dairy Cream Cheese / The Best Vegan Cream Cheese

Writer and professional cheese eater Christine Clark teaches cheese and pairing classes throughout the United States and is dedicated to helping people expertly get their cheese on, even if its a vegan cheese theyre looking for. Her cheese adoration is so strong that she has a whole podcast dedicated to it. She is a Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society.

Goveggie’s Chive & Garlic Cream

You can’t go wrong with this beautiful, golden cream cheese. It may take a little longer to set up, but not only does it taste great, but it also looks pretty too. Easy to whip up on your own, this vegan cream cheese has no added allergens, plus it’s made without genetically modified ingredients. If you don’t care for a strong garlic taste, you can also choose a vegan cheese blend to bring out other flavours in the cream cheese. Not only does this cream cheese have all of the ingredients you’re looking for, but it does it with fantastic taste too.

Winner: Sainsburys Deliciously Free From Greek Style Alternative To Cheese

This was the only entry in this category which managed to achieve both the crumbly texture and salty hit of feta cheese. At first taste, the flavour is cheesy and salty, but some did find that this was followed by a slightly synthetic aftertaste.

Our panel felt confident that they would to serve this in place of feta in a vegan Greek salad or crumbled over roasted veg.

Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil , Modified Potato Starch, Maize Starch, Salt, Flavourings, Gluten Free Oat Fibre, Thickeners: Carrageenan, Guar Gum Modified Maize Starch, Acidity Regulators: Lactic Acid, Sodium lactate Colour: Mixed Carotenes.

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Kite Hill’s Everything Spread

Sitting at the top of our list of vegan cream cheese brands is Kite Hill’s Everything spread. Not only does the brand make one of the best spreads around, but the company also makes several other delicious vegan cream cheese products. That means you can have your dairy and eat it too.

Their latest product is Everything,’ but The Crust’, which has just arrived on the market and the light and creamy taste is a natural match for your avocado and mayo laden sandwiches. With 14 grams of protein per 1 tablespoon serving, it is vegan-approved and, of course, vegan! The packaged spread is available in 6 delicious flavours, including vegan ham and swiss, and vegan jack and red pepper. It is available in supermarkets nationwide for a suggested retail price of $4.99 per 4 ounces container.

Highly Commended: Sainsburys Deliciously Free From Original Coconut

Our judges described this as having a pleasing mouth-feel and thick, creamy texture, as well as that lactic sourness which is essential when replicating cheese. However, some found it a little too acidic. It could be used in cooking or spread on toast.

Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil , Soya Protein Concentrate , Acidity Regulators: Lactic Acid, Sodium lactate Salt, Humectant: Glycerine Sugar, Inulin, Thickener: Carrageenan Flavourings, Fructose.

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Highly Commended: Asda Free From Soft Cheese Alternative

Another impressive contender, this had a creamy texture and the sharp tang of cream cheese but was slightly grainier and more watery in texture than our winner.

This would still be a great vegan option for spreading on toasted bagels or using in cooking.

Ingredients: Water, Coconut Oil , Soya Protein Concentrate , Salt, Acidity Regulator , Sugar, Thickener , Flavouring

How Does Vegan Cheese Taste

Vegan cheeses have a unique aroma and flavor.

People making the change to a plant-based diet can sometimes find they dont like the taste of vegan cheese.

Therefore, its a good idea to allow at least a few weeks, or preferably months, between transitioning from dairy to vegan cheese.

This approach gives someone time to forget what dairy cheese tastes like and lets them start afresh with new flavors.

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese

Tofutti is probably the most widely available cream cheese, so it’s likely the non-dairy cream cheese served in most bagel spots that actually carry non-dairy options. This spread is a muted beige and slightly grainy, and its tofu roots definitely dont go unnoticed. While this spread is by no means bad, and I would use it in a pinch when I didnt have the Violife readily available, there is something about the aftertaste that Im not sold on. Almost playdough-y, theres a distinct bitterness that comes through after the bite.

The Bottom Line: When it comes to comfort foods, it can be hard to find plant-based options that feel like they fill the void left after eliminating animal products. Luckily, in my experience, our taste buds adapt to a plant-based lifestyle, and things that may have tasted far from similar to their animal-product predecessors end up tasting nearly identical to the “real thing” after 1-2 months of going entirely plant-based.

For Chive And Onion Vegan Cream Cheese:

The Best Vegan Cream Cheese | 9 Brands, 1 Winner

While the cream cheese is quite good plain, it is SO much better with more flavor. Simply add 3 tablespoons of chopped chives and a teaspoon of onion powder to the cream cheese, and process until smooth. SO GOOD.

You could also get creative with different add-ins, such as sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, chipotles in adobo or maple walnut.

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Vegan Cream Cheese Brands

If you want to go dairy-free, your love for cream cheese wont stand in the way. Just try a few of these excellent products and see which you like best:

Of all these products, Violifes cheddar variety is the most daring and the least traditional. It tastes nothing like regular cream cheese, but its outstanding and unique.

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The Importance Of Vegan Cream Cheese

Make life a little easier on yourself and buy vegan cream cheese at least once a month. It’s much less expensive and it’s healthier than the non-vegan options you’re used to. You can find a wide variety to suit every need, from traditional taste to more unique flavours like vegan buffalo sauce to sweet vegan flavours. Vegan cream cheese is also easier on your wallet too.

Most varieties are vegan-friendly and available at major grocery stores. Even better, it tastes just as good as any of the real dairy counterparts and you won’t break your health routines. These recipes will show you how easy it is to make your own vegan cream cheese and check out our list of the best vegan cream cheese brands to shop for.

If you haven’t yet heard, in addition to the release of the documentary Vegan Evolution, 2017 is being heralded as the year of the vegan. With this incredible number of choices available to the vegan community, it is very easy to see why this is the case. This is especially true when it comes to cheese, as well as other dairy-free products.

Of course, it has been challenging for vegans in the past when it came to products such as ice cream, milk, and even a decent vegan cream cheese. Thankfully, with the rise of the vegan movement, vegan cream cheese has been made available to an even larger audience. Vegan cream cheese made with natural ingredients that actually taste good makes it possible for you to enjoy your vegan diet to its fullest.

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Miyokos Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese

Vegan Cream Cheese: The Good and the Just Plain Ugly

Buy Online: | Instacart

Miyokos is another popular brand of plant-based cream cheese made with a cashew base! All Miyokos cream cheese alternatives are cultured, giving them a tang reminiscent of real cream cheese! In addition to Plain and Everything flavors, there are also some unique flavors like Fish-Free Lox, Savory Scallion, and Cinnamon Raisin! These products are gluten-free, soy-free, and Kosher.

You can find Miyokos Cream Cheese products at health foods stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and The Fresh Market. You can also find them at select stores like Target, Kroger, and more using their store locator!

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So Delicious Dairy Free Cream Cheese Style Spread

So Delicious Dairy Free Cream Cheese Style Spreads are certified vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher! You can try either Creamy Original or Chive & Onion.

You can find So Delicious Dairy Free Cream Cheese at select stores like Kroger, Walmart, Safeway, Sprouts, and more. Make sure to use their product locator and select the flavor you want to buy before heading to the store!

Creamy Chocolate Almond Butter Pudding Pie

This no-bake dessert takes a bit of chilling time, but the result is well worth the wait. Vegan cream cheese blends with rich coconut cream, decadent melted chocolate, and airy whipped cream for a standout treat that will please any chocoholic or dessert lover. Garnish with shaved chocolate or halved Oreo cookies for even more toe-tingling indulgence.

Seasons Of Salad Ideas

During the summer when the farmers markets, fruit stands and grocery stores are brimming with fresh produce, its easy to eat our fill of fresh fruits and vegetables. But during the long winter months, we may struggle to find ways to use root vegetables or other vegetables that are in season. Here are a few

Daiya Plain Cream Cheese Style Spread Dairy Free 8 Oz

VEGAN MAC N’ CHEESE | the best dairy-free mac n’ cheese recipe!

High Quality Powdered Cheddar Cheese

Perfect for blending with butter, sour cream and heavy cream to make cheese sauces
Lots of uses! Sprinkle on your favorite popcorn, vegetables, and casseroles.
No artificial coloring, Batch Tested and Verified Gluten-Free, GMO Free

Made in the USA

For Cream Cheese Spread and Dips, add 1 cup Cream Cheese Powder with 1/4 cup water.
No whey fillers.

Made in the USA a dedicated gluten-free facility and shipped in a standup, resealable pouch to ensure freshness.
Ingredients: Cream Cheese , Nonfat Milk
Since 2009, Judees has been dedicated to providing fresh, allergy-conscious ingredients.

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Benefits Of Dairy Free Cream Cheese

Whether you are avoiding dairy due to dietary restrictions, health, or other reasons, there are several benefits to choosing a dairy-free substitute over traditional milk-based cream cheese:

Allergy-friendly. Over 6 million people in the United States have an allergy to milk . Dairy free cream cheese is typically safe to consume if you have a milk allergy, assuming you are not allergic to other ingredients in the product such as tree nuts.

Intolerance-friendly. Regular cream cheese contains small amounts of lactose . Though this amount can be tolerated by many people with lactose intolerance, others are more sensitive to this sugar. Since dairy free cream cheese is not made with milk, it does not contain any lactose.

Vegan-friendly. From better health to ethical and environmental benefits, there are many potential pros to following a vegan diet. As dairy free cream cheese is typically made with a plant-based milk or tofu, it is vegan-friendly.

Lower in saturated fat. When compared with conventional cream cheese, some dairy free cream cheese is much lower in saturated fat a type of fat that may negatively affect heart health when eaten in excess. Most health professionals agree you should limit your saturated fat intake to less than 10% of your daily calories, which is around 20 grams per day for the average person .

Downsides Of Dairy Free Cream Cheese

While there are certain benefits to choosing dairy free cream cheese, there are also some downsides:

Level of processing. To mimic the taste and texture of conventional cream cheese, dairy free cream cheeses are often highly processed. Several studies have linked higher intake of ultra-processed foods to heart disease, cancer, depression, and other common health conditions .

Additives. Gums such as xanthan gum and guar gum are the most common types of additives in dairy free cream cheese. They are derived from natural sources, used to thicken products and to prevent separation. Though they are not absorbed by the body and have been deemed safe to consume, their presence is an indicator the product is more processed. Its important to point out that gums are a common additive in regular cream cheese as well .

Taste and texture. Despite the additives to help, some proponents of traditional cream cheese suggest the taste and texture of dairy free cream cheese simply doesnt stack up. As this downside is based on opinion, consider trying a dairy free cream cheese for yourself before completely ruling them out.

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Best Vegan Cheeses Brands For 2021

Choosing the best vegan cheese is difficult these days with so many great dairy-free cheeses now available.

Its not all that long ago that if you said you were in the market for vegan cheeses, people might have looked at you funny.

Recently, the game has completely changed. All hail vegan cheeses!

You have so many awesome options for vegan cheese that nearly every small grocery store has at least one kind and a supermarket will have a dozen or more.

A vegan diet is probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth.Joseph Poore, University of Oxford, UK 2018

So, with that in mind weve put together a list of the best vegan cheeses of the year.

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese Plain

The best dairy free cream cheese on the market. Change my ...

Tofutti is one of the original vegan brands for anything. Their cream cheese has been around for a very long time.

Thoughts: Immediately we could tell it was thick and not runny which was a plus. But the taste was just off to us. It doesnt have a close cream cheese taste although the texture itself was nice.

Andrew said it tasted like you were eating something out of a cup that hadnt been properly rinsed.

Where to Buy:Use their store locator here

Varieties: Plain, Herbs & Chives, Garlic & Herb, Whipped.

Ingredients: WATER, EXPELLER PROCESSED NATURAL OIL BLEND , MALTODEXTRIN, NON-GMO , NON-DAIRY LACTIC ACID, BLEND OF NATURAL GUMS , ORGANIC SUGAR AND SALT.

Allergens: Soy

Price: $3.79

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Easy Baked Chocolate Cheesecake

There are a plethora of no-bake cheesecake recipes on the internet, and while many of them are good, they dont quite replicate that traditional texture of cheesecake we grew to love thanks to many birthday dinners at The Cheesecake Factory. This one scratches that itch for a fluffy yet rich filling with a tart raspberry sauce that cuts the intense flavor of chocolate-on-chocolate. Get the recipe

Dairy Free Paleo Cream Cheese Recipe

Easy dairy free, vegan, and paleo cream cheese recipe. Soy free, made in 5 minutes, and able to store in the fridge for 1 week. Addictively creamy and a perfect for spreading on these paleo bagels!

This dairy free cream cheese will blow your mind with its rich creaminess. I am only speaking from experience. Because this stuff has changed the way I eat! The element of having something rich and creamy in a recipe was lacking in my life.

Since discovering dairy free cream cheese, everything tastes better! I can say without a doubt- I have yet to find a recipe, savory or sweet, that doesnt go well with this cream cheese. Its simply divine.

Isnt it a joy when you can make one of your favorite recipes in a food processor and have it ready in minutes? Thats how I feel about this cream cheese. Just give it to me! It only takes four ingredients and a food processor to make this dreamy cream cheese.

Its finger dipping good. Toast spreading good. And cheesecake worthy. A few ways to use this cream cheese:

Spread it on these homemade paleo bagels

Make these bomb outta-this-world-good cream cheese bars
Spread it on my favorite paleo crackers
Eat it finger dipping style

*Pro tip: make these dairy free raspberry cream cheese bars with this cream cheese recipe! Its literally one of the best things I have even had in my life. Not joking.

the instant cream cheese recipe you need!

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Miyokos Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese

Miyokos Organic Vegan Cream Cheese is a close substitute to cream cheese, and it is non-dairy. Miyokos Organic Cultured Vegan Cream Cheese is our top pick. Its made out of cashews and coconut milk and is available in three savory flavors: Plain, Sensational Scallion, and Fish-Free Lox. There are no artificial additives or flavors in any of these cream cheeses instead, they are flavored with actual herbs and spices and colored with vegetable juice. Substitutes the same amount of Miyokos Organic Vegan Cream Cheese as you would regular cream cheese.

Tofutti Imitation Cream Cheese

Best dairy & soy free cream cheese | Miyokos vs Kite Hill

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese is a moderately processed dairy-free cream cheese made with a blend of vegetable oil, soy protein, and tofu. It contains additives, including various types of natural gums and maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is a starchy carbohydrate added to enhance texture. Its typically derived from corn, potato, or rice and is safe to consume.

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