Here are 18 awesome ways to substitute for cheddar cheese (white and yellow) including vegan options and 9 tasty recipes with cheddar cheese.
Need a good substitute for cheddar cheese?
Here are 18 awesome cheddar cheese substitutes if your grocery store is out of stock or you need a replacement in a pinch.
You’ll also find healthier alternatives for those looking to reduce their fat and calorie intake, plus vegan options for those who are dairy-free or plant-based.
No matter the circumstance, you’ll find the best substitutes for all your favorite recipes and dietary needs, below!
Cheddar Cheese 101
Cheddar is one of the most popular cheeses in America. Its signature orange color, firm texture, and nutty flavor are hard to beat!
Most grocery stores offer mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, and extra sharp varieties. And you can even purchase white cheddar cheese.
What’s the difference between white and yellow cheddar?
The only difference between yellow cheddar and white cheddar is the color. The taste is exactly the same!
You might choose white cheddar over yellow cheddar depending on the aesthetics of your dish or what’s available in your store.
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Easy Ways to Substitute for Cheddar Cheese
Below, are 14 easy ways to substitute for cheddar with a traditional cheese replacement. If you have a dairy allergy or follow a vegan lifestyle, keep scrolling for vegan options (substitutes 15-18).
1. American Cheese
Some refer to American cheese as “cheddar lite.” It has a similar taste, but it’s milder and slightly sweet. American cheese also has a softer, more pliable texture.
You can use American cheese to substitute for cheddar on burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches, and subs.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
2. Colby Cheese
Colby cheese is a great cheddar substitute in mac and cheese, on burgers, in cheese dips, and on sandwiches. Lots of baked mac and cheese recipes call for part Colby and part cheddar cheese anyway.
Your recipes will have a slightly different taste because Colby is milder in flavor. It’s also slightly softer than cheddar.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
3. Swiss Cheese
This light holey cheese has a mild flavor when compared to cheddar, but works great as a substitute for sandwiches and recipes where cheese isn’t the star ingredient.
Use Swiss cheese as a 1-to-1 substitute.
4. Blue Cheese
Blue cheese has a strong, pungent flavor, much different than cheddar cheese. If you like strong, mold-ripened cheese, this is a great substitute for cheddar on salads, burgers, and cheese platters.
However, blue cheese is not a good substitute for dips or casseroles.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
5. Gouda Cheese
This delicious, Dutch cheese makes a great substitute for cheddar in almost any application including, baked casseroles, dips, and sandwiches.
Gouda is a semi-hard cheese with a slightly crunchy texture and similar appearance to cheddar.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
6. Parmesan Cheese
Shredded parmesan cheese makes a great substitute for cheddar in green salads and pasta salads. While parmesan has a much different taste than cheddar and a dryer texture, its rich, umami flavor makes it a great compliment to these kinds of dishes.
You can use parmesan as a 1-to-1 substitute for cheddar in your favorite salads.
7. Brick Cheese
Brick cheese is produced in Wisconsin and has a sweeter and more mild flavor when compared to cheddar.
It’s another semi-hard cheese that’s meltable, shreds well, and is great for sandwiches, dips, casseroles, and more.
Use Brick cheese as a 1-to-1 substitute anywhere you would cheddar.
8. Mozzarella Cheese
This distinctive white cheese has a creamy texture and mild flavor, very different from cheddar. But, it’s a healthier alternative for those looking to reduce their fat and calorie intake.
Mozzarella cheese is relatively low in fat and calories and works well in salads, certain casseroles, and dips.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
9. Pepper Jack Cheese
If you like a little spice in your recipes, you can try pepper jack as a cheddar cheese substitute. It has a similar texture to cheddar and melts and shreds well.
Pepper jack cheese works best as a substitute in casseroles, dips, and sandwiches or burgers.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
10. Cantal Cheese
Cantal cheese, sometimes referred to as the cousin of cheddar cheese, is one of the oldest cheeses produced in France.
It has a similar taste to cheddar (especially aged cheddar) and makes a great substitute if you can find it in your grocery store or a specialty food store.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
11. Cottage Cheese
You might not think of cottage cheese as a replacement for cheddar, but it’s a great healthy substitute for those watching their weight.
Cottage cheese has a mild flavor and soft texture, very different from cheddar. But, it can add healthy protein and a little bit of tang to salads and certain dip recipes.
However, it’s not an ideal substitute for sandwiches because of its soft texture, or casseroles because it doesn’t melt very well.
12. Edam Cheese
Edam cheese is a semi-hard cheese from the Netherlands. It’s salty, tangy, has a smooth texture, and also melts, slices, and shreds well.
Because of its similar texture and flavor, you can use Edam cheese to replace cheddar in almost any recipe!
It also pairs really well with fruit, so it’s a great cheddar substitute for a cheese board or charcuterie board.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
13. Double Gloucester Cheese
This nutty semi-hard cheese has a smooth and buttery texture with a similar taste to cheddar, though milder. It melts well and has an apricot color due to the addition of annatto plant extract in the production process.
If you can find Double Gloucester Cheese in your grocery store or a specialty food store, you can use it as a 1-to-1 substitute anywhere you would cheddar.
14. Gruyere Cheese
This Swiss cheese has an earthy, nutty flavor, and a smooth hard texture. And it’s a great cheddar substitute for cheese and charcuterie boards, sandwiches, and dips.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
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Vegan Substitutes
If you have an allergy to cow’s milk or follow a vegan lifestyle, you’ll want to avoid cheese altogether. So, here are some non-dairy and vegan substitutes for cheddar you can easily find or make yourself.
15. Nutritional yeast
Nutritional yeast is a staple in many vegan households. It adds a cheese-like flavor when sprinkled on dishes, and you can also use it to make vegan cheese sauces.
Sprinkle nutritional yeast on salads, pizzas, and sandwiches, or use it to make a cheese sauce for macaroni, dips, and casseroles.
16. Cashew Cheese
You can make cashew cheese by boiling or soaking cashew nuts and blending them until smooth. Cashew cheese can substitute for cheddar on sandwiches, in casseroles, and for dips.
17. Sweet Potato Sauce
Did you know you can use sweet potatoes to make a cheese sauce? It requires just a few ingredients including cashews and nutritional yeast, listed above.
And, here’s a great sweet potato cheese sauce recipe to try!
18. Commercial Vegan Cheddar
Most grocery stores now carry commercially produced vegan cheese products. And one of the most popular options is Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds.
It melts like regular cheese so you can use it anywhere you would actual cheddar cheese.
Use as a 1-to-1 substitute.
RELATED: 16 Simple Ways to Substitute for Cottage Cheese
Yummy Recipes to Try
Here are some easy and delicious recipes that call for cheddar cheese. Use these to test out your favorite substitute for cheddar cheese above!
3-Ingredient Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip
Deluxe Grilled Cheeseburger Wraps
Skillet Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli, and Rice
Easy and Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Cheesy Zucchini, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet
Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream White Sauce
Easy Cheesy Drop Biscuits
Cheesy Tomato Chicken Linguine Recipe
Healthy Crustless Broccoli and Ham Quiche
