Is Grana Padano Cheese Vegetarian? A Comprehensive UK Guide

Is Grana Padano cheese vegetarian? The simple answer is no, which might surprise you. Even though it is made from normal cow’s milk, traditional Grana Padano PDO uses calf rennet to turn the milk into cheese. Because calf rennet comes from an animal’s stomach, this popular Italian cheese is not suitable for vegetarians.

However, you do not have to miss out on that lovely savoury flavour. Many UK supermarkets sell brilliant vegetarian hard cheeses made with plant or microbial rennet instead. 

So, let’s take a deep dive into how Grana Padano is made, how to check product labels, and the best vegetarian alternatives for your favourite recipes.

What Is Grana Padano Cheese?

Grana Padano is a hard Italian cheese from northern Italy that people have made for hundreds of years. It has a special official label called PDO, which means Protected Designation of Origin. Because of this label, makers must follow strict traditional rules and can only use raw, partly skimmed cow’s milk.

The finished cheese has a firm, crumbly feel and a nice, gentle flavour. You can eat it on its own as a simple snack, or you can grate it over your favourite meals. For example, it tastes wonderful sprinkled on top of hot pasta, creamy risotto, warm soups, fresh salads, and cooked vegetables.

When shopping, you will see it sold in large blocks, handy wedges, or ready-grated tubs. However, make sure to check for the official name on the package, as generic Italian-style hard cheeses might look similar but are not made to the same rules. In fact, real Grana Padano uses just four simple ingredients: milk, salt, rennet, and sometimes a natural egg enzyme called lysozyme.

Is Grana Padano Cheese Vegetarian?

No, traditional Grana Padano cheese is not vegetarian.

This is because it is made with animal rennet. Rennet is a special ingredient that turns liquid milk into solid cheese curds. Traditional Grana Padano uses rennet that comes from a young calf’s stomach.

Because vegetarians do not eat foods that come from animal body parts, this type of cheese is not suitable for them. The UK Vegetarian Society agrees that cheese made with animal rennet cannot be called vegetarian.

However, the milk itself is fine for most vegetarians to drink and eat. The only reason Grana Padano is not vegetarian is because of the animal rennet used to make it. Therefore, if you follow a vegetarian diet, you should look for hard cheeses that are specially made with plant-based or vegetarian rennet instead.

What Is Rennet and Why Does It Matter?

Rennet is a special ingredient that changes milk into cheese.

To get the main idea, you should know about the behind-the-scenes process. So, when people make cheese, they add rennet to make the milk join together into solid clumps called curds. At the same time, it separates these curds from the watery liquid left behind, which is called whey. Different kinds of cheese need different types of rennet. This is very important to know, especially if you eat vegetarian food.

Now, time to learn about kinds of rennet

On the other hand, microbial rennet comes from tiny living things, so it is usually good for vegetarians. Plant rennet comes from plants like thistles, which means it is always safe for vegetarians to eat.

However, you should not guess that all hard cheeses use the same rennet. Therefore, it is best to check the food label or ask the company if you are not sure. In fact, the Vegetarian Society explains that animal rennet is never vegetarian. But they agree that vegetarian rennet made from plants or micro-organisms is completely fine for a vegetarian diet.

What Are the Ingredients in Grana Padano?

Grana Padano is made with just four main ingredients: milk, salt, rennet, and lysozyme. The milk comes from cows, and cheesemakers skim off some of the cream before they start making the cheese.

Following that, salt is added to give the cheese a yummy taste. Salt also helps draw out extra liquid and forms the hard outer crust, which is called the rind.

After that, cheesemakers use rennet to turn the liquid milk into solid curds. However, this traditional rennet comes from a calf’s stomach, which means the cheese is not suitable for vegetarians.

At the end, some types of Grana Padano include lysozyme, an ingredient made from hen egg whites. This helps stop bad bacteria from ruining the cheese while it ages. So, even though some versions like Trentingrana leave out the lysozyme, Grana Padano still is not vegetarian because it always uses animal rennet.

How Is Grana Padano Made?

Here is the step-by-step process of how Grana Padano cheese is made:

1. Gathering and mixing the milk:

At the initial stage, cheesemakers take raw cow’s milk that has had some of the cream removed. Then, they add a splash of natural whey starter left over from the day before to help the milk start changing.

2. Warming up the milk:

Then, they gently heat the milk in a large copper pot until it gets cosy and warm, at about 31 to 33°C.

3. Adding the rennet:

After that, they mix in calf rennet. This special ingredient is super important because it helps turn the runny milk into a solid, thick curd.

4. Chopping the curd:

Once the milk thickens, the cheesemakers chop the curd into tiny little pieces. These small bits look just like grains of rice!

5. Cooking and settling:

Following, they heat the tiny curds even more, up to 56°C. After heating, the curds sink right down to the bottom of the pot and rest in the liquid whey.

6. Shaping the cheese:

After that, they scoop up the warm curds and press them into giant round cheese wheels.

7. Salting and ageing:

At the last stage, the cheese wheels go into a salty water bath called brine. After their salt bath, they are put away to age for a very long time until they are ready to eat.

Because calf rennet is added right at the start, it becomes a key part of every single authentic wheel of Grana Padano cheese!

How Can You Check If Cheese Is Vegetarian in the UK?

Checking if cheese is vegetarian in the UK is quick and easy once you know what to look for on the label.

First of all, check the ingredient list for the type of rennet used to make the cheese:

• Non-vegetarian ingredients: Animal rennet, calf rennet, traditional rennet, or animal enzymes. If you see any of these, the cheese is not vegetarian.
• Vegetarian ingredients: Vegetarian rennet, microbial rennet, or plant rennet.

Then, look for a recognised logo on the packet, such as the Vegetarian Society Approved trademark. The Vegetarian Society never allows this symbol on products made with animal rennet.

Before buying your cheese, follow these simple steps:

1. Check the ingredient list carefully.
2. Look for a recognised vegetarian logo on the package.
3. Check the manufacturer’s website if the label does not give enough detail.
4. Ask the shopkeeper or seller if you are still unsure about the rennet source.
5. Do not assume hard cheese is vegetarian.

This final step is very important because many traditional hard cheeses are made using animal rennet. For instance, Tesco lists animal rennet and egg lysozyme in its Creamfields Grana Padano ingredients. Therefore, you should always check the specific product label instead of relying on the cheese name alone.

What Vegetarian Cheese Can You Use Instead?

You do not need to miss out on the tasty flavour or texture that hard cheese gives your food. Instead, you can look for vegetarian cheeses made with plant-based ingredients rather than animal rennet.

Here are some great options: 

If you want a dairy-free alternative, nutritional yeast offers a lovely savoury, cheesy taste. Because it contains no dairy at all, it suits both vegetarian and vegan diets. Similarly, vegan hard cheese gives you another great choice when you want to avoid dairy completely.

However, always remember to check the label every time you shop. This is because recipes can change, and different brands often use different ingredients.

Is Grana Padano Lactose Free?

Yes, Grana Padano is naturally lactose-free. During its making and ageing process, the lactose drops to almost zero, so people who cannot digest milk sugar can usually eat it without any trouble.

However, low lactose does not mean the cheese is vegetarian. Food can be free of lactose and still contain ingredients made from animals, which is exactly the case for Grana Padano.

Therefore, you should always keep this difference in mind. While it is great for anyone avoiding lactose, traditional Grana Padano is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans because of how it is made.

Can Vegetarians Eat Foods Made With Grana Padano?

No, vegetarians cannot eat foods made with Grana Padano because this cheese is always made using animal rennet.

Even though a dish might look vegetarian, Grana Padano is often hidden in many everyday foods such as:

• Pesto
• Pasta sauces and pasta dishes
• Risotto
• Soups
• Salads
• Ready meals
• Grated cheese toppings

For example, green pesto looks like it is just made of basil and nuts, but many brands use Grana Padano PDO to give it flavour. Since this cheese needs animal rennet to be made, the pesto is not suitable for a vegetarian diet.

The same rule applies to ready meals, restaurant dishes, and ready-made sauces. Therefore, whenever you buy prepared food or eat out, always check the full list of ingredients. If you cannot find enough information on the label, it is best to ask the shop, restaurant, or manufacturer directly.

In short, the safest habit is simple: check the type of cheese listed in the ingredients instead of judging a dish just by how it looks.

Final Thoughts on Is Grana Padano Cheese Vegetarian?

You now have the full answer to is grana padano cheese vegetarian? Traditional Grana Padano PDO uses calf rennet from animal stomach linings, so it isn’t suitable for a vegetarian diet. However, you do not need to give up that great savoury flavour. You can easily swap it for vegetarian hard cheeses made with plant or microbial rennet, or choose tasty vegan options instead.

Ready to discover more smart food swaps and clear shopping guides? Join the Vegan Cookery Course and cook with more skill, flavour, and confidence.

FAQs About Is Grana Padano Cheese Vegetarian

1. What cheeses are not suitable for vegetarians?

Cheeses made with animal or calf rennet, like authentic Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, and Gorgonzola.

2. Does Grana Padano have rennet in it?

Yes, authentic Grana Padano contains traditional calf rennet derived from calves’ stomach linings.

3. Is Lidl Grana Padano vegetarian or not?

No, Lidl’s Grana Padano contains calf rennet, making it unsuitable for vegetarians.

4. Is Aldi Grana Padano vegetarian?

No, Aldi’s authentic Grana Padano uses animal rennet required by traditional PDO rules.

5. Is Grana Padano cheese vegetarian-friendly?

No, traditional Grana Padano PDO is not vegetarian-friendly because it uses calf-derived rennet.

6. What is surprisingly not vegetarian?

Cheeses with animal rennet, Worcestershire sauce, gelatin, white sugar, and certain pesto or beer products.

7. Is Tesco Grana Padano vegetarian?

No, Tesco’s Creamfields Grana Padano contains animal rennet and is not vegetarian-friendly.

8. Which Aldi cheeses are vegetarian?

Aldi’s British Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gouda, and Italian-style hard cheeses are labelled “Suitable for Vegetarians.”

9. What makes Grana Padano not vegetarian?

The mandatory use of animal rennet extracted from calves’ stomachs during production.