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    Home » Recipes » Side dish

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe (Best Dairy-Free Substitute)

    Published: Aug 17, 2022 by Marinela

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Vegan parmesan cheese is the best dairy-free alternative to finely grated parmesan. This simple recipe made with whole foods is extremely easy to make in less than 5 minutes (no soaking required) and it tastes like the real thing.

    In addition to being plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free, and soy-free this homemade vegan parmesan cheese has an amazing crumbly texture and incredibly addicting cheesy flavor.

    If you are vegan, lactose intolerant, trying to cut down on dairy, or simply pursuing a clean eating diet this cashew parmesan recipe is for you. Don't miss a fresh sprinkle of parmesan on your pasta or pizza ever again!

    Recipe for Vegan Parmesan Cheese

    Dairy-free homemade parmesan cheese made with cashews and nutritional yeast

    This plant-based cheese is so close to the original version, you can hardly tell the difference. Thanks to the unique savory flavor of nutritional yeast, this vegan parmesan perfectly resembles grated cheese. Although it doesn't melt, it is a wonderful replacement for cheese in many recipes. You can use it as you would regular parm with the exception of any baking recipes. If you need it for baking, I recommend you always add it after the dish is out of the oven for the ultimate flavor and texture.

    Add an extra layer of flavor to your meals with a generous sprinkling of this quick DIY parm cheese. It'll surely make your dishes special and more satisfying.

    You should give it a try with my vegan scrambled eggs or this filling pasta salad. Enjoy the fantastic taste!

    Does Vegan Parmesan Taste Good

    Plant-based parmesan cheese made with whole foods

    Ever wondered how to make vegan homemade parmesan cheese?

    Frankly, when I first made it, I thought I would be the only person in my house eating this vegan parmesan cheese. I thought my batch will last for a couple of weeks since nobody would love to even try my "new parmesan creation".

    To my surprise, this organic cashew-based parmesan turned out to be a real crowd-pleaser. Firstly, we spread it on creamy baked spaghetti with tomato sauce and it was so good! My family enjoyed it so much, that it disappeared super fast. Even my sister loved it, thus making this recipe a picky eater approved. Now, it's a must-have staple in our home. Hope you family will love it, too.

    Of course, you can purchase store-bought non-dairy parmesan but making it at home is much cheaper and faster. I can't stress enough how much better is this dairy-free parmesan cheese compared to a ready-made one. All you need to do is put all the ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor, blitz a few times and you're done.

    Truly, you can add a surprisingly delicious kick to your meals with this inexpensive homemade condiment that is both healthy and tasty!

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese Ingredients

    Vegan parmesan cheese ingredients: raw cashews, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt

    What is vegan parmesan made of? You will need only 5 animal-friendly staples to make this budget-friendly condiment that is a wonderful substitute for grated dairy cheese. Here they are:

    • Raw cashews (unsalted) - to provide a soft, nutty base
    • Nutritional yeast - the secret ingredient for adding pleasantly cheesy notes
    • Garlic powder, onion powder, and fine sea salt - essential ingredients to enhance the flavor

    As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

    Time needed: 5 minutes.

    How To Make Homemade Parmesan Cheese?

    1. Process all ingredients

      Put all ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender and make short pulses until you get a coarse meal with a crumbly texture. Taste and add more salt if needed. Be careful not to over-process the mixture because it will turn into clumpy cashew paste!

      How to make homemade vegan parmesan cheese

    2. Enjoy immediately or store for later

      Serve your homemade vegan parmesan immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh. It will last for 3-4 weeks.

      Tasty homemade vegan parmesan cheese for pasta

    What Is Nutritional Yeast

    Nutritional yeast (also known as "nooch") is a deactivated form of yeast that is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It has an intense cheesy, nutty, umami flavor and a golden-yellow color. It's a vegan-friendly condiment that is widely used as a cheese substitute in many plant-based recipes.

    Is vegan parmesan dairy-free?

    Sure, this recipe for vegan parmesan cheese is completely dairy-free. You can safely eat this plant-based parmesan if you are intolerant to lactose, have a dairy allergy, or simply want to avoid dairy products.

    Does vegan parmesan cheese melt?

    This vegan parmesan with nutritional yeast doesn't melt but it's perfect to include in many savoury dishes like pasta, salads, soups, roasted vegetables, or pizza.

    How long does vegan parmesan last in the fridge?

    To preserve its freshness you should keep your dairy-free parmesan in an airtight container, in the fridge for 3-4 weeks (or more).

    Can I make it nut-free?

    Sure, you can use raw sunflowers seeds, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas) in the same quantity instead of cashews. It's best to use unsalted seeds for this recipe.

    What to Do With Vegan Parmesan

    Lactose-free homemade parmesan cheese in a jar with golden spoon
    • Pair it with vegan scrambled eggs
    • Sprinkle it over any pasta dish like my 15-minute green spaghetti
    • Add it to this vibrant red pepper hummus or Mediterranean parsley dipping sauce
    • Toss it over roasted broccoli or roasted baby potatoes
    • Sprinkle it over creamy potato soup or avocado dip
    Vegan parmesan cheese homemade recipe

    Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe (Best Dairy-Free Substitute)

    Marinela
    Vegan parmesan cheese is the best dairy-free alternative to finely grated parmesan. This simple recipe made with whole foods is extremely easy to make in less than 5 minutes (no soaking required) and it tastes like the real thing.
    In addition to being plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free, and soy-free this homemade vegan parmesan cheese has an amazing crumbly texture and incredibly addicting cheesy flavor.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine dairy-free, Italian-inspired, Plant-based, Vegan
    Servings 20 servings
    Calories 38 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Food processor or high-powered blender
    • 1 Airtight container for storing

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup cashews raw, unsalted
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt adjust accoring to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Put all ingredients in a food processor or high-powered blender and make short pulses until you get a coarse meal with a crumbly texture. Taste and add more salt if needed. Be careful not to over-process the mixture because it will turn into clumpy cashew paste!
      How to make homemade vegan parmesan cheese
    • Serve your homemade vegan parmesan immediately or store it in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh. It will last for 3-4 weeks.
      Tasty homemade vegan parmesan cheese for pasta

    Notes

    • If you have a cashew allergy you can use raw walnuts. For a nut-free version substitute cashews with raw sunflowers seeds, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
    • There is no need to soak the cashews beforehand.
    • I must repeat it again: Do not over-blend the mixture, just make a few short pulses, you want to get a coarse meal with a crumbly texture, not cashew clumps or cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 38kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 117mgPotassium: 55mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.4gVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.5mg
    Keyword cashew parmesan recipe, dairy-free parmesan cheese recipe, how to make homemade parmesan cheese, recipe vegan parmesan cheese, vegan parmesan cheese substitute, vegan parmesan homemade, vegan parmesan with nutritional yeast
    Tried this recipe?Snap a photo & tag me @go_eatgreen or #go_eatgreen!

    Don’t forget to pin or share this post so you’ll have this easy DIY parmesan recipe ready when you need it!

    Easy DIY parmesan cheese in a bowl with wooden spoon

    Did you try this easy vegan parmesan cheese recipe? If yes, please rate it, leave a comment below, and share your photo on Instagram with the tag @go_eatgreen and hashtag it #go_eatgreen. I would love to hear about your experience and your comments just make my day!

    Follow me on Pinterest for more easy and delicious vegan recipe ideas.

    Love, Marinela💚

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    Filed Under: Side dish Tagged With: cashew parmesan recipe, dairy-free parmesan cheese recipe, how to make homemade parmesan cheese, recipe vegan parmesan cheese, vegan parmesan cheese substitute, vegan parmesan homemade, vegan parmesan with nutritional yeast

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Aneta

      August 18, 2022 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing taste!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 19, 2022 at 12:48 am

        Thank you, Aneta! I'm so pleased you like it!

        Reply

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    A vegan food blogger, photographer, and recipe developer who is passionate about cooking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes with wholesome God-given ingredients. Welcome to my vegan world! My goal is to share these delicious plant-based recipes with you so you can lead more healthy and happy lives!

    More about me →

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