11 Best Dairy-Free Alternatives (Milk, Cheese & Butter Swaps)
Dairy: milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter and yogurt. Here are 11 alternatives. Every option links to its own alternatives, so you can keep exploring.
Last reviewed October 19, 2026 · 11 alternatives
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Alternatives to the alternatives — each link opens its own list.
Dairy alternatives: FAQs
What is Dairy?
Milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter and yogurt. It is listed in our Dairy-Free Alternatives category.
What are the best alternatives to Dairy?
The top options in our list are Oat milk, Soy milk, Almond milk, Pea milk and Coconut milk. The right choice depends on which features, platforms and price matter most to you.
Which alternative should I look at first?
Start with Oat milk, the first option on our list (creamy plant milk that froths well for coffee; usually low in protein).
Which Dairy alternatives are low in calories?
Almond milk.
Which Dairy alternatives are high in protein?
Soy milk and Pea milk.
Which Dairy alternatives are allergy-friendly?
Rice milk and Hemp milk.
What other Dairy alternatives are worth a look?
Beyond the top five, consider Cashew milk, Rice milk, Hemp milk, Coconut yogurt and Plant-based butter.
Is Oat milk better than Dairy?
It depends on what you need. Oat milk: creamy plant milk that froths well for coffee; usually low in protein. Dairy: milk and foods made from it, such as cheese, butter and yogurt.
Where can I compare more dairy-free alternatives?
Our Dairy-Free Alternatives page compares all 12 items in this category, and each one has its own list of alternatives.
How many alternatives to Dairy are there?
We list 11 alternatives to Dairy on this page, and each one links to its own list of alternatives so you can keep comparing.
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