Vegan Feta Cheese Recipe | Easy, Dairy-free (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan feta cheese made of? ›

Most vegan feta recipes are made using tofu, which has always left me disappointed. I made this recipe using a cashew cream base seasoned with olive brine, vinegar, lemon juice, and savory seasonings. The key ingredient, agar agar powder, is the secret to this tangy feta holding its shape and texture.

Most of the TikTok videos use traditional feta, which is predominantly made from sheep's milk, but it is possible to buy (or make) a dairy-free version, too. In fact, demand for vegan feta cheese is also rising, notes Jocelyn Robertson, who works as director of brand marketing for plant-based brand Daiya.

Is vegan cheese healthy? In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it's lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system.

The answer here is a pretty straightforward no. As feta cheese is made from the milk of sheep and sometimes goats it isn't suitable for anyone on a fully plant-based diet. Vegans will not only abstain from eating meat, but also all animal products or other foods that are made with the use of byproducts too.

Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono Delta Lactone, Flavor (Vegan Sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12.

With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.

If your feta is nearing its best-by date and you're not sure whether you should eat it, look for the following indicators. Mold: If you see any spots of greenish mold on the cheese, throw the whole block out.

I give it my own spin here in this Vegan Baked Feta, with the addition of spinach and substitution of chickpeas for the pasta, for a Mediterranean, gluten free version. Consider me hooked. I made this with the vegan feta from Violife, which melted wonderfully into a bubbling, creamy delight.

Vegan feta tastes and looks like the real deal—salty, savory, creamy, and crumbly. But vegan cheeses are even yummier than dairy because no animal is harmed in their creation—compassion always tastes better! Feta is traditionally made of sheep's milk.

Cottage cheese has a similar texture to feta, but is milder in flavor. It's also lower in sodium and fat. This cheese makes a great substitute anywhere you'd use feta if you're looking for a healthy alternative. Cottage cheese works great as a 1 to 1 substitute for pasta, salads, and even pizza.

What cheese is healthier than feta? ›

“Goat cheese is milder in flavor than feta, but also tends to be lower in calories as well as fat.” Depending on how it's processed, goat cheese can also pack probiotics, which are microorganisms that can aid digestion. Fresh mozzarella, “tends to be one of the lowest in calories and sodium,” McGrane says.

The dietary fiber and polyphenols in whole plant foods are known to reduce gut inflammation, so a plant-based diet based on whole foods that includes moderate amounts of vegan cheese will likely be overwhelmingly anti-inflammatory.

Best Grocery Vegan Feta Cheese Brands

We have to admit that the coconut oil-based Violife vegan feta is our favorite. The 'Just Like Feta' block has the perfect combination of silkiness, saltiness, and mild, tart flavor. It is certified vegan and non-GMO.

Vegan cheeses with probiotics can offer several potential benefits, including: Improved digestion: The probiotics in vegan cheeses can help improve digestive function and promote healthy gut flora, reducing symptoms of bloating, gas, and constipation.

Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

Can it be made with cow's milk? The simple answer is no—at least not in the European Union. Real feta must be made of at least 70 percent sheep's milk and up to 30 percent goat's milk, and it must be produced to definite specifications.

Feta is made by separating and curing curds from milk using bacteria and enzymes. Traditional feta is made from 100% sheep's milk or a combination of sheep's milk and up to 30% goat's milk, but feta produced outside the EU may also contain cow's milk.