Last Updated on December 7, 2025 by Ecologica Life
Whether you’re trying to cut down on dairy, help the planet, or just curious about vegan swaps, I’ve tried them all so that you don’t have to.
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Yes, I’m back to talk about food again, and let’s face it, you love it as much as I do!
Having dabbled in veganism for the past five years or so (yes, I give into the temptation sometimes too) I have found some of the best alternatives, as well as some of the worst! In this article you’ll find out which items are worth spending your money on, and those that definitely are not and will just leave you pitying the vegans.
Dairy-Free Alternatives
Butter
Butter took its sweet time didn’t it! From the super oily ones, to the ones that simply do not melt, it’s been a period of trial and error. However, finally, two brands have got it right. The yellow Flora is my favourite – just like dairy butter, it’s salty and melty, and works just right for a piece of toast or a sandwich. The blue Flora, on the other hand, does not melt quite so well. Lurpak has also recently brought out their own vegan butter, which I have heard is top notch! However, personally I do like to buy from fully vegan brands and Lurpak is pretty pricey! I will be trying it at some point for a treat though.
Cheese
Suddenly vegan cheeses range from cheddar to feta to cream to smoked, and I’m not complaining! Only recently did I come across my new favourite, the Violife feta – delicious! A non-vegan friend of mine even said she preferred it to real feta! Don’t walk, RUN to get this from a range of supermarkets such as Tesco for under £3.
I am also delighted at how many different options of vegan cream cheese already exist, from big brands such as Philadelphia, to supermarkets’ own brands. The thickest one that I have come across is the Violife original cream cheese. This cream cheese will take the flavour of whatever ingredients you include. The Violife cream cheese is around £2.50 and widely available in Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
I am also very impressed by the cheddar cheeses I have come across, and almost any of them will be a great addition to a meal. Some of my favourites are the Violife cheese, which comes conveniently grated, sliced, or as a block, as well as the Applewood vegan cheese, which is creamy and smoky and melts beautifully. Lidl’s Vemondo grated mature cheddar is also a great addition to any meal! On the other hand, I cannot stand the smell or consistency of the Cathedral City cheddar cheese. This may just be me, but there’s your warning!
Cream
One cream I would recommend is the Elmlea plant-based cream, I have used this to make sweet treats such as cheesecakes and Victoria sponges, as well as creamy mushroom pasta dishes – it’s fantastically versatile just like dairy cream!
Once you’ve nailed your dairy swaps, the next big question is protein.
Vegan Protein Alternatives
Sausages
I’ve tried lots of sausages in my time, and there are indeed many great ones out there! Although, I only recently came across my favourite ones of all. I found them in Lidl, which admittedly does not offer a huge vegan range, but they may make up for that with these sausages which have a fantastic, dense texture and become lovely and crispy when fried! The brand is called Vemondo, which is Lidl’s own brand of plant-based and vegetarian products. Following closely behind, I love the THIS sausages, and the Richmond sausages are also delicious. Quorn also do vegan sausages, so just be careful that you don’t pick up the vegetarian ones by accident as they do look similar.
Bacon
My all time favourite is the THIS bacon. They started with bacon rashers which were so delicious and smoky, and then went the extra mile and brought out streaky bacon, which are also impeccable and fantastically imitate the consistency of a piece of streaky bacon! You only fry them for about four minutes, and they become tasty and crispy like real bacon! These are the winners by a long way for me, but I do also enjoy the Richmond bacon rashers. These products can be used for a simple BLT, or as part of a creamy carbonara – and the best thing is they smell like real bacon when you cook them!
Tofu
Tofu can imitate so many things! In the beginning, it was definitely a love–hate relationship. Why aren’t you crispy?! How do I press you without crumbling you? Why do you burn on one side while you’re soggy on the other?! But over time, I have learnt to love it and cook it in the right ways. I can now have it as part of almost any meal: tofu curry, tofu fajitas, tofu bites, tofu salad. For me, any tofu is a great source of the meal’s protein, as I have a trick up my sleeve which the lovely world of YouTube taught me! Before you fry your tofu, boil it for 5 minutes in salty water, this’ll allow it to become much more crispy quicker, and will save you time in the long run.
Tempeh
I’m still wrapping my head around tempeh, if I’m honest! Fermented? Hmm. But what I’ve tried, I like. I recently made some chimichurri tempeh fajitas from a BOSH! recipe book (a popular vegan cookbook) which I loved! I think as long as you make a good flavour to go with it, you can get used to the texture.
Sweet treats
Puddings
The main area where I fail with being vegan is definitely with puddings and snacks, despite there being so many lovely options! My favourite every day kind of dessert is an Alpro yogurt with some fruit. The great thing is that it comes in so many different flavours! Plain, vanilla, cherry, blueberry (my all-time favourite), strawberry, you name it! I never liked dairy yogurt, something about the after taste, but vegan yogurt I’m all over! They also do different flavoured dessert pots, vanilla, milk and dark chocolate, and caramel, which are such a treat! One to definitely avoid, however, is the Vemondo (yes, I’m a traitor) high protein puddings which come in different flavours in Lidl. They taste very artificial and grainy and are not worth your money!
Snacks
Not everyone goes vegan for health reasons alone, and there’s definitely still room for fun snacks. If you want to be vegan and still enjoy a snack session, the below is for you!
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that quite a few biccies are vegan! For example, lotus biscoff biscuits, most bourbons, fruit shorties, and Jammie dodgers.
Biscoff spread is also vegan, which I like to use as an addition to a cheeky porridge, on toast, or with fruit.
Fancy something that feels a bit more balanced? Now don’t judge me for this, but if you know you know. Apple and peanut butter – what a combo. I also love to convince myself that I’m being healthy if I have a banana and strawberries, with a big dollop of the new vegan Nutella spread!
Whether you’re a full-time vegan or just vegan-curious, these swaps prove you don’t have to miss out on flavour!
Pick one dairy product and one snack to swap this week and let me know in the comments which ones you loved (or hated!). If you want to keep exploring, check out my guide to vegan baking.
