Vegan Parmesan {Best Dairy-Free Parmesan Brands & Recipe}

Searching for the best dairy-free vegan parmesan options to use on pasta, risotto, soups, salad, potatoes, veggies, and beyond? Read on to explore brands of vegan parmesan available in stores, along with a simple and delicious recipe for creating your own homemade version. From cashew-based to crumbly or shreddable parmesan, there is a wide variety of plant-based parmesan options to choose from.

Vegan parmesan has become an essential topping ingredient for pizza, appetizers, bread, and more for very good reasons. Is there anything as quick and satisfying for dinner as a simple pasta dish with a sprinkle of savory and umami-rich vegan parmesan? Just a touch adds so much flavor and pizzaz!

Whether you decide to make it yourself or purchase it, there are many great alternatives to dairy-based parmesan for multiple culinary applications. Read on for a roundup of brands you already may know and love, plus some lesser-known brands that may become your new favorites!

Vegan Parmesan Brands

Most mainstream grocery stores carry at least one brand of dairy-free parmesan. Keep an eye out for these solid brand choices that create their own version of vegan parm:

• Country Life
• Follow Your Heart
• Go Veggie
• Gopal’s
• Panacheeza
• Parma!
• Pimp My Salad
• Uprise Foods
• Vegaliano
• Violife
• 365 Whole Foods Market

Country Life Vegan Parmesan

Made with a blend of cashew flour, nutritional yeast, and spices, this vegan parm is great for sprinkling over any dish that loves a little cheesy kick. Plus, it’s organic and non-GMO!

Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan

We love FYH cheeses! This shredded cheese alternative is not only dairy-free, but also soy-, gluten-, and casein-free. Try this on salads for an extra dash of saltiness and texture, or use it to top off soups or bread on a chilly day.

Go Veggie Plant-Based Parmesan

Made from non-GMO ingredients, Go Veggie brand plant-based parm is a good source of calcium and vitamin A, and is lower in fat than other brands. This powdery-textured grated topping is just like that stuff we used to sprinkle from a similarly-looking container in our pre-vegan days!

Gopal’s Rawmesan Parmesan Cheese Alternative

Made with organic seeds and nuts, this healthy plant-based parmesan is raw, sprouted, and gluten-free. In addition to the original flavor, there is also a herb and spice variety. Sprinkle over anything for a rich kick of flavor, like popcorn, tofu scrambles, and more.

Panacheeza

One of the newest brands to hit the scene, Panacheeza is made from simply recognizable healthy ingredients, but somehow tastes wildly similar to dairy parmesan. This is definitely and brand worth trying!

Parma! Vegan Parmesan

This parmesan topping is made with wholesome ingredients like nutritional yeast, walnuts, salt, and sunflower, hemp, and pumpkin seeds. Besides being a healthy choice, Parma! also offers a variety of flavors. Choose from chipotle cayenne, better than bacon, original, basil garlic, and more.

Pimp My Salad Plant-Based Parm Cheez

This Australian-based plant-based parmesan offers two wholesome bases: cashews and hemp. Chocked with vitamins, minerals, and omega-3s, this tasty topping is great not only as a parmesan alternative but also adds some bling to most savory dishes!

Uprise Foods Nooch It! Cashew Grated Cheeze

Made with fair-trade cashews, this vegan parmesan is also gluten-free and non-GMO. Nutritional yeast, garlic, powder, hemp seeds, and brown rice powder are used to make this super cheesy topping. Use in on potatoes, veggies, risotto, and warm bread for an extra boost of flavor and nutrition!

Vegaliano Vegan Parmesan Aged Classic Gondino

This plant-based block of cheese is touted as “the first authentic Italian vegan parmesan” and is made with a blend of chickpea flour and coconut oil. This gluten- and nut-free hard cheese wheel is perfect for grating and using in Italian dishes like pasta, pizza, risotto, and bread.

Violife Just Like Parmesan

We love grabbing our cheesegraters and grating this parmesan alternative over pasta dishes and salads. We’re also guilty of eating a small hunk of this dairy-based delight when prepping a meal. Made with a blend of potato and rice starches and coconut oil, this vegan cheese is also perfect enough for using on vegan cheeseboards!

365 Whole Foods Market Vegan Parmesan Shreds

If you love the convenience of shredded vegan parmesan, this umami-rich version from Whole Foods is a great choice. These sturdy shreds add a nice texture to pasta, pizza, salads, and risotto. Made with a blend of potato starch and coconut oil, this parm alternative mimics the taste and texture of dairy-based parm very well!

Nutritional Yeast Sprinkle as Parmesan

Ok, we know nutritional yeast (or “nooch”) isn’t technically parmsean, but we’re putting it on the list for good reason. It’s a great source of plant-based protein and vitamin B12, and a great choice for those looking for a health-conscious version of vegan parm. Sprinkle this on popcorn, tofu scrambles, roasted veggies, and more.

Vegan Foods & Recipes Using Vegan Parmesan

As you can see, plant-based parmesan can be used in many dishes and can even be used for crackers and vegan cheeseboards. For more ways to use this excellent vegan alternative, check out some of our dips and pasta dishes that use it!

• For your next get-together, game day, or potluck, this Vegan Artichoke Dip recipe is a great way to use plant-based parm! It’s perfectly rich and cheesy.
• This Plant-Based Carbonara recipe calls for four tablespoons of vegan parm, but an extra sprinkle at the end adds a nice boost of richness and texture.
• Making this Super-Easy Vegetable Pasta is perfect for weeknight dinners. Adding a cashew-based topping or vegan shreds adds the perfect touch when serving!
• Homemade Italian Pasta Sauce is key to enjoying a cozy pasta meal. Adding vegan parm right before serving adds a savory contrast to the bright and acidic flavors.

Homemade Vegan Parmesan Recipe

While many plant-based parmesan brands use a blend of flours and oils to create cheese, others use a blend of seeds and nuts to create a different, but equally satisfying result.

By using a blend of cashews, flaxseeds, and spices, we can create our own vegan parmesan in about five minutes! This recipe can show you how easy it is to create your own homemade parmesan using ingredients you may already have inside your pantry.

Key Ingredients

Raw cashews: These are plump, creamy-textured nuts harvested from the base of cashew apples. With their mild buttery taste, they lend a rich creaminess to this recipe that mimics cheese.

Nutritional yeast: This flavorful, flaky seasoning is prized for its umami-rich profile. It adds a savory depth and cheesy flavor that is essential for vegan parmesan.

Salt: Adding a bit of salt helps add brightness to the buttery and rich tones of the cashews, flaxseed, and nutritional yeast.

Garlic powder: Made from finely ground dehydrated garlic cloves, this seasoning infuses this vegan parm with a complex, savory note.

Smoked paprika: This spice is derived from dried red peppers that have been smoked and ground. Its distinctive smoky and slightly sweet flavor lends a nice complexity to this vegan cheese topping.

Onion powder: This finely powdered seasoning is made from dehydrated onions. Its concentrated onion flavor and aroma adds a brightness to this recipe.

Golden flaxseed meal: This finely ground, golden-hued ingredient derived from flaxseeds is optional to include, but it’s a great source of Omega-3s and and you can’t even taste it when added to this parmesan recipe.

This recipe couldn’t be any easier! Once you’ve gathered all of your ingredients, add them to a food processor.

Pulse about 10 times to create a crumbly texture.

Store the vegan parmesan in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it handy so you can sprinkle over popcorn, bread, tofu scrambles, pasta, bread, soups, and veggies!

Print

Vegan Parmesan

This simple, quick, delicious vegan parmesan recipe is a staple in any plant-based home! It's cheesy, umami-rich, healthy, and absolutely perfect sprinkled over pasta, soups, salad, potatoes, veggies, and more.

Course Condiment

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword cashews, flaxseed, vegan parmesan recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 5 -6 servings (about 1½ cups)

Calories 243kcal

Author Michelle Cehn | World of Vegan

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews
• ¼ cup golden flaxseed meal or grind golden roasted flaxseeds in coffee grinder — or if you don’t have ground flax, you can use more cashews instead
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ⅛ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

• In a food processor, add the cashews, golden flax meal, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder. Process and pulse around 10 times until you have a crumbly consistency that’s mostly powdery with some little chunks.
• Place in a sealed container or parmesan shaker and store on the counter at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 588mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg

The post Vegan Parmesan {Best Dairy-Free Parmesan Brands & Recipe} appeared first on World of Vegan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What can I eat instead of meat for protein?

Protein is an integral part of a healthy diet. Both animal- and vegetable-based sources can provide protein. You can find plant-based protein in legumes, nuts, seeds, grains and beans. Eating more plants can also provide anti-inflammatory benefits due to the high antioxidants in many fruits and vegetables. Almond or oat milk are great alternatives to cow's milk. They also contain proteins so they can be used as dairy substitutes. Alternatives such as pumpkin seeds or nutritional yeast can give dishes a richer, cheesier flavor than animal-based ones. They also provide more micronutrients. For extra nutrition, there are many vegan protein powders available that can be added to smoothies and shakes.

Are you looking to lose weight?

Yes, it is possible to lose weight by eating a plant-based diet. It is possible to get enough volume from eating a variety fruit and vegetable, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, and other protein-rich plants without adding any extra calories. A well-rounded vegan meal plan is usually low in saturated fat and cholesterol-containing foods like red meat and processed snacks that tend to add weight instead of take it away. Research has shown that a plant-based diet can increase metabolism and reduce the risk of obesity. Healthy ingredients rich in fiber can help you lose weight while providing essential vitamins and minerals your body requires.

Are there any celebrities or athletes that advocate for a plant diet?

There are many celebrities who support a plant diet. This includes Kyrie Irving, a NBA player, and Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 World Champion. Also, Natalie Portman, Meghan Trainor, and Kenneth Farrow, the NFL's running back. Each of these people have chosen the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle to suit their goals and achieved remarkable results in their athletic endeavors or artistic endeavors. Actress Alicia Silverstone wrote a book called Kind Diet about her experience with veganism. Novak Djokovic is a professional tennis player. He credits his remarkable habit of eating only organic vegan foods during competitions with his career success. All four professional athletes point to some significant qualities, including heightened energy levels, faster recovery from injuries, and improved overall health and wellness. Plant-based diets can prove to be a useful tool in improving athleticism.

Can I eat egg on a plant-based food diet?

On a plant-based lifestyle, eggs are not permitted. This dietary lifestyle eliminates all animal products, including meat, fish, poultry, and eggs. Many vegan options exist for traditional egg-centric dishes, and they offer the same texture and flavor without using animal products. Tofu scrambles and omelets are great breakfast options that have the same appearance and texture as eggs. They also provide plant-based protein. Chickpea flour and mashed banana can be used to replace eggs in baked goods. Aquafaba, which is the liquid in chickpea cans, can also be used as an alternative to eggs when making meringues and other desserts. Flaxseed meal and chia seeds can be used to replace one large egg in non-vegan recipes without compromising taste.

Statistics

• A study found that livestock provides just 18 percent of calories consumed globally but takes up 83 percent of farmland. (forksoverknives.com)
• In the United States, poor-quality diet is the most significant predictor of early death, according to an article published in the May 2017 Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

[TAG72]

• Diabetes

[TAG74]

• Scientific Reports: The relationship between risk of breast cancer and plant-based dietary habits: A case-control analysis


• Nature Sustainability

[TAG77]

• Plant-based diets for personal, population, and planetary health - ScienceDirect

[TAG79]

• Weight Loss


• Plant-Based Diets and Omega-3 Fatty acids

How To

How to cook plant-based meals that are delicious and filling?

It is possible to cook delicious, filling, plant-based dishes with the right ingredients, creative recipes, and preparation. First, you should choose fresh produce and quality ingredients. Then create a grocery plan based on your recipes. You should also purchase the appropriate storage equipment in order to preserve freshness of pre-prepared food items.

Next, when meal prepping is involved, it is important to focus on variety. Focus on whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. In order to improve nutrition, aim for different colors. Every meal should have a balanced mix of fiber, proteins and healthy fats. You can also make batch cooking easier by using kitchen appliances such slow cookers or multi-cookers.

To get creative in the kitchen while sticking to a vegan diet - consider various flavor profiles as an experiment; adding spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder can elevate dishes while still being healthy. Whole foods can transform bland plant-based meals into delicious, flavorful meals in minutes. You can use beans instead of "meats" and roasted butternut squash as an alternative to french fries. Remix leftovers from earlier weeks to make something new.

By utilizing these tips, individuals can enjoy a delicious plant-based diet without sacrificing flavor or fullness - so go forth and get cooking!

Resources:

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