Looking for an easy and effective vegan substitute for heavy cream?
Consider the search over. Below, you’ll find eight of the best vegan heavy cream substitutes as well as the recipe for our favorite option for mimicking heavy cream in plant-based cooking.
Table of Contents
At a Glance (Table of Substitutes)
| Method | Ingredients (makes about 1 cup) | Best suited for… |
| Non-Dairy Milk and Oil | ⅔ c milk, ⅓ c oil | Soups, baked good, sauces |
| Non-Dairy Milk and Cornstarch | 1 c milk, 2 tbs cornstarch | Soups |
| Coconut Cream | 1 c full-fat coconut milk | Whipped cream topping, flavor-strong soups, baked goods |
| Tofu and Soy Milk | 1 c silken tofu, milk to thin | Soups, baked goods |
| Cashew Cream | ¾ c cashews, ¼ c water | Soups, baked goods, sauces |
| White Bean Cream | 1 c cooked beans, water to thin | Soups |
| Onion Cream | 1 onion, oil, lemon juice, salt | Soups, sauces |
| Brown Rice and Non-Dairy Milk | 1 cup cooked rice, milk to thin | Soups |
Plant-Milk Based Heavy Cream Substitutes
The first place I turn when substituting any kind of liquid dairy product is to non-dairy milks.
Cashew, almond, and even rice milk can be a great one-to-one replacement for cow’s milk. But replacing cream is a bit more tricky.
Heavy cream is about 2 parts liquid to 1 part fat. While nuts are fairly fatty, nut milks are far too thin to replace creamer on their own. That’s why each of these recipes utilizes an additional fat source to thicken up the final product.
Non-Dairy Milk and Oil
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- ⅔ cup non-dairy milk
- ⅓ cup oil or melted vegan butter
One of the easiest ways to fatten up your non-dairy milk to make it more creamy is to add oil.
For this method, you can use any thick, mild-tasting oil you have on hand. You can even use melted vegan butter if you prefer. I like light olive oil for savory dishes and vegan butter for baking uses.
Add the ingredients to a bowl and mix well using a whisk or immersion blender.
This substitute will not whip up but does make a simple and tasty alternative for soups and sauces.
Non-Dairy Milk and Cornstarch
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
If you’re looking for a lower-fat heavy cream substitute, then I recommend this option.
Adding cornstarch to your dairy-free milk thickens it without adding extra fat. The starchy powder forms a gel-like matrix that will hold its form even when cooled.
To make it, simply heat the milk and whisk in the cornstarch until the desired consistency is reached.
I use this method for soups and desserts that don’t require whipped cream.
Coconut Cream
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
If you need your vegan cream to whip up like a traditional heavy creamer, this is the only method I recommend. It’s also the most simple substitute!
All you will need for this option is a can of coconut milk. Substitute at a one-to-one ratio for what is listed in the recipe.
Unlike other dairy-free milk options, this one is perfect for baked goods that require whipping as well as for any soup or savory recipe that has enough flavor to overpower the coconut taste.
Storage: You can keep this vegan creamer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Tofu and Soy Milk
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- About 1 cup silken tofu
- Dairy-free milk to thin
The high protein content of tofu makes for a great, lower-fat heavy cream substitute.
Like cornstarch, tofu thickens dairy-free milk so it better resembles the texture of cream. My one big word of caution: make sure you’re using silken tofu so it blends to that desired smooth texture.
Add the tofu and a dash of milk and begin blending. Add more milk as needed until the mixture is slightly thinned and smooth.
This cream will not whip, but I’ve found it makes the perfect addition to Asian dishes and many sauces.
Nut and Bean-Based Heavy Cream Substitutes
Using nuts as the base of your vegan cream provides all the fat you need to replicate that comforting texture.
If you want a similar taste and consistency but with less fat, you can also use beans. The protein and starch in beans help create a smooth liquid that is thick enough to replicate heavy cream.
Cashew Cream
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- ¾ cup soaked cashews
- About a ¼ cup water
- Salt
Cashew cream is my go-to base for vegan cheese sauces, so it should come as no surprise that cashew cream minus the spices and nutritional yeast makes the perfect heavy cream substitute.
Start by soaking your cashews for at least two hours. (If you have a powerful blender, you can skip this step.)
Drain and rinse the cashews, then add them to the blender with about ¼ cup water. You may have to add a little more water to get to your desired consistency. I’ve found that a pinch of salt helps better replicate the taste of dairy cream.
Check out the fantastic vegan heavy cream recipe below (by our own Kirsten Nunez) to learn how to make dairy-free heavy cream substitute with cashews, step-by-step.
White Bean Cream
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- 1 cup cooked white beans
- Water to thin
White beans have the perfect mild taste and smooth texture for use in a vegan cream.
I usually slow cook my own beans, but you can use canned beans in a pinch.
Add the cooked, drained beans to your blender with just enough water to get the blending process started. Continue adding water to create a thick but smooth consistency.
This protein-powered cream is perfect for savory dishes and soups.
Vegetable and Grain-Based Heavy Cream Substitutes
Sometimes substituting vegan cream in your recipe actually has the power to elevate the final dish.
Using vegetables as a base for your cream brings an extra splash of flavor to savory dishes. Likewise, grains can provide their own subtle additions to the flavor profile of many recipes.
Onion Cream
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- 1 onion
- Oil
- Salt
- Lemon juice
This ultra-creative vegan cream substitute comes to us from food52.
It requires a few more ingredients and more prep than other options on this list, but I think it’s by far the most flavorful method.
This isn’t the kind of cream substitute you’d want to use in every dish, to be sure. But it’s an amazing choice for savory soups and sauces that accompany onion-friendly dishes.
To make onion cream, coat the onion in oil and bake it at 400 degrees for about 45 minutes. The skin should be very dark and the inside soft.
After the onion has cooled, peel it and blend until smooth. Add salt, more oil, and lemon juice to taste.
You can freeze this recipe for future use if you would prefer to bake more than one onion at a time.
Brown Rice and Non-Dairy Milk
What you’ll need to make 1 cup of vegan heavy cream:
- 1 cup brown rice cooked in veggie broth
- Dairy-free milk to thin
Another creative solution to create vegan creamer uses cooked brown rice and non-dairy milk.
To help add to the flavor of this alternative, I recommend cooking the rice in vegetable broth. This gives it a little tang.
Once the rice is finished, take 1 cup and add it to your blender. Add a dash of vegan milk to get the blending process started. Continue adding milk as needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
Rice cream makes another great option for savory dishes. Unlike some fat-based creamers, this one will not clump and curdle once cooled, making it a more appealing option if you expect leftovers.
Expert Tip: Use Heavy Cream Substitutes the Right Way
We’ve created each recipe on this list to be used at a one-to-one ratio according to the original recipe. This makes substituting these vegan creams super easy.
Just keep in mind that some creams have more of a savory taste and, while the texture might work for baked goods, they’re unlikely to taste great in desserts. On the other hand, some of these alternatives have a mild flavor that more readily replicates traditional cream and can be used in a wider variety of circumstances.
There isn’t one perfect vegan heavy cream substitute that’ll work for every occasion. But with the eight options listed above, you’re certain to find at least one that’ll work perfectly for each dish you create.
FAQ
What is the best vegan substitute for heavy whipping cream?
Full-fat coconut cream is the best vegan alternative for heavy whipping cream. Its slightly sweet flavor blends perfectly into many desserts but can also be used in some savory dishes without altering the overall flavor profile.
What is the best vegan cream?
The best vegan cream depends on what kind of recipe you intend to use it for. When making baked goods, full-fat coconut milk tends to be the best vegan cream substitute. For savory dishes, I recommend non-dairy milk blended with oil.
How do you thicken vegan cream?
Cornstarch is an excellent option for thickening vegan cream. You can also use oil or vegan butter if you don’t mind a little extra fat.
Best Vegan Heavy Cream Recipe
Here’s a step-by-step process (courtesy of our own Kirsten Nunez) for what we think is the best and most versatile heavy cream substitute.
To make it, you’ll need cashews and unsweetened plain non-dairy milk. That’s it!
For this recipe, we used oat milk. But you can also use soy milk, flax milk, hemp milk, etc.
Place the cashews in a heat-safe bowl. Add boiling water, making sure to completely cover the cashews. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
Drain the cashews.
In a high-powered blender, combine the soaked cashews and non-dairy milk.
Blend on high until smooth and creamy. You may have to occasionally pause the blender to scrape down the sides. If you prefer a thinner consistency, slowly add more milk or water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Pour the heavy cream into a container with an air-tight lid, like a glass jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
To sweeten your vegan cashew heavy cream, add a few drops of vanilla extract or a spoonful of maple syrup.
Our Favorite Recipes with Heavy Cream
Have vegan heavy cream substitute left over? Here are some of our favorite recipes that feature plant-based cream so you can use it up while you have it.
- Vegan Sweet Potato Pie – Use whipped canned coconut heavy cream substitute for the topping.
- Simple Vegan Curry – This savory recipe uses coconut milk as a thickener, but it’s even better with our onion cream option.
- Vegan Mac & Cheese with Nutritional Yeast – A blend of melted vegan butter and dairy-free milk makes up the base of this creamy mac & cheese.
- Creamy Vegan Lemon Bars – This tasty dessert features coconut cream, but you could easily substitute it with another neutral vegan heavy cream option.
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Vegan Heavy Cream Made Easy
And just like, you have eight great options for replacing heavy cream in any recipe. Don’t forget to try our super-easy cashew-based heavy cream alternative. You’ll find the printable recipe card for that option, below.
If you’ve tried the recipe, let us know how you liked it in the comments section below. Also, feel free to leave us any questions you have about the recipe or other heavy cream substitute options. [email protected]
Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews chopped or whole, unsalted
- 1 ¼ cup unsweetened plain non-dairy milk or water
- Boiling water
Instructions
- Place the cashews in a heat-safe bowl. Add boiling water, making sure to completely cover the cashews. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then drain the cashews.
- In a high-powered blender, combine the soaked cashews and non-dairy milk. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. You may have to occasionally pause the blender to scrape down the sides. If you prefer a thinner consistency, slowly add more milk or water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Pour the heavy cream into a container with an air-tight lid, like a glass jar. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
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I grew up in Colorado under the influence of three generations of knowledgeable women who knew their way around the garden. I graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor of science in biology and a minor in English. A year before graduation, my life was upended by an unexpected diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes.
Facing the reality of living with an incurable autoimmune disease I left to reflect hard on my lifestyle. While this type of diabetes cannot be cured or treated with diet, I was certain that focusing on my health and fueling my body with clean food would help better manage the condition. As a lifelong animal lover, it wasn’t difficult for me to transition fully to a vegan diet.
When I'm not constructing articles for clients, you can find me wrist-deep in dirt in my vegetable garden, hiking with my dogs, or back in front of the computer creating imaginative worlds in my quest to become a published fiction writer.
[email protected]
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