Best Vegan Cheese Recipe EVER - Cranberry Dill Goat "Cheese" (2024)

Best Vegan Cheese Recipe EVER - Cranberry Dill Goat "Cheese" (1)
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BEST VEGAN CHEESE RECIPE – CRANBERRY DILL GOAT CHEESE

Looking for the best vegan cheese recipe ever? This cranberry dill vegan goat cheese with crackers isa wonderful snack to serve while entertaining your friends and family throughout the year!

There is absolutely no cholesterol in this “cheese”.

Rather, it is high in protein, antioxidants, monosaturated fat, magnesium and copper.

The combination of cranberry and dill brings a sophisticated dimension to the “cheese”.

Impress your friends and family with this special vegan cheese recipe for the holidays (it’s a favorite vegan Thanksgiving appetizer!) or anytime.

You will be glad you did!

Be sure tojoin our tribefor more healthy vegan appetizers and recipes from Blender Babes and our friends! If you try this let us know by rating it in the comments. HAPPY BLENDING!

Best Vegan Cheese Recipe EVER - Cranberry Dill Goat "Cheese" (3)

Best Vegan Cheese Recipe Ever - Cranberry Dill Goat Cheese

Yvonne Ardestani of My Eclectic Kitchen

5 from 3 votes

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Course Appetizer

Servings 6 - 1/4 cups

Calories 265 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw cashews soaked overnight
  • 4 Tbsp coconut oil
  • ¼ cup cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp tahini
  • 2 Tbsp water
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill chopped

Instructions

  • Place cashews in a large bowl and cover with 3 inches of filtered water to soak overnight in the refrigerator.

  • Drain the liquid, rinse under cold water and drain again.

  • Place cashews, tahini, coconut oil, lemon juice, sea salt and 2 Tbsp filtered water in a power blender and secure lid.

  • Blend from low to high until creamy, taking breaks to scrape the sides of the blender with a silicone spatula to ensure everything gets creamed.

  • Place a strainer over a bowl and line it with 3 layers of cheesecloth. Spoon the cashew mixture into the center of cheesecloth, fold sides of the cloth over the cheese and form into 6 inch spherical loaf. Twist the ends of the cloth and secure with rubber bands or twist ties. Set it in the strainer over a bowl and let it stand for 12 hours at room temperature.

  • After the 12 hours are up, discard the excess water and chill for at least 3 hours.

  • Chop the cranberries and dill.

  • Unwrap the cheese and place it into a bowl. Add the 2 Tbsp of dill into the bowl and mix to combine.

  • On a 12”X12” piece of parchment or wax paper, place the cheese horizontally in the center to form a log. Use the paper to roll the log neatly into about a 6-inch log.

  • Combine cranberry and remaining dill in a bowl. Sprinkle onto the cheese log, using the paper to roll the log, ensuring the cranberry and fill adhere to the cheese.

  • Chill the cheese log, or enjoy right away with a cracker!

  • All done! Enjoy!! Now take a photo, rate it, and share your accomplishments to enter our weekly photo contest! 🙂 Tag @BlenderBabes & #BlenderBabes

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 265kcalCarbohydrates: 15.2gProtein: 6.3gFat: 21.9gSaturated Fat: 6.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14.6gSodium: 439.2mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 2.6g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

BLENDER BABES RECIPE TESTER NOTES

“I first tried this cheese when I attended Yvonne’s plant-based cooking class at Whole Foods.

I could NOT get over how incredible this vegan cheese tasted.

It was the best vegan cheese recipe I’ve ever tried!”

“Serve it with sliced zucchini, crackers, toasted breads, etc.

I served this cheese with wines when my mom, grandma, auntie, and I had our mini wine and cheese party, they all went wild for this recipe and couldn’t believe that it is vegan!

They said that they just can’tbelieve that it tasted so DELICIOUS cause they tried a few other Vegan Cheese by itself and disliked it, only found them good when cooked, melted, or in a sandwich. But for this recipe, they said it was really good to just eat it by itself!”

“I wasn’t too sure this would taste like goat cheese, but it sure is a close 2nd, and it was delicious.

I ate it myself, no one else around.

Can’t wait to have more for breakfast!

It is a nice soft spread for anything.

I loved it on tortilla chips. Perfection!”

“It was exactly what it said it was.

Others who I let taste it said it tasted like goat cheese and kept questioning what I made it from.

I loved the cranberry dill combo with the cheese taste, they were perfect together.

Others agreed.

Best vegan cheese recipe, will absolutely make this again!!!

Just not too soon, unless I am having people over, because I want to eat the whole thing!”

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CASHEWS

Although cashews are one of the lowest-fiber nuts, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

These include vitamins E, K, and B6, along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and selenium, all of which are important for maintaining good bodily function.

Some health benefits of consuming cashews are:

Heart Health
Research shows that eating more nuts, such as cashews, can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.

This may occur by reducing blood pressure and “bad” cholesterol levels.

Nuts are naturally cholesterol-free and contain good amounts of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

They also contain arginine, which protects the inner lining of artery walls.

Other vitamins and minerals in nuts, like potassium, vitamins E and B6, and folic acid, also help to fight heart disease.

Blood Health
The copper and iron in cashews work together to help the body form and utilize red blood cells.

This in turn keeps blood vessels, nerves, the immune system, and bones healthy and functioning properly.

Eye Health
We’ve all heard that carrots are good for your eyes, but it might come as a surprise that cashews are too!

They contain high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, which act as antioxidants when consumed regularly.

These compounds protect the eyes from light damage (which can turn into blindness in the elderly), and can even help decrease the instance of cataracts.

Weight Loss
According to research, two servings of nuts a day is helpful in fighting against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Replacing animal fats and proteins with the mono-and polyunsaturated fats found in cashews is an excellent way to manage your weight and reduce the build-up of fat and cholesterol in the heart.

Best Vegan Cheese Recipe EVER - Cranberry Dill Goat "Cheese" (6)

Best Vegan Cheese Recipe EVER - Cranberry Dill Goat "Cheese" (2024)

FAQs

What are three dominant ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

As vegan blog Wag Free Food notes, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut cream are popular ingredients to make vegan cheese. The high-fat content of coconut makes it easier to create a creamy, decadent, cheese-like product.

Which vegan cheese gives the meltiest cheese pull? ›

Violife Epic Mature Cheddar Flavour Vegan Cheese

If you're looking for a stronger tasting cheddar to melt, this is for you. This is one of our favourites and as well as being fantastic at melting, it's also a really good vegan cheese to eat raw on crackers or even just cut straight from the block and eaten like that.

Is vegan cheese better for you than dairy cheese? ›

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.

How do they make vegan cheese taste like cheese? ›

Nutritional Yeast and Vegan Cheese

Nutritional yeast adds to vegan cheese's taste and texture–you'd be surprised how much of a food's taste is linked to its texture. This ingredient imparts that signature 'cheesy' flavor to vegan cheese and is especially important for cheeses that do not undergo an aging process.

Which cheese is most vegan? ›

You may be asking yourself, what types of cheese can I eat? Vegans can eat cheese that is comprised of plant-based ingredients like soybeans, peas, cashews, coconut, or almonds. The most common types of vegan cheeses are cheddar, gouda, parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese that can be found in non-dairy forms.

Is vegan cheese inflammatory? ›

Is vegan cheese inflammatory? The vegan cheeses produced on a large scale that we are most likely to find in grocery stores are processed foods. As is the case with all processed foods, they can cause some inflammation in some consumers.

Why does my vegan cheese not melt? ›

The reason for this, according to The Takeout, is that vegan cheese lacks casein, the protein that causes regular dairy cheese to melt.

Why is vegan cheese so expensive? ›

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.

Is it OK to eat vegan cheese everyday? ›

In June 2022, the Daily Mail published an article titled: “Un-brie-lievable! Vegan cheese has 'little nutritional value' and eating too much may raise risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, expert says.”

Is too much vegan cheese bad for you? ›

Plant-based cheese is almost 10% saltier than regular cheddar and equally high in saturated fat, despite its perceived “health halo”, Action on Salt has warned. The organisation found that plant-based cheeses have the highest salt levels, containing an average of 1.91g per 100g.

Can I eat vegan cheese everyday? ›

Vegan cheeses are made from a variety of plant foods, including nuts, soy, seeds and root vegetables, and come in almost as many styles and flavors as dairy cheese. Like regular cheese, vegan cheese can be part of a healthy diet when used in moderation — but it's best to avoid highly processed options.

Why is vegan cheese yellow? ›

Including Color

The most commonly used option for plant-based cheese is oil soluble beta-carotene. This is because it not only has the right golden yellow cheese color, but also because of its consumer recognition as a natural colour, as well as widespread regulatory approval.

Why does vegan cheese taste sour? ›

Updated a year ago. As a rule, freshly fermented cheese tastes slightly sour after one day. If it has become very sour after a short time, you may have used too much starter culture or your container is in a very warm place.

Will vegan cheese ever taste like real cheese? ›

Keep in mind that all brands are different, so if you try one brand you don't like, don't give up on the rest. Vegan cheesemakers are coming up with new processes all the time that are making these cheeses taste even more like the traditional stuff.

What are the main ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

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.

What are the common ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

What does vegan cheese made of? ›

The ingredients used in vegan cheese vary depending on the type of cheese being made and the desired texture and flavor. The most commonly used ingredients include plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, agar agar, tapioca starch, coconut oil, cashews, and chickpea flour.

What are the ingredients in fake cheese? ›

Components of typical imitation cheese include water, vegetable fat, rennet casein, emulsifying salt, sodium chloride, and a preservative (O'Riordan, Duggan, O'Sullivan, & Noronha, 2011). Starch can be used for full or partial replacement of rennet casein.

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