12 Best Dairy Free Vegan Substitute for Heavy Cream in Pasta, Soup and Baking

The Difference Between  Heavy Cream And Dairy-Free

• What is a dairy-free diet?

A dairy-free diet excludes all dairy products. This category includes milk from any animal, as well as any product made from this milk, such as cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream.Yet, people who follow this eating pattern may still eat other animal foods like meat, fish, shellfish, and eggs.

Dairy-free diets are commonly chosen for health reasons, such as a cow’s milk allergy or lactose intolerance — a condition in which your body can’t digest the milk sugar lactose, leading to diarrhea and gas after dairy is consumed (1Trusted Source, 2Trusted Source).

• What is heavy cream?

Sometimes called heavy whipping cream, it's made from the high-fat part of fresh milk. When fresh milk is left to stand, a heavy cream rises to the top and can be scraped off. Consisting of 36–40% fat, heavy cream is higher in fat than other cream varieties, including whipping cream, half-and-half and light cream

How bad is heavy cream for you?

Heavy whipping cream is full of health-promoting vitamins and minerals. However, it's very high in calories and may contribute to weight gain if you consume too much.

Best Dairy Free Vegan Substitute for Heavy Cream

1. Coconut Cream

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Coconut has been having a moment these past few years due to it being a healthy alternative to many dairy items out there. When using it as a substitute for heavy cream, be aware that while many coconut cream products are soy free, dairy free and gluten free, there are some that do contain dairy. You will have to be extra careful reading the product label before adding it to your cart.

Nonetheless, coconut adds a sweet flavor and creaminess to several dishes, including pastas, curries and a long list of desserts. A coconut cream substitute for heavy cream is perfect for using in recipes that call for whipped cream, as do a ton of delicious vegan desserts. Simply use the 1:1 ratio of using the same amount of coconut cream for what is asked of heavy cream.

Notes on Coconut Cream

• If you need to substitute carton coconut cream for canned, that's totally fine. The only difference is that for recipes that call for a higher fat content, canned coconut cream will be required.

• The good news about coconut cream is that it's not as strong in taste as shredded coconut, so it shouldn't change the flavor of your dish too much. If anything, it will simply add a bit of sweetness.

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2.Milk and Butter

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Combining milk and butter is an easy, foolproof way to substitute for heavy cream that’ll work for most recipes.The butter adds extra fat to the milk, making its fat percentage similar to that of heavy cream.Combine 1/4 cup (57 grams) of melted butter with 3/4 cup (178 ml) of milk and mix thoroughly to make 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream. You can also add a tablespoon (8 grams) of flour to thicken the liquid, especially if you’re using low-fat milk.

Keep in mind that this substitute works well for cooking and baking recipes in which heavy cream is used to add flavor and creaminess. However, it won’t whip the same way that heavy cream does.

Notes on Milk and Butter

To substitute for 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream, mix 1/4 cup (57 grams) of melted butter with 3/4 cup (177 ml) of milk. This stand-in is best for cooking and baking, not whipping.

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3.Soy Milk and Olive Oil

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Soy milk is a plant-based, nondairy beverage that's made from – no surprise here – soybeans. While there has been quite the debate over whether soy milk is healthy, it does serve one great purpose: acting as a dairy-free substitute for heavy cream.

To use it, you will also need olive oil, which adds fat to soy milk, giving it a flavor and function that is similar to heavy cream. Simply take 2/3 cup of soy milk and mix it with 1/3 cup of olive oil. Extra light is best so as not to overwhelm the recipe with its strong flavor.

Notes on Soy Milk and Olive Oil

Combine 2/3 cup (159 ml) of soy milk with 1/3 cup (79 ml) of olive oil to substitute for 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream. This stand-in is best for adding tenderness and flavor in cooking and baking, not for whipping.

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4. Evaporated milk

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Evaporated milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk. People wanting a more healthful substitute for heavy cream can try using evaporated milk instead to reduce the number of calories and the amount of saturated fat in a recipe.

Evaporated milk contains 338 calories per cup, compared to 809 calories per cup of heavy cream.However, evaporated milk does not whip like heavy cream.

Notes on Evaporated milk

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods. However, it does not whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

5.Cottage cheese and Milk

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Cottage cheese  is made from the curds of cow’s milk. It is high in protein and many micronutrients, making it a healthy substitute for heavy cream.Cottage cheese alone can be a good substitute for heavy cream to help add thickness to recipes like sauces. Simply remove the lumps by blending it with an immersion blender or food processor.

You can also mix it with milk to help replicate the smooth, creamy texture of heavy cream for use in other recipes.Combine equal parts cottage cheese and milk and blend until all the lumps have been removed. You can use this mixture in place of an equal amount of heavy cream.Be sure to pick recipes that are compatible with the distinct, cheesy flavor of cottage cheese, such as savory soups and sauces.

Notes on Cottage cheese 

Cottage cheese can be a protein- and nutrient-rich substitute for heavy cream. Combine equal parts cottage cheese and milk and blend until all lumps are removed. You can use this mixture in place of the same amount of heavy cream in recipes in which the flavor is compatible.

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6.Cream Cheese

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Cream cheese is a type of fresh cheese made from milk and cream. Though it’s most often used as a spread for bagels and a star ingredient in cheesecakes, it can also make a good substitute for heavy cream in some recipes.In particular, cream cheese makes a good substitute in frostings and can help thicken cream-based soups and sauces. However, it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for heavy cream in recipes that require whipping.

Cream cheese will work as a one-to-one substitute for heavy cream.Keep in mind that cream cheese may alter the taste and texture of the final product, so make sure to use it in suitable recipes in which the flavors will work together, such as in creamy soups or cheesy sauces.

Notes on  Cream Cheese

Cream cheese can be used in place of an equal amount of heavy cream in soups and sauces. It’s not suitable for whipping.

7.Cashew cream

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Cashew cream is a versatile substitute that people can use when making sweet or savory recipes.People can also use cashew cream instead of heavy cream to thicken creamy soups or tomato sauces.

To whip cashew cream, chill it first and then lightly whisk it using a handheld mixer or blender. This cream can act as a vegan alternative to whipped cream on desserts.

To make cashew cream, use the following recipe:

• soak 1 cup of raw cashews in water for 2 hours

• drain the cashews

• mix the cashews with three-quarters of a cup of filtered water and a pinch of salt

• blend until smooth

• store in the fridge in an airtight container to allow the cream to thicken

8.Greek Yogurt and Milk

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A mixture of Greek yogurt and whole milk is another alternative to heavy cream that will help you thicken up your recipes.Greek yogurt is high in protein and can provide a healthy twist to your finished product by increasing the protein content.

It’s thicker than heavy cream, but you can add milk to thin it out and achieve a texture similar to that of heavy cream.Blend together equal parts Greek yogurt and whole milk and use it in place of the same amount of heavy cream.

Notes on Greek Yogurt and Milk

• Note that this substitute can add thickness to dishes like soups or sauces, but it shouldn’t be used in recipes that require whipping.
  

• For a higher-protein alternative to heavy cream, combine equal parts Greek yogurt and whole milk and use the mixture in place of the same amount of heavy cream. This combination is great for thickening soups or sauces but cannot be used for whipping.

9.Milk and Cornstarch

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If you’re looking for a low-fat, low-calorie alternative to heavy cream, this combination may work well for you.Cornstarch is used to thicken milk to help reproduce the texture of heavy cream.To replace 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 ml) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken.

You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.This substitute is especially useful in cooking, but it may alter the texture of baked goods and won’t whip as well as heavy cream.

Notes on Milk and Cornstarch

To replace 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 ml) of milk and whisk thoroughly. This lower-fat, lower-calorie substitute is best used in cooking. However, it may alter the texture of baked goods and won’t whip as well as heavy cream.

10.Silken Tofu and Soy Milk

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This nondairy heavy cream substitute is one that can be whipped to create the whipping cream that is an essential component to certain recipes. For both heavy cream and whipping cream, you will use soy milk along with silken tofu. It is essentially made from condensed soy milk and then shaped into white blocks with a solid texture.

This substitute has a 1:1 ratio, so you can use equal parts of both ingredients to form the exact measurement needed for a recipe that calls for heavy cream. Once you have equal parts, add both ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth and thick.

Notes on Silken Tofu and Soy Milk

Mix equal parts silken tofu and soy milk and blend thoroughly to make a high-protein, vegan substitute for heavy cream. This mixture works well to thicken soups and sauces. It can also be whipped like heavy cream.

11.Half-and-Half and Butter

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In a pinch, half-and-half cream combined with butter can be a simple substitute for many recipes that require heavy cream.In fact, half-and-half is made from whole milk and cream, but it has about a third of the fat of heavy cream.

Adding butter helps increase the fat percentage of half-and-half, making it a suitable alternative to heavy cream in almost any recipe, including those that require whipping.You can also use half-and-half to replace heavy cream without adding butter in certain recipes, such as sauces and soups.

Notes on Half-and-Half and Butter

To substitute for 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream, combine 7/8 cup (232 grams) of half-and-half with 1/8 cup (29 grams) of melted butter. This substitute works in virtually any recipe, including those that require whipping.

12.Brown rice and low-fat milk

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For savory dishes, such as soups, people can use a mixture of brown rice and low-fat milk to create an alternative to heavy cream. Unlike other healthful substitutes, such as low-fat milk and yogurt, this cream substitute will not curdle when people add it to hot food.

Using the brown rice mixture in place of heavy cream will significantly reduce the number of calories and the amount of fat in the dish.

Use the following steps to make 3 cups of a healthful, savory substitute for heavy cream in soups:

• mix 2 cups of unsalted chicken stock and a half-cup of uncooked instant brown rice

• bring to the boil over medium-high heat and simmer for 25 minutes

• let it stand for 5 minutes then blend in 1 cup of 1-percent low-fat milk until smooth

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