Best Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives (That Actually Taste Good) 🧀✨

If you’ve been around here long enough, you know I love cheese. But my body doesn’t always love dairy back. After trying (and honestly, suffering through) way too many disappointing plant-based swaps, I finally landed on a lineup that’s actually worth buying — or making at home. These are my go-to dairy-free alternatives that taste good, cook well, and pass the family test (yes, even Joel and the kids 🙃).

Here’s the breakdown:

Cheddar
Shredded is the only way to go here. I’ve yet to meet a plant-based cheddar slice that isn’t rubbery and sad, but this shredded option works beautifully in tacos, quesadillas, burgers, or even mac & cheese. Shop it here.

Feta
This one shocked me. I even made Joel try it (and he never likes cheese alternatives), and he had to admit it was actually good. Salty, tangy, and perfect for topping salads or grain bowls. Find it here.

Cream Cheese
No dairy-free cream cheese tastes exactly like the real thing, but this one is the best I’ve found. It’s rich, spreadable, and honestly works as its own category of delicious. I’ll sometimes do lactose-free cream cheese, but this is the plant-based one I’d recommend most. Check it out here.

Parmesan
Trader Joe’s dairy-free parm is my pasta-night hero. No one ever complains (the kids even eat it sprinkled on Caesar salad 🥗). There’s no direct link but you can find at your local Trader’s!

Ricotta
Kite Hill doesn’t always get it right, but their ricotta? Actually incredible. Creamy, mild, and bakes beautifully in lasagna. Shop it here.

Milk
I’ve tried every plant-based milk under the sun, and nothing beats my homemade cashew milk. It’s creamy, dreamy, and only takes 2 minutes to make. If you’re buying, I recommend this one in bulk.

Yogurt
Protein matters — especially when swapping out dairy. This plant-based yogurt is the best balance of taste, texture, and nutrition. Find it here.

Butter
I don’t use much butter outside of baking, but this swap works every time. Here’s the one I buy.

Mozzarella
Not something I reach for often, but when I want a pizza night, this mozzarella really does the job. Melty, stretchy, and kid-approved. Link here.

Final thoughts:
Not all plant-based dairy is created equal — some are honestly terrible. But with the right picks (and a few homemade swaps), you can still have creamy, cheesy, melty goodness without the dairy. These are the ones I keep coming back to, and I’d love to know which ones you’ve tried and loved.