You are here: Home / Raw / How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Published: . Last Updated: by: Ginny McMeans
Jump to Recipe -
Vegan Parmesan Cheese enhances so many dishes. There are only four ingredients and it only takes about 5 mins. Sprinkle it on pasta, soups, salads, and more.
How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese is a talent that can be yours in minutes.
It enhances so many dishes as I am sure you can remember how regular parmesan cheese did in the old days.
This recipe is so simple yet so useful. There are only four ingredients and is complete in about 5 minutes.
You can sprinkle it on, at least, pasta and soups. I love sprinkling quite a lot of it into my salads.
That sounds good! I have to have a salad tomorrow.
Go ahead and double or triple the recipe if you like.
It freezes so well you can freeze a larger quantity and take out a quarter of a cup at a time. It'll be ready to go immediately.
Just today I sprinkled some in my chickpea wrap. It really added a delicious extra flavor and texture.
You'll find you can go through it vegan parmesan cheese very quickly. Thank goodness it's so simple to make.
My niece was over last week and made a batch with walnuts. That was a bit of a stronger flavor but it certainly has it's place. I'm thinking chili.
Chili with parmesan on top is always a good thing. How about on avocado and Two Bean Camp Chili? So so good!
If you like walnuts don't be afraid to try them as a substitute.
Cashews are traditional though as they come closer to dairy parmesan cheese in flavor. Nutritional yeast and other spices are balanced just right.
You'll be glad you made a batch.
I would love to hear how you would use vegan parmesan cheese. Leave a comment below so I can make notes.
You aren’t really supposed to eat it off a spoon but it's okay with me.
🥘 Ingredients
- Cashewsare a favorite addition for fresh flavors and protein and are the base for this condiment.
- Nutritional yeast has a wonderful cheesy type of flavor.
- Garlic powder goes a long way in the flavor department with just a little bit.
- Onion powder is powerful so a little goes a long way and adds a lot of flavor.
- Salt is the perfect understated seasoning.
🔪 Instructions
- This is so simple so just add all of the ingredients to a food processor.
- Process until a fine crumb mixture forms. It takes literally seconds.
- Use on just about any savory dish you can think of.
Keep in the refrigerator for about a month or keep in the freezer in a freezer container for up to 12 months.
Hey! Here are a couple more recipes that love to use vegan parmesan cheese.
The Best Creamy Mushroom Soup and Fantastic Stuffed Mushrooms!
💭 Chef's tip
- You can save some money by buying in bulk. Online stores offer many places where you can buy in bulk. You don't need the beautiful whole cashews either. Buy ones that are sol as pieces. They taste just as good.
- Some stores sell in bulk too but you need to know your prices. Trader Joe's is pretty good with their bulk prices. Aldi's too.
I know some of you are allergic to nuts or have someone in the family who is allergic but I have a solution for you for that also.
It's Nut Free Parmesan Cheese that's star component is hemp hearts. Even if you aren't allergic you have to try this topping. You can actually eat it with a spoon it is so good. Check it out below:
👩🏻🍳 Can you freeze it
Yes, you sure can. It keeps really well for about a month. I would pack it in a good glass freezer container or double bag it in freezer bags to help keep the ice crystals at bay.
📋 Recipe
How to Make Vegan Parmesan Cheese
Ginny McMeans
Vegan Parmesan Cheese enhances so many dishes. Sprinkle it on pasta, soups, salads and more.
5 from 12 votes
Print Save
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Sauces, Dressings, Condiments
Cuisine Cheese
Servings 12 Ounces
Calories 63 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews - raw
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to a food processor.
Pulse until a fine crumb mixture forms. Literally seconds.
Use in just about any savory dish you can think of.
Nutrition
Serving: 1OunceCalories: 63kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSodium: 98mgPotassium: 89mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Raw
- Spiced Rum Balls
- Copycat Chocolate Mounds Candy
- Fruit Salsa Recipe and Cinnamon Chips
- Strawberry Smoothie
Reader Interactions
Comments
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
This is brilliant that you made it with cashews!! I bet it tastes great like that. I use parmesan cheese for so many things.
Cookin Canuck
I am constantly impressed with your ability to make various things vegan. This is such a cool idea!
Amanda@The Kitcheneer
you never cease to amaze with your vegan cooking skills! The parm looks awesome!
Ginny McMeans
It really does taste good Ashley! Thanks 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Ahh thanks! It is so simple and tastes great on so many things. 🙂
Judit + Corina @ Glamorous Bite
How neat and the texture looks just like real parmesan!
Andi @ The Weary Chef
This just blew my mind, Ginny! I have never heard of "cheese" made from cashews before, but it looks like the real thing!
Ginny McMeans
You are the best Amanda! Thank you so much!
Ginny McMeans
See AlsoEasy Peanut Sauce RecipeIt tastes so good Judit + Corina you won't even believe it!
Ginny McMeans
It blows my mind too Andi. Nutritional yeast has such a nice cheesy taste but you can't use too much of it in this recipe . This stuff is delicious! I sprinkle it in sandwiches too. 🙂
Cate @ Chez CateyLou
This is such a cool idea. I don't know much about vegan eating, but this looks just like real parmesan cheese. Well done!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Cate! I really appreciate your thoughts.
Michelle Wigfall
We're not vegetarian, but we do eat that way quite often. However, my youngest is addicted to cheese...especially parmesan! She literally adds a mountain of it anytime she has pasta. I'm going to make this one for her, so I can feel a little more comfortable about her using it with such abandon. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
That is great! It tastes so much better than parmesan too. She will see a little difference but I think she will love it. The nutritional yeast is very important for that touch of cheesy flavor. I think you can get it at Trader Joe's. A little goes a long way.
Kate
I make a vegan/gluten free mac n cheese I've adapted from other recipes combined and love it - it also uses cashews and nutritional yeast, and has the best vegan cheese flavors, but I have never thought of making Parmesan this way!!!! You're so awesome!!!!!
Ginny McMeans
You dish sounds so good too~ Thanks Kate!
Ann Corton
What do you mean by nutritional yeast? and where can I get it please
Ginny McMeans
Hi Ann, Nutritional yeast is found at stores like Sprouts, probably Trader Joe's, Whole Foods etc. It is can be in a small bag like flour or a round container. It gives adds lots of flavor and often can give that cheesy taste.
ray
ground garlic??? do you mean powdered garlic or garlic cloves pounded ???
Ginny McMeans
My poor brain. 🙂 Thanks for the heads up. I fixed the recipe and I meant garlic powder.
Sam
Due to my husband being allergic to cashews would I be able to substitute out for another type of nut? Perhaps almonds? Thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Yes Sam, you sure can. You would have to grind them longer though. Maybe a bit more nutritional yeast too - start with 1 teaspoon.
RiverBaggins
I'm not vegan, but Paleo by necessity. No legumes, grains, or dairy. I have a bacon, chicken and green bean dish I loved that I couldn't stand to part with simply because it had parmesan, and went on the hunt for a "paleo" friendly parmesan cheese.
Not only was this a good substitute, my family liked it better than the dairy parm version! Served over cauli-rice, it enhanced the dish to the max.Then I decided to make a paleo eggplant parmesan, and this was a wonderful enhancement to the "cheese-less" recipe I'd found.
Thank you for sharing this!
Ginny McMeans
This is all so great to hear! I love the stuff too and it is extra good information because your whole family loves it too. You are very welcome and please keep coming back.
Maureen Cram
I use almonds and buy almond meal to use.
Ginny McMeans
Thanks for the info Maureen.
Dinah Woodger
Will it work without garlic powder? Fussy much-loved husband says he doesn't like garlic.
Ginny McMeans
My husband is fussy too. It will be a little less flavorful will still work.
Kari
I wanted you to know that I always have this 'parmesan' cheese in the refrigerator. It's adds so much to recipes and makes many dishes look pretty with a light sprinkling.Tracy
This is amazing!! The closest to "real" parm I've found yet. Thank you!Sharon
What a great recipe for making your own vegan parmesan. Great for when I have vegan guests over and want to serve them something delicious!Luci
I've never heard of a vegan parmesan. This is really easy to make, will have to try.Jillian
My kids eat parmesan cheese by the spoonful so I'm glad to have found this quick and simple recipe!Chef Mireille
Sadly, I have nut allergies so can't try this version myself. However, it's great that you came up with a Vegan version and I would definitely try these for my Vegan friends- Must be so great to add into salads!Ginny McMeans
Stay tuned Mireille. I have a nut-free vegan parmesan coming out soon!
Starrysky
Hello Ginny,
Just tried your Vegan Parmesan Cheese recipe and it is delicious! Mine does not look white as in your photos though. I had made Vegan Parmesan Cheese using Walnuts and a similar recipe that does not use garlic and onion powders so I know Walnuts would work in your recipe as well. Like both ways and having 2 versions on hand for different uses (1 with the garlic & onion; and one made without them). Your recipe has now become my favorite Vegan Parmesan Cheese recipe for every day use! Thanks & Blessings,Ginny McMeans
That makes me feel so good Starrysky! I'm so glad you're here and thank you for your feedback. If you ever need a delicious nut-free one you have got to try the recipe made with hemp hearts. https://veganinthefreezer.com/nut-free-vegan-parmesan-cheese/ Ha! I always want to talk recipes.
Aleka
This is so easy and I use it all the time on my savory dishes.
