30 Best Dairy-Free Recipes

Whether you’re allergic to eggs, lactose-intolerant, or vegan, here are 30 dairy-free recipes just for you.

Milk, butter, and cheese are essential ingredients to a great many dishes. That being said, cooking for someone who can’t have dairy can be a challenge. 

Enter, this amazing round-up of recipes!

If you’re looking for new dairy-free dishes to add to your weekly meal rotation, you’ve come to the right place!

From appetizers to sides to entrees, and breakfast to snacks to dinner, this list has you covered. 

Yakisoba chicken, meatloaf, Mexican rice – these recipes are proof you can have an enjoyable meal even without dairy. 

Ready for delicious dishes that are 100% dairy free? Let’s get cooking!

1. Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls

Sweet and sour chicken balls is a classic Chinese dish. Served on a bed of steamed white rice, this dish is as hearty as it is delicious.

Crispy and juicy chicken cutlets are coated with seasoned flour and cornstarch and fried to crispy perfection.

The balls get drenched in a sweet, salty, and tangy sauce made of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar.

2. Mulligatawny Soup 

Mulligatawny soup is a traditional Indian vegan dish loaded with potatoes, lentils, carrots, and apples.

The creamy broth is made of coconut milk and tomatoes flavored with garlic, ginger, and other aromatic spices.

A portion of the vegetables is blended to yield a thicker, creamier broth.

Serve this soup with crusty bread for a hearty, comforting meal. 

3. Beer Can Chicken 

Beer can chicken is a method of cooking where an opened can of beer is placed inside the cavity of a chicken.

Not surprisingly, the dish is also referred to as “chicken on a throne” or “dancing chicken.”

While the effectiveness of the cooking method is yet to be proven, many people believe that the beer adds flavor and moisture to the chicken.

I, for one, am a believer! Try it, and let me know what you think.

4. Vegetable Soup  

Vegetable soup sounds kind of boring, but believe me, this soup is far from being one.

It’s hearty, cozy, and so tasty! I can eat this soup all day.

The best part? It’s a cinch to make! The ingredients are very simple – canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, vinegar, dried herbs, and whatever vegetables you have on hand. 

This soup pairs well with a simple salad or crusty bread. But trust me, you wouldn’t mind devouring it on its own, either.

5. Yakisoba Chicken 

This Japanese stir-fry is one of the best! 

Yakisoba is the Japanese word for “fried noodles.” The noodles are typically thick and firm and loaded with shredded meat and vegetables.

Coating the ingredients is a sweet and savory sauce that’s just too good for words.

The ingredients list may be long, but don’t let that fool you. The recipe is so easy, anyone can pull it off. 

6. Spinach Salad   

Once you’ve tried this salad, you’d understand why Popeye loves spinach. It’s not all about nutrition, but flavor, too!

Spinach leaves, bacon, nuts, and fruits are dressed with maple balsamic.

The sweetness from the maple syrup and the acidity from the balsamic vinegar create a beautiful harmony of flavors.

The great thing about this recipe is that you can add as many salad toppings as you want. Your imagination is the limit.

7. Coca-Cola Pulled Pork 

Succulent pulled pork that melts in your mouth is flavored with barbecue sauce, liquid smoke, and Coke! 

The combination of sweet, tangy, savory, and smoky creates such mind-blowing flavors!

The Coke doesn’t just add sweetness, but a nice, caramelized flavor as well.

8. Roasted Vegetables  

I’ve said this many times before – the best way to cook vegetables is to roast them.

It’s the only cooking method that brings out the natural sweetness of vegetables without adding too many ingredients.

All you’ll need is olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. After just 30 minutes, your roasted vegetables are ready. 

9. Coca Cola Chicken 

Need a dairy-free dinner the whole family will devour? Try this Coca-Cola chicken!

Thanks to the ever-popular carbonated soda, your wings will be extra sweet, extra caramelized, and downright addictive.

Besides the sweet glaze, the recipe also makes super-moist and juicy chicken wings that are crispy on the outside.

They get a 12/10 on both flavor and texture departments.

10. Sweet Potato Salad 

There’s nothing wrong with the classic potato salad, but personally, I prefer this sweet potato salad.

Sweet potatoes have, unsurprisingly, a sweeter flavor, which is a nice contrast to the rest of the ingredients.

The recipe is easy to throw together, and it’s nutritious, to boot.

Not only is it dairy-free, but also vegan, and gluten-free. More importantly, it’s delicious.

11. Sloppy Joes 

We have school cafeterias to blame for most people’s negative impression of sloppy Joes.

If you’re willing to change your mind about the misunderstood dish, though, this recipe is a must-try.

Well-seasoned beef and starchy beans are flavored with a thick barbecue sauce that screams flavor. Serve them in a bun for a hearty meal.

12. Shrimp and Avocado Salad  

Just by looking at this bowl of salad, you can already tell it’s amazing. Those vibrant summer colors are stunning!

Shrimp, avocados, tomatoes, red onions, and jalapenos are already delicious.

They’re dressed with a splash of lime juice and olive oil for a refreshing finishing touch. 

13. Stuffed Peppers 

Sweet bell peppers stuffed with seasoned rice and ground beef and smothered with a rich tomato sauce.

Sounds heavenly, right?

As you can see in the picture, I usually top them with cheese. But you can just leave that off to make it a dairy free meal.

Or find a tasty vegan alternative.

14. Broccoli Tomato Pizza 

This vegan pizza is so loaded, you won’t even miss the cheese.

The crispy crust is topped with colorful veggies and sun-dried tomatoes, giving you one epic bite.

It doesn’t end there, though. What really gives this pizza so much life is the creamy cashew sauce.

It’s so good, I daresay it’s even better than cheese.

15. Meatloaf 

Meatloaf is delicious, but only if you nail the recipe. There are tons out there that claim to be the best, but most of them result in a dry and bland dish.

Not this one, though.

Trisha Yearwood is a beloved musician, but she also knows a thing or two about Southern cooking.

Trust me, her meatloaf is off-the-charts amazing! It’s so moist, juicy, and absolutely delicious.

16. Beet Salad with Carrots and Spinach 

Beets, carrots, quinoa, salad, edamame, and avocados star this ridiculously tasty and nutritious salad. 

I love the bold colors and even bolder flavors! The varying levels of crunch are just fantastic.

The apple cider, lime, and herb dressing ties the ingredients together beautifully.

17. Beef and Broccoli 

Beef and broccoli are such an awesome pair.

Make them even more epic by coating them with a delectable sauce of soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. 

It’s a terrific Asian dish, indeed! This homemade dish is so good it’ll put Panda Express and other popular Chinese restaurants to shame. 

18. Salmon Pasta  

There’s always room in my belly for this salmon pasta. The combination of fatty salmon and rich and creamy sauce is absolutely divine!

I know what you’re thinking – it’s impossible to make a cream sauce without dairy. But with this recipe, it is!

Just swap out the milk with almond milk, and you’re all set.

19. Beef Stew 

Loaded with fork-tender beef, vegetables, and a savory broth, this stew is undoubtedly one of the best dairy free dinners on the list.

The ingredients are very common – beef, potatoes, carrots, and spices.

Because everything comes together in one pot, this stew is such a snap to make.

It’s done in as fast as 20 minutes, too, so you can whip this up even on busy weeknights.

20. Baked Beans 

Looking for a quick and easy side dish that’s guaranteed to be a hit? Trust these baked beans to be the star of your next BBQ party.

Hearty beans are coated in a thick, sweet, and smoky sauce oozing with deliciousness.

Pair this with any BBQ protein and your meal is ready.

21. Mexican Buddha Bowl 

A Buddha bowl is a scrumptious dish that consists of grains, beans, and veggies tossed in a dressing.

This bowl of goodness isn’t only delicious, but highly nutritious, too.

Another great thing about it is you’re free to use any ingredients you please, as long as they stick to the basic formula. 

In this recipe, for instance, you’ll give the classic Buddha bowl a colorful Mexican twist by combining brown rice, black beans, sweet corn, and guacamole, to name a few.

It’s like all your favorite taco ingredients tossed in a bowl! 

22. Cauliflower Alfredo

You won’t believe how delectable this alfredo is. While the noodles are nice and firm, the star is the ridiculously creamy and tasty cauliflower alfredo.

Who would’ve thought that bland cauliflower florets can result in such a delightful pasta sauce? This recipe is a keeper, for sure.

23. 15-Bean Soup 

Wow, 15 beans and one bowl? I’m in! This soup features a variety of beans for a hearty, comforting, feel-good dish. 

Wonderfully rich, excitingly creamy, and loaded with 15 different types of beans, you really can’t ask for more from this soup.

A word of advice, though – don’t eat this soup before an important meeting. Expect a stinky, gassy aftermath post-consumption!

24. Butternut Squash Pasta  

This pasta tastes a lot like mac and cheese but isn’t as sinful. More importantly for vegans, it doesn’t contain mac and cheese. Awesome, am I right?

Instead of milk and cheese, the sauce is made of pureed roasted butternut squash, cashews, and nutritional yeast.

Sage and thyme add a nice, herby flavor. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius!

25. Black Bean Soup 

Move over Chipotle, this homemade black bean soup is just as rich and tasty but isn’t as pricey. 

If you’re looking for a hearty side dish for your burrito or quesadilla, this soup is exactly what you need.

This Mexican beauty is loaded with flavors and insanely easy to make!

With just a handful of ingredients – black beans and spices – you’re one step closer to this fantastic Chipotle copycat.

26. Soba Noodle Salad 

Whether cold or at room temperature, this soba noodle salad is delicious. Believe me, you’ll soon be adding this to your list of favorite light meals.

The noodles are tossed in a honey-soy dressing, giving you a wonderful contrast of light and hearty, sweet and salty. 

27. Sweet Potato Fries 

Getting bored with the usual crispy potato fries? How about a sweet and healthy alternative?

These fries are just as crunchy, but with a sweeter flavor. 

And since they’re baked, not fried, they’re totally grease- and guilt-free!

28. Tomato Risotto

Just looking at this hearty risotto is already making me drool. Those lovely red hues are absolutely mouth-watering.

The nuttiness and chewiness of risotto rice taste so good with the rich, tomato and coconut cream sauce.

The addition of white wine brings out the sweetness of the tomatoes even more.

29. Mexican Rice 

Add more pizazz to your usual Taco Tuesday with this easy yet flavorful Mexican rice! The color alone is already a winner.

Tomato sauce, chicken broth, and cumin give rice such a lovely combination of flavors.

It’s wonderfully rich and savory with a touch of sweetness and spice.

30. Fried Okra 

This deep-fried okra dish is crunchy and addictive. I never thought I could love okra this much!

If you despise the sliminess of okra, don’t worry, you won’t get any of that in this dish. There’s no slime, whatsoever, just pure crunch.