Tangy, creamy, and super-versatile, vegan cream cheese is a staple you should have on hand to create countless delectable dishes. Luckily, there are so many brands to choose from these days that you’re sure to find a favorite.
PETA and logic suggest avoiding dairy-based cream cheese anyway, because cows are forced to produce up to 25 gallons of milk (that’s 400 glasses) every day. To do so, each one drinks the equivalent of a bathtub full of water and consumes around 100 pounds of food daily. This is unsustainable—and exploiting and slaughtering gentle beings is unethical.
Cows love getting back massages and have best friends who lower their stress levels. Between consuming dairy and being vegan, the choice is obvious. The real challenge is deciding which vegan cream cheese option you like best!
Store-Bought Vegan Cream Cheese Options
Most of these brands are available at major grocery store chains and can also be ordered online, and a few are regional. After trying any of them, you’ll vow to cut out all dairy-based cream cheese brands like Philadelphia—which is made with the stolen milk of exploited mothers—and you’ll never look back.
Oatly Cream Cheese (Plain and Chive & Onion)
Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Kite Hill (Everything, Garden Veggie, Plain)
Daiya Cream Cheeze Style Spread (Chive & Onion, Plain, Strawberry)
Miyoko’s Cultured Organic Vegan Cream Cheese (Cinnamon Raisin, Classic Plain, Everything, Fish-Free Lox, Savory Scallion)
Violife Just Like Cream Cheese (Cheddar, Garlic & Herbs, Original)
WayFare Cream Cheese (Original and Onion & Chive)
Go Veggie Plant-Based Cream Cheese (Original and Chive & Garlic)
Spero Foods (Original, Herb, Smoked Salmon, Strawberry, and Pumpkin)
Treeline Dairy-Free Cream Cheese (Plain, Chive & Onion, Everything, and Strawberry)
Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative
Simple Truth Organic Plant Based Non-Dairy Cream Cheese
Credo Foods Cashew Cream Cheese (Plain, Chive & Onion, and Strawberry)
Edible Peace Vegan Macadamia Nut Cream Cheese (Big Island Macnut, Green Goddess, Hot Hawaiian, and Big Island Pesto Schmear)
(Only available in Hawaii on the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu)
Monty’s Plant Based Cream Cheese (Original, Scallion, Truffle Rosemary Cloud, Scallion Cloud, and Original Cloud)
Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Recipes
DIY is often cost-effective and even allows you to unleash your creative side. Make some bespoke cream cheese by adding cilantro, garlic, chipotle, chives, strawberries, mangoes, or any combination you like. It’s hard to beat a one-of-a-kind cream cheese tailored to your taste!
Cashew-Based Cream Cheese
Tofu-Based Cream Cheese
More Fun With Vegan Cream Cheese
Bagels are cool, but spreading cream cheese cheer doesn’t have to stop there. Check out these cream-cheesy ideas and recipes to make the most out of your little tub of love:
Vegan Cheesecake
Baked Jalepeño Poppers
Cheesecake Frosting
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Blueberry Breakfast Quesadilla
Seven-Layer Mexican Dip
Crunchy Vegetable Wraps
Chili-Cheese Fries
Orange French Toast
Vegan Sushi
Fruit Pizza
‘Bacon’ and ‘Cream Cheese’ Stuffed Mushrooms
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Want more breakfast ideas to go with your vegan bagel and shmear? Peep these mind-blowing egg-free recipes:
