Ok, this is serious. This is my vegan sharp cheddar cheese recipe and there's a problem- I can't stop snacking on it!! Vegan sharp cheddar cheese on crackers, layered on sandwiches, smeared onto crusty bread, crumbled onto salad, grated onto soup, shoved directly into mouth. This cheese is a creamy, tangy, cheddary problem that I'm very, very happy to have.
But there's more! (Do I sound like an infomercial yet)? It only takes 9 easy-to-find ingredients to make this vegan cheddar cheese. Just blend them up in a food processor, and then chill in the fridge to set. Done! Easy peasy vegan cheesy. (Yeah, even I rolled my eyes at that one).
My vegan sharp cheddar cheese is a slightly different texture than traditional cheese. It isn't as rubbery and instead, it has a crumbly yet spreadable texture all at the same time. You can freeze the cheese for an extra-firm texture, perfect for slicing or grating, or serve it cold from the fridge for the perfect snacking texture. The coconut oil is what makes this cheese firm, so the longer it sits at room temperature, the softer it will get.
To make Vegan Sharp Cheddar Cheese: start by softening the cashews to make them tender enough to blend smoothly. To soften them you can either boil or soak the cashews.
- To boil the cashews: add the cashews to a small pot, cover with water, and boil for about 10 minutes until the cashews are very tender. Drain and rinse before using.
- To soak the cashews: add the cashews to a bowl, and cover with water. Let soak for 4 hours or longer until tender. Drain and rinse before using.
Add the softened cashews, along with all the remaining ingredients to a small food processor.
Blend, stopping and scraping the sides as needed until the cheese is as smooth as possible. The smoother, the better so don't be afraid to blend for a long time.
* If you have a large food processor, it can be difficult to smoothly blend a small amount of cheese, so I often double the recipe so it's easier to blend in my large food processor. Then I will freeze half and save it for later. The recipe is doubled in the pictures.
Scoop the cheese mixture into a dish lined with plastic wrap, or into a small silicon baking dish, and smooth out the cheese. Cover and then chill in the fridge until completely firm. About 3 hours or overnight. Enjoy the cheese as you please! The cheese will become softer the more it warms up, so for extra-firm cheese, you could freeze it.
This cheese is perfect for snacking or as an addition to a gorgeous vegan cheese board.
While this cheese does melt a bit, it's not ideal for nachos or similar uses. For a very melty and stretchy cheddar style cheese, I would recommend instead making my melty stretchy gooey vegan nacho cheese.
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Vegan Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, softened (see step 1)
- ¼ cup refined coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 ½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 1 ½ teaspoons sweet paprika, (use smoked paprika for a smoky cheese)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
Instructions
- Softening the cashews makes them tender enough to blend smoothly. To soften them you can either boil or soak the cashews. To boil the cashews: add the cashews to a small pot, cover with water, and boil for about 10 minutes until the cashews are very tender. Drain and rinse before using. To soak the cashews: add the cashews to a bowl, and cover with water. Let soak for 4 hours or longer until tender. Drain and rinse before using.
- Add the softened cashews, along with all the remaining ingredients to a small food processor*. Blend, stopping and scraping the sides as needed, until the cheese is as smooth as possible.
- Scoop the cheese mixture into a dish lined with plastic wrap, or into a small silicon baking dish, and smooth out the cheese. Cover and then chill in the fridge until completely firm, about 3 hours or overnight. Enjoy the cheese as you please! The cheese will be come softer the more it warms up, so for extra-firm cheese you could freeze it.
Notes
Nutrition
After watching the blue cheese making process on Instagram, I decided to look at the other cheese recipes as I really would love to stop buying shredded and sliced cheese at the store.
Low and behold, I came across this recipe.
At some point, I want to buy a vitamix, but until then I rough chop my cashews, soak overnight and then boil for 5 minutes before using them. They finally get soft enough for my food processor and/or blender to work.
So, I made this recipe and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I took the freeze route and it tastes so much like cheddar cheese, I'm in heaven.
Good bye store bought cheese! This stuff is so easy and tastes great. Spreads like a charm!
Wonderful, Lyn! So happy you enjoyed 🙂
Is it possible to substitute the coconut oil with another type of oil, such as avocado or olive?
Would distilled white vinegar give the same results as ACV?
Hi Sam, love your cookbook and website! I made the cheddar cheese yesterday and used it in macaroni and cheese today, it was delicious!! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I am headed to London, eventually, and I am using your blog for restaurant ideas
Wonderful! Enjoy!
I’m dying to try this recipe, as I can’t find a good cheddar in the store! Can this one be grated like a block of non vegan cheddar?
No this one is softer and spreadable. Enjoy!
Hello Sam, I made your tofu bites other night and since then have become a new fan.
I’ve never made vegan cheese before, but I suspect it might taste good with the tiniest bit of liquid smoke. Do you think that would work? I tend to have a lot of liquid smoke as many vegan recipes call for it.
Glad you enjoyed Roy! Yes, it would make it taste like a smoked cheddar 🙂
I like the sound of this recipe as I don't like the rubbery, jelly-like texture that results from ones using agar or carrageenan. I've seen a similar recipe which also used some corn starch to add firmness. Is this worth trying?
Sam, have you experimented with using carrageenan and tapioca for a stretchy meltable version? I'm looking to wean myself off chao slices and violife, not because they're not delicious, but retail vegan cheese is an expensive habit 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Yes, I have a stretchy nacho cheese recipe here. Enjoy!
how long will this cheese last in the fridge? and can it be frozen?
Yes it can be frozen and it should keep for 5 - 7 days in the fridge 🙂
When you talk about a small food processor, how many cups would that be? Thinking about getting a smaller sized one for tasks like this. So should it be 2, 3 or 4 cups do you think?
I don't have one myself, but I think a little dude like this one would be perfect for making smaller batches of things.
I've been meaning to try this for a while and today was the day! Turned out great and I'm glad I took your advice and made a double batch! Had some on my bagel this morning (before I had chilled it) and it was delish! Once again, thank you Sam for another great recipe! You make being vegan sooooo easy!
Aww that makes me so happy! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I made this but didn’t use refined coconut oil. Lesson learned. Tastes too much like coconut. Goggled the difference and refined has no taste. Otherwise it turned out great.
Haha, yeah, there is a big difference!! Refined coconut oil has no taste. Enjoy!
Are there any more inexpensive substitutes for cashew? I'm drawn to many vegan recipes but cashews where I am are SO expensive! Almost the same as buying premade food.
Thanks!
You can sub them for blanched almonds, macadamia nuts, or try a recipe like my sunflower seed cheese instead.
This recipe sounds so good. I have all the ingredients. What size mold should I use for the single batch.
Hi Sam, How long can this stay in the freezer?
I made it but want to keep it for Thanksgiving next Thursday.
Thanks!
Delicious! Thank you for an amazing recipe.
You're welcome, Sandra!
I would say about a month 🙂
Thank you. It was Perfect, Came out well after about 10 days in the freezer and the absolute hit of the Thanksgiving Dinner (only 2 committed plant based eaters present out of 15). Many requests for the recipe so I talked up your blog. Am about to make another batch for my vegan son who’s come to stay for Christmas. Thanks so much for all you do Sam! ❤️
Wonderful! Thrilled it was such a hit, Annie 🙂
This cheese is the Bomb! My husband and I loved it! I am going to experiment with this and add maybe onion and chives for another flavor option, and also roll it in chopped nuts and use it as a spread with crackers. This is our new "go to" cheese. Love it!
Aww yay1! So thrilled you loved it so much 🙂
Hello, I made the cheese, it's delicious thank you. I've read the article but I must've missed some info? How long does it keep in the fridge for?
It should keep for about 1 week. Enjoy!
Will it taste the same without the miso paste? That's the only ingredient I don't have on hand.
Thank you
Dot
No, the miso adds an aged umami taste which helps give a real cheese vibe. I'm sure it will still be good, but it won't be the same.
I substituted soy sauce for the miso paste for this same reason and it turned out pretty decent...missing a bit of the classic cheesy/aged/fermented funk, but still good. It’ll do.
I made this to pile on top of a giant plate of Vegan Cincinnati Chili, and it was delish! I used 1/2 sunflower seeds instead of cashews, and it turned out fine. I do wish I had doubled it because my blender had trouble with such a small amount, but no less yummy! I'll be linking back to this recipe in my blog post! Thanks for this recipe!
That's 1/2 CUP of sunflower seeds! 🙂
So happy you loved it, Laura 🙂
I have bunches of almonds. Do you think substituting almonds (with a little extra soaking time) for the cashews would yield similar results? I find sometimes the substitution works...and sometimes not.
Thoughts?
Hi Jacquie, yes almonds can work as a good substitute. They should be blanched (skins removed) for the best texture and colour. Hope that helps 🙂
Has anyone tried culturing this or any other of Sam's cheeses? I love the base of many of these cheeses but lately I've been making cashew based sour cream and that tang of probiotic takes it over the top. I wonder if that would work here (2-3 probiotic capsules emptied/stirred into cashew cream. let sit room temp 2-3 days covered with a cloth). I may try and report back!
I've never tried but in this recipe, I use the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and white miso paste to add those tang fermented tastes. 🙂
Gosh something went wrong! Mine tastes like Cashew butter rather than cheddar! What did I do wrong?
Hi Vickie, it's very difficult to know without being in the kitchen with you, but it sounds like the spice measurements may have been off as that's where most of the flavour comes from. Hope that helps!
Or your spices were old and lost their flavor!
This is so delicious! It's my favorite cheese recipe now. Thank you! I have liked every recipe of yours that I've tried
That's so awesome, Lori!! Thrilled you are enjoying my recipes so much 🙂
Hi Sam
Just made your Vegan Sharp Cheddar Cheese. One question...I followed the instructions to the letter, however my cheese turned out not as solid as your looked (being able to chunk or slice it). My cheese was sort of solid, but more along the lines of a spreadable cheese?? Not sure why..any ideas?
Hi Sheree-Lee! It just depends on how cold the cheese is. To firm it up, even more, you can pop it in the freezer for a bit. Enjoy!
I followed the recipe according to all instructions, using professional tools and fresh spices and it came out extremely sour 🙁
Sam! This Wisconsin girl is lovin' this cheddar! I was leery to be honest, but I just sliced off a small piece and I can say "oh yes...you nailed it!" I started out trying to use my 2 cup food processor and it was too small. So I went with the 4 cup (yes, I have 3 food processors...I know, I know...). The size worked fine, but it did take quite a while. When little swirls of smoke came from the back of the processor, I just walked away for a while. I needed to be sure that the creaminess would be there without any hint of nut meat. I think a good 4-6 cup processor would be perfect, and I may double the recipe next time just so I can use the Big Boy and walk away while she's whirring. I think I'll prefer it on crackers as opposed to just plain. But I can't wait to serve this to my friends! Thank you from America's Dairyland!
Haha! Awesome! So very happy you love it, Suzy! Yes I normally use my big food processor and make a double batch so I can let that beast run for as long as needed 🙂
Hi! I also live in Wisconsin!! I want to make this and take it to a thanksgiving party. Im the only vegan/ vegetarian in my family. Not sure if anybody else will try it thou. I myself thou is super excited to try this!
I bet everyone will love it 🙂
Hello. Love your recipes. I can’t eat cashews or almond. Hoping you could put a substitute for some recipes. I have used macadamia nuts but they are super expensive. Are there any other alternatives.
Thanks.
Hi Sandi, I haven't done much experimenting myself, but I have heard others have used sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds with success. Of course, the results will be different.
I feel like it will be very soft and won't hold together, won't it?
Nope, the coconut oil makes it firm up beautifully 🙂
Is there a way to make this without the oil? Would it still set?
No, the oil is key for this recipe, but you could try my nacho cheese recipe for an oil-free cheese. EnjoY!
I gave up dairy years ago, and have done without cheese because I don't like buying the processed non-dairy cheese. Who knows what's *really* in it?
This was quick & tasty, made with ingredients I already had, and gives the "cheese satisfaction" without any added salt. Loved it.
Next time I'll make a double batch!
Wonderful!! So happy you enjoyed it so much, Gayla! 🙂
The only problem is the fat....is there a substitute?
Not for this recipe, but you could try my nacho cheese recipe which is oil free. Enjoy!
What would the vegan do without Sam’s always creative & ever expanding repertoire?!
I use these molds for vegan cheeses and will definitely honor this recent Sampost with these festive floral shapes.
Haha, so happy you love my recipes so much, Vinny 🙂