As more consumers than ever before cut back on dairy consumption, vegan cheese is beginning to earn its much-deserved spotlight in the mainstream culinary world. In the past, the few vegan cheeses available for purchase at grocery stores left something to be desired — they often melted into disappointing, oily messes on our pizzas — these days, however, the formulas have changed and vegan cheese tastes better than ever. In fact, according to a recent report compiled by Market Research Future, the vegan cheese industry is set to be worth $3.5 billion by 2023.

Artisanal vegan cheeses, which were once practically unheard of, are now growing in popularity with brands such as Miyoko’s Kitchen, Treeline, and Kite Hill, which can be found in many mainstream supermarkets. We are also seeing a rise in artisanal cheese makers that make smaller batches, such as Cheezehound or Ché Artisan, a line of vegan cheeses made with just sunflower seeds. One company in particular that’s caught our attention for their cheese-making skills is Three Girls Vegan Creamery.

Connecticut-based Three Girls Vegan Creamery was founded by three women from an Italian family. They make a variety of vegan cheeses made from nuts that are fermented and aged naturally.

Three Girls Vegan Creamery/Facebook

Their Marinated Ciliegini Mozzarella Pearls, pictured below, are made from coconut oil and cashews.

Three Girls Vegan Creamery/Facebook

We almost can’t believe that their Nacho Cheese Sauce is also from cashews. 

Three Girls Vegan Creamery/Facebook

The three cheeses above are part of their regular lineup of products, but they also take special orders, such as this vegan “goat cheese” decorated with edible flowers. 

Three Girls Vegan Creamery/Facebook

Three Girls Vegan Creamery sells their cheeses online and in certain stores in Connecticut and New York. They also attend several pop-up events, so check their site to see if they’ll be at an event near you.

Make Vegan Cheese at Home!

Can’t find Three Girls Vegan Creamery near you? Don’t worry — making vegan cheese at home is surprisingly easy! We searched the Food Monster App to find near-replicas of their delicious cheeses.

Let’s start with the basics: this Herbed Soft Cashew Cheese by Jean-Philippe Cyr is perfect for the beginner vegan cheese-maker.

This garlic and herb-infused cheese is delicious, dairy-free, and has no added oil. Serve on bagels, bagel chips, crackers, or with celery.

This Herb-Crusted Provolone by Ashley Hankins is perfect for pairing with wine and crackers. 

This mild, cashew-based cheese has a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s easy to slice and also soft enough to spread.

Want mozzarella? Try making this Aquafaba Mozzarella by Lisa Dobler.

This Green Chili Nacho Cheese Sauce by Sara Hohn combines cashews, roasted red pepper, and spicy chili peppers.

This nacho cheese sauce is incredibly versatile. Dip raw veggies or chips in it. Drizzle it warmed on top of steamed broccoli, cauliflower, or a medley of roasted vegetables. This recipe would also make a great cheesy pasta sauce, tossed with cooked macaroni, topped with bread crumbs, and baked until crispy.

For something on the fancier side, try this Macadamia Goat Cheese by Rachel Carr.

Macadamia nuts make a great vegan cheese that tastes remarkably similar to goat cheese. Try this quick and easy cheese with toasted baguette, sliced celery, carrot and cucumber, or your favorite crackers. Garnish your cheese board with olives, pickles and fresh fruit like tangerines, apples, and grapes.

Curious about vegan cheese shops near you? Read Vegan Cheese is Taking Over! Artisan Vegan Cheese Shops That are Popping Up by You! Or, if you want to get started with making vegan cheese at home, learn all about what you need to turn your kitchen into a vegan cheese-making lab with Make Masterful Plant-Based Cheese at Home Using These 15 Ingredients and Appliances.

If you’re interested in finding some more delectable vegan cheese recipes (and beyond!), then we highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 8,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to ten new recipes per day. Check it out!

Lead image source: Three Girls Vegan Creamery/Facebook