Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Vegan Cheese (UK)

What is the best vegan cheese? Here are some of the tastiest options in the UK

Image Credit: AdobeStock

For those in the process of going dairy-free, cheese is usually the biggest barrier. However, dairy-free cheese has come a long way in the last couple of years.

Gone are the days when you tried to melt it on toast and its rubbery form disappointingly refused to budge.

Now, we can enjoy and serve up a proper, good-looking cheese board with cheddar, Wensleydale, soft cheese and even Camembert (yes, really)!

If you’re trying to curb cheese cravings, here are some of the best vegan cheeses available in the UK to keep them at bay.

Vegan Cream Cheese

These spreadable cheeses work with snacks like sandwiches and crackers and you can use them in baking too.

Violife Original Soft Cheese

Violife’s smooth, creamy soft cheese is the ideal spread for your snacks. It looks and tastes exactly like the ‘real thing’.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Violife soft cheese
Image Credit: Violife

Philadelphia Plant-Based

Vegan Philadelphia is finally here! This plant-based spreadable cheese is made with oats and almonds and it’s just as creamy and delicious as the original.

Available at Tesco

Plant-Based Philadelphia Cheese
Image Credit: Philadelphia

Boursin

The Plant-Based Garlic and Herb spread from Boursin is a complete game-changer!

Available at Sainsbury’s

Sheese Original Spread

Bute Island Foods have been creating their own 100% dairy-free Sheese for over 20 years, so it’s fair to say they know their stuff!

Available at The Vegan Kind Supermarket and independent retailers

Sheese spread
Image Credit: Bute Island Foods

Sainsbury’s Garlic & Herb Soft Cheese

Like many supermarkets, Sainsbury’s now have a range of own-brand vegan cheeses.

Their Garlic and Herb Soft Cheese is the perfect cracker partner with a lovely garlicky flavour and creamy texture. It also works really well in a creamy pasta dish. Just don’t expect a snog afterwards.

Sainsbury's Garlic & Herb vegan soft cheese
Image Credit: Sainsbury’s

Waitrose Vegan Soft Spreadable

This coconut-based cheese alternative has a mild flavour, making it perfect for spreading on crackers or adding to a sandwich.

Waitrose soft spreadable cheese
Image Credit: Waitrose

Nush Natural Almond Cheese Spread

Looking for a soft cheese that offers a nutty kick? This creamy cheese from Nush will be right up your street.

Available at Sainsbury’s, Ocado and independent retailers

Nush Almond Spread
Image Credit: Nush

Bonsan Organic Almond Crème Original

This is a smooth, creamy cheese spread that will help ditching dairy so much easier.

Available at Amazon, Ocado and independent stockists

Bonsan soft cheese
Image Credit: Bonsan

Vegan Cheddar Cheese

If you’re transitioning from vegetarian to vegan, you may wonder if you’ll ever find a food you love as much as cheddar cheese.

Trust us – persevere and you’ll find a dairy-free cheddar alternative that works for you.

Cathedral City Plant-Based

Your vegan cheese prayers have been answered! Cathedral City’s plant-based cheddar cheese has received rave reviews from the vegan community and you can choose from a block, slices or grated. Hurrah!

Available at Tesco.

Cathedral City Plant-Based Block
Image Credit: Cathedral City

Sheese Mild Cheddar

This offers a tangy kick and so melts wonderfully you’d never know it was vegan!

Available at The Vegan Kind Supermarket and independent stockists

Sheese mild cheddar
Image Credit: Bute Island Foods

Violife Epic Mature Block

A worthy vegan cheddar cheese alternative that’s delicious eaten hot or cold. It melts well on toast and pizzas, and is great for slicing up for sandwiches.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Violife cheddar
Image Credit: Violife

Asda Free From Mature Cheddar Alternative

Asda’s own cheddar alternative has received rave reviews for its impressive crumbly texture, melting properties and taste.

Asda cheddar alternative
Image Credit: Asda

Vegan Mozzarella Cheese

On the hunt for the perfect dairy-free cheese to top your toast, jacket potato or homemade pizza? Give these a try.

Applewood Grated Smoky Vegan Cheese

Applewood’s Grated Smoky Vegan Cheese is a favourite among vegans. It’s smooth, creamy, melts well and packs a fiery punch at the same time, making this an unforgettable cheese.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Applewood Grated Vegan Cheese
Image Credit: Applewood

Violife Mozzarella Grated Non-Dairy Cheese

This dairy-free mozzarella melts well and has a mild taste, which means it works well on pizzas.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Violife mozzarella
Image Credit: Violife

Grated Sheese Vegan Mozzarella

The Sheese vegan mozzarella has been hailed as the closest thing to dairy cheese. As well as its great taste, it melts on pizza and grills well too.

Available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and independent stockists

Sheese mozzarella
Image Credit: Bute Island Foods

Vegan Cheese Slices

These dairy-free cheese slices are ideal for sandwiches, burgers and salads.

Nurishh Vegan Cheddar Style Slices

You really can’t go wrong with the slices from Nurishh. Beware: they are dangerously moreish!

Available at Sainsbury’s and independent stockists

Nurishh slices
Image Credit: Nurishh

Vitalite Dairy-Free Cheese Slices

These dairy-free slices taste delicious hot or cold!

Available at most supermarkets

Vitalite slices
Image Credit: Vitalite

Violife Non-Dairy Cheese Alternative Slices

Enjoy these in sandwiches, toasties or straight out of the pack.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Violife slices
Image Credit: Violife

great for cheeseboards & Snacking

Plant-Based Babybel

Your dairy-free cheese dreams just came true! Plant-based Babybel is a tasty snack for lunchboxes.

Available at Sainsbury’s

Vegan Baybel
Image Credit: Babybel

Violife ‘Halloumi’ Mediterranean Style Block

The internet exploded when Violife announced the arrival of their Mediterranean Style Block. This has established itself as one of the best vegan cheese options here in the UK.

A vegan alternative to halloumi has got to be one of the most sought-after cheeses in history and their version has a taste and texture that’s very close to the real thing!

Hint: Whack a block under your grill for a crisp outside and super gooey middle.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Violife Mediterranean Cheese Vegan
Image Credit: Violife

Bute Island Wensleydale Style with Cranberries

Bute Island Foods have an impressive cheese range, including a Wensleydale Style with Cranberries which ticks all of the boxes for a great cheese – creamy, crumbly, flavourful and utterly moreish.

Perfect for those who love a sweet and savoury combo.

Available at Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Spar, Ocado and The Vegan Kind supermarket

Wensleydale cheese with cranberries by Sheese
Image Credit: Sheese

Violife Prosociano (Parmesan)

No spag bol or carbonara would be the same without a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan.

And thanks again to Violife, we vegans don’t have to miss out as their Prosociano Vegan Cheese wedge is an amazing coconut-based alternative with added Vitamin B12. So, it’s basically a health food when you think about it.

Available at most UK supermarkets

Prosociano cheese wedge by Violife
Image Credit: Violife

Tyne Chease’s Pink Peppercorn Cashew Chease

If you’re looking for a real cheesy treat and are willing to spend a few more pennies, then look no further than north-east based Tyne Chease.

Their artisanal cultured and aged cashew cheeses are incredible in both taste and texture, especially their Pink Peppercorn flavour.

It’s a firm cheese but spreads nicely on crackers or bread and the added crunch and hit of pepper is amazing.

Available from their website

Tyne Chease vegan cheeses
Image Credit: Tyne Chease

Nurishh Camembert

We know a Camembert isn’t an easy cheese to mimic, but Nurishh have done a pretty good job!

Available at Sainsbury’s and independent stockists

Nurishh camembert
Image Credit: Nurishh

Honestly Tasty Shamembert

It’s a best-seller for a reason! Honestly Tasty’s rich, creamy and indulgent alternative to Camembert is perfect for special occasions.

Honestly Tasty Shamembert
Image Credit: Honestly Tasty

Now you have all the best vegan cheese options at your disposal. Tuck in!

Thinking of trying vegan?

Veganuary inspires and supports people all over the world to try vegan for January and beyond. Millions of people have already taken part. Will you join them?