Smoked Cashew Cheese Recipe [easy healthy vegan cheese] (2024)

FAQs

Is vegan cashew cheese healthy? ›

Cashew nuts are a great alternative as a base for vegan cheese. They are low in saturated fat, taste great, and are a good source of protein. High oleic expeller pressed sunflower oil can be used for added creaminess in place of coconut oil.

Despite being so easy to make, this cheese feels fancier than most homemade cheeses and is packed with flavor. In addition to having subtle cheesy vibes from nutritional yeast, it has so much more tanginess and umami than your standard vegan cheese thanks to fermentation. Make ahead.

Substitute for cashews: cashews are my preference as they are creamy and mild in flavor, but if you need to substitute them you can use macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or raw sunflower seeds. All of these nuts and seeds will need to be boiled for about 15 minutes to ensure they have softened.

Some of the more processed types of vegan cheese contain large amounts of refined oils, preservatives, color additives and sodium while being mostly void of substantial nutritional value. In general, foods like this should be consumed minimally, if at all.

Vegan cheeses are typically lower in fat, protein and calcium than regular cheese and are likely gluten-free. Because vegan cheese is a processed food, it tends to be higher in sodium, so check your labels.

The production of vegan cheese can be costlier than that of traditional dairy cheese due to the higher price of plant-based ingredients and the additional processing steps involved.

The almond and cashew-based products were the lowest in saturated fat content (0–1 g/serving), while those containing coconut were rich in saturated fat (4–7 g/serving) (Table 1 and Table 2). The cashew-based cheese alternatives were the most likely products to be low in sodium (Table 1).

Vegan cheese is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas or arrowroot. Vegan cheese is seen as a healthier alternative to cheese by some, and may reduce your risk of heart disease due to its lower content of fat.

Vegan milk is any milk that is made from plant-only sources — an alternative that is just as suitable for all the same purposes of regular milk. The majority are sourced from beans and nuts including soy, almond, and macadamia, but can also be sourced from oats, coconuts, and even rice.

Can vegans eat eggs? ›

People who follow a vegan diet don't eat any animal foods, including dairy, eggs, and honey. About 3% of Americans follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health, as research shows that a plant-based diet could lower the risk of certain diseases.

They produce the creamiest and smoothest texture when soaked. They also have an ideal neutral flavor that is perfect in recipes such as vegan ranch dip and cashew mayo. Roasted cashews have a noticeable roasted flavor so it is best to use raw cashews when called for.

Almonds. Almonds are probably the most popular alternative to cashews. They can be used in granola, trail mix, and energy bites. But they also can be soaked and blended into cream sauces and almond milk.

A resounding yes, it sure does, not all of it, but vegan cheese does melt and melt well. Just like non-vegan cheese, there will be some that aren't created to melt, nor do it well, it's just the same. Make sure to cook vegan cheeses on a lower heat than you would normally and keep an eye on them.

Fermented foods offer a ton of health benefits, too. For instance, cultured cashew cheese is full of healthy probiotics (much more than you get from a standard supplement), which aid in digestion and improve overall gut health.

Is vegan cheese healthy? In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it's lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system.

Nutritional Info: Per serving: 2 tablespoons, 180 calories (130 from fat), 14g total fat, 2.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 9g carbohydrates (1g dietary fiber, 0g sugar), 6g protein.