How to Make Vegan Blue Cheese | Ingredients & Recipe

Vegan blue cheese comes from soaked cashews blended with coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and white miso, then streaked with spirulina for the blue-green veining. It sets in the fridge over 24 hours, creamy enough to spread and firm enough to slice, with the bold tangy flavour that miso and vinegar build together. Use it in dressings, on crackers or through salads.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw cashews (280 g), soaked
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil (60 ml)
• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar (ACV)
• 3 tbsp white miso paste
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp spirulina (for the blue-green streaks)
• 1 ½ tsp salt

Procedure:

1. Soften the Cashews: Soak cashews in water for at least 6 hours, or boil them in a pot of water for 10 minutes until soft. This helps achieve a smooth, creamy consistency in the cheese. Once soft, drain and rinse with cool water.
2. Blend Ingredients: In a blender or food processor, combine softened cashews, coconut oil, ACV, miso paste, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. The mixture should be thick and slightly sticky, resembling traditional blue cheese in texture. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
3. Prepare the Mould: Line your mould with parchment paper, plastic wrap, or use a silicone mould. Mini springform pans work well for small cheese wheels. Be creative with shapes for fun presentations - mini logs or rounds are great options.
4. Shape: Spread about half of the cashew mixture into the mould, smoothing it out evenly. Creating a base layer first helps add an even blue-green streak pattern in the next step.
5. Add Spirulina Streaks: Sprinkle a small amount of spirulina powder in streaks over the first layer of cashew mixture. This creates the signature blue-green lines found in traditional blue cheese. Add the remaining cashew mixture on top and smooth it out. For more defined streaks, add a few more spirulina streaks to the top layer and swirl gently with a toothpick or knife for a marbled effect.
6. Set the Cheese: Cover the mould and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to allow the cheese to firm up. For a stronger flavour and firmer texture, you may refrigerate it for up to 3 days. The longer it chills, the tangier and firmer it will become.
7. Serve: Once set, remove the cheese from the mould and slice as desired. Serve with bread, crackers, or as a salad topping. It also works wonderfully melted in sauces, making it versatile for recipes like vegan blue cheese pasta or as a unique dip for vegetables.

How to Make Vegan Cheese: A Simple Guide

Making vegan cheese is a simple and fun process. Instead of using dairy cream or milk like traditional cheese, vegan cheese uses plant-based ingredients. The most common replacements for cream or milk are nuts, like cashews, almonds, or macadamia nuts. When soaked and blended, these nuts become smooth and creamy, creating a great base for vegan cheese.

Other options include coconut milk, soy milk, or plant-based yoghurt, depending on the type of cheese you want to make. These dairy-free alternatives give the cheese the creamy texture it needs while staying completely vegan.

MindShift Mentors · 7 nights free

It’s 9pm and you’re not even hungry

The kitchen light goes on anyway. Fifteen minutes of guided audio a night, aimed at the pattern rather than the willpower.

Try 7 nights freeThat’s me, most nights

To add flavour, ingredients like nutritional yeast are often used to give the cheese a cheesy taste. Lemon juice, vinegar, and spices are also added to give it a tangy, savoury flavour, just like regular cheese. With a few easy steps, you can make your own dairy-free cheese at home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is vegan blue cheese made of?

Vegan blue cheese is typically made from ingredients like cashews, coconut oil, miso paste, and spirulina to replicate the taste and appearance of traditional blue cheese.

Does vegan blue cheese taste like real blue cheese?

While the flavour is close, vegan blue cheese has a slightly different taste due to the absence of dairy. However, it still offers the tangy, bold flavours of traditional blue cheese.

Is all blue cheese vegetarian?

Not all blue cheese is vegetarian, as many use animal rennet in the cheese-making process. Vegan blue cheese, on the other hand, is completely plant-based.

Can you melt vegan blue cheese?

Yes, vegan blue cheese can be melted, although it may not have the same melting properties as dairy-based cheese.

Is vegan blue cheese dairy-free?

Yes, vegan blue cheese is completely dairy-free, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or a vegan diet.

How is vegan blue cheese different from regular blue cheese?

Vegan blue cheese is made from plant-based ingredients and does not contain dairy or animal products, while regular blue cheese is made from cow’s or goat’s milk.

Is vegan blue cheese healthy?

Vegan blue cheese can be a healthier alternative as it’s typically lower in saturated fats and cholesterol, but it depends on the ingredients used.

Where can I buy vegan blue cheese?

Vegan blue cheese can be found in specialty health food stores, vegan grocery stores, and some online retailers.

Can I make vegan blue cheese at home?

Yes, there are many recipes available for homemade vegan blue cheese using ingredients like cashews, miso, and spirulina.

How long does vegan blue cheese last?

Homemade vegan blue cheese usually lasts 5-7 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Blue Cheese is a great option for those looking for a dairy-free cheese alternative that’s both flavourful and versatile. Whether you’re using it as a dressing, spread, or topping, this recipe lets you enjoy the taste and creaminess of traditional blue cheese without the dairy.

Serve it on toast, blend it into sauces, or experiment with new recipes to see how this vegan cheese can add richness to your dishes.

• Blue Cheese Vegan
• Dairy-free cheese
• French blue cheese vegan
• How to make vegan cheese
• Recipe for Vegan Blue Cheese
• Vegan Blue Cheese
• best blue cheese vegan
• healthy blue cheese
• vegan blue cheese dressing
• vegan blue cheese substitute