11 Best Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes + Homemade Recipe

In need of a good alternative for heavy cream that’s dairy free? Here are 11 of the best heavy cream substitutes, PLUS a homemade vegan heavy cream recipe that is thick, velvety smooth, and so creamy. Perfect for pouring in coffee or adding richness to soups or pasta dishes!

Heavy Cream Uses

Heavy cream, according to the FDA, must contain 36-40% milk fat, which is why it’s SO creamy and rich. 

Cream and heavy cream have many different applications, from sweet to savory. Here are a few of the main ways that heavy cream is usually used:

• To Thicken Sauces
• Creamy Soups
• Pastas
• Coffee Creamer
• Whipped Cream
• Ice Cream
• Puddings

Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes

If you’ve run out of heavy cream, are avoiding dairy products, or you’re vegan, no worries! Nowadays there are many store bought dairy-free cream replacements like Silk Heavy Whipping Cream and Country Crock Plant Cream. But they’re still relatively difficult to find and can be pricey.

So here are 11 vegan substitutes for heavy cream that you probably have in your pantry already! 

📌 One Note: Coconut cream works well as a substitute for heavy whipping cream, but the other substitutes are best suited for sauces, soups, and other cooking or baking applications.

If you keep reading, you can also learn how to make the BEST homemade vegan heavy cream using just 3 simple ingredients. 

1. Coconut Cream or Coconut Milk

Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream

Coconut cream or coconut milk are both great options to replace heavy cream in desserts and soups. Coconut cream is high in fat which helps it create a super creamy, velvety texture. 

You can buy cans of coconut cream at your local grocery store. Or you can place a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge for a few hours and scoop the solid parts out from the top.

Coconut cream is also a great dairy-free alternative for whipping cream!  

The downside of coconut cream is that it has a very distinctive flavor that may come through in the end dish. If you’re not a fan of coconut flavor, this may not be the best option for you. However the homemade recipe listed at the bottom of the post may be! It combines almond milk, oats and coconut cream to create a more neutral flavor.

2. Cashew Cream

1 cup soaked raw cashews + 1 1/4 cup water

Soak the cashews in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Then add everything to a high-speed blender or food processor.

Blend soaked cashews and water to create a thick texture. Add more water as needed to create your desired consistency! This is what I use as the base for my homemade vegan mozzarella recipe!

3. Dairy Free Yogurt

Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream

Another simple swap for heavy cream is plain, unsweetened dairy free yogurt. 

I love adding vegan yogurt to soups, curries and pasta sauces. Its thick texture helps thicken up sauces and makes them so creamy! This is also a healthy alternative to heavy cream since it adds creaminess without the extra fat!

Just make sure to use an unsweetened yogurt when adding it to savory dishes! My favorite dairy free yogurt to replace cream is Silk’s Unsweetened Soy Yogurt. 

4. Silken Tofu + Plant Milk

Tofu is an absolute staple for vegan cooking and baking. And silken tofu plus a bit of plant milk makes a great alternative for heavy cream.

Blend 8 oz of silken tofu with ¼ cup of plant milk until smooth. This can be added to soups, sauces, pastas and more! 

5. Vegan Cream Cheese

Swap heavy cream for plain vegan cream cheese. Dairy-free cream cheese is often high in fat (it’s usually made from coconut oil), making it a great vegan alternative for many recipes.

My favorite vegan cream cheese to replace cream is Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative. It’s thick, high in fat, but has a relatively mild flavor that isn’t too tangy.

6. Evaporated Coconut Milk

Evaporated coconut milk is a bit difficult to find. I usually see it in the baking aisle of my local grocery, next to the dairy based evaporated milk.

Nature’s Charm makes a great version!

7. Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk or Coconut Milk

Store-bought sweetened condensed oat milk or coconut milk are fabulous options for sweets and desserts. These ingredients can be added to puddings, caramels, and pie fillings for a luscious texture!

I’ve used Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk before and it works wonderfully in pies!

8. Plant Milk + Cornstarch

This combination is great if you need to thicken soups or sauces! Cornstarch, when heated, creates a nice, thick consistency. 

Whisk 1 tbsp of cornstarch and 1 tbsp of plant milk together to form a slurry. Then add the slurry to 1 cup of plant milk. This mixture can then be used with a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream.

9. Extra Creamy Oat Milk

Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream

I’m a huge fan of Silk’s Extra Creamy Oat Milk. It’s much creamier than other oat milks I’ve tried and it’s perfect for thickening up soups and other recipes.

10. Plain Soy Milk

Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream

Soy milk is higher in fat than other plant milks like plain almond milk. It has a relatively neutral flavor making it a versatile ingredient for sweet or savory recipes. This is a good option for soups and sauces, but it is thinner than some of the other alternatives listed.

11. Dairy Free Butter + Plant Milk

Add 1 tbsp of vegan butter for every ½ cup of plant milk

Another popular heavy cream substitute is a combination of dairy-free butter and plant milk. Melted dairy-free butter adds fat to regular plant milk like almond milk. Melted dairy-free butter can also be substituted for olive oil or vegetable oil.

For every half cup of plant milk, mix in 1 tbsp of melted vegan butter. Make sure the plant milk is warm so that the butter mixes in evenly.

homemade vegan heavy cream Recipe 

Now on to the BEST homemade version! This simple recipe only uses 3 ingredients, has a mild flavor, and adds richness to coffee, soups, and more. 

Here are a few more reasons you’ll love this homemade vegan heavy cream:

• Thick and creamy: this dairy free heavy cream has the perfect luscious texture with a smooth consistency that adds richness to recipes

• Great for sweet or savory dishes: this non-dairy cream has a subtle flavor that pairs well with either sweet or savory recipes.

• No cashews needed: this homemade vegan cream doesn’t use any expensive raw cashews but is made with inexpensive old-fashioned oats. Plus a tiny bit of coconut cream & almond milk to help balance the flavor! 

Ingredients

This recipe combines all the best qualities of coconut cream, oats, and almond milk to create this versatile non dairy cream.

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: to make our own ultra-thick oat milk

• Coconut Cream: a little coconut cream helps replace the fat content found in regular milk-based heavy cream

• Almond Milk: for blending the two ingredients above, and to help create a more mild flavor

Substitutions

• Almond Milk: almond milk can be substituted for other plant-based milk like soy milk or oat milk. It can also be subbed for water + ½ cup of raw sliced almonds

Add Ins

• Vanilla Extract: to make a vanilla-flavored vegan coffee creamer
• Sweetener of Choice: again, to make a sweet homemade dairy-free coffee creamer

Helpful Equipment

• High Speed Blender or Immersion Blender
• Nut Milk Bag or Cheesecloth 
• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Storage Container like a Mason Jar

Step-by-step Instructions

🎥 *Video Tutorial is Above the Recipe Card Below!*

STEP 1: Add the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend on high for 2-3 minutes.

STEP 2: Pour into a metal sieve lined with a cheesecloth or a nut milk bag. Strain the cream.

📌 TIP: the cheesecloth is optional, but it does help create a velvety smooth texture.

STEP 3: Transfer to a sealable or airtight container and place in the fridge to cool. The cream will thicken as it cools.

Video Tutorial

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