Vegan Feta Cheese (2024)

This Vegan Feta Cheese is crumbly, salty, and creamy. Most dairy free feta recipes are basically just tofu, but this easy homemade version tastes so close to the real thing, it will blow your mind!

Vegan Feta Cheese (1)

One of the things I missed most when I went vegan was feta cheese. The salty, briny, crumbly cheese was something I didn’t know how to replace for a long time. No more!

For so long I thought the only option was basically marinated tofu (this is what most recipes online look like). It just didn’t do it for me. I wanted something that tasted more like the real stuff. After much trial and error, I have found the best recipe!

Made with cashews and a handful of simple ingredients, this dairy free feta tastes, feels, and looks just like the real thing. Just like Pickled Red Onions and Vegan Butter, this is sure to become a favorite staple in your fridge.

This vegan feta recipe has it all! It’s:

  • Creamy
  • Salty
  • Tangy
  • Flavorful
  • Crumbly
  • Briny
  • Mouthwatering!

I especially love it on salads and vegan pasta salads to give both dishes that extra “oomph”. It’s also great on a vegan cheese board with olives, crackers, bread, and fruit for the holidays! Or spread on toast with apricot jam, my favorite. This vegan cheese is such a crowd pleaser and a real treat that everyone will love.

Vegan Feta Cheese (2)

What is vegan feta made of?

Most vegan feta recipes are made using tofu, which has always left me disappointed. I made this recipe using a cashew cream base seasoned with olive brine, vinegar, lemon juice, and savory seasonings. The key ingredient, agar agar powder, is the secret to this tangy feta holding its shape and texture.

How to make vegan feta

Start by soaking your cashews in hot water. Drain, then add them and the rest of the ingredients (except the agar agar powder) to a blender. Blend until smooth.

Vegan Feta Cheese (3)

Add the agar agar powder to the mixture in the blender and blend to incorporate.

Vegan Feta Cheese (4)

Transfer the cheese mixture to a small pot. Cook it on the stove, stirring constantly, until it simmers. After about 2 minutes, it should thicken. Take it off the heat and place the cheese in a bowl, ramekin, or the mold of your choice.

Let the vegan feta chill on the kitchen counter before leaving it in the fridge for a few hours. When it’s firm, crumble it up or slice it into cubes and enjoy!

Vegan Feta Cheese (5)

Tips and substitutions

  • Agar agar – I’m using agar agar powder here, not flakes. If you only have flakes, use 6 teaspoons instead of 2.
  • Nuts – I only tested this recipe using cashews. You can try making it with raw slivered almonds if that’s all you have, but the results may vary.
  • Brine – Olive brine is best but the brine from a jar of capers is the next best option.
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Serving suggestions

This is one of the best vegan cheeses to keep in your fridge at all times to use as a topping, spread, or tangy flavor-enhancer on endless meals, like:

Frequently asked questions

  1. What does cashew feta taste like? Just like authentic feta cheese, cashew feta tastes salty, tangy, and delicious!
  2. How long does it last? It will stay fresh for up to 1 week when kept in a sealed jar in the fridge.
  3. Can I freeze vegan feta? Yes! Just chop the feta into cubes and store them in a sealed container. They freeze well for up to 3 months.
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Looking for more vegan cheese recipes?

Vegan Feta Cheese (8)

Vegan Feta Cheese

This Vegan Feta Cheese is crumbly, salty, and creamy. Most dairy free feta recipes are basically just tofu, but this easy homemade version tastes so close to the real thing, it will blow your mind!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 5 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brine from a jar of green olives
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt or 2 teaspoons for more saltiness!
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons agar agar powder

Instructions

  • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Pour the hot water over the cashews and let soak for 5 minutes.

  • Drain the cashews, discard the soaking water and add the cashews, 3/4 cup fresh water and all other ingredients to a high powered blender EXCEPT the agar agar powder. Blend until smooth.

  • Add agar agar powder to the blender and blend to incorporate.

  • Transfer to a small pot and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it begins to simmer. Cook for about 2 minutes until it thickens, then remove from heat and place in a mold (I used a round glass bowl).

  • Chill at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator, uncovered for at least 3 hours until firm.

  • That's it! The cheese is semi-soft and spreadable, but you can also slice or crumble it. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. I haven’t tried it with anything other than cashews, but raw slivered almonds might work.
  2. Make sure to use agar agar powder, not flakes. If you only have flakes, they should work, but use 6 teaspoons instead of 2.
  3. The feta cheese will last for about 1 week in the refrigerator and it can be frozen for longer if needed.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 12 servings | Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 294mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Greek-inspired

Author: Nora Taylor

Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here.

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Vegan Feta Cheese (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan feta made of? ›

Most vegan feta recipes are made using tofu, which has always left me disappointed. I made this recipe using a cashew cream base seasoned with olive brine, vinegar, lemon juice, and savory seasonings. The key ingredient, agar agar powder, is the secret to this tangy feta holding its shape and texture.

Does vegan feta taste the same? ›

It's always nice and light, but it without any feta, it lacks the same salty, briny, tangy bite that a classic Greek salad has. But, this vegan feta has the same savory tanginess of traditional feta (and lots of herby Greek flavor) but without any of the dairy!

Is there a non dairy substitute for feta cheese? ›

Violife Just Like Feta Block is crafted using coconut oil and other plant-based ingredients, but does not contain any lactose, nuts, and preservatives. The only limit dairy-free eaters face is their culinary imaginations.

Can you get dairy free feta? ›

GreenVie Greek Feta Style cheese is a real game changer in the world of vegan cheese! It has an authentic crumbly texture, just like dairy Feta cheese. It can be simply served with a few drops of olive oil and dry oregano.

Is vegan cheese healthy? ›

Good News, Bad News

But many vegan cheeses are made with coconut oil and other saturated fats that do affect cholesterol — and switching up one saturated fat for another isn't likely to result in a healthier lifestyle.

Is Trader Joe's vegan feta gluten free? ›

Is it Gluten Free? This product may or may not be gluten free as it lists 1 ingredient that could contain gluten depending on the source.

Will vegan cheese ever taste like real cheese? ›

It's important to understand that vegan cheese, being made with different ingredients, typically does not taste exactly like traditional dairy cheese. However, it does replicate some of the flavors and textures that you might remember from dairy cheese and tastes great in its own right.

Why does my feta taste weird? ›

“So if the product starts to smell yeasty, like proofed bread dough, the product has gone bad.” Harsh, unbalanced flavors: Feta should taste like fresh, mildly tangy dairy. If your feta tastes overly piquant, bitter, rancid, or otherwise unbalanced, it's past its prime.

Is mozzarella vegan? ›

So while mozzarella is not traditionally vegan because of its basic ingredient, cow or buffalo milk, it is often not even vegetarian – because it contains rennet. Cheese rennet is a mixture of different enzymes, which is produced in the stomach of calves, for example, and is used to make cheese.

Why is feta cheese not vegan? ›

As feta cheese is made from the milk of sheep and sometimes goats it isn't suitable for anyone on a fully plant-based diet. Vegans will not only abstain from eating meat, but also all animal products or other foods that are made with the use of byproducts too.

Is feta bad for dairy intolerance? ›

With lactose intolerance, you can still eat cheese, but choose carefully. Hard, aged cheeses like Swiss, parmesan, and cheddars are lower in lactose. Other low-lactose cheese options include cottage cheese or feta cheese made from goat or sheep's milk.

When not to eat feta cheese? ›

Feta cheese etiquette dictates that it should not be served at the end of the meal. Feta is a strong-flavored cheese, and its taste can be overpowering if served after other dishes.

Does vegan feta cheese taste good? ›

Creamy, crumbly, tangy, salty, and oh-so-delicious! This vegan feta recipe tastes just like traditional feta (except even better). Enjoy this feta cheese smeared on crusty bread, use it to make a Greek salad, melt it into pasta, or crumble it onto roasted potatoes or tomatoes.

Is goats milk feta dairy-free? ›

First of all, we need to clear up a common misunderstanding: goat cheese is not completely lactose-free. It still contains some amounts of lactose. Although it is considerably less than with cow's cheese. This often makes goat's cheese more digestible for people with lactose intolerance.

Can you eat vegan feta when pregnant? ›

All vegan cheeses are generally safe to eat in pregnancy.

What is a vegan cheese made of? ›

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.

Is all feta cheese made from sheep's milk? ›

While feta cheese made in Greece is typically made with sheep's milk or with a combination of sheep's and goat's milk, many manufacturers in the US make feta with cow's milk.

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