As the demand for plant-based alternatives continues to rise, the world of vegan cooking has evolved to offer various substitutes for traditional dairy products. Heavy cream is often a key ingredient in sweet and savory dishes.
Thankfully, for those following a vegan lifestyle or dealing with dairy allergies, there are now excellent store-bought and homemade vegan heavy cream substitutes that provide the same creamy texture and rich flavor without animal products.
The Best Homemade Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes
You can explore many options if you love to cook and prefer to create your own heavy cream replacement.
Soy Milk and Olive Oil or Vegan Butter
A simple and accessible alternative involves combining soy milk with olive oil or vegan butter – plus, it has a high protein content. Mix equal parts of soy milk and melted vegan butter, then whisk until well combined. You can use this quick and easy blend in sweet and savory recipes for a smooth and velvety texture.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup soy milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegan butter, melted
What It’s Best For: Tomato Soup
This dairy-free alternative works perfectly in a creamy tomato soup. Its neutral flavor allows the tomato’s natural sweetness and acidity to shine through without overpowering the dish. Simply swap the dairy cream for an equal amount of soy milk heavy cream for a dairy-free substitute.
Full-Fat Coconut Milk
Coconut cream is one of the easiest go-to choices for a vegan heavy cream substitute. It’s rich and creamy and adds a delicious tropical flavor to your dishes. To make your own coconut cream, refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. The cream will settle at the top, separating from the liquid. Scoop out the coconut cream, leaving the liquid behind, and whip it until fluffy. This coconut cream works well in sweet and savory recipes.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk (refrigerated overnight)
- 1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for sweet recipes, adjust to taste, optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for sweet recipes)
What It’s Best For: Chickpea and Potato Curry
Coconut cream is a delectable and versatile substitute for a chickpea and potato curry, elevating the dish with its tropical flavor. The natural sweetness enhances the complex spice blend and creates a balance of flavors. Replace the dairy cream with an equal amount of coconut cream, allowing the curry to simmer and the ingredients to blend.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is a fantastic dairy-free alternative that adds creaminess to recipes. Blend it with a touch of nondairy milk until smooth. This mixture works well in sauces, dressings, soups and desserts. It’s a neutral base that takes on the flavors of the dish while providing an indulgent texture. Tofu is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it a perfect addition to a keto diet. Plus, you can typically keep your keto meals in the fridge for up to 10 days, making this a great option for those extra busy weeks.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup silken tofu
- ¼ cup nondairy milk (adjust for desired thickness)
What It’s Best For: Chocolate Mousse
Silken tofu cream is a great substitute in chocolate mousse. Because of its neutral flavor, you can’t even taste it when blended into a creamy puree, allowing the cocoa to be the main focus. Create a mousse by combining the blended tofu with melted dark chocolate, a sweetener of choice and a splash of vanilla extract until silky. The result is an indulgent dessert with a light and airy consistency that rivals its traditional dairy-based counterpart.
White Beans
You read that correctly. White beans are an excellent vegan heavy cream substitute that also add a nutritional boost to savory dishes. Blend cooked white beans, such as cannellini or navy beans, with water until smooth and creamy. You can use this cream in a béchamel sauce or a vegetable soup.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup white beans
- ½ cup of water (adjust for desired consistency)
What It’s Best For: Béchamel sauce
Swap out the dairy for a can of white beans, perfect for coating pasta or drizzling over steamed vegetables. Blend cooked white beans with water until smooth. Add to a saucepan and combine with a touch of olive oil, garlic, nutmeg and salt for extra flavor. Simmer the mixture over low heat, gradually whisking in a plant-based milk of choice until it thickens to the desired consistency.
Oat Milk Cream
Oat milk has gained popularity as a versatile dairy alternative, and you can easily convert it into a creamy substitute for heavy cream. Make it by blending oats with water and straining the mixture to remove any solids. Then, combine the oat milk with a bit of coconut oil or refined coconut cream for added richness. This oat milk cream is perfect for coffee, baking or even savory dishes.
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup oat milk
- 2 tablespoons of refined coconut oil or coconut cream
What It’s Best For: Pancake Topping
Oat milk heavy cream makes a tasty pancake topping. Simply chill it beforehand and use a hand mixer or whisk to achieve a light and fluffy consistency. This whipped cream is a dreamy topping for pancakes, scones or pumpkin pie, adding a velvety touch to cut through the sweetness of the dessert.
The Best Store Bought Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes
Grocery stores now offer several exceptional store-bought options if you’re looking for plant-based alternatives without compromising on the creaminess of regular cream.
Silk Heavy Whipping Cream
Silk, a well-known brand in the plant-based industry, offers a vegan heavy whipping cream alternative. Silk Heavy Whipping Cream is made from a blend of soy and coconut oils and is an excellent choice for cooking and baking. Its smooth texture and neutral flavor make it a versatile option for various recipes, from creamy pasta sauces to rich desserts.
Nature’s Charm Coconut Whipping Cream
Nature’s Charm Heavy Whipping Cream is a fantastic choice for a tropical twist on traditional heavy cream. It’s made from pure coconut cream and whips up into a thick and luxurious texture, perfect for topping desserts or adding to savory dishes. Its natural sweetness and nutty flavor can add a delightful touch to various dishes.
Califia Farms Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream
Califia Farms is another well-known name in the world of plant-based products, and its dairy-free cream is no exception. This alternative is made from a combination of almond and coconut cream and offers a creamy texture that’s similar to regular heavy cream. What sets Califia Farms apart is its commitment to using non-GMO, sustainably sourced ingredients.
Ripple Dairy-Free Half & Half
Ripple’s Dairy-Free Half & Half is crafted using a blend of pea protein and sunflower oil. This alternative provides a silky and rich consistency mimicking traditional heavy cream, making it suitable for cooking and baking.
No Need to Compromise Flavor
Veganism and plant-based lifestyles are growing in popularity, and the market has responded with an array of high-quality store-bought and delicious homemade vegan heavy cream substitutes. The versatility and performance of these alternatives make it easier than ever for you to enjoy your favorite creamy dishes without the dairy.
This guest post was written by Beth Rush
