One of the greatest hurdles for many looking to transition from vegetarian to vegan diets is the prospect of giving up cheese. There’s nothing quite like the real thing yet, though we’ve seen a lot of improvement. Some store-brand options have gotten pretty close, but they’re often expensive and not always accessible. Monica of The Hidden Veggies has been vegan for over 20 years and in that time gotten particularly skilled at recreating old favorites. Her homemade cheese recipes are the perfect option for anyone looking to make their own non-dairy cheeses; some of them even melt and stretch. We especially love these recipes:
Tofu Feta Cheese
This feta tastes more like the real thing than many of the store-bought brands we’ve tried. It uses tofu to create a salty, tangy cheese that makes the perfect addition to any Greek-style recipe.
Vegan Halloumi
Finally, someone’s figured out how to make the perfect halloumi substitute. Using tofu as a base allows this halloumi to have a texture closer to the chewy cheese that we know and love. Heat it up on a panini press for those iconic grill marks.
Pepper Jack Cheese
The best part about this pepper jack cheese is that it’s customizable to whatever level of spice you enjoy. It calls for jalapenos, but you can certainly omit them if you prefer a milder version and just stick with red bell peppers. We love to eat it cubed or melted on tacos!
