Tofu Cream Cheese

This vegan tofu cream cheese is a heart-healthy spread full of protein and cheesy deliciousness.

Traditional commercial cream cheese is loaded with unhealthy saturated fat. Saturated fat can cause cholesterol to build up in your blood vessels and raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol. High LDL cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Don’t worry if you love cream cheese, I have a solution for you – you gotta try this heart-healthy tofu cream cheese recipe.

With only a few ingredients, this recipe is super easy and can be executed in 10 minutes.

This tofu spread is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Your whole family can enjoy it! 

This article was written by Wesley Mai, Toronto Metropolitan University Nutrition Student.  Medically reviewed by Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CDE

Full disclosure, Veronica Rouse is an Epicure consultant and we recommend one of their products in this post.  If you click on this link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.  This money helps us continue to make great FREE content for you to enjoy. Thank you for considering.   

Why Make Cream Cheese Tofu

Traditional cream cheese is made of full-fat milk and whipped cream, which is not vegan. It is also high in saturated fat, contains additives and preservatives, and is not a good source of calcium and protein.

On the other hand, this cream cheese tofu is packed with healthful ingredients. It is a good source of plant-based protein and calcium. It also does not contain any preservatives or additives. Tofu cream cheese is thick, creamy, and satiating. Even though this high-protein vegan spread does not taste exactly like dairy cream cheese, it is a great alternative.

Speaking of alternatives, I often recommend this tofu cream cheese as an alternative to deli meat.

Is It Heart Healthy?

Tofu is a great source of plant protein. Plant protein is an important component of the Portfolio Diet, which is an evidence-based way of eating that has been proven to lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease (1).

Tofu and other soy-based products contain isoflavones. Intake of isoflavones and tofu is linked with a lower heart disease risk in men and women. Eating tofu more than once a week was associated with an 18% lower risk of heart disease than people who didn’t eat tofu (2).

Tofu Cream Cheese Ingredients

The main ingredients in the vegan tofu cream cheese are:

• Firm or extra firm tofu – works best. Once you blend it, it will remind you of the creamy texture of traditional cream cheese.
• Tahini – added for a nutty flavor and essential healthy fats and B vitamins into your meal.
• Lemon juice – balances out the creaminess, gives the dish a pleasantly tangy flavor, and helps it to emulsify.
• Nutritional yeast – acts as vegan cheese, and contains a decent amount of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
• Olive oil – is rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.
• Salt – to taste.
• Mixed fresh herbs (parsley, dill, etc) – for extra flavor.

How To Make Tofu Cream Cheese

Once you get all the ingredients on the table, the cooking part takes no more than 10 minutes. I guarantee!

Here are the steps to make tofu cream cheese:

1. Remove the tofu from the package and drain the excess liquid. Use a fork to crumble the tofu to blend it easier.
2. Add tofu, lemon juice, olive oil, tahini, nutritional yeast, and salt to a blender. Blend until you have a smooth tofu cream texture.
3. Add in the chopped fresh herbs and mix well.
4. Serve as a spread on bread, bagels, and sandwiches, or use as a dip. Pair it with your vegetables or fruits of your choice. Enjoy!

Watch How To Make It

Leftovers

Store the leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days for the best flavor.

I do not recommend freezing because the freezing and defrosting process will cause the tofu spread to lose its cheesy flavor and creamy texture.

Variations Of Tofu Spread

The best thing about making tofu cream cheese recipe is that you can be super creative by adding your favorite flavors:

• Herbs and garlic: put a clove of garlic and a handful of your favorite herbs or dried seasonings into the blender with the tofu mixture.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: add in ¼ cup of diced sun-dried tomatoes while blending.   
• Garden veggies: add ¼ cup of shredded veggies such as lettuce, bell peppers, and cucumbers to the blender.
• Vegan bacon bits: add a tablespoon of vegan bacon bits if you like the dish to be more crunchy. I love these vegan bacon bits made from pinto beans. 
• Sweet flavor: Strawberries or blueberries. Don’t add these directly to the blender. I would suggest cutting the berries and folding them into the mixture instead.  
• Chocolate lovers: add ¼ cup of cocoa powder to the blender and/or fold in ¼ cup of chocolate chips.

FAQ/Expert Tips

Is This Recipe Gluten Free?

A lot of people worry about whether tahini is gluten-free. Yes, by definition tahini is made from ground sesame seeds, which belong to the nuts and seeds family and do not contain wheat of any kind.

However, sometimes gluten can be used as a thickener for the tahini paste. Therefore, I recommend that you check the labels carefully before making a purchase.

Also, if you follow a gluten-free diet and want to use vegan tofu cream cheese as a spread on bread, make sure that the bread is also gluten-free.

How To Eat?

The tofu cream cheese recipe can be served at room temperature, right after you blend it! If you want a cool spread, simply leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes before eating.

You can definitely be creative with how you want to serve it. Here are a few ideas:

• Serve it on a sandwich or bagel with roasted vegetables.
• Use as a sauce in pasta, on pizza, or in cannelloni
• Spread on flatbread or naan for a quick and easy lunch
• As a dip for veggies (carrots, cucumbers, etc.) or crackers for an afternoon snack
• As fillings for stuffed shells

Other Vegan Breakfast Recipes

Here are some other breakfast recipes that you may be interested in:

Final Thoughts

Now it is time for you to make a choice: whether to keep purchasing commercial cream cheese in supermarkets that are high in saturated fats and low in essential vitamins and minerals, or try to make your own tofu cream cheese packed with heart-healthy ingredients.

And if you LOVE this tofu cream cheese recipe and are interested in other heart-healthy recipes, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Enjoy!