Three Delicious Recipes for Vegan Cheese

Due to the growing popularity of vegan and vegetarian diets, many people are now interested in recipes for vegan cheese. Even though they’re far from tasting like milk cheese, they’re still yummy and a good way to replace their dairy counterparts in many recipes.

Are you ready to learn some homemade recipes for vegan cheese?

To make vegan cheese at home there are many ingredients of vegetable origin you can use. Not only that, there are many different flavors and textures.

While some of them are available for purchase in the markets and grocery stores, it’s always better to be in control of the quality of their ingredients by making them at home.

We’re about to tell you why you might want to include them in your diet together with three simple recipes for some of this tasty vegan cheese.

Why Opt for Vegan Cheese?

There are several reasons why vegan cheese is gaining popularity among consumers:

First, because these cheeses have fewer calories and therefore a great complement for weight loss diets.

Second, due to ethical reasons, as many people don’t want to eat foods of animal origin due to animal abuse within the food industry. Similarly, other vegans choose this diet for many other reasons. (If you’re curious, then consult your closest vegan!)

Likewise, vegan cheese is becoming an alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, as these products don’t contain lactose and therefore don’t affect their digestive system. In fact, vegan cheese is cholesterol-free and its ingredients are a source of many nutrients.

In addition, its flavor and texture are similar to some conventional cheese, and this facilitates its substitutions and incorporation into dozens of recipes.

So, if you’re interested in trying them, then check out the recipes for vegan cheese that we’re sharing below.

Read also: 5 Delicious Vegan Smoothies that are Rich in Vegetable Protein and Fiber

Three Recipes for Vegan Cheese

As we already mentioned, there’s a wide variety of ingredients that can be used to make vegan cheese. This, perhaps, is another advantage over traditional dairy cheese.

Therefore, if you want a healthier option for your breakfasts, snacks and favorite recipes, use these recipes as your guide.

1. Sunflower Seed Cheese

Sunflower seeds stand out as a strong source of healthy fatty acids. These promote the heart health and they also provide several proteins and antioxidants.

In order to make this cheese, you’ll need another fermented vegetable drink. It can have quinoa, wheat or Spelt as a base.

Ingredients

• 1 c. of sunflower seeds, soaked overnight
• A ½ c. of kombucha, water kefir, coconut kefir, kimchi liquid, or unpasteurized craft beer
• 2 tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• A ½ c. of dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano

Preparation

• To begin, soak the sunflower seeds in water for at least 8 hours.
• Then, crush the seeds in a processor and beat them with the fermented vegetable liquid of your choice until you have a creamy texture.
• Next, add the other ingredients, with the exception of the herbs.
• Continue blending for a few minutes in order to improve the texture.
• Then, introduce the mixture in a clean cloth bag, the kind used for making vegetable milk, and hang it 8-12 hours from a hook in the kitchen. Make sure to put a bowl underneath to collect the mixture. (A new/very clean sock with a tight-knit is great for this purpose if you don’t have a cheesecloth bag.)
• After this time, remove the cheese and knead it into shape.
• Roll your cheese ball over the herbs to coat it evenly.
• The cheese is now ready to eat, but its flavor will improve if you let it age a little. For this, let it dry in a cool, dry and dark place for about two weeks. Throughout this period, you must flip the cheese ball every 12 hours.
• Then, your cheese is truly ready.

2. Hemp Seeds Vegan Cheese

A vegan cheese made from hemp seeds is a delicious option to add some extra omega 3 to your diet. This nutrient is ideal to increase your energy levels and improve your cardiovascular health. The result is very similar to a Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients

• A ½ c. of nutritional yeast
• A ½ c. of peeled hemp seeds
• Himalayan salt, to taste
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice

Preparation

• First, add the yeast, peeled hemp, and salt in a blender or a grinder.
• Then, blend them until you get a smooth, thick mixture.
• Afterward, pour the mixture into a small bowl and add the lemon juice.
• Stir until you remove all the lumps.
• Finally, store it in a container and use it on salads, vegetable creams, and pasta, etc.

Discover: The Seven Best Sources of Vegan Protein

3. Sweet Young Coconut and Cashews Vegan Cheese

Do you want to make a different kind of vegan cheese? Then try the lightly sweet taste of this young coconut cheese and cashew nuts. It’s a perfect addition to sandwiches, cookies, and many other snacks.

Ingredients

• 1 c. of young coconut pulp
• A ½ c. of coconut water
• A ½ c. of raw cashew nuts, soaked overnight
• 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• Sea salt (to taste)
• 1 tbsp of lemon juice

Preparation

• First, incorporate all the ingredients in a blender and beat them into a smooth, thick cream.
• Then, pour the mix into a glass jar with a lid, leaving the top quarter of the jar space free for the cheese bacteria to ferment.
• Next, cover the jar with a clean cotton cloth and store it in a cool, dry, dark place for 12 hours to ferment.
• Finally, serve it with fresh aromatic herbs or berries.

Have you tried adding vegan cheese to your diet? As you can see, these recipes are very easy to make. Choose the one you like and enjoy it in your favorite dishes!

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