The wave of vegan butcheries has given rise to a brand new area of interest service provider: plant-based cheese outlets. Just like their dairy-based counterparts, these cheesemongers carry gourmand rounds of artisan-crafted cheese together with wine and must-have cheeseboard accoutrements. Whether or not you’re having fun with a tacky vegan meal ready on-premises or stocking up on cheese to go, these vegan cheese purveyors have every little thing you want. From creamy brie to spicy pepper jack to extra distinctive choices, like caramelized onion camembert or truffle-flavored wheels, they’ve received you lined. Discover a few of our go-to vegan cheese outlets beneath, however first: what makes artisanal vegan cheese particular?
What’s artisanal vegan cheese?
Artisanal vegan cheese is usually made utilizing conventional cheese-making methods however with out, in fact, the animal-derived components. It’s typically made by small-scale producers who emphasize high quality, craftsmanship, and pure components, quite than mass manufacturing. Often, vegan cheesemakers work with components like nuts (typically cashews, for instance, or macadamia nuts), in addition to seeds or coconuts to realize the ultimate product. They could additionally add further components for taste, together with herbs, spices, and dietary yeast (also referred to as nooch). Similar to in conventional dairy cheese-making, vegan cheese-making can contain growing older, fermentation, and culturing to get that signature style and texture.
Youssef Vromage, previously often called Youssef Fahouri, founding father of (you guessed it) vegan cheese store Vromage, instructed Vice again in 2018: “[In the US], the vegan chef needs to get the credit score, they need to make their very own [vegan cheese], however they don’t know easy methods to make it. They make hummus! To me, it’s not a cheese. I inform them, ‘Pay attention, you desire a cheese, it is advisable to be affected person—you need to ferment it, age it, look ahead to it.’”
You could find out extra about Vromage, in addition to the various different excellent vegan cheese outlets throughout the US, beneath.
Vegan cheese outlets to go to proper now
In the event you’re on the hunt for next-level artisanal vegan cheese, cease by one in all these 11 outlets.
Vromage
1 Vromage
Los Angeles, CA
The vegan cheese at this unassuming strip mall cheese store is match for royals—and we’re not hyperbolizing. The store and its founder, Youseff Vromage, have been featured in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding ceremony album. The now Duchess of Sussex was a daily buyer again within the days when she lived amongst us commoners in Los Angeles. Additionally, in case you have been questioning, Vromage is formally this vegan cheesemonger’s final title—he had it legally modified. If that doesn’t present dedication to his craft, nothing does.
Cultured South
2 Cultured South/Pure Abundance
Atlanta, GA
Cultured South is a fermentation firm and bar inside a cool industrial brewery. It carries Pure Abundance vegan cheeses in its grab-and-go part and options these small-batch vegan cheeses on its menu. Vegan choices embody a cheese plate that comes with three signature Pure Abundance cheeses, crackers, and pickles or a gooey, melty grilled cheese.
The Vreamery
3 The Vreamery
Paso Robles, CA
Come for the artisan vegan cheese, however keep for a freshly made soften. The Vreamery encompasses a rotating menu of paninis, salads, and out-of-the-box grilled cheeses together with grazing containers composed of vegan cheese, charcuterie, dried fruit, and nuts. Clients may also decide up their favourite cheese picks to get pleasure from at residence.
Vtopian
4 Vtopian
Head to Vtopian’s café in Portland to pattern a scrumptious choice of housemade vegan cheeses like sharp aged white cheddar, creamy peppercorn brie, barely candy caramelized onion camembert, and a lot extra. In addition to its personal vary, the store additionally gives scrumptious dairy-free cheeses from fellow manufacturers like Insurgent Cheese, too.
Riverdel Vegan Cheese
5 Riverdel Vegan Cheese
New York Metropolis, NY
Coined “the unique vegan cheesemonger,” Riverdel has persistently raised the bar for vegan cheese since its founding in 2015. The corporate creates its personal line of cheeses (that are aged in a standard walk-in cheese cave) and in addition carries a wide array of the highest-quality vegan cheeses. Don’t anticipate to seize an eight-ounce tub or plastic container—most cheeses are reduce from large wheels, bought by weight, and delicately wrapped in paper. Riverdel retains the traditions of the old-timey cheese store with out the animal cruelty or monumental environmental footprint.
Insurgent Cheese
6 Insurgent Cheese
Austin, TX
Excess of only a cheese store, you possibly can spend a whole day sampling the intensive breakfast, daytime, and dessert menu of Insurgent Cheese. Simply on the lookout for cheese? Order a glass of wine whilst you peruse the gathering as a result of it’ll take time to resolve between the Gruyere (a cheddar and brie hybrid), the black garlic brie, the triple peppercorn chèvre, and all the opposite excellent flavors. In the event you’re on the lookout for a singular present for the vegan who has every little thing, a wheel of Insurgent Cheese could possibly be it.
Three Ladies Vegan Creamery
7 Three Ladies Vegan Creamery
Guilford, CT
From pillowy mozzarella to almond ricotta, this vegan Italian eatery has mastered the artwork of plant-based dairy. The pleasant menu of signature pizzas, lasagna, and desserts could first seize your consideration, however don’t neglect to scan the intensive choice of housemade vegan cheeses. Past the Italian classics, the creamery churns out quite a lot of different cheeses akin to parmesan and chipotle cheddar. Clients journey throughout state borders to refill!
Dr. Cow
8 Dr. Cow
Brooklyn, NY
This Brooklyn-based cheesemonger has adopted a supply and pick-up mannequin, however the spectacular choice has remained a continuing for Brooklyn and Manhattanites. The gathering ranges from cream cheese to contemporary bitter cream along with must-have cheese accouterments akin to jam and candy, chocolaty treats. One might make a weekly behavior of Dr. Cow supply and by no means tire of the deliciously limitless cheese pairings.
Maciel’s Plant-Based mostly Butcher Store
9 Maciel’s Plant-Based mostly Butcher Store
This vegan butcher store is the place to go in Los Angeles if you would like nutritious, housemade plant-based meats, like salami, pastrami, and chorizo, for instance. However it additionally gives a scrumptious vary of dairy-free cheeses from common manufacturers like Insurgent Cheese and Climax. Choices embody barely spicy pepper jack, creamy tomato herb fromage, and traditional blue cheese.
The Herbivorous Butcher
10The Herbivorous Butcher
Minneapolis, MN
Technically, this can be a vegan butcher; nonetheless, the number of vegan cheese right here earns it a spot on this listing. In lieu of arduous, rind-bound cheeses, you’ll discover choices finest suited to sandwiches and deli sides. Suppose Havarti, pepper jack, cheddar, gouda, and mozzarella—all good for handholds and salads. Whereas pursuing the deli case, decide up a field of crackers to go along with your cheese choice. In fact, a couple of slices of pastrami and capicola ham are a should as nicely.
Dare Cheese
11 Bestie’s Vegan Paradise
Because the title guarantees, Bestie’s Vegan Paradise is, nicely, paradise for vegans. And paradise isn’t full with out a scrumptious choice of vegan cheese. The web grocery store, which has a location in Los Angeles, gives an intensive vary, together with Dare Cheese Balsamic Fig, Virgin Cheese Smoked Gouda, Nuts for Cheese Sharp Cheddar, Insurgent Cheese Chevre Truffle, and a lot extra.
For extra about vegan cheese, learn: