Answer: No, Mozzarella is not vegan.
If you are wondering whether Mozzarella is vegan, it is not. Mozzarella contains dairy-based products and, therefore, is not suitable for vegans.
Table of Contents
More on Mozzarella
Nutrition Value of 1 oz of Mozzarella
| Calories | 85 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6.3 g |
| Total Carbs | 0.7 g |
| Protein | 6.3 g |
A soft, cheesy, and milky taste is the definition of Mozzarella in your mouth. As one of the most popular cheeses, Mozzarella is an ideal tastemaker.
Mozzarella contains specific ingredients and production processes. The stand-out ingredient that sets it apart from other cheeses is Italian water buffalo milk. Sadly for vegans, it is this stand-out ingredient that makes it non-vegan.
Why Mozzarella Is Not Vegan
The original Mozzarella uses young animal rennet. But most mozzarellas don’t. Milk is a problematic ingredient here. This makes it an unsuitable cheese option for both vegans and lactose-intolerant people.
The priority of vegans is to preserve and nurture animals by avoiding harm imposed on them. Milk is a product of animals. The standard industries use inhumane practices on animals to get milk. That is why it is not vegan. And since Mozzarella contains milk, it is not vegan.
Therefore, mozzarella lovers must find a healthier and friendlier alternative to Mozzarella.
Alternatives
Even if Mozzarella is not vegan, it doesn’t mean you can never have it. There are many alternatives to Mozzarella. You can either make or buy vegan Mozzarella and enjoy its cheesy taste.
Mozzarella is a kind of cheese, and cheese derives its creaminess from its high-fat content. So, it is easy to find a mozzarella replacement.
The closest alternative to milk is nuts. If you are wondering what nut is the best, it is cashew nuts. It can produce a creamy texture and taste close to real Mozzarella. And since there are no dairy products here, it is quite healthy and vegan-friendly.
Most vegan mozzarella use cashews to achieve a similar taste to Mozzarella. It is an open debate as to which version tastes better.
Several recipes online offer instructions on how to make yourself a healthy vegan Mozzarella. You can browse through it and find the perfect recipe.
Sometimes, you might not find enough time to settle down and prepare your vegan Mozzarella. Or maybe you want to skip the hassle of making Mozzarella. If that is the case, you can always buy it directly online.
Best Vegan Mozzarella
Both local and online stores sell vegan Mozzarella. Finding and locating a store can be daunting. So, a better option would be to get them online easily. Various reputable vegan cheese brands offer healthy and delicious Mozzarella.
Here are the top vegan alternatives for Mozzarella.
Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds
With more than a decade of producing vegan and dairy-free products, the Daiya brand is a popular choice for vegan Mozzarella.
The Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds is a healthy vegan mozzarella with a similar taste to the real one. It has a mild and slightly salty taste, like regular Mozzarella.
This vegan cheese can enhance the taste of several dishes, from pizzas to nachos and tacos. You also get 1 g of protein per serving.
Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Style Slices
This vegan mozzarella-style slices from Follow Your Heart has a list of ingredients free from dairy products, gluten, GMO, and soy. Not only is it allergen-free, but it also provides a salty taste similar to Mozzarella and is delicious. So, it makes an ideal substitute for non-vegan Mozzarella.
So Delicious Mozzarella Shreds
Although this brand is popular for its vegan ice creams, it offers many more vegan products, including Mozzarella Shreds.
Just as the brand’s name implies, these vegan mozzarella shreds are so delicious and taste like the real thing. You can’t refuse this cheese from So Delicious with a cheesy and slightly salty flavor.
The So Delicious Mozzarella Shreds also have a comparatively lower sodium content than other brands at 190 mg.
Would you rather make your own vegan Mozzarella or get it from a store? Regular Mozzarella might not be the definition of vegan, but you always have great alternatives. Vegan Mozzarella can be your best versatile and healthy cheese.