Dairy Substitutes
Find plant-based and dairy-free alternatives for milk, cream, butter, cheese, and yogurt. Perfect for lactose intolerance, vegan diets, or when you're simply out of a dairy staple.
32 ingredients · 148 tested substitutes
Dairy is one of the most commonly substituted ingredient groups, whether for lactose intolerance, vegan diets, or simply running out of a staple. The key to a successful dairy swap is matching the fat content and acidity of the original. Whole milk substitutes need body, cream replacements need richness, and yogurt swaps need tang. Below you will find every dairy ingredient in our database with tested alternatives and exact ratios.
Most Popular in This Category
Buttermilk
Top pick: Milk + Lemon Juice
Milk
Top pick: Oat Milk
Heavy Cream
Top pick: Coconut Cream
Sour Cream
Top pick: Plain Greek Yogurt
Cream Cheese
Top pick: Mascarpone
Yogurt
Top pick: Sour Cream
All Dairy Ingredients
Buttermilk
Milk
Heavy Cream
Sour Cream
Cream Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Yogurt
Greek Yogurt
Half-and-Half
Whipping Cream
Parmesan Cheese
Mozzarella
Mascarpone
Condensed Milk
Evaporated Milk
Coconut Milk
Dahi (Indian Yogurt/Curd)
Clotted Cream
Cool Whip
Cream of Chicken
Cream of Mushroom
Double Cream
Fromage Blanc
Fromage Frais
Irish Cream
Kefir
Labneh
Light Cream
Palm Nut Cream
Quark
Whipped Cream
Whipped Topping
Recipe-Specific Guides
Need a substitute for a specific recipe? These guides give tailored advice for common dishes.
Milk in Mac and Cheese
Best: Cream Cheese + Water
Milk in Baking
Best: Plain Yogurt (thinned)
Milk in Mashed Potatoes
Best: Chicken Broth + Butter
Heavy Cream in Pasta
Best: Whole Milk + Cream Cheese
Heavy Cream in Soup
Best: Coconut Cream
Buttermilk in Fried Chicken
Best: Milk + Vinegar (DIY Buttermilk)
Evaporated Milk in Pumpkin Pie
Best: Heavy Cream + Whole Milk
Cream Cheese in Cheesecake
Best: Mascarpone + Lemon Juice
Sour Cream in Baking
Best: Plain Greek Yogurt
Buttermilk in Pancakes
Best: Milk + Lemon Juice
Buttermilk in Biscuits
Best: Milk + White Vinegar
Buttermilk in Cornbread
Best: Milk + Apple Cider Vinegar
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common dairy substitutes?
The most commonly substituted dairy ingredients include Buttermilk, Milk, Heavy Cream, Sour Cream. Each has multiple alternatives with exact ratios for different recipes.
Are there vegan dairy alternatives?
Yes, most dairy ingredients have vegan alternatives. Check each ingredient page for options marked with the vegan badge.
How many dairy substitutes are available?
We have 148 tested substitutes across 32 dairy ingredients, each with exact ratios and recipe-specific advice.