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5 Dairy-Free Substitutes for Heavy Cream

Whether you have a dairy allergy or prefer plant-based milk, there are countless options available with a similar consistency, texture, and flavor. But what about a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream? The good news is, many of the most popular dairy-free milks can be transformed into the perfect replacement for heavy cream, with a little help from items like oil, butter, cornstarch, or nuts. Within just a few minutes (and a few bucks) you can recreate the same creamy, luscious texture of heavy cream without a drop of dairy. With this innovative and modern alternative to heavy cream, the dish inspiration is endless—you can cook up a big pot of comforting tomato soup, a homemade vodka sauce, or a batch of your favorite decadent baked goods. Once you try these non-dairy heavy cream substitutes, you might never turn back.

Best Dairy-Free Alternatives to Heavy Cream

As far as texture and taste goes, these are the best dairy-free alternatives to heavy cream.

Coconut Milk

Even if you don’t like the taste of coconut, don’t count out this heavy cream alternative. Coconut milk is an essential ingredient in many different cuisines, especially in South Asia and East Africa. The milky-white liquid comes from mature coconut pulp, which creates a silky and rich cream-like texture with subtle flavor. Coconut milk is a great heavy cream alternative because it can be used in anything from coffee and smoothies, to soups, curry, and sauces. It’s also a 1:1 substitute, so you can use the same amount of coconut milk as you would heavy cream. 

Nut Milk + Tofu

There are countless nut milks on the market, from almond and cashew to macadamia and pistachio. While these plant-based milks work well in coffee and smoothies, they aren’t quite thick enough to be used as a heavy cream alternative. The trick is to blend in another ingredient, like soaked nuts, vegan butter, or a plain, soft tofu to achieve a similar texture and thickness. Once blended and thickened, nut milk can be used in the same ratio as heavy cream.

Hemp Milk + Vegan Butter

Hemp milk is a superior plant-based option because it has many nutritional benefits, including omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin D. It’s also high in protein. Similarly to nut milk, hemp milk has a thinner consistency, so it needs to be blended with something fattening, like vegan butter or a neutral oil. Thickened hemp milk can also be substituted in a 1:1 ratio to heavy cream, but should be used in savory dishes like soups and sauces since it has an earthy and nutty flavor. 

Oat Milk + Cornstarch

When oats are soaked and then blended, the starch is broken down, which results in a smooth and creamy neutral-flavored milk. But while oat milk is thicker than other plant-based options, you may still need to add something like cornstarch or vegan butter to help match the consistency of heavy cream. If you’re making something sweet, like a ganache or buttercream, it’s best to use about 1.5 cups of thickened oat milk for every 1 cup of heavy cream. However, if you’re using oat milk in a soup or sauce, you can use it in a 1:1 ratio, and add more as needed.

Soy Milk + Canola Oil

Soy milk was one of the first non-dairy products to ever hit the shelves, and it’s still one of the best options for coffee, cooking, and baking. To achieve the same thickness as heavy cream, simply blend 2/3 cup of soy milk with 1/3 cup of a neutral oil, like canola or avocado oil. You can use the same amount of thickened soy milk as you would heavy cream.


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