Plant-Based Whole30 Cheese Brands 2024

The rules surrounding Whole30 Compliant Cheese can be murky! It’s definitely one of those gray areas, where we defer back to you! I hope this post about Plant-Based Whole30 Compliant cheese brands and where to find them helps you figure out if these dairy free cheese options are or are not good fits for your Whole30.

Whole30 rules can be confusing, because now there are two different Whole30 programs: the original Whole30 program (rules here!), and the Plant-Based Whole30 Program (rules here!).

Here’s how that gets sticky with cheeses – there are certain ingredients that ARE compliant for the original Whole30 (those cheeses are mostly nut-based, and you can find the list HERE.) For the Plant-Based Whole30, you can have beans as well, so some of the additions to this list include things like chickpea miso or chickpea protein. Otherwise, you’ll see a lot of similarities.

Before we dive in, here’s a quick list of the Plant-Based Whole30 Cheese Brands (more details below):

Kite Hill Ricotta + Cream Cheeses
Siete Quesos
Miyoko’s Mozzarella + Cream Cheeses
Core + Rind Cheesy Sauces
Treeline Artisan Cheeses
Violife Parmesan, Cream Cheeses, + Cheddar
Good Foods Quesos
The Very Good Cheese Co.
Good Planet Foods
365 by Whole Foods Plant-Based Cheeses
Nush
New Roots Vegan Creamery

If you’re new to the Plant-Based Whole30, a question you may ask at the beginning is:

Can you have cheese on the Plant-Based Whole30?

Nope. You can’t have ANY dairy on any Whole30 program, including milk, cream, cheese, or ice cream. Specifically, the Plant-Based Whole30 program does not allow for any animal products what so ever.

I know, you’re so sad… The next question you may be asking is:

WHY isn’t dairy allowed on Plant-Based Whole30?

There are a lot of different reasons that dairy isn’t allowed on your Whole30. First and foremost, the Plant-Based Whole30 is, welp, Plant-Based and no animal products are allowed. Whether you are committed to the Whole30 or Plant-Based Whole30, each program is supposed to be a 30-day health reset. We want you eating THE healthiest foods possible for 30 days. If anything is problematic for your gut, your brain, or your psychological response with food, it’s out. Unfortunately, dairy didn’t make the cut.

Some of the biggest issues are that the whey protein in dairy stimulates a huge insulin surge and casein, another milk protein, has the potential to trigger a histamine response. This can cause headaches, GI upset, asthma, and seasonal allergies.

Additionally, lots of people have an inability to convert lactose, a milk carbohydrate, into usable forms of carbohydrates: glucose and galactose. This leads to bloating, and GI pain. Ingesting even small amounts of lactose can contribute to an imbalance in gut bacteria.

Milk is an energy-dense hormone delivery system. Hormones are messengers, and the messages they send are biologically healthy and appropriate when you are a BABY COW! Milk promotes aggressive growth of a COW.

If you’re interested in the science of food nutrition, and why certain things are and are not on the Whole30, I would highly suggest reading their first book It Starts with Food. Snag it on Amazon here.

Can you have Ghee on the Plant-Based Whole30?

Nope, Ghee is not allowed on the Plant-Based Whole30 as it is still a product made from animals and is not plant based. However, there is a brand of vegan Ghee and we have listed it below.

What is a good substitute for cheese?

The answer completely depends on what kind of recipe you’re using “cheese” in. If it’s more of a cream-based sauce, a good dairy-free and Whole30 compliant option is using Coconut Cream.

Adding nutritional yeast can add a “cheesy flavor” to most recipes, plus it is called nutritional yeast because it’s packed with vitamins!

There are some commercially-produced non-dairy cheese options, though be wary!! MOST are packed with gross additives, and definitely not a healthy choice for you.

Melissa Urban’s (Co-Creator of the Whole30) Comments on Kite Hill’s Dairy-Free “Cheeses”:

“I’ve been using Kite Hill cream cheeses to add flavor, variety, and creaminess to my Whole30 meals and snacks for years. You won’t believe it’s not dairy! I’m thrilled to help showcase the many ways Kite Hill’s products can add joy to your Whole30 or dairy-free lifestyle.”

-Melissa Urban, Whole30 co-founder and CEO

Melissa Urban’s Caveat with Non-Dairy “Cheeses” and Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands:

“Nut cheeses and dips ARE compliant on the program, with a strong caveat that these should be used with caution, especially if you know you rely on cheese as a comfort or stress-relieving food, OR if cheese is a trigger for other food cravings (like wine or crackers). As with Larabars or almond butter, Whole30 HQ and our Coaches all recommend that program participants use with caution, and think critically about whether including these foods in their Whole30 is a healthy choice, given their contexts and goals.”

Should you eat these non-dairy “cheeses” or Plant-Based Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands?

That’s totally up to you. If you already know you have huge cravings for cheese and have an emotional relationship you need to break, I’d say absolutely not. But I know that’s not the case for everyone.

Even if you DO choose to try some of these Plant-Based Whole30 compliant cheeses on your Whole30, stick to the normal rules: eat a small bit, and consciously eat it. If you’re sitting down in front of the tv with a tub of Kite Hill Ricotta Cheese and sweet potato chips you made yourself and you ate the whole container, definitely not a good idea.

But you may find you really love the taste of a tofu scramble with some of the Plant-Based Whole30 compliant cheeses below, and you don’t see any issues with it. Then great! Carry on, warrior!

My goal here is always to scour the corners of the internet to find easy, compliant options for your Plant-Based Whole30 (that’s why we have such a slew of Whole30 resources on this site!). Whether or not you choose these foods below is totally up to you, and I support your choice!

The Only Officially Whole30 Approved Cheese Brand is Kite Hill

Kite Hill*

Kite Hill Almond Milk Ricotta

Ingredients: Almond milk (water, almonds), salt, enzymes, tartaric acid, cultures.

Kite Hill Plain Cream Cheese

Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures

Kite Hill Chive Cream Cheese

Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Chives, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, White Pepper, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures

Kite Hill Everything Cream Cheese

Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Dehydrated Onion, Poppy Seed, Dehydrated Garlic, Sesame Seeds, Roasted Sesame Seeds, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures

Kite Hill Garden Veggie Cream Cheese

Ingredients: Almond Milk (Water, Almonds), Salt, Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper, Smoked Tomato, Garlic, Parsley, Enzyme, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Mushroom Extract (to help preserve freshness), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Cultures

* Kite Hill is the exclusive Whole30 Approved® plant-based cheese partner!

You can find Kite Hill Ricotta at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Publix, Target, and more! Use their Store Finder for a location near you!

List of Plant-Based Whole30 Compliant Cheese Brands and Where to Find Them

Siete Foods

Siete Spicy Blanco Cashew Queso

Ingredients: Water, cashews, tomatoes, nutritional yeast, onion, green bell peppers, distilled white vinegar, jalapeños, sea salt, flax seed, fermented extract (oregano, flax seed, plum), coconut milk powder, lactic acid, onion powder, garlic powder

Siete Mild Nacho Cashew Queso

Ingredients: Water, cashews, tomatoes, carrots, green bell peppers, nutritional yeast, sea salt, distilled white vinegar, flax seed, fermented extract (oregano, flax seed, plum), coconut milk powder, lactic acid, onion powder, tomato powder, garlic powder

Where to find Siete Queso: You can find them in the refrigerated dip aisle of Whole Foods Market locations nationwide.

Miyoko’s Creamery

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (filtered water, organic cashews), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Organic Agar, Mushroom Extract, Organic Konjac, Cultures

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Smoked Mozzarella

Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (filtered water, organic cashews), Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Organic Agar, Mushroom Extract, Organic Konjac, Cultures

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Classic Plain

Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Cultures

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Everything

Ingredients: Organic Cashew Milk (Organic Cashews, Filtered Water), Organic Coconut Cream, Organic Poppy Seeds, Organic Sesame Seeds, Organic Garlic, Organic Onion, Sea Salt, Cultures

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Savory Scallion

Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Organic Green Onions, Organic White Pepper, Cultures

Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Milk Cream Cheese Fish-Free Lox

Ingredients: Organic Cashews, Filtered Water, Organic Coconut Cream, Sea Salt, Organic Seaweed, Vegetable Juice for Color, Cultures

Use Miyoko’s Store Finder to find Miyoko’s Mozzarella near you!

Core + Rind Cashew Cheesy Sauce

Ingredients: water, pumpkin, cashews, apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, sea salt, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder, turmeric powder

You can find Core + Rind Cashew Cheesy Sauce on Amazon here!

Treeline Treenut Cheese

Aged Artisanal Classic Cheese Wheel

Ingredients: Cashew nuts, Filtered Water, Hickory Smoked Sea, Vegan Lactic Acid, L. Acidophilus

Aged Artisanal Cracked Pepper Cheese Wheel

Ingredients: Cashew nuts, Filtered Water, Sea Salt, Vegan Lactic Acid, L. Acidophilus, Black Peppercorns

Find Treeline Cheeses using their Store Locator.

VioLife

Just Like Feta Block

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono Delta Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12

Just Like Cream Cheese Original

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12

Just Like Cream Cheese with Chives

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Chives, Onion, Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12

Just Like Cream Cheese with Garlic & Herbs

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Garlic, Herbs (Chives, Parsley), Sodium lactate, Glucono-Delta-Lactone, Guar Gum, Natural Pepper Flavor, Flavor (vegan sources), Olive Extract, Vitamin B12

Just Epic Mature Cheddar

Buy online from Violife or look for their products at your local grocer.

Good Foods

Good Foods Queso Style Dip

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Red Bell Peppers, Almonds, Water, Almond Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar, Red Onions, Lemon Juice, Garlic, Sea Salt, Nutritional Yeast, Chia Protein, Ground Cumin, Ground Turmeric, Cayenne Pepper

Good Foods Spicy Queso Blanco Style Dip

Ingredients: Cauliflower, Water, Green Chilis, Almonds, Apple Cider Vinegar, Jalapeno Peppers, Garlic, Lime Juice, Cashew Butter, Nutritional Yeast, Sea Salt, Chia Protein, Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cumin

Use the Good Foods Store Locator to find their products near you.

The Very Good Cheese Co.

Cheddah Cheese

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Coconut oil, Nutritional yeast, Organic chickpea miso (organic rice koji, organic chickpeas, sea salt, water), Sea salt, Dried bell pepper, Onion powder, Mustard Powder, Lactic acid, Cultures.

Goud AF* Cheese

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Coconut Oil, Nutritional yeast, Organic chickpea miso (organic rice joki, organic chickpeas, sea salt, water), Sea salt, Natural smoke flavour, Onion powder, Chipotle powder, Lactic acid, Cultures.

Dill’ish with Garlic Cheese

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Coconut oil, Organic chickpea miso (organic rice koji, organic chickpeas, sea salt, water), Nutritional yeast, Sea salt, Garlic power, Dill, Lactic acid, Cultures.

Bold Cheddah Cheese

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic chickpea miso (organic rice koji, organic chickpeas, sea salt, water), Nutritional yeast, Sea salt, Spices, Mustard powder, Lactic acid, Cultures.

Pepper Jack Cheese

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Coconut oil, Nutritional yeast, Organic chickpea miso (organic rice koji, organic chickpeas, sea salt, water), Sea salt, Onion powder, Dried ancho pepper, Dried jalapeño pepper, Lactic acid, Cultures.

Purchase Very Good Cheeses online via their website or use their store locator for retailers in Canada, USA and England.

Good Planet Foods

Cheddar Slices

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Food Starch – Modified (Tapioca And Potato), Natural Flavors (Vegan Sources), Chickpea Protein, Sea Salt, Potato Protein, Paprika And Beta Carotene (Color)

American Slices

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Potato Starch, Food Starch – Modified (Tapioca And Potato), Natural Flavors (Vegan Sources), Sea Salt, Chickpea Protein, Potato Protein, Beta Carotene (Color)

Pepper Jack Slices

Smoked Provolone Slices

Smoked Cheddar Wheel

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Modified Food Starch, Potato Starch, Natural Flavors (Vegan Sources), Salt, Chickpea Protein, Potato Protein, Paprika and Beta Carotene (Color)

Smoked Gouda Wheel

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Modified Food Starch, Potato Starch, Natural Flavors (Vegan Sources), Salt, Chickpea Protein, Potato Protein, Beta Carotene (Color)

Use Good Planet Foods Store Locator for a retailer near you or buy online.

365 by Whole Foods Plant-Based Cheeses

365 Plant-Based Cheddar Style Shreds

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor, Paprika Extract (Color), Beta Carotene (Color).

365 Plant-Based Mozzarella Shreds

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor.

365 Plant-Based Parmesan Shreds

Ingredients: Water, Modified Potato Starch, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Salt, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Turmeric (Color), Annatto (Color).

365 Plant-Based Cheddar Slices

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor Paprika Extract (Color), Beta Carotene (Color).

365 Plant-Based Smoked Gouda Style Slices

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Highly Refined Coconut Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Modified Tapioca Starch, Sea Salt, Olive Extract, Natural Flavor, Beta Carotene (Color).

Find 365 Products at your local Whole Foods Market or online at Amazon.

If you are in the UK, this brand looks amazing!

Nush

Nush Creamy Almond M*lk Spread

Ingredients: Almond Mlk (95%) (Filtered Water/ Almond), Potato Starch, Thickener: Carob Gum, Salt, Thickener: Transglutaminase, Live Vegan Cheese Cultures

Nush Creamy Almond M*lk Spread with Chives

Ingredients: Almond Mlk (93%) (Filtered Water/ Almond), Chive (3%), Potato Starch, Thickener: Carob Gum, Salt, Thickener: Enzyme, Live Vegan Cheese Cultures

Find out where you can find Nush near you using their Store Locator!

New Roots Vegan Creamery

Soft White

Ingredients: Cashews, Rock Salt, Plant-Based Fermentation and Ripening Cultures.

Greek Style

Ingredients: Cashews, Herbs, Spices, Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic, Sea Salt, Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Thyme, Chili, Pepper, Sunflower Oil, Rock Salt, Plant-based Cultures.

Black Pepper

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Pepper, Rock Salt, Vegan Probiotic Cultures.

La Cotta

Ingredients: Cashews, Water, Rock Salt, Plant-Based Cultures.

New Roots cheeses are Made in Switzerland from organic cashew nuts. Fermented following traditional Swiss cheese-making methods.

Available at various retailers throughout Switzerland, England and France. Find New Roots cheeses via their online shop.

Plant-Based Whole30 Compliant Ghee:

Nutiva Organic Vegan Plant-Based Ghee

Ingredients: Organic Refined Expeller-pressured Coconut Oil, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Vegan Ghee Flavor, Organic Tumeric Extract, Organic Annatto Extract (For Color).