[Ranked] 10 Milk Substitute That Taste Like Milk

Cow’s milk is an excellent source of nutrients. Yet, not everyone can enjoy its benefits due to allergies, lactose intolerance, or dietary limitations. Thankfully for such individuals, there is a large range of non-dairy milk substitutes with comparable flavor and nutritional content. So, what are milk alternatives with a milky flavor?

Soy milk is the milk substitute that tastes the most like milk. It is similar to ordinary cow’s milk, while almond milk is a fantastic alternative for a balanced diet. Because of its thick and creamy flavor, oat milk is an excellent milk substitute for drinking or pouring over cereal. Coconut milk is fantastic in baking and cooking.

Hence, in this post, we’ll look at some of the greatest milk replacements available. We’ll rate them based on their flavor, creaminess, nutrition, and culinary skill. By the end, you should have a good idea of which milk substitute will best suit your nutritional and culinary demands.

Which Milk Alternatives Taste Most Like Milk?

Taste is an important consideration when selecting a milk substitute. If it doesn’t taste like milk, you shouldn’t drink it or use it in a dish for afternoon tea or dessert.

I compiled this list of the finest milk replacements with taste as the most crucial consideration. Fortunately, I ranked them from the ones that taste the most like milk to the ones that don’t. Now let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Soy Milk

Soy milk, perhaps the most prevalent non-dairy milk alternative, is a popular option in many cuisines on its own. Despite its Chinese origins, it has been widely used in Europe and North America for well over a century.

In terms of flavor, this is one of the most similar to cow’s milk. The main difference is the fat level, which is much lower in soy milk. This causes soy milk to taste thinner than full-cream cow milk. Apart from smoothness, the flavor of soy may successfully evoke the sensation of drinking milk.

Soy milk has about the same amount of protein as milk, roughly 7 grams per cup (240 ml). [1] Yet, it has substantially fewer calories and fat. Soy has approximately twice as much vitamin B12 than beef, while also being high in other essential minerals and vitamins.

Soy is also used to produce tofu, which is a popular vegan or vegetarian replacement for meat. You may also use it to manufacture a variety of foods that would otherwise be dairy-based. Soy yogurt, soy custard, soy cheese, soy cream, and so forth. And the greatest thing is that you may use the same proportions as you would with ordinary milk.

Oat Milk

The creaminess of oat milk is the most visible feature that distinguishes it as a milk substitute. In fact, it is the creamiest of all the popular milk replacements on the market. A glass of creamy cow’s milk tastes quite similar to a glass of oat milk.

A big portion of this is due to the high fat content of oat milk. It is not unexpected that oat has one of the highest fat contents. It has 5 grams of fat per 240 mL drink, which is 1 gram more than soy milk and almost twice as much as almond milk. It has a rich, creamy, and thick texture as a result of this. [2]

This drink, made from oat grains, has become one of the world’s most popular plant-based milks. You may use it as a coffee creamer or in a cake or custard recipe. Oat milk may even be used in lieu of milk in ice cream and pudding. You may also drink it on its own, similar to how you would drink ordinary milk.

In comparison to cow’s milk, oat milk is high in vitamins D and B12 and has little to no cholesterol.

Pea Milk

In this case, we have a newbie to the realm of plant-based milk. Isolated pea protein is combined with water, sunflower oil, gellan gum, and other emulsifiers to create pea milk.

It has a similar taste and texture as soy milk, but with a more muted nutty flavor. If it is not naturally sweetened, it has a somewhat sweet flavor.

Pea milk has nutritional advantages for both heart health and immunity. [3]

Macadamia Milk

Macadamia milk is the first nut-based milk to enter the market, but it will not be the last. It is a modern milk replacement choice. Yet it’s the rich, creamy flavor that sets it apart from its nutty cousins.

It is one of the creamiest nut-derived milk substitutes available. This is due, once again, to its greater fat content than most other plant-based milks. 4 to 5 grams of fat may be found in a cup of macadamia milk (240 ml). And a large amount of it is monounsaturated fat, which is good for our bodies. [4]

Almond Milk

Almond milk is a healthier alternative to regular milk, whether as a beverage or in a dish. It’s light in texture and has a moderately sweet, nutty flavor.

Almond milk has a very low fat level, around 2-3 grams per cup (240 ml). [5] This suggests it is one of the thinner milk substitutes. Yet, this adds to the relatively low level of saturated fats, which might be especially beneficial in certain diets.

Almond milk contains a lot of calcium, potassium, and vitamin A. Yet, it is protein-deficient. Hence, if you want to include almond milk into your diet, be sure you pair it with protein-rich foods.

Cashew Milk

Cashew milk is made by combining nuts or cashew butter with water. The rich, creamy quality of this milk is one of its best features. This makes it an excellent option for using as a creamer in lattes or coffee.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk has been used as a distinct ingredient in cooking for quite some time due to its thick, creamy texture and slight but perceptible coconut flavor. It will most likely fool you into thinking it is ordinary milk blended with coconut water. It is naturally quite sweet and may be used in recipes as a thickening.

Coconut milk is very low in protein and carbohydrates. And the bulk of its fat content is saturated fat, which has been linked to an increase in heart disease. [6] Keep this in mind if you choose for coconut milk as an alternative.

Hazelnut Milk

Hazelnut milk, another nut milk possibility, is created from roasted hazelnuts that are soaked, blended, and strained before being mixed with water. It has extremely little calories and saturated fat. Yet, it is high in vitamin E and folic acid.

It tastes a little lighter than some of its cousins. It has a naturally mild sweet taste with a nutty undertone.

Rice Milk

Some may be surprised to learn that rice can make milk. This beverage is often made by combining milled white or brown rice with water. Several variations include sugar and, on sometimes, vanilla essence.

Because of the few ingredients, it has a moderate flavor and a thin consistency. It may be used to make pudding and cakes.

Quinoa Milk

Quinoa seeds, a naturally healthy and protein-rich grain, are used to make this milk. Quinoa milk has a somewhat sweet flavor with a distinct quinoa flavor. Pour it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.

Other Milk Alternatives

Apart from the choices we’ve previously explored, there are more milk replacements on the market. Pistachio milk, banana milk, pecan milk, sesame milk, walnut milk, and other dairy-free alternatives to regular milk exist.

What Is the Healthiest Milk Alternative?

Soy milk is the most nutritionally similar to cow’s milk. Soy has less calories and saturated fat than milk, but the nutritional benefits are almost comparable. As a result, soy milk is one of the healthiest non-dairy alternatives to cow milk.

What Is the Best Milk Alternative for Cooking and Baking?

Coconut milk is an excellent choice because of its thick, creamy texture. Rice and almond milk are other popular milk substitutes in the kitchen.

What Is the Tastiest Milk Alternative?

Oat milk is perhaps the most delicious milk alternative due to its incredibly rich and creamy flavor. But, the flavor of almond and coconut milk is equally good, and many people prefer it.

To summarize, whether you are physically unable to consume dairy milk or just choose not to, there is a wide range of non-dairy options to explore that will fulfill both your taste buds and nutritional needs.