How to Use Vegan Cream Cheese in Charcuterie

We believe in cheese for all! If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, have a dairy allergy, or avoid dairy for any other reason, fear not. We’ve created this blog to help you experience the cheesy joy of charcuterie that you deserve. Today we’re going to be talking about vegan cream cheese; which ones we love, how to use it, and why it is perfect for charcuterie. Read on to make your vegan charcuterie dreams come true.

Written BY

Maddie Cook

Dairy free darling

All author's posts

August 4, 2022

Some of these links may be affiliate links. By using these links, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small business!

We believe in cheese for all! If you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, have a dairy allergy, or avoid dairy for any other reason, fear not. We’ve created this blog to help you experience the cheesy joy of charcuterie that you deserve. Today we’re going to be talking about vegan cream cheese; which ones we love, how to use it, and why it is perfect for charcuterie. Read on to make your vegan charcuterie dreams come true.

There are a surprisingly large number of vegan cream cheese brands on the market, so you’re guaranteed to find one you love. Here are some of our top picks: 

Boursin Dairy Free Cream Cheese

Boursin is well known for its dairy products, but it also has some incredible non-dairy products. This savory cream cheese goes well with crackers. 

Daiya Cream Cheeze

Daiya is a well known brand in the DF community for a reason- they do it all and they do it well. Their vegan cream cheese comes in four flavors; plain, strawberry, chive & onion, and roasted garlic and herbs, so there’s a flavor for every charcuterie board.

So Delicious Plant Based Cream Cheese

So Delicious has been serving the dairy free community incredible plant based options since 1987. Their “Cream Cheese” is smooth and rich and definitely does the job. 

Vio Life Just Like Cream Cheese Original

Satisfied customers rave about Just Like Original Cream Cheese’s incredibly accurate flavor and texture. Bonus- the spread is fortified with B-12, a nutrient that many vegans miss out on because it is mainly found in animal products. 

Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese

Tofutti is another one of those brands that has been around since before vegan products were popular, and their classic “cream cheese” is loved by many. It is super widely available, so chances are, you can definitely find this yummy spread for your next board. 

Kite Hill Dairy Free Cream Cheese Alternative

Kite Hill’s Cream Cheese will please vegans and non-vegans alike because of its realistic taste and texture and range of flavors. Their plain flavor has a pleasant ratio of subtly tangy and subtly sweet. It also comes in chive, everything, and garden veggie varieties. You won’t be lacking in the dairy department with Kite Hill in hand.

Now that you’ve seen the cast list of our favorite vegan cream cheese brands, let's get creative! How exactly should you use vegan cream cheese on your charcuterie board? You can always put some in a ramekin and put out a cheese knife for easy spreading on veggies and crackers. Or, you can use it to make a dip. 

  1. Vegan Ranch 

This recipe from The Pretty Bee blog details how to make vegan ranch using vegan cream cheese as one of the main ingredients. It only takes ten minutes to whip up and will impress your guests for sure.

Photo Credit: The Pretty Bee

Serve with: 

Baby carrots

Sliced cucumber

Sliced celery

Sliced bell peppers

Mary’s Gone Crackers

Ritz Crackers

Sundried Tomato and Basil Wheat Thins)

  1. Vegan Tzatziki
Photo Credit: Food by Maria

If you’ve never had tzatziki, it's a to-die-for creamy mediterranean dip full of savory, herbed flavor. This Greek Tzatziki Recipe by Food by Maria has a base of vegan cream cheese (or vegan sour cream), and adds in cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon, salt and pepper to complete the flavor profile. 

Serve with:

Kalamata olives

Baby tomatoes

Carrots

Cucumber 

Peppers

Falafel (We love the Trader Joe’s Vegan Dill Pickle Mini Falafel)

  1. Whipped Cinnamon Cream Cheese

This sweet cinnamon cream cheese is the perfect sweet pairing for your next charcuterie board. This recipe by A Couple Cooks for Cinnamon Cream Cheese Dip isn’t vegan, so simply substitute vegan cream cheese for regular cream cheese and plant-based milk for regular milk. We can envision this dip on a brunch or dessert board.

Photo Credit: A Couple Cooks

Serve with:

Cut up bagels (hello brunch board!)

Strawberries

Apples

Bananas

Graham crackers

Pretzels

Let’s just say, you don’t need dairy to have an incredible charcuterie experience. We highly recommend giving one of these vegan cream cheese brands or recipes a go for your next charcuterie board. Need more vegan charcuterie inspo? Check out our comprehensive vegan charcuterie blog here.

Further Reading
How to Pronounce Charcuterie: A Guide to Mastering the Art
In this article, we will guide you through the correct pronunciation of charcuterie, ensuring you can confidently order and discuss this culinary delight.
June 11, 2023
All About Vegan Cheese
Vegan cheese is a wonderful substitute for traditional cheese. It can make all of your dairy-free dreams come true thanks to a huge spread of options available on the market. Learn more about why people choose vegan cheese, how it's made, top brands, and our favorite vegan cheese recipes.
May 31, 2023