People look for cream cheese substitutes for many different reasons, and are usually thrilled to find that so many delicious things can work as an alternative!
Cream Cheese Substitutes
Cream cheese is delicious, but cream cheese substitutes are often sought out due to this creamy cheese’s fat content. Cream cheese also crops up as an important ingredient in a range of both sweet and savory recipes. Luckily, there is a broad range of substitutes for cream cheese, some of which might be even better than the original! [1]
Cottage Cheese
This vitamin-packed cheese variety can be puréed to a smooth texture and chilled to produce a cheese paste of a similar consistency as cream cheese. It might also have a slightly lighter, fresher flavor that will work better in savory recipes than it does for desserts.
Cream cheese is a soft, usually mild-tasting fresh cheese made from milk and cream. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Mascarpone Cheese
The fat content of mascarpone is pretty much the same as cream cheese, so this isn’t your best option if you’re looking for a healthier alternative. However, its slightly sweet flavor and thick, creamy texture make it an excellent substitute in sweet recipes. [2]
Ricotta
An excellent alternative to use in baking, ricotta cheese has a grainier texture than mascarpone but is slightly less sweet.
Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt can be a healthy substitute for cream cheese in many recipes. That being said, you will need to strain the yogurt in a cheesecloth overnight to achieve a thickness and texture that mirrors cream cheese.
Kefir
An extremely healthy alternative, this naturally produced fermented milk culture is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and good bacteria that keep the gut happy. It tends to have a more sour taste than cream cheese and a runnier texture – it can be blended or strained to increase its thickness. To get the most health benefits from kefir, it is best substituted as a spread or used in raw recipes that don’t require heating. [3]
Silken Tofu
This substitute takes a bit of preparation but can be a wonderful vegan alternative to cream cheese. First, drain excess water from the tofu, then blend it with margarine or oil before adding lemon juice, salt, sugar, vinegar or a combination to taste, based on the flavor profile you’re aiming for. Once blended, refrigerate until it reaches a firm consistency. Use this as a spread or in dessert recipes.
Vegan Soft Cheese
A number of people have actually opted for a vegan lifestyle nowadays. So adding some of the vegan cheese is definitely a great choice to keep the cooking on.
There is a range of dairy-free alternatives to cream cheese out there – try a few to see which one suits you best! [4]
