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Part 2: Dairy-Free Grocery Swaps: What to Buy Instead of Milk, Cheese, Butter & More


Thinking about going dairy-free but not sure where to start? One of the most common questions we hear is: "What do I buy instead?"


The good news is that dairy-free options have never been more accessible. Whether you're avoiding dairy because of lactose intolerance, digestive issues, environmental concerns, animal welfare, or simply exploring more plant-based foods, there are now delicious alternatives for just about every dairy product you can think of.


In our latest YouTube video, we take you on a grocery store tour and show you exactly what to look for when shopping for dairy-free alternatives. This guide expands on that video and highlights some popular products, budget-friendly tips, and resources to help you shop with confidence.


🎥 Watch the Dairy-Free Grocery Swaps Video

Watch our complete grocery store walkthrough where we show dairy-free alternatives for milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, coffee creamer, ice cream, and more.




Start Simple

One of the biggest mistakes people make when transitioning away from dairy is feeling like they need to replace everything at once. You don't.


Start with the dairy products you use most often. For many people, that's:

  • Milk

  • Coffee creamer

  • Butter

  • Yogurt


Once you find products you enjoy, you can gradually explore additional swaps.



Milk Alternatives

Plant milk is often the easiest place to start.


Popular options include:

  • Soy milk

  • Oat milk

  • Almond milk

  • Coconut milk beverage

  • Pea milk


Popular Brands

  • Silk

  • Oatly

  • Califia Farms

  • Ripple

  • Planet Oat

  • Elmhurst


Budget Tip

Many grocery stores now carry their own plant-based milk options, often at a lower price than national brands.


Look for:

  • Aldi Friendly Farms Plant Milks

  • Walmart Great Value Plant Milks

  • Target Good & Gather Plant Milks

  • Kroger Plant-Based Products

  • Whole Foods 365 Plant Milks


Shelf-stable plant milks are also a great option to keep in your pantry for cooking, baking, and those moments when you realize you're out of milk.



Coffee Creamer Alternatives

If coffee is part of your daily routine, this may be one of the easiest swaps you'll make.


Popular Brands

  • Silk

  • Califia Farms

  • Nutpods

  • Oatly

  • Chobani Oat Creamers


Available flavors often include:

  • Vanilla

  • Hazelnut

  • Caramel

  • Seasonal flavors


Many people also find that a splash of oat milk or soy milk works perfectly well instead of a dedicated creamer.



Vegan Butter Alternatives

Butter is one of the simplest dairy swaps because vegan butter works very similarly to traditional butter.


Popular Brands

  • Earth Balance

  • Miyoko's Creamery

  • Country Crock Plant Butter

  • Violife Plant Butter


For baking, butter sticks tend to work best.

For everyday cooking and spreading, tubs are often more affordable.



Vegan Cheese Alternatives

Cheese is often the category people are most curious about, and thankfully, the options continue to improve every year.


Popular Brands

  • Violife

  • Follow Your Heart

  • Daiya

  • Miyoko's Creamery

  • Chao

  • Good Planet Foods


Available varieties include:

  • Shredded cheese

  • Sliced cheese

  • Cream cheese

  • Parmesan alternatives

  • Feta alternatives


Budget-Friendly Option

Nutritional yeast remains one of the most affordable ways to add cheesy flavor to sauces, pasta dishes, popcorn, roasted vegetables, and more.



Yogurt Alternatives

Plant-based yogurt is now widely available in many grocery stores.


Popular Brands

  • Silk

  • Kite Hill

  • Forager Project

  • So Delicious

  • Culina

  • Siggi's Plant-Based


Look for:

  • Unsweetened varieties

  • Greek-style options

  • Higher-protein choices


Plain yogurt can also be used in dressings, sauces, dips, and even as a sour cream replacement.



Sour Cream Alternatives

Whether you're making tacos, burrito bowls, baked potatoes, or creamy dips, dairy-free sour cream options are easy to find.


Popular Brands

  • Tofutti

  • Follow Your Heart

  • Violife

  • Kite Hill


You can also use plain unsweetened vegan yogurt in many recipes.



Heavy Cream Alternatives

Creamy soups, sauces, and desserts are still on the menu.


Popular alternatives include:

  • Full-fat canned coconut milk

  • Oat-based cooking creams

  • Homemade cashew cream


These alternatives work beautifully in:

  • Alfredo sauces

  • Creamy soups

  • Curries

  • Desserts



Ice Cream Alternatives

One of the most exciting areas of dairy-free innovation is ice cream.


Popular Brands

  • So Delicious

  • Oatly

  • Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy

  • Jeni's Dairy-Free

  • Talenti Dairy-Free

  • Cosmic Bliss


Available bases include:

  • Coconut milk

  • Oat milk

  • Cashew milk

  • Almond milk


Each offers a slightly different flavor and texture, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find your favorite.



Whipped Cream Alternatives

Perfect for pies, hot chocolate, fruit, and desserts.


Popular Brands

  • So Delicious CocoWhip

  • Truwhip Vegan

  • Reddi-wip Non-Dairy

  • Nature's Charm Coconut Whipping Cream



Use Store Locators to Find Your Favorites

One of our favorite shopping tips is to use a brand's store locator.


If you discover a product you love but aren't sure where to find it, visit the company's website and look for a "Store Locator" feature.


Most major plant-based brands allow you to enter your zip code and find nearby retailers carrying their products.

This can save you time, frustration, and unnecessary trips to multiple stores.


Remember: You Don't Need to Replace Everything Overnight

Going dairy-free isn't about perfection.


It's about finding alternatives that work for your tastes, your budget, and your lifestyle.

Start with one or two swaps, explore what your local stores offer, and don't be afraid to try different brands until you find your favorites.


The dairy-free section has grown tremendously over the years, making it easier than ever to enjoy the foods you love while exploring a more plant-based way of eating.


Be sure to watch our full Dairy-Free Grocery Swaps video for an in-store walkthrough and even more tips for shopping with confidence.


Happy shopping! 🌱



Looking for Homemade Dairy-Free Alternatives?

This guide focuses on the products you can find at your local grocery store, but if you're interested in making your own plant-based milk, cream, sauces, and other dairy-free staples at home, be sure to check out our companion guide:


Part 1: A Simple Guide to Buying and Making Delicious Dairy-Free Alternatives

Together, these two resources will help you navigate both store-bought and homemade options so you can find what works best for your lifestyle, budget, and taste preferences.




 
 
 

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