My Favorite Non-Dairy Brands

/ Vegan / By

When I first gave up dairy, I quickly learned that not all alternatives are created equal, but I was pleasantly surprised by how many great options were out there. Over the past 7 years of living a vegan lifestyle, I’ve found options that find the perfect balance between clean ingredients and delicious taste. These plant-based picks have become everyday favorites that make eating dairy-free feel simple, satisfying, and aligned with how I want to nourish my body.

Every brand I share in this post could be recreated at home with whole, simple ingredients. But let’s be real, life is busy, and convenience matters. Thankfully, there are store-bought options that align with wellness values and taste good. Whether cutting back on dairy or going all in, these non-dairy brands make the switch feel easy and delicious.

are dairy-free alternatives healthy?

Lately, vegan alternatives have gotten a bit of a bad rap, and it’s not hard to see the motive behind it. The multi-billion-dollar dairy industry isn’t exactly going down without a fight. While there have been claims that plant-based products are overly processed or unhealthy, I’ve found that with a mindful approach, the opposite can be true. (Take MALK, for example: just three ingredients—organic almonds, filtered water, and Himalayan pink salt. No gums, no fillers, no junk.) As a health-conscious and sustainability-minded consumer, I see plant-based swaps as a way to nourish both the body and the planet.

types of non-dairy milk

  • soy milk
  • coconut milk
  • cashew milk
  • oat milk
  • almond milk
  • macadamia milk
  • hazelnut milk
  • banana milk
  • pistacio milk
  • walnut milk
  • hemp milk
  • flaxseed milk
  • quinoa milk

my favorite non-dairy brands

  • MALK Organics
  • Califia Farms
  • Forager Project
  • Milkadamia
  • So Delicious 
  • Miyokos Creamery
  • Daiya
  • Follow your Heart
  • Kite Hill
  • Violife
  • Coconut Cult
  • Kite Hill
  • Harmless Harvest
  • Toffuti

non-dairy milk

MALK Organic Vanilla – high quality dairy-free milk with clean, organic ingredients

Organic Vanilla Soy Milk – soy milk is my plant milk-of-choice – the consistency is great and it’s high in protein

non-dairy cream cheese

Kite Hill Strawberry Almondmilk Cream Cheese – for the lovers of strawberry flavored cream cheese, this is for you

non-dairy ice cream

Coolhaus Dirty Dairy Free Mint Chip Frozen Dessert Sandwich –  these handcrafted ice cream sandwiches taste ridiculously good, made with whole ingredients 

So Delicious Cashewmilk Banana Foster Ice Cream – this creamy, dairy-free ice cream blends cashewmilk with banana and cinnamon

non-dairy yogurt

Coconut Cult Harvest Strawberry Probiotic Coconut Yogurt – my recent obsession! Jam-packed with probiotics

So Delicious Vanilla Coconutmilk Yogurt Alternative – I’ve tried a lot of different vegan yogurt brands, and this is by far my favorite. As far as texture and taste goes, I like it significantly more than regular dairy yogurt (I eat it waaay more now that I’m vegan). Love getting the 24 OZ container of vanilla to make healthy yogurt bowls throughout the week. The strawberry banana flavor is also good, but have only found it in the small containers.

non-dairy cheese

Miyokos Creamery – anything & everything! A pricier option, but this brand has mastered the art of vegan cheese. I brought some to a friend’s wine tasting and even people who had never tried vegan cheese before loved it

Violife Shreds – love the mozzarella and cheddar shreds 

Daiya Swiss Style Slices – perfect for burgers or grilled cheese

Follow your Heart Dairy Free Parmesan – tastes so similar to the real thing!

Goodles Vegan Is Believin Mac & Cheese – the best boxed vegan mac 

non-dairy salad dressing

Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing – a creamy, green blend of basil, avocado, green onion, chives, lemon juice, and garlic.

Trader Joe’s Vegan Creamy Dill Dressing – another yummy vegan dressing

non-dairy butter

Miyokos Organic Plant Milk Butter – most plant butter tastes the same to me, to be honest, but the brand Miyokos Creamery is always a high quality option.

other non-dairy favs:

Trader Joe’s Vegan Heavy Whipping Cream – perfect for recipes

Sweet Lorens – the best dairy-free cookie dough

helpful tips

  • In recent years, restaurants and cafes are offering more dairy-free options
  • Vegan cheese CAN melt. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer.
  • Everyone’s tastes are different, so my favorites might not be your favorites. There is a vegan alternative to everything you could think of, it’s just a matter of exploring options and finding the ones you like the most.
  • If you’re avoiding nuts, opt for soy, oat, or coconut milk alternatives.
  • Nutritional yeast has a nutty, cheesy flavor that can be sprinkled on top of things like popcorn or avocado toast.

Going dairy-free is all about finding what works for you. With so many thoughtful, nourishing brands out there, it’s easier than ever to choose options that support your health and your values.

Whether you’re fully plant-based or just experimenting, you don’t need to have it all figured out, just start small. One swap at a time, I hope these recommendations help you feel more confident and inspired.

This blog is for general information and inspiration about health and wellness. It’s not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified professional before making any health-related decisions.

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