Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (2024)

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe - incredibly flavorful and versatile, this cheese is straightforward, easy, and one you will make again and again!

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (1)

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe

In the Vegan Fusion class earlier this summer, one of the components in the raw and live phase was culturing. We learned about, made and drank Rejuvelac. We made cultured plant cheeses, as well as rawelixirs, sauerkraut and kimchi. Everything was outstanding, and it was very exciting for me.

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (2)

I have always been nervous about attempting any culturing or fermenting at home. After some hands on learning and creating, a cultured cheese was one of the first things I knew I'd try at home - one with tangy flavors of goat cheese.

When cultured, a plant cheese will have a tangy flavor, as well as all the benefits of a live food - nutritionally rich and containing beneficial bacteria.

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (3)

I based my culturing process on the method we learned in class:

1) Soak nuts in water for several hours.
2) Blend nuts with liquid (in class we blended with water - for this recipe I used apple cider vinegar).
3) Transfer to a sanitized glass jar, covering and leaving in a dark warm cupboard overnight.

In class the next day, we added some fresh herbs to the cultured cheese - at this point you can add whatever flavors you want.

For my 'goat' cheese, I kept the flavor additions simple - some lemon juice for tart acidity, and a bit of salt.

This tastes surprisingly similar to traditional goat cheese, and the consistency is both creamy and crumbly. It is perfect on a beet salad, in a cherry tart, or simply spread on a crisp cracker. The pairings and the flavor possibilities are endless!

*update: A bunch of readers have successfully made and loved this recipe. a few have had varying results - great flavor with a creamy consistency, not crumbly. Sometimes my results are creamy too, more of a cream cheese, like this example here. I will then wrap in cheesecloth to strain another 12 hours or so - in the refrigerator - and can often achieve the crumbly consistency then. Literally piecing it apart with a fork is how I get it to crumble.

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (4)

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (5)

recipes using this Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe:

Maple Roasted Beet Salad with Vegan Goat Cheese

Cherry Goat Cheese Rustic Tarts

Vegan Goat Cheese Bacon Wrapped Dates

Lemon Caper Pasta with Goat Cheese Croutons

Roasted Red Pepper Goat Cheese Dip

Dijon Apricot Goat Cheese Stuffed Squash Blossoms

Lavender Date Goat Cheese Hand Pies

Apricot Goat Cheese on Fig Crisps

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (6)

printable Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe:

Yield: 1 cup

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (7)

Vegan goat cheese is incredibly flavorful and versatile. This recipe is straightforward, easy, and one you will make again and again!

Prep Time5 minutes

Additional Time2 hours

Total Time2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In food processor or high speed blender, combine soaked cashews, vinegar, lemon juice, contents of probiotic capsule, and water. Blend until smooth.
  2. Transfer to a sterilized glass jar. Cover with plastic wrap and secure with rubber band.
  3. Cover/wrap jar in a kitchen towel and leave in a room temperature place overnight.
  4. Transfer to refrigerator.

See notes for variations

Notes

Basic culturing technique adapted from the Vegan Fusion Immersion Chef course I attended in 2011.

dairy, soy, oil, and gluten free, vegan, cultured recipe

Macadamia Nuts

My original recipe called for 1 cup cashews and ¾ cup macadamia nuts. This evolved to just cashews over time, as myself and many readers were omitting the macadamias for various reasons. Both recipes work well; the flavor and texture are excellent and similar.

Flavor additions

Plain goat cheese is delicious as is, and is a perfect vehicle for added flavors.

  • Savory: There are so many savory options to add to vegan goat cheese. Smoked paprika, dried onion, or garlic powder are some of my favorite spices. Roll a log or ball of goat cheese into chopped nuts or seeds. I love to make bite size appetizer goat cheese balls and roll them in sesame seeds or chopped pistachios. For a sweet and savory, combine chopped pistachios with dried cranberries. Chopped sun dried tomatoes are an excellent addition to vegan goat cheese.
  • Sweet: Add minced dates, figs, or dried apricots. Chopped candied pecans or walnuts add a nutty sweetness to the tangy vegan cheese. Stir in maple syrup or your favorite sweetener. Shape goat cheese into a disc or log and serve it with your favorite jam.

How to make crumbly vegan goat cheese

Wrap the cheese tightly in cheesecloth, or use a fine mesh strainer. I wrap in cheesecloth AND place that in a fine mesh strainer over another bowl, and place in the refrigerator. This method usually works to reduce / remove liquid; I also squeeze the wrapped cheese.

How to make vegan cheese sliceable

The easiest way to make any vegan cheese sliceable is to add kappa carrageenan. When you don't need stretchy meltability, an agar agar works to thicken vegan cheese into a more solid cheese you can slice.

How long does this recipe last?

My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy this recipe within one week.

Refrigerate vegan goat cheese in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

2 tablespoons

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 152Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 7g

nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.

Try AmazonFresh Free TrialVegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (17) for Unlimited Grocery Delivery - add these recipe ingredients to your list and make your own Vegan Goat Cheese today!

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ABOUT KRISTINA: Kristina is spabettie! She founded spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes.As the sole recipe developer and photographer, Kristina turned her culinary training into the best way to spend her days - sharing just how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is!She loves dachshunds, Portland, Hawaii, drummers - well, one drummer - and travel.

spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is 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.

Vegan Goat Cheese Recipe | Gluten Free | spabettie (2024)

FAQs

What is a vegan substitute for goat cheese? ›

VEGAN GOAT CHEESE BRANDS
  • Bandit (Fruit'n Nut Log, Garlic Za'atar Log, or Sharp Pimento Log)
  • Cultured Kindness (Cashew Chèvre With Basil & Chive or Cashew Chèvre With Caramelized Onion Balsamic)
  • Daiya Goat Cheeze (available only in Canada)
Oct 12, 2023

Can you have goat cheese if 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 vegans eat goats cheese? ›

Is goats cheese vegan? - Quora. They can physically do it, but then they wouldn't really be able to call themselves vegan. Unless there was no plant-based food they could get and their health was in danger, of course. Vegans do their very best to not use any animal-based products, and milk is an animal product.

Why is goat cheese so expensive? ›

The four animals most widely known as the sources of milk for cheesemaking are cows, goats, sheep, and water buffalo. To understand why goat milk cheese is more expensive than cow milk cheese, consider the availability of the milk, the production process of the cheese, and the supply chain (or 'path to market').

What cheese is a good replacement for goat cheese? ›

Cream cheese: Soft and spreadable, cream cheese has a mild flavor that makes it a good substitute for goat cheese in dips and spreads.

What is the closest to goat cheese? ›

Instead of soft goat cheese (also known as chevre), you can use the same amount of cream cheese or mascarpone cheese, both of which will give you a similar creamy texture. Neither has the tanginess of goat cheese however, so if you want a little punch, try softening the substitutes with a little plain yogurt.

Why is sheep milk not popular? ›

Finally, there's the matter of taste. “Goat and sheep milk has a sharp odor,” Valenze says. “And I've never tasted reindeer milk, but I've heard that reindeer cheese is tasteless.” Cow milk is in between.

What is A2 milk in USA? ›

A2 milk is a variety of cows' milk that mostly lacks a form of β-casein proteins called A1, and instead has mostly the A2 form.

Is goat cheese healthier than cow cheese? ›

Nutritional value: Goat cheese contains essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B and D, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Compared to regular cheese, goat cheese typically has fewer calories and fats. This makes goat cheese a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake.

Why don t vegans eat goats cheese? ›

On the other hand, vegans avoid all animal products or animal byproducts, including dairy and milk. Because most cheese is made from cow's or goat's milk, most types are not vegan-friendly. Most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal.

Why not to eat cheese vegan? ›

Vegans do not eat cheese or any other dairy products because they are derived from animals. Dairy products involve the exploitation of animals for their milk, and so cheese made from animal milk is not considered part of a vegan diet.

What is vegan goats cheese made from? ›

This Vegan Goat Cheese is absolutely phenomenal, yet it's fairly simple to make still. The base of this cheese is tofu and soaked macadamia nuts. Just place them in a high-speed blender with coconut oil for extra creaminess.

What are the disadvantages of goat cheese? ›

Saturated fat content: Despite being lower in fat than some other cheeses, goat cheese does contain saturated fats. Diets high in saturated fats have been linked to increased levels of cholesterol, potentially impacting heart health. Moderation is key to enjoying the benefits without the drawbacks.

Is goat cheese inflammatory? ›

Goat cheese is a source of protein, calcium, and healthy fats. And it may be easier to digest than cow's milk cheese. Some of the fat in goat cheese comes from capric acid, a beneficial medium-chain fatty acid with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Why does goat cheese have a weird taste? ›

So why does goats' cheese taste of 'goat'? The scientific reason behind the goat flavour in goats' cheese, is that their milk has a higher amount of three smaller-chain fatty acids (caproic, capric and caprylic fat) that give those 'goaty', 'barnyardy' flavours.

Can goats milk serve as a plant-based dairy alternative? ›

Your Best Cow's Milk Replacement – Goat Milk

As we've shown, goat milk has so many excellent qualities that make it a fantastic alternative to conventional cow's milk—and to plant-based milk substitutes.

What are 3 vegan non animal dairy alternatives? ›

Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  • Soy milk. ...
  • Beverages, almond milk, unsweetened, shelf stable. ...
  • The Original Oat-Milk. ...
  • Cashew Milk. ...
  • Beverages, coconut milk, sweetened, fortified with calcium, vitamins A, B12, D2. ...
  • Unsweetened Nutritious Pea Milk, Original.
Feb 16, 2024

What is vegetarian goat cheese? ›

Most goat cheeses are considered vegetarian-friendly, however, some may contain animal rennet. Hard goat cheeses like feta, asiago, and cheddar are generally safe, but check the ingredients list to be sure. Soft varieties like chevre and Boursin may contain animal rennet so it's best to confirm before consuming.

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