Finding dairy-free alternatives for every day recipes and ingredients shouldn’t be so hard. Check out our resource of non-dairy substitutes to use!
I receive a lot of emails from readers asking for my recommendations for simple swaps to make for butter, cheese, and milk when they cook or bake. So, we have compiled a comprehensive list of dairy-free swaps for common ingredients!
Non-Dairy Pantry Staple Swaps
- Heavy cream or whipped cream ➜ canned coconut milk or coconut cream
- Dairy milk ➜ any nut milk, or other non-dairy milk
- Sauces or cheese dips ➜ hummus
- Cream or cheese sauces ➜ cashews and other raw nuts
- To mimic the flavor of cheese and for dairy-free cheese sauce ➜ nutritional yeast flakes
- Parmesan cheese ➜ hemp seed
- Liquid egg whites or whipped cream ➜ Aquafaba from canned chickpeas
- To thicken sauces and soups, and to make a dairy-free and gluten-free roux ➜ arrowroot starch, tapioca starch, or xanthan gum
- Sour cream ➜ store-bought or vegan sour cream (see below for recipe ideas)
Here are a few essential ingredients for ANY kitchen, but you will definitely use them often to make swaps.
- Apple cider vinegar – one of the key ingredients for a sour cream substitute.
- Veggies – potato, cauliflower, carrot, tomato (use them to make a delicious vegan salsa con queso).
- Vegetable or chicken broth/stock
Vegan Sour Cream Recipe
To make your own vegan sour cream, just combine an acid, like apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, with thick dairy-free yogurt, coconut cream, or cashew cream. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of acid for every cup of dairy-free cream or yogurt.
Similar to making a vegan buttermilk substitute, the acid breaks down the proteins in the yogurt, creating a chemical reaction. After several minutes, the yogurt will curdle and become sour.
Vegan Butter Swaps
Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives for butter. Sure, you can buy plant-based butter, but these foods do the trick just as easily. Plus, they are less expensive!
- Avocado – The fruit, not the oil. I use avocado in my recipe for Mexican Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Refined coconut oil and regular coconut oil
- Pumpkin puree – A great swap for making vegan pumpkin pie and dairy-free mug cake
- Banana – another fantastic dairy-free butter alternative
- Nut butters – Use a no-stir variety, or make Homemade Cashew Butter
Dairy-Free Baking & Dessert Recipes
Vegan Dirt Pie
Whip up this vegan dirt pie recipe for a show stopping dessert that’s dairy free, gluten-free, and delicious!
Almond Flour Sugar Cookies
Cinnamon Spiced Almond Flour Cookies are the perfect grain free cookie for the holidays. These deliciously sweet cookies are made grain-free with almond flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and butter or coconut oil
Banana Coconut Milk Nice Cream
This banana coconut milk nice cream recipe makes a creamy vegan and dairy-free dessert with tropical flavors! Healthy soft serve, made in a blender! Paleo + Whole30 options, too.
Vegan Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
Skip store-bought options, and make this sweet, fluffy vegan maple cream cheese frosting with simple, nutritious ingredients instead!
Mocha Coconut Macaroons
These vegan mocha coconut macaroons come together with simple ingredients in no time!
Vegan Condensed Milk
Vegan condensed milk can be enjoyed as sweetened condensed milk, or make the sugar free option. Note that the sugar free option has xanthan gum. Which is a thickener, but a natural one.
Vegan Chickpea Blondies
Cinnamon chickpea blondies are chewy, gluten free treats, perfect for snacking! This flourless vegan blondie recipe can also be made nut free.
Vegan Whipped Coconut Cream Frosting
This vegan whipped coconut cream frosting comes together with just 2 simple ingredients and one easy method! Super delicious, it’s gluten-free, dairy-free, healthy, and so easy to make. Use it to top cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more!
Vegan Gluten-Free Donuts
This Vegan Donut Recipe is baked instead of fried and served dessert-style with 3 different topping options for a gluten-free treat you’ll love!
Dairy-Free Sauce Recipes
Spicy Vegan Ranch
This vegan ranch veggie dip (also a delicious salad dressing!) gets its spicy kick from horseradish. Make this nightshade free, AIP friendly recipe in only 5 minutes!
Vegan Green Goddess Dressing
Make a batch of this easy vegan green goddess dressing to add flavor and nutrients to all your favorite salads and meals!
Vegan Cashew Cream Sauce
This versatile vegan cashew cream can be used as a silky-smooth sauce, a dairy-free creamer, or a delicious drizzle—perfect for sweet and savory dishes alike!
Vegan Cheese Sauce
Skip the overpriced store-bought options, and make this easy vegan cheese sauce with a handful of ingredients and simple steps instead!
Easy Peanut Sauce
Skip store-bought options, and make this easy peanut sauce recipe with just eight ingredients in five minutes instead!
Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
Skip overpriced store bought options, and make this dairy-free alfredo sauce recipe using cauliflower and nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and creamy consistency!
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
Simple ingredients combine in minutes for a creamy anti-inflammatory sauce that will be your new go-to for pasta, veggies, meat, and more!
Vegan Cilantro Pesto
A fun twist on traditional pesto recipes, this Cilantro Pesto is made with budget-friendly ingredients and ready in minutes! Dairy-Free or vegan
Dairy-Free Soup Recipes
Roasted Red Pepper Soup With Coconut Milk
This Roasted Red Pepper Soup recipe is intensely flavorful, extra creamy, and even comes with an option to add protein.
Dairy-Free Broccoli Cheese Soup
Make this dairy-free broccoli cheese soup in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop for a cream soup so “cheesy” you’d never guess it’s vegan!
Tomato Carrot Soup
This dairy-free tomato soup with carrots combines fresh veggies in a warm, spiced broth for a nutritious comfort food ready in under an hour!
Roasted Corn Soup
This spicy vegan corn soup is made with roasted corn kernels and creamy coconut milk for an easy meal that can be made in the blender!
Thai Curried Carrot Ginger Soup
Make this Thai curried carrot ginger soup with seasonal ingredients in one pot in just over 30 minutes for a creamy vegan for an appetizer or main course!
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup
Inspired by Hungarian mushroom soup, this creamy vegan mushroom soup is full of flavor and ready in under an hour for a satisfying gluten-free comfort food you’ll love!
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Prepare this easy roasted vegan butternut squash soup recipe with a handful of healthy ingredients and minimal steps!
Non-Dairy Drink Recipes
Creamy Coconut Mojito
Learn how to make a coconut mojito recipe with eight basic ingredients and simple steps in minutes for a sweet, creamy cocktail or mocktail!
Creamy Banana Latte (Hot or Cold!)
A healthy, naturally sweetened coffee drink made with banana, almond milk, and cinnamon. Dairy-free and easy to make hot or iced!
Homemade Hemp And Nut Milk
Learn how to make hemp milk and nut milk recipes at home so you can control the sugar and flavor. These dairy-free milk drinks are SO good and can be made sweet or unsweetened.
The Best Dairy-Free Eggnog
Skip storebought options, and make this easy coconut milk eggnog recipe for a dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free take on a classic holiday drink!
Vegan Bulletproof Iced Coffee
This Vegan Bulletproof Iced Latte uses plant-based fats for all the health benefits and delicious taste of bulletproof coffee, without the use of butter. Dairy-free, low-carb, and Whole30-friendly!
How to Make Vegan Buttermilk
Learn how to make vegan buttermilk with just 2 ingredients for an easy, budget-friendly staple for all your dairy-free needs!
I would like a suggestion for a coffee recipe for someone who is dairy allergic, along with all nuts (including coconut and cashews), all seeds (one by one having to omit seeds too due to severe allergic reactions), lots of beans (yes chickpeas so aquafaba is out). And allergic to may grains including rice. Do you have any suggestions? have you tried Tapioca in coffee? Not the sugar sweetened boba, but tapioca pearls or starch would likely not be an allergen. I am also allergic to banana. And I really don’t like black coffee. I have tried oat milk, just plain, but this is not very good in my opinion even when made into a smoothie with avocado, dates, vanilla and coffee. How abut tiger nuts? not sure if I’d tolerate them. Its been a long time since I tried them. Any suggestions? Thank you.
Can you have hemp seed? What about pea protein or quinoa? Here’s a list https://www.thekitchn.com/nut-free-non-dairy-milk-256963?amp=1
great resource, thank you! need all of these swaps, and love the recipes too, much appreciated
You’re welcome, Sabrina! Glad you found it to be helpful!
This is truly a great and easy recipe. Thanks for sharing it! I will cook it for my children next weekend!