6 Top Vegan Brands for Cheese and Meat Substitutes You Should Try

In search of the best vegan brands for specific food categories like cheese or meat substitutes? We’ve gathered six top recommendations from industry experts, including an MD and a founder. From Violife and Plant Boss for being delicious and gourmet to VidaVeg’s wide range of vegan products, discover these professionals’ top picks.

Violife and Plant Boss: Delicious and Gourmet
Quorn: Versatile Meat Substitute
Miyoko’s: Impressive Vegan Cheese
Earth’s Own: Tasty Vegan Milk Substitute
Beyond Meat: Resembling Real Meat
VidaVeg: Wide Range of Vegan Products

Violife and Plant Boss: Delicious and Gourmet

I am a huge fan of Violife cheese and cheese products. As for gourmet cheese products, Miyoko’s is a staple in my house. I’ve loved Follow Your Heart for ages, and Kit Hill has a cream cheese I adore.

As for meats, there are so many good ones now that are cleaner than others and boast a lot of protein, like Plant Boss, the vegan Quorn options, Abbott’s Butcher, and Eat Meati. Eating plant-based now is so easy and delicious; every day, there seems to be something new to try!

Carolyn Scott, Bilingual Host and Media Personality,Travel Expert, Nutritionist, Vegan Chef, Cookbook Author, Speaker, The Healthy Voyager

Quorn: Versatile Meat Substitute

Finding the right meat substitute in our vegetarian family is more than a passing concern; it’s a culinary mission. We’ve tried various brands over the years, but one consistently rises to the top: Quorn. Its chicken pieces have become a staple in our kitchen, serving as the backbone for many dishes, from stir-fries to hearty casseroles. Their texture and flavor versatility make it easy for us to keep our meals interesting and delicious.

Although we regularly use the chicken pieces, we’ve also grown fond of Quorn’s sausages. They’re not just a stand-in for meat but a worthy ingredient. They hold up remarkably well whether grilled, sautéed, or in stews or casseroles, and they’ve become an essential part of our family breakfasts and dinners. The sausages prove that a vegetarian lifestyle doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste or variety. For us, Quorn has proven to be a reliable and satisfying choice in the ever-growing market of meat alternatives.

Shane McEvoy, MD, LeadFly

Miyoko’s: Impressive Vegan Cheese

Navigating the vegan food landscape can be hard, especially when missing non-vegan items’ familiar textures and flavors. Take cheese, for instance. Countless brands have been tried, searching for that perfect blend of creaminess and flavor.

Miyoko’s Creamery, however, stood out. It was impressive when their artisan, cashew-based cheese was first sampled at a company picnic. It tasted just like traditional, dairy-based cheese but without the guilt!

The office now regularly includes Miyoko’s in first-aid training workshops that offer food options, and it’s always a hit. It’s a fantastic alternative that even non-vegan attendees enjoy.

Hafsa Unnar, Executive Assistant, On-Site First Aid Training

Earth’s Own: Tasty Vegan Milk Substitute

If you use creamer or milk in your coffee, you can easily transition to vegan options by purchasing products from Earth’s Own. They have served as a great substitute for me, and their Salted Caramel Oat Milk is so good! A brand like Earth’s Own is fantastic if you want to transition into a vegan lifestyle or consume fewer animal products!

Tim Woda, Founder, White Peak

Beyond Meat: Resembling Real Meat

Beyond Meat is a leading vegan brand for meat substitutes. Their plant-based products closely resemble the flavor and texture of meat, making them a popular option for those attempting to adopt a vegan diet or reduce their meat consumption.

Beyond Meat’s novel approach to developing protein-rich substitutes has garnered widespread recognition and is widely accessible. Their burgers, sausages, and other meat substitutes provide a gratifying experience for those seeking familiar flavors without using animals.

The use of technology in food innovation by Beyond Meat has influenced consumer preferences and dietary choices, thereby promoting sustainability and healthier alternatives.

Jessica Shee, Senior Tech Editor and Marketing Content Manager, iBoysoft

VidaVeg: Wide Range of Vegan Products

VidaVeg is a European brand with a wide range of vegan products. The idea for the company began in Lavras, Minas Gerais when one founder was doing master’s level work on veganism and discovered how difficult it was to locate only veggie items in supermarkets.

Today, VidaVeg is a brand that works 100% with vegetable products, and in its line, you can find yogurts, milk, protein shakes, cream cheese, and ice cream. Among its cheeses, you can find vegan cheese Minas Frescal cashew cheese, cheese Minas standard cashew nut, and, finally, Veg Cheese cashew nut mozzarella.

Ricky Spears, CEO, Founder, Ricky Spears

Summary and Key Takeaways: Vegan Victories—Experts Weigh In

Before diving into our added tips, let’s sum up the recommendations of our esteemed panel. These expert-approved brands have covered you from satisfying cheese cravings with Violife and Miyoko’s to reimagining meat dishes with Quorn and Beyond Meat. Here’s the essence:

Cheesy Goodness: Violife and Miyoko’s lead the pack in dairy-free, flavor-packed cheeses.
Meaty Affairs: Quorn and Beyond Meat offer versatile and authentic meat substitutes that hold their own in any dish.
Milking It: Earth’s Own keeps your coffee creamy without the moo.
All-Rounder: VidaVeg extends the vegan love to a range of products, from yogurts to cream cheese.

Our Take: Spice Up Your Vegan Pantry with These Tips

Experiment with Flavors

Don’t be shy about using herbs and spices. They can transform a simple plant-based dish into something extraordinary.

Mix and Match

Use different brands to add texture and variety. For example, combine Violife cheese with Quorn sausages for a dairy-free, meatless pizza.

Take it Slow

Transitioning to veganism? Start by replacing one or two animal-based products a week. It’s easier to stick to the lifestyle change when it’s gradual.