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Toshi's Table » Recipes » Condiments

The Best Vegan Substitute for Parmesan Cheese

Modified: Sep 2, 2024 · Published: Sep 7, 2020 by Emily Toshiko · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

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This recipe is the best vegan substitute for parmesan cheese! It only requires three simple ingredients and is nut-free! You can sprinkle this on pasta, salads, soups and more.

Homemade vegan parmesan cheese in a clear bowl with a spoon on two wooden coasters.

Vegan parmesan is made from unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt. This dairy-free option is perfect for those following a plant-based diet or for those with lactose intolerance!

Although there are many store-bought options, this vegan substitute for parmesan cheese is healthier. Store-bought vegan cheese often have preservatives and unnecessary additives that aren’t good for you. Making your own homemade version is a better option!

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Equipment Notes
  • Ingredient Notes
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • Step by Step Instructions
  • Top Tip
  • Storing & Freezing
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recipes to Pair with Vegan Parmesan
  • Did you try this recipe?
  • The Best Vegan Substitute for Parmesan Cheese

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Unlike most homemade vegan parmesan cheese recipes, this recipe is completely nut free!
  • You only need three simple ingredients to make this homemade condiment: unsalted sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt!
  • While it doesn't quite taste like regular parmesan, it will certainly enhance the flavors of any dish you would normally add parmesan cheese to such as arugula basil pesto or homemade ten vegetable soup!

Equipment Notes

You will need a small blender such as a magic bullet, or a food processor. This will grind up the sunflower seeds to the perfect consistency.  

Ingredient Notes

Overhead view of three small bowls filled with nutritional yeast, unsalted sunflower seeds and sea salt.
  • Unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds - sunflower seeds are a cheaper alternative to nuts! They help keep the recipe allergy friendly. 
  • Nutritional yeast - this is high in B12; an important vitamin especially if you are following a plant based diet!
  • Sea salt - regular cheese is high in salt. By choosing unsalted sunflower seeds we can better manage the sodium intake.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Nut-free alternatives - besides sunflower seeds, you can substitute in unsalted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or hemp hearts!
  • Sea salt - you can easily adjust the amount of salt to make it lower in sodium.
  • Spices - add spices such as Italian herbs, garlic powder or onion powder! Start with ¼ teaspoon and add more if desired.
  • With nuts - you can make vegan parmesan using cashews, walnuts or almonds in place of the sunflower seeds. This will also add more protein!

Step by Step Instructions

Magic Bullet blender filled with sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and salt before being blended.

Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. 

Magic Bullet blender filled with sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and salt after being blended.

Pulse for a few seconds until roughly blended. Do not overmix or it will turn to sunflower seed butter.

Top Tip

Do not over blend the sunflower seed parmesan! If you blend the seeds too much they will start to turn into butter. To prevent this, as soon as it starts clumping, stop blending and give it a stir. 

A white bowl filled with pasta and sauce topped with vegan parmesan cheese.

Storing & Freezing

You can store nut-free vegan parm in an airtight container for quite a while! Store it at room temperature for up to one week or store it in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Additionally, you can freeze the sunflower seed parmesan for a few months. Use it straight from the freezer as it will thaw out quickly over your food.  

Homemade sunflower seed vegan parmesan cheese in a clear bowl with a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?

Surprising parmesan cheese is NOT vegetarian. It contains animal rennet, which are enzymes found in the stomach of some animals. 

Does vegan parmesan melt?

This sunflower seed parmesan does not melt. If you are using it on a baked recipe (i.e. baked ziti) I recommend adding it after it comes out of the oven. 

Recipes to Pair with Vegan Parmesan

  • Overhead of a white bowl with creamy green pesto with arugula garnished around the bowl.
    Arugula Basil Pesto (Nut Free and Vegan)
  • Close up of ten vegetable soup in a white bowl on a cutting board with a linen.
    Homemade Ten Vegetable Soup
  • A big white bowl of bow tie pasta, cherry tomatoes, summer squash and fresh basil.
    Summer Squash and Tomato Farfalle Pasta
  • A large white bowl on a cutting board filled with rotini pasta with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and basil.
    Easy Spring Asparagus and Pea Pasta (Vegan)

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Homemade vegan parmesan cheese in a clear bowl with a spoon on two wooden coasters.

The Best Vegan Substitute for Parmesan Cheese

Emily Toshiko
This recipe is the best vegan substitute for parmesan cheese! It only requires three simple ingredients and is nut-free! 
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 4 to 6 people
Calories 114 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
  • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Add the sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt to a blender or food processor.
  • Blend/pulse while watching closely. As soon as it starts getting sticky/oily, give the mixture a good stir. Blend/pulse again for a few seconds.
  • Be careful not to over blend or it will turn into butter. Add this to your favorite pasta dishes!

Notes

  • Buy unsalted, roasted sunflower seeds so you can control the amount of salt going into the vegan parmesan.
  • Do not over blend or you will end up with sunflower seed butter.
Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 114kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 269mgPotassium: 157mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @toshistable on social!

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Share This Recipe!

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Comments

  1. Kyle says

    April 24, 2023 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    Has become the finishing touch on all my pasta dishes!

    Reply
    • Emily Toshiko says

      May 27, 2023 at 11:31 am

      I'm so glad you are enjoying it!

      Reply
  2. Em says

    April 24, 2023 at 8:24 pm

    5 stars
    This is so easy to make and a great addition on my salads!

    Reply

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Emily Toshiko Brackett from Toshi's Table standing in the kitchen holding a glass of red wine.

Hi, I'm Emily!

Welcome to my table! I enjoy creating colorful, tasty recipes that inspire you to eat more veggies. While I don't claim to be vegan or vegetarian, I find that I feel my best when eating a plant forward diet. Give one of these recipes a try, I dare you!

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