Vegan Blue Cheese Recipe Made Easy and Delicious

If you’re a fan of bold, tangy cheeses but follow a plant-based lifestyle, you might have thought that blue cheese was off-limits. Well, think again!

This vegan blue cheese recipe delivers all the creamy texture and pungent flavor you’d expect from traditional blue cheese—without any dairy. Using a blend of wholesome, natural ingredients and a bit of culinary magic, this recipe creates a spread that’s perfect for salads, crackers, sandwiches, and so much more.

Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking to try something new and delicious, this homemade vegan blue cheese is sure to impress your taste buds. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some patience for fermentation.

In this post, I’ll walk you through every step of making this delicious plant-based blue cheese, share tips to customize it, and suggest ways to enjoy it in your everyday meals. Ready to dive into a tangy, creamy adventure?

Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This vegan blue cheese recipe is a game-changer for plant-based cheese lovers. Here’s why:

• Authentic Flavor: Thanks to the use of probiotic cultures and nutritional yeast, this cheese develops a tangy, sharp flavor reminiscent of traditional blue cheese.
• Creamy Texture: Blended cashews and coconut cream provide a rich, smooth base that spreads easily and melts beautifully.
• Simple Ingredients: Made with accessible pantry staples and no complicated chemicals or additives.
• Customizable: You control the level of tang and creaminess by adjusting fermentation time and ingredient ratios.
• Versatile: Use it as a dip, spread, salad topper, or in your favorite vegan cheese board setup.

If you love other plant-based recipes, don’t miss our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious and Vegan Bechamel Sauce Recipe for Creamy Pasta Dishes for more flavor-packed ideas.

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 4 hours or overnight)
• 1/4 cup coconut cream (the thick part from canned coconut milk)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon miso paste (for umami depth)
• 2 capsules probiotic powder (or 1 teaspoon probiotic powder, make sure it’s dairy-free)
• 1/4 teaspoon blue-green spirulina powder (for authentic blue veining color; optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Equipment

• High-speed blender or food processor
• Mixing bowl
• Glass container with lid (for fermenting)
• Cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel
• Spoon or spatula
• Refrigerator

Instructions

1. Soak the cashews: Place raw cashews in a bowl and cover with filtered water. Let soak for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften.
2. Prepare the base: Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. Add them to your blender along with coconut cream, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, miso paste, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
3. Blend until smooth: Blend on high until the mixture is creamy and smooth with no lumps. You may need to scrape down the sides to ensure even blending.
4. Add probiotics and color: Open the probiotic capsules and sprinkle the powder into the blended mixture. Add the spirulina powder if using for the blue veining effect. Pulse a few times to combine gently without over-blending the probiotics.
5. Transfer to fermenting container: Pour the mixture into a clean glass container. Cover loosely with a cheesecloth or kitchen towel to allow airflow while preventing contaminants.
6. Ferment: Leave the container at room temperature (around 70°F/21°C) for 24-48 hours. The longer it ferments, the tangier and more complex the flavor will become. Check occasionally for aroma and taste to find your preference.
7. Refrigerate: After fermentation, cover the container with a lid and refrigerate for at least 12 hours to thicken and develop flavor further.
8. Serve: Once chilled, your vegan blue cheese is ready to enjoy. Stir gently before serving to redistribute blue “veins.”

Tips & Variations

For a stronger “blue cheese” flavor, extend fermentation to 48 hours or add a bit more probiotic powder. Be sure to use a dairy-free probiotic to keep it vegan!

• Texture tweak: If you prefer a firmer cheese, add 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch before blending and cook the mixture gently on the stove until thickened.
• Herb infusion: Mix in fresh herbs like chives or thyme after fermentation for a fresh twist.
• Blue veins alternative: If spirulina powder isn’t available, finely chopped black olives or crumbled vegan blue cheese (store-bought) can be folded in to simulate blue veining.
• Nut-free option: Substitute soaked sunflower seeds for cashews, though the texture and flavor will be slightly different.
• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze portions for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

This vegan blue cheese is incredibly versatile and can elevate many dishes. Here are some ideas to inspire your next meal:

• Spread on crusty bread or crackers for a simple appetizer or snack.
• Crumbled over a fresh green salad with walnuts, pears, and balsamic glaze.
• Mixed into vegan dressings or dips for an extra punch of flavor.
• Used as a topping for baked potatoes or roasted vegetables.
• Incorporated into vegan charcuterie boards alongside fruits, nuts, and olives.

For more vegan cheese ideas, check out our Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Recipe for Fresh Spreads and Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves to create the perfect pairing.

Conclusion

Crafting your own vegan blue cheese at home is not only rewarding but also opens up a world of delicious possibilities. This recipe offers the perfect balance of tangy, creamy, and savory flavors that make blue cheese so beloved—all without dairy.

Whether you enjoy it as a spread, dip, or salad topper, this plant-based cheese will satisfy your cravings and impress your guests. The fermentation process is the secret to its authentic taste, so don’t rush it!

Plus, the customizable nature means you can tweak the texture and flavor to your liking. Give it a try, and you might just find your new favorite vegan cheese.

Hungry for more? Explore our collection of flavorful plant-based recipes such as Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals and Veg Recipes for Slow Cooker: Easy, Tasty Meal Ideas to keep your vegan cooking exciting and delicious!

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