Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (2024)

Published on by Kate, Updated on - 49 Comments

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Creamy, sliceable, shreddable and meltable, this Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese recipe is completely irresistible and can be created in your very own kitchen in just minutes!

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (1)

I'm so excited to be sharing with you another rendition of my blender-based, no 'cook' vegan cheese!! Today we're going to go over how to make a sumptuous block-style Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese. But first, some questions and answers....

Can you make Vegan Cheese?

That is a million dollar question and I'm here today to tell you YES YOU CAN! A thousand times YES! Don't let the whole idea scare you. You are going to feel like a master chef in minutes!! This cheese is such a confidence booster and a game changer!

This cashew cheese can be used in any recipe because it is sliceable, meltable, shreddable like regular cheese. It is also fantastic as part of a vegan charcuterie board.

What does this Vegan Cheese taste like?

Obviously, it's not quite like dairy cheese - BUT the texture, flavor, richness, and creaminess of this vegan cheese will literally knock your socks off! It satisfies a major cheese craving for me, and it even meets the expectations of my non-vegan friends!

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (2)

Why would you makevegan cheese?

  • it's non-dairy
  • it tastes amazing
  • it's cheap
  • it's easy to make
  • it cooperates (will slice, shred, melt)
  • it is low in fat compared to dairy-cheese
  • it is low in fat compared to non-dairy store-bought cheese
  • it's also soy-free and gluten-free

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (3)

What's in this Smoked Gouda Vegan cheese??

The one challenge of making this cheese is that it takes a few unusual ingredients that not everyone has on hand - but please believe me - it is SO worth the effort!! Really, only #3 is harder to find. Here's the short list:

  1. REFINEDCoconut Oil -(Please don’t miss the word refined.)Refined coconut oildoesn’t taste like coconut but it still turns solid at cooler temps, thus adding firmness and richness. It's available at many local grocery stores in the health food section.
  2. Tapioca Flour -a thickener with a slightly 'stretchy' texture. I usually buy online but many local health food stores sell this.
  3. Kappa Carrageenan -This is the most unusual ingredient and somewhat difficult to obtain. A derivative of sea weed, this ingredient is vital because it is what makes the cheese able to go from liquid to solid and back to melted state. It’s a wonder ingredient and not widely sold.
  4. Wright's Hickory Smoke Flavor- It adds a lovely smoke flavor and can be widely obtained.
  5. Seasoned Salt - I use Johnny's that I buy at Costco, but you can also get it here!

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (4)

Steps to Make Vegan Smoked Gouda:

Assemble all your ingredients (Photo above). Rinse Cashews under hot running water for several minutes. (Photo 1 below)

Add all the ingredients to the blender except for the water. (Photo 2)

Add boiling water to blender and blend until smooth. (Photo 3)

Pour immediately into heat safe dish (your mold) and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to harden. (Photo 4)

Slice or grate, and enjoy!

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (5)

Cooking tip:

Don't skip the 'rinse your cashews under HOT tap water for several minutes' step. Not only does this soften the cashews for blending, but it removes that 'cashewy' flavor so the final cheese doesn't taste nutty.

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (6)

Super excited for you guys to experience the joys of making awesome vegan cheese at home! Let me know how it goes, and if you have any questions, leave a comment and I'll try to help out!! (For a video tutorial of making this style cheese, please see the links for my vegan mozzarella cheese recipe below. )

Check out these other vegan cheese recipes:

  • Vegan mozzarella cheese
  • Vegan cheddar cheese
  • Vegan herb cheese
  • Vegan cheese ball
  • Vegan feta cheese
  • Vegan pepper Jack
  • Best vegan cream cheese
  • Vegan parmesan cheese
  • Vegan nacho sauce

If you’ve tried this Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese recipe or any other recipe on my blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I LOVE hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME onFACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more delicious food!!!

Recipe

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (7)

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese

Creamy, sliceable, shreddable and meltable, this Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese recipe is completely irresistible and can be created in your very own kitchen in just minutes!

4.55 from 72 votes

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Course: Appetizer, cheese

Cuisine: American, French

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 97kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Select a heat-safe preferably glass dish that can hold approx 3C and set aside. (This is your cheese mold.)

  • Rinse the c¼ashews under HOT water for several minutes.

  • Put your water in a small pot on the stove to boil.

  • Add all ingredients (except the water!) to the blender. Add the cashews first and then everything else on top of the cashews.

  • Carefully add (so you don't burn yourself!!!) the boiling hot water into your blender. Put the blender lid on! And blend immediately until completely smooth.

  • Stop blending once if need be to quickly scrape sides of blender and resume blending right after.

  • Immediately transfer your cheese to your chosen dish/mold as it will start to solidify quickly as it cools.

  • Place in refrigerator to chill. No need to cover yet.

  • After 2-3 hours or when fully chilled, remove cheese block from dish/mold and wrap in paper towels and then tightly plastic wrap. The flavor gets better over a day or two but it’s great as soon as it’s hardened, too. Yeay! You are officially a cheese-maker!

Notes

This Cheese recipe is one of my saltier options. If you're not a salt-lover you may want to scale back on the salt by a ¼ tsp. I often use Himalayan salt, although not "Kala Namak" or "black salt" in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 97kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 457mg | Potassium: 61mg | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is there a difference between Gouda and smoked gouda? ›

Depending on how long it was aged, gouda can range from pale ivory color and smooth buttery texture to dark golden color with gritty and crumbly, parmesan-like texture. Gouda can either be regular or smoked, with smoked gouda cheese having a creamier texture and more robust flavor.

What is vegan Gouda cheese made of? ›

Filtered Water, Coconut Oil, Food Starch - Modified (Tapioca, Potato & Corn), Potato Starch, Salt (Sea Salt), Calcium Phosphate, Lentil Protein, Smoked Gouda Flavor (Vegan Sources), Olive Extract, Beta Carotene (Color), Vitamin B12.

What is a substitute for smoked Gouda cheese? ›

Substitutes for Gouda
  • Provolone.
  • Monterey Jack.
  • Emmental.
  • Muenster.
  • Royalp Tilsit.
  • Fontina.
  • Edam.

Why does smoked Gouda not melt? ›

These qualities can be found in some of the most popular types of cheese, like blue cheese and Gouda. High temp cheese is made with a higher milk temperature than regular cheese. This causes the cheese to be firmer and not melt as easily.

Is the casing on smoked gouda edible? ›

Wax Rind: Some cheeses, such as Gouda and Edam, are coated with wax to protect them during aging. The wax rind is not edible and should be removed before eating. Cloth Rind: Some cheeses, such as Cheddar, are wrapped in cloth during the aging process to allow air to circulate.

Is smoked gouda cheese healthy? ›

Similarly, gouda cheese also contains saturated fats, but the presence of calcium, vitamin D and protein makes it a heart-healthy food. Furthermore, a 2021 study shows a positive relationship between consuming dairy fat and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Does vegan Gouda cheese melt? ›

The best vegan cheese for melting

Follow Your Heart's dairy-free Gouda – ideal for an indulgent toastie. MozzaRisella slices with basil – to top your vegan pizzas. VioLife's Epic Mature Cheddar – this will be the star of your next pasta bake.

What are three dominant ingredients in vegan cheese? ›

As vegan blog Wag Free Food notes, coconut oil, coconut milk, and coconut cream are popular ingredients to make vegan cheese. The high-fat content of coconut makes it easier to create a creamy, decadent, cheese-like product.

What pairs with smoked gouda? ›

Pears, apples, berries, and even peaches and apricots pair beautifully with smoked Gouda. (So do grilled polenta slices, but that's another post for another time.) It's that whole “savory/smoky + sweetness = sublimity” equation.

Is smoked gouda a soft or hard cheese? ›

Smoked Gouda is a semi-soft cheese crafted through the natural fermentation of cow's milk. This buttery, crumbly cheese is made in the United States and naturally smoked for that signature Gouda color, creaminess, and sweet finish.

Are Havarti and Gouda the same? ›

Havarti has a buttery and gentle creamy taste, is semi-soft and has a mellow aroma. It adds the perfect touch to a wide variety of foods, especially when melted to sublime perfection in a grilled cheese sandwich. Gouda has a rich, buttery and slightly sweet flavor and a smooth, creamy texture.

What is the difference between Gouda and smoked gouda? ›

Smoked Gouda is a bit nuttier tasting than the regular Gouda. Containing 45% butterfat, it's buttery, creamy and smooth with sweet and salty notes. As with all cheeses, be sure to enjoy it at room temperature and it will literally melt on your tongue.

What are the white spots on smoked gouda? ›

They're most likely calcium lactate crystals, also known as “cheese crystals.” They are completely safe to eat, and usually signify that a cheese is flavorful and well-aged. Calcium lactate crystals form naturally during the aging process and are most commonly found in aged cheddars, including Smoked Medium Cheddar.

What melts better cheddar or Gouda? ›

Melting Factor: Gouda's high fat content ensures rapid melting, making it ideal for fondues. Cheddar, though meltable, is better suited for burgers and casseroles.

Is smoked gouda good for cheese board? ›

Typically this will include soft and semi-soft cheeses as well as semi-firm and hard cheeses, along with a sample of blue cheese and perhaps some specialty cheeses like herbed havarti or smoked gouda.

Are there different types of Gouda? ›

Gouda comes in many different varieties, with lots of different flavor notes. Young gouda, aged just a few weeks, is sweet, mild, and a little fudgy. As gouda ages—months or even years—it develops more caramel notes, nuttiness, and even a little tang.

Is smoked gouda hard or soft? ›

What is Smoked Gouda? Gouda is a nice, semi-hard yellow cheese that is made from cow's milk. The younger the cheese, the milder, smoother, and softer the cheese will be.

Does Gouda cheese have a smoked flavor? ›

Smoked Gouda is popular because of its comforting combo of smokey flavor and springy texture. Cheese is traditionally smoked by placing whole blocks or pieces in a smoke house, which also preserves the cheese.

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