This recipe for homemade vegan Parmesan cheese is perfect if you’re looking for a vegan Parmesan substitute! A must-have on pasta!

vegan parmesan cheese in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Are you looking for a plant-based alternative to Parmesan cheese? Then you’re in the right place. I’ll show you how to make your own dairy-free Parmesan at home with just 4 ingredients. It’s so quick and easy to make, no excuse counts for not trying it! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Made from natural, plant-based ingredients, it comes surprisingly close to the cheesy taste of real Parmesan cheese โ€“ it’s nutty, salty, and has that distinctive “umami” kick.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just fancy less dairy products. This homemade vegan Parmesan cheese recipe is your solution when you don’t want to miss out on grated cheese on a delicious bowl of Italian pasta.

In terms of consistency, it’s similar to grated Parmesan. The only downside, it doesn’t melt! ๐Ÿ˜‰

However, you can still use it on pizza or casseroles to add more flavor. I love to sprinkle it over pasta, salads, soup, roasted vegetables, or any savory dish I feel like.

a bowl of homemade vegan parmesan cheese

Did you know that strictly speaking, Parmesan is not even vegetarian? If you are following a very strict vegetarian diet, it should not be on your shopping list. This is because its production uses calf stomach (also called rennet), which is anything but vegetarian. In some stores, vegetarian-friendly Parmesan is sometimes available, it’s made with microbial rennet (from the lab). It’s best to ask, as these are not always so easily recognizable.

๐Ÿ’ฐ Supermarket Alternatives

Nowadays, several vegan Parmesan alternatives are available in grocery stores. So, if you don’t feel like making the cheese substitute yourself, there is always the option to buy it. But if you take a look at the ingredients list, you’ll quickly realize that in most cases, it consists of the same ingredients as in this recipe. ONLY, it’s sold super expensively!

If you make it yourself, you can easily save some money! ๐Ÿ˜‰

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๐Ÿ›’ Ingredients

See recipe card for quantities.

  • Unsalted Raw Cashew Nuts – Or whole raw blanched almonds.
  • Nutritional Yeast Flakes – Adds the cheesy flavor!
  • Garlic Powder – Adds a delicious flavor to the whole thing.
  • Salt – For that salty note, cheese usually has. I love to use sea salt flakes!
Vegan Parmesan Cheese Ingredients

๐Ÿ”ช Visual Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Add raw cashews, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder to a food processor or vitamix.
  2. Pulse briefly until you have a coarse powder. That’s it – so easy! ๐Ÿ˜‰
Vegan Parmesan Cheese Recipe Step 1-2

๐Ÿ“ Variations

  • Sunflower & Hemp Seeds: Instead of cashew nuts or almonds, you can use raw sunflower seeds or hemp seeds. This makes for a nut-free alternative!
  • Citrus Freshness: Add some grated lemon zest for a fresh, citrusy note. This is especially delicious with summer salads.
  • Herbs & Spices: Add dried herbs like dried oregano, basil, onion powder, ground paprika, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

๐Ÿซ™ Storage Instructions

You can store the vegan Parmesan cheese in an airtight jar or Tupperware in the fridge. It will keep fresh for several weeks.

To extend its shelf life, freeze it in small portions in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Since it’s a dry, crumbly cheese, it should thaw relatively quickly.

๐Ÿง€ More Vegan Cheese Recipes

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๐Ÿ“– Recipe

vegan parmesan cheese in a bowl with a wooden spoon

Vegan Parmesan

This recipe for homemade vegan Parmesan cheese is perfect if you're looking for a vegan Parmesan substitute! A must-have on pasta!
Author : Aline Cueni
5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time :5 minutes
Total Time :5 minutes
Servings : 8
Calories : 52kcal

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Add cashew nuts, nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder to a food processor. Pulse briefly until you have a coarse powder.
  • Store the vegan Parmesan cheese in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Store the vegan Parmesan cheese in an airtight jar or Tupperware in the fridge. It will keep fresh for several weeks.
  • Nut-Free Alternative: Instead of cashew nuts, use raw sunflower seeds or hemp seeds.ย 
  • Herbs & Spices: Add dried herbs like dried oregano, basil, onion powder, ground paprika, red pepper flakes, or grated lemon zest for extra flavor.

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Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.6mg

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