When I arrived in the U.S., I was thrilled by the huge selection of vegan products but also a bit overwhelmed. With so many choices, how do you know which ones are the best? Instead of spending a fortune figuring it out, I’ve put together a list of my favorite vegan products in the United States.
Dairy-Free Delights You’ll Love
Chao Cheese
My top pick for a delicious grilled cheese sandwich or just snacking is Chao cheese. It has a light, creamy flavor similar to the cheeses I miss from Israel. If you prefer something with a bolder taste, try Chao cheddar cheese instead.
Kite Hill Cream Cheese
Missing cream cheese since going vegan? Kite Hill’s got you covered with its fantastic, healthy alternative. Whether you go for Plain or Chive, this cream cheese is perfect on toast or for baking.
Silk Yogurt
Finding the right vegan yogurt can be tricky, but Silk stands out. I love their plain or unsweetened varieties for smoothies or just eating straight from the container. Their fruit-flavored yogurts are great too. I wasn’t impressed when I first tried it years ago, so it’s worth giving it another shot.
Silk Milk (Soy or Almond)
When it comes to non-dairy milk, Silk is my favorite. It’s not overly sweet, making it perfect for cereal. They also offer cashew and coconut milk, which I haven’t tried yet—let me know your thoughts if you have!
AloHop
I discovered AloHop ice cream just before leaving the U.S., and I’m still dreaming about it. The Chocolate Covered Banana flavor was divine. They have other non-dairy flavors worth exploring, so keep an eye out for this gem!
Upgrade Your Vegan Meals
Just Mayo
Hampton Creek’s Just Mayo is the best vegan mayo out there. You can find it on Amazon or in some local stores. It’s great with fries and sandwiches and doesn’t have the cholesterol found in traditional mayo. Other great brands to check out are Follow Your Heart and American Garden.
Just/Hampton Creek Dressings
Hampton Creek also makes fantastic salad dressings. I tried both their Thousand Island and Ranch dressings, and they were amazing. They’ll take your salads and sandwiches to the next level.
Gardein Meat Substitutes
Although I’m not big on meat substitutes, Gardein’s products are impressive. My favorites include the Fishless Filets, Mandarin Crispy Chick’n, and Meatless Meatballs. The crab cakes weren’t my favorite, but you might enjoy them.
Trader Joe’s Vegan Cookies
Trader Joe’s offers two delicious vegan cookies: Oatmeal Chocolate Chip (brown package) and Trail Mix (purple package). I’m usually a homemade cookie person, but these were so soft and tasty I couldn’t resist. Perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth!
Trader Joe’s Kale Pesto
Most pestos contain dairy, but Trader Joe’s has a great vegan version that tastes just like the classic. It’s a must-try for pesto lovers!
Note: Trader Joe’s has a ton of vegan items. You can request a list at the store, but it’s easier to check out their Instagram page for visual aids or show store employees pictures of what you’re looking for.
