9 tasty dairy-free vegan cheese brands in Australia.
Did you know you can still enjoy cheese while choosing to eat animal-friendly food? Here are our top picks for dairy-free delights that are kind to cows and their calves.
More people than ever are exploring the delicious world of dairy-free foods to shape a kinder future for cows and calves trapped in the dairy industry. But what happens when you’ve got a recipe – or a serious craving – that calls for cheese? We’ve got you covered with these easy-to-find, animal-friendly, completely vegan cheeses…
With as many as 1 in 6 Aussies now moo-ving away from dairy, the number of plant-based alternatives is exploding! So it’s never been easier to shop and eat kindly – not only for the planet and your own health, but for calves and their mums too.
We’ve sampled our way through some of the best dairy-free cheeses out there – and not to be cheesy, but they’re pretty darn grate.
Made With Plants
This straight-shooting range of cheese is – you guessed it – 100% made with plants! The parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar shreds all melt like a dream; and the cheddar also comes in a block or slices. We love this one on home-made pizza – it’s perfect for melting.
BioCheese
BioCheese has been a mainstay in the veg section for years, and for good reason … There’s something in the range for all your cooking needs: Cheddar blocks, slices, shreds, pizza shreds, marinated feta, parmesan, cream cheese, and even halloumi!
Imber’s Pantry
For a fancier option to put on a snack platter, try one of Imber’s Pantry’s gourmet cheeses. From lusciously meltable plant-based mozzarella to cashew-based camembert – and even a 100% vegan blue cheese, all made with live cultures – they’re all so convincing that you’ll inevitably find yourself checking the wrapping to confirm they’re dairy-free.
Sheese
Sheese’s plant-based cheddar cheese options are unreal, and truly some of the best available in stores these days. They offer tasty-style slices and grated shreds – both of which are spot on in terms of that slightly sharp cheddar flavour, and taste delightful melted into a whole range of comforting dishes.
Nature’s Kitchen
Another easy option to grab while you’re at the shops – Nature’s Kitchen cheddar shreds and slices are delicious on just about anything, from creamy pastas to pizza, or sandwiched in the middle of a crispy, melty toastie.
YAY! Marinated Vegan Feta
Feta-fans, rejoice! This dairy-free alternative delivers. It’s just as creamy and addictive as the real thing – one bite and you’ll be saying YAY too.
Cheer Plant-Based Cheese
How awesome is it that even big-name brands like Cheer are offering plant-based options these days? Their dairy-free shreds and slices are amazing, and super gooey when melted. Cheers, Cheer!
The Vegan Dairy
If you’re after a soft cheese or something a little more fancy, The Vegan Dairy is your go-to. Think gourmet options like aged and smokey cheese, Persian feta, ashed chèvre and more – perfect centrepieces for a plant-based cheese board!
Damona
From baked almond feta to bocconcini, pepperjack to brie, and even a sharp American cheddar, Damona has all your bases covered. Our personal favourites are the tomato and herb and smoked mozzarella – so yum you’ll want to eat them by the wheel.
Show me more!
The dairy-free movement is so mainstream now that most of these products can be found at your local supermarket – but health food stores and specialty stores are worth checking out too. There are so many new lactose-free, milk-free cheeses to be found now.
If you prefer to shop online, try browsing the virtual aisles of these vegan-friendly retailers, which can deliver right to your door.
Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for? Consider asking your local retailers to stock these plant-based cheeses. Businesses rely on customer feedback, so it’s a great way of showing that there’s a demand for compassionate choices.
One of the most influential philosophers of our time and author of influential 1975 text Animal Liberation returns to Australia for a speaking tour that is not to be missed.