Cottage cheese is a soft cheese that may or may not be vegan. Traditionally most cottage cheese is not vegan as they are made with animal milk. However, many brands have come up with vegan cottage cheese options that are 100% dairy-free, vegan and good for your health.
Cottage cheese is famous among vegans and non-vegans because it is lower in calories than other cheeses. It is commonly used with various foods such as yogurt, toast, fruit, salad, and dip.
Vegan Substitutes for Cottage Cheese
Vegans are in luck, as many brands offer vegan cheese that you can consume or substitute in recipes. Let’s check some of the best ones.
Treeline Vegan Soft Herb and Garlic Cheese
Treeline is a famous vegan brand. Its vegan cottage cheese substitute is made from cashew nuts, sea salt, lemon juice, garlic, and water. All the ingredients are 100% vegan. You can enjoy it with pasta, pizza, or with your favorite vegan snacks.
Babybel Plant-Based Cheese Snacks
Babybel’s plant-based cheese is an excellent alternative to dairy cottage cheese. It is rich in calcium and vitamin B12. All the ingredients are 100% natural and vegan. It uses Cyanocobalamin, a man-made form of vitamin B12 as an ingredient.
VIOLIFE Just Like Mozzarella Shreds
Looking for vegan mozzarella shreds? Violife is what you need. It uses coconut oil, potato, corn, and vegan-based mozzarella flavor to make delicious vegan shreds. Overall, it is an excellent alternative to non-vegan mozzarella cheese.
NOOCH IT! Fair Trade Dairy-Free Cashew Grated Cheeze
This one is another 100% vegan and cashew-based grated cheese. The cheese is made from nutritional yeast, brown rice flour, garlic powder, and hemp seeds. However, it is costly compared to other options.
MIYOKOS CREAMERY Organic Plainly Classic Cashew Cream Cheese
It is best for spreading, snacking, and using as an ingredient in many recipes. The best thing is that it is affordable and USDA organic certified. Users rate it much better than costly vegan cheese in the market.
Kite Hill Plain Almond Milk Cream Cheese Style Spread
Kite Hill’s plain almond milk vegan cream cheese is another excellent alternative to dairy-based cottage cheese. All the ingredients are 100% vegan. Kite Hill is a 100% vegan brand that offers many vegan substitutes. However, you must always check the ingredients before buying.
FAQs
Is there a Vegan Substitute for Cottage Cheese?
Yes. There are many vegan substitutes available for cottage cheese. We have discussed some of the best ones above.
Is Indian Cottage Cheese Vegan?
It depends. Traditional Indian cottage cheese is not vegan. It is made using milk, lemon juice, or vinegar. However, it is vegetarian as it doesn’t contain animal-based rennet.
On the contrary, you may see some Indian cottage cheese labeled vegan in the stores. Don’t forget to check the ingredients if you are interested in buying.
What is Vegan Cottage Cheese Made of?
The ingredients may vary from one vegan variety to another, but the common ingredients include tofu, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and salt. Some recipes may also call for cashews, almonds, or other plant-based ingredients. Don’t forget to check the ingredients if you are buying a readymade vegan cottage cheese.
How can I use Vegan Cottage Cheese?
You can use vegan cottage cheese in so many different ways. It is great for breakfast with fruit, oatmeal, muffins, bagels, and biscuits. You can also have it in lunch with salad, sandwich, or wrap. It goes with snacks and dinner too.
What Flavor Variations are commonly available in Cottage Cheese?
The common variations are sweet, herb, spicy, and slightly tangy. You can have more variations if you are making cottage cheese at home.
Which common Varieties of Cheese are Vegan/Not Vegan?
Cream Cheese: Most cream cheese is not vegan. The US FDA defines traditional cream cheese as soft and uncured cheese with at least 33% milk fat that may or may not contain rennet.
Feta Cheese: Feta cheese is not vegan. Most store-bought or traditional feta cheese is made from sheep/goat milk and rennet.
Cheddar Cheese: Authentic cheddar cheese is not vegan. It has cow milk, animal rennet, salt, and bacteria culture as ingredients.
Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta cheese may or may not be vegan. We say this because ricotta is a soft cheese, and many brands are now focusing on dairy-free production methods to make 100% vegan cheese.
Parmesan Cheese: Authentic Parmesan cheese is never vegan. It has cow milk and rennet as ingredients. Both of these ingredients are not vegan.
Grana Padano: No. Grana Padano is not vegan or vegetarian. It is made with rennet and animal milk.
Mozzarella: Authentic Mozzarella is never vegan or vegetarian. It has milk and animal rennet like other hard cheeses. However, there are many vegan/vegetarian substitutes available.
Goat Cheese: Goat cheese is not vegan. It is made from goat milk which is a dairy product. Vegans don’t eat anything coming from animals.
