Best Vegetarian Cheese of 2026
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Vegetarian cheese is a type of cheese that is made without using any animal rennet, which is a common ingredient in traditional cheese-making. Instead, it is made using vegetable rennet or microbial enzymes, making it a suitable option for those who follow a vegetarian diet. This type of cheese comes in a variety of flavors and textures, including cheddar, mozzarella, and feta. It can be used in a range of dishes, from pizzas and sandwiches to salads and casseroles. Vegetarian cheese is a great alternative for those who want to enjoy the taste and texture of cheese without compromising their dietary beliefs.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Vegetarian Cheese
Organic Valley 3 Cheese Mexican Blend
The Organic Valley Mexican Cheese is a convenient 6-ounce bag of finely shredded cheese, making your meal prep quick and easy. It combines sharp cheddar, Colby, and Monterey Jack cheeses, providing a rich and flavorful blend perfect for enhancing tacos, salads, and other dishes. This cheese is USDA Certified Organic, ensuring it’s made without GMOs, antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or harmful pesticides, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. With this blend, you get a tasty and healthy option that adds a delicious touch to your favorite meals.
Organic Valley Grassmilk Raw Organic Cheddar Cheese Block 8 Oz
The Organic Valley Raw Cheddar comes as an 8-ounce individually wrapped block, making it easy for you to keep fresh and use as needed. This cheese is made from raw milk and aged for at least 60 days, giving it a unique, complex flavor with a buttery finish that enhances your meals. You can easily slice, cube, or shred the block, which adds convenience whether you're preparing sandwiches, snacks with crackers and fruit, or enjoying it on its own. This cheese is a great choice if you want natural, flavorful cheese that fits well into various dishes.
Organic Valley Alpine Style Baby Swiss Cheese Slices
The Organic Valley Baby Swiss offers a mild, nutty taste that fits perfectly in your appetizers and casseroles, adding a delicious touch to your meals. Its softer texture and gentle flavor make it a great choice if you prefer cheese that’s easy to enjoy and melts well. You can also create a lovely cheese plate by pairing it with crackers, fruit, and cured meats, making entertaining simple and tasty. This cheese is crafted from milk sourced from small family farms, so you can trust the quality and care that goes into every slice.
JUST THE CHEESE Just the Cheese Minis Grilled Cheese Crisps
The JUST THE CHEESE Cheese Minis offer a tasty and healthy snack option made from real Wisconsin cheese, baked to deliver a crunchy grilled cheese flavor you’ll enjoy. Each serving provides a solid 12 grams of protein, making it a great choice to satisfy hunger and keep your energy up throughout the day. If you follow a keto or low-carb diet, these crisps fit perfectly with just 3 grams of carbs per serving, helping you stay on track without sacrificing flavor. Plus, they are gluten-free and contain zero sugar, so you can snack confidently even if you have dietary restrictions or sensitivities.
BEECHERS Flagship Cheese Stick 8 Count
The BEECHERS Cheese Sticks are carefully chosen from trusted farmers and producers worldwide, ensuring you get quality cheese every time. You don’t have to worry about unhealthy additives since these sticks contain no hydrogenated fats, high-fructose corn syrup, or added MSG, making them a cleaner snack option. Plus, each cheese is third-party audited and can be traced back to its farm, giving you peace of mind about where your food comes from. These features make BEECHERS Cheese Sticks a convenient, healthy, and transparent choice for your snacking needs.
DAIYA Aged Cheddar Mac and Cheese 5.5 OZ
DAIYA Cheddar Mac and Cheese is a thoughtful choice for those who want a cleaner, healthier meal option. It’s made without hydrogenated fats, which helps you avoid unhealthy trans fats that can affect your heart health. You won’t find any high fructose corn syrup in this product, so it’s free from added sugars that can spike your energy levels and lead to crashes. The mac and cheese also skips bleached or bromated flour, meaning fewer chemicals in your food. Lastly, it contains no synthetic nitrates or nitrites, which are often used as preservatives but can be concerning for some people. This product is ideal if you’re looking for a more natural comfort food.
Cypress Grove Purple Haze Goat Cheese
The Cypress Grove Goat Cheese offers a fresh and flavorful experience with its unique blend of lavender and fennel pollen. Made from pasteurized goat milk, it ensures safety and quality for your enjoyment. The cheese has a perfect balance of creamy, crumbly, and smooth textures, making it versatile for different dishes or snacking. Its taste combines fresh creaminess with herbaceous, savory, tart, and bright notes, enhancing any meal or appetizer you prepare. This cheese is a great choice if you want a distinctive and high-quality addition to your cheese board.
Farmer's Market Sharp Cheddar Cheese Block
Experience the smooth and creamy consistency of Farmer's Market Sharp Cheddar Cheese Block. This 7oz cheese block is crafted in Wisconsin and individually wrapped for your convenience. It is a good source of calcium and shelf-stable, ensuring that you can refrigerate it after opening. Perfect for cheese lovers, this cheddar cheese is a must-have in your kitchen.
LIVING JIN Vegan Magic Cheese Sauce Powder
The LIVING JIN Vegan Cheese Powder is a 100% plant-based cheddar cheese powder that lets you enjoy a creamy, authentic cheese sauce without any dairy or animal products. Made with coconut milk powder, it provides a rich flavor while supporting digestion and overall health. This cheese powder is free from preservatives, eggs, and GMOs, making it a healthy choice with low sodium. Plus, it’s super easy to use—just mix with water and heat for one minute to get a delicious vegan cheese sauce, perfect for quick meals or snacks anytime.
DIVINA Marinated Feta & Olives 12.7 OZ
The DIVINA Marinated Feta Olives offer a delicious taste of Greece with rich feta cheese and flavorful olives marinated to bring out the best flavors. This blend is perfect for adding a tasty touch to your cheese boards, salads, or snacks, and you can even use it to stuff avocados for a creative meal. Made with high-quality ingredients like sheep and goat milk feta, olives, and spices, it delivers an authentic Mediterranean experience. Plus, it’s a smart choice for health-conscious eaters since it’s gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegetarian-friendly, fitting well into many diets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Cheddar cheese vegetarian?
Cheddar cheese may not be considered vegetarian if it contains "rennet" or "animal enzymes" to aid in coagulation. These ingredients, derived from animals, are not suitable for vegetarians.
2. Is mozzarella cheese vegetarian?
Authentic mozzarella, like many traditional European cheeses, is made using animal rennet derived from the stomach lining of unweaned young animals. This makes mozzarella unsuitable for vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant.
3. Why is Parmesan not vegetarian?
Parmesan cheese is not considered vegetarian because it is made with animal enzymes or animal rennet. The use of these ingredients, derived from animals, makes Parmesan unsuitable for vegetarians.
4. Do vegetarians eat any cheese?
Many types of cheese, especially those made from cow's or goat's milk, are not vegan-friendly but may be consumed by vegetarians. While vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of animals, most vegetarians allow cheese in their diet as cheesemaking does not involve animal slaughter.
5. Does mozzarella have animal rennet?
Yes, authentic mozzarella uses animal rennet obtained from the stomach lining of young animals. This makes mozzarella unsuitable for vegetarians and those who cannot consume products made with animal rennet.
6. What cheeses can vegetarians not eat?
Some cheeses that vegetarians cannot eat include Parmesan, gorgonzola, pecorino romano, camembert, gruyere, and manchego. These cheeses are made using animal rennet, which is derived from the stomachs of unweaned calves.
During our vegetarian cheese research, we found 24 vegetarian cheese products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 61,824 customer reviews through our big data system to write the vegetarian cheese list. We found that most customers choose vegetarian cheese with an average price of $12.33.
The vegetarian cheese are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of vegetarian cheese, including Organic Valley, JUST THE CHEESE, BEECHERS, Daiya, Cypress Grove. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!