This Vegan Feta Cheese has all the briny, salty, cheesy flavor that you could want. Make your own delicious plant-based feta to add to your favorite salads, breads, pastas, and more.
Feta cheese has a distinct taste that is unlike any other cheese. From its drier, crumbly texture, to its salty and briny flavor, it can really level up the dish you add it to. This Vegan Feta Cheese is just the thing to top your salads, serve with bread, and add to pasta and grains. It's easy to make and adds a ton of flavor.
Made with tofu, this recipe packs plenty of protein, and the miso provides probiotics that are great for your gut. The lemon juice and vinegar give it lots of tang, and garlic brings a deliciously pungent flavor. Nutritional yeast is the secret to getting that awesome cheesy flavor. You're going to love how much this tastes like feta cheese and how easy it is to put together with some key kitchen basics. Let's look at the ingredients we need for this Vegan Feta Cheese.
Video Tutorial
What you'll need
- Extra Firm Tofu. I prefer using organic tofu.
- Lemon Juice.
- Apple Cider Vinegar.
- White Miso Paste.
- Olive Oil.
- Garlic. Or garlic powder.
- Nutritional yeast. Adds cheesy flavor.
- Oregano.
- Salt & Pepper.
How to make it
1. Drain the tofu and pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut it into small-sized cubes and transfer them to a bowl with a lid (or a jar).
2. In a small jar or a mixing bowl, whisk the marinade ingredients thoroughly.
3. Pour the marinade over the tofu and mix carefully (or shake), making sure the marinade is covering all of the pieces.
4. Marinate the tofu pieces at least overnight, but 24-48 hours is even better.
Tips for the best Vegan Feta Cheese
- Dry the tofu. Because excess water will dilute the marinade and make it hard for the tofu to absorb the other flavors, make sure to press out any moisture with a paper towel before beginning.
- Pre-mix the marinade. An even distribution of flavors is important to give this feta cheese the right taste. Mixing the ingredients together first will ensure that.
- Toss the tofu pieces thoroughly in marinade. You will want every side of each cube of tofu to be covered in the marinade. This will give your Vegan Feta Cheese the most absorption and flavor.
- Let it marinate for 48 hours. The longer you let the tofu sit in the marinade, the more it will absorb into each piece. This gives the feta an extra briny flavor, which is just what you want.
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Add other seasonings. You can use other seasonings as you like, including onion powder, basil, curry powder, paprika, and turmeric.
- Make it spicy. Adding some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or Sriracha to the marinade will give it a spicy kick. Just go sparingly so it doesn't overwhelm the other flavors.
- Add oil. If you want to more closely replicate the fatty mouthfeel of feta cheese, then you can add a little extra virgin olive oil, or even aquafaba to add fat to the naturally-lean tofu.
- Add olives. Because of their briny, salty flavor, green or kalamata olives make a great add-in to this Vegan Feta Cheese. Just pit and chop them before combining with the tofu and marinade.
How to Store
Store this Vegan Feta Cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last for about 5 days. I don't suggest freezing it though because tofu tends to thaw to a grainy texture.
How to Serve it
- With beans. Toss this Vegan Feta Cheese with your favorite beans, like garbanzo, pinto, black, and kidney. Or try it on these Black Bean Tacos, or with this Quick and Easy Chickpea Salad.
- On salads. This is a yummy addition to a Tomato Avocado Salad with Balsamic Dressing, Kale Apple Salad, Tomato and Onion Salad, and Iceberg Lettuce Salad.
- With breads. Serve this with some bread or pita chips to scoop up this plant-based cheese. Or add it to Vegan Gyros, Vegan Black Bean Burgers, and Eggplant Potato Patties on a bun.
- With noodles or grains. Add this to a hot or cold pasta dish, or to different grains. Try it with Creamy Lemon Spaghetti, Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad, and Mushroom Rice.
I hope you love this Vegan Feta Cheese and enjoy it with lots of your favorites and maybe a few new ones. This recipe is so versatile and flavorful, it's sure to become a staple at your meal times.
More tasty vegan recipes:
- Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce
- Vegan Parmesan Cheese
- Simple Baked Asparagus
- Vegan Potato Salad
- Chipotle Sofritas
Vegan Feta Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 block (14 oz.) extra firm tofu
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp. white miso paste (room temperature)
- 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. sea salt or to taste
- ¼ tsp. pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Drain the tofu and pat it dry with a paper towel. Cut it into small-sized cubes and transfer them to a bowl with a lid (or a jar).
- In a small jar or a mixing bowl, whisk the marinade ingredients thoroughly.
- Pour the marinade over the tofu and mix carefully (or shake), making sure the marinade is covering all of the pieces.
- Marinate the tofu pieces at least overnight, but 24-48 hours is even better.
Notes
Add-ins and Substitutes
- Add other seasonings. You can use other seasonings as you like, including onion powder, basil, curry powder, paprika, and turmeric.
- Make it spicy. Adding some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or Sriracha to the marinade will give it a spicy kick. Just go sparingly so it doesn't overwhelm the other flavors.
- Add oil. If you want to more closely replicate the fatty mouthfeel of feta cheese, then you can add a little extra virgin olive oil, or even aquafaba to add fat to the naturally-lean tofu.
- Add olives. Because of their briny, salty flavor, green or kalamata olives make a great add-in to this Vegan Feta Cheese. Just pit and chop them before combining with the tofu and marinade.
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