Home Dietary Hub Questions Which cheeses are vegetarian?
Quick answer · Vegetarian
Which cheeses are vegetarian?
It depends on the rennet
Fresh cheeses set with acid, like ricotta, mascarpone and cream cheese, are usually vegetarian. Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Romano, Gruyère, Gorgonzola and Roquefort usually aren't. For everything else, the label decides.
Cheese is vegetarian when the rennet that sets it is microbial or plant-based, or when it's set with acid and no rennet at all. Many cheesemakers now make vegetarian versions of almost every style, so the same cheese can go either way depending on the brand.
The table below sorts all the cheeses in our ingredient library into usually vegetarian, check the label, and usually not vegetarian, with the reason for each.
What to check
- "vegetarian" on the label
- "microbial", "vegetable" or "non-animal" rennet
- protected names like Parmigiano-Reggiano, whose rules require animal rennet
Our verdicts
| Ingredient | Vegetarian |
|---|---|
| Almond Ricotta | SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients. |
| Cashew Cheese | SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients. |
| Cream Cheese | SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures. |
| Mascarpone | SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures. |
| Ricotta | SafeNo rennet: set with acid or cultures. |
| Vegan Brie | SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients. |
| Vegan Cream Cheese | SafePlant-based, no animal ingredients. |
| Aged Cheddar | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Aged Gouda | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Aged Provolone | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Asiago | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Beaufort | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Bleu d'Auvergne | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Boursin | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Brie | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Bucheron | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Burrata | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Cabrales | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Cambozola | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Comté | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Cotija | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Cotswold | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Cranberry Goat Cheese | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Crottin de Chavignol | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Danish Blue | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Drunken Goat | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Edam | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Époisses | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Feta | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Fontina | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Fresh Chèvre | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Fresh Mozzarella | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Garrotxa | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Halloumi | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Havarti | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Humboldt Fog | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Idiazábal | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Jarlsberg | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Langres | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Limburger | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Mahón | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Maytag Blue | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Mimolette | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Monterey Jack | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Morbier | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Muenster | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Ossau-Iraty | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Pecorino Toscano | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Pepper Jack | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Pont-l'Évêque | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Port Salut | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Queso Fresco | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Reblochon | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Red Hawk | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Red Leicester | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Roncal | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Sainte-Maure de Touraine | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Smoked Gouda | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Stilton | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Stracciatella | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Taleggio | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Tomme de Savoie | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Triple-Crème | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Truffle Cheese | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Valençay | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Wensleydale with Cranberries | Check the labelRennet varies by brand. Look for 'vegetarian', 'microbial' or 'vegetable rennet' on the label. |
| Camembert | SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Some supermarket camembert is vegetarian; check the label. |
| Emmental | SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Some supermarket Swiss is vegetarian; check the label. |
| Gorgonzola | SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society). |
| Grana Padano | SkipMade like Parmigiano-Reggiano, with animal rennet. |
| Gruyère | SkipUsually made with animal rennet. Look for a gruyère-style cheese labeled vegetarian. |
| Manchego | SkipUsually made with animal rennet. A few brands use vegetable rennet; check the label. |
| Parmigiano-Reggiano | SkipThe official recipe requires calf rennet. |
| Pecorino Romano | SkipTraditionally made with lamb rennet. |
| Raclette | SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society). |
| Roquefort | SkipUsually made with animal rennet (Vegetarian Society). |
What to use instead
Plant cheeses are always vegetarian (and vegan):
Vegan BrieCashew CheeseVegan Cream Cheese
The full vegetarian guide: every ingredient, swaps and setup →
Sources
- Vegetarian Society: Which cheeses are suitable for vegetarians?
- Parmesan (Parmigiano-Reggiano production rules)
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Brands change their recipes, so we re-check these pages every 6 months. For a serious allergy or celiac disease, read every label and ask your guest. How we classify ingredients.
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