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The Best Dairy-Free Smoothies For Any Time of Year

10.24.22

Is there anything more refreshing than a smoothie? Fresh fruit and other yummy ingredients come together to make a sip-worthy drink you can enjoy any time of day. But, what if you’re trying to stay dairy-free?

Smoothies don’t have to contain dairy to be delicious. In fact, there are plenty of milk alternatives you can use for perfect dairy-free smoothies. In this guide, we’ll show you those alternatives and give you a list of our favorite dairy-free smoothie recipes you can try today.

What Does Dairy-Free Mean?

Dairy-free means exactly that—the product or recipe is completely free from dairy such as milk or milk products that come from animal sources. This includes cow’s milk, goat’s milk, and other mammal milks as well as milk powder, whey, cream, and other ingredients.

What About Lactose-Free?

On some products, you may see the term “lactose-free” which is different from dairy-free. Lactose-free products may include milk, but it will be milk without lactose. If you’re trying to avoid dairy altogether, you’ll want to avoid lactose-free products, unless the label states they are dairy-free too.

Best Dairy-Free Substitutes for Smoothies

Milk is indeed an important part of any smoothie. Adding milk gives you that creamy texture we all know and love. However, there are plenty of other dairy-free alternatives you can use that deliver the same smooth taste, including plant-based beverages:

  • Almond milk: Made from almonds, almond milk has a slightly nutty flavor that pairs well with smoothies featuring bananas and other sweet fruits.
  • Soy milk: One of the most popular dairy-free alternatives, soy milk, as its name suggests, is made from soybeans. It has a mild flavor and a creamy texture that is perfect for smoothies.
  • Hemp milk: Made from hemp seeds, hemp milk is thinner than other options on this list. It’s also full of Omega 3s.
  • Coconut milk: Coconut milk is a beloved smoothie ingredient due to its tropical flavor and creamy texture.
  • Cashew milk: Similar to almond milk, cashew milk has a slightly nutty flavor. The texture of cashew milk is great for thickening smoothies.
  • Oat milk: With a mild, sweet flavor, oat milk is known to have a very similar taste to cow’s milk.

How Do You Thicken a Smoothie Without Milk?

To thicken your smoothie without milk, try adding in any of the above milk alternatives. You can also use frozen fruit instead of fresh fruit for a thicker texture. For a denser smoothie, use less liquid or milk alternatives and more greens, fruit or grains.

Our Picks for the Best Dairy-Free Smoothies

Creating your own dairy-free smoothies can be as easy as combining your favorite fruit with any of the above milk alternatives. However, if you’re looking for something new, these recipes are a great place to start.

Strawberry Peach Mango Smoothie

Enjoy a taste of summer all year long with this smoothie. Sweet and tangy mango, peaches, and strawberries come together with hemp milk to form a creamy and delicious drink.

See the full recipe: Strawberry Peach Mango Smoothie

Dairy-Free Coconut Chai Smoothie

Spices such as cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon add warmth to this smoothie made using bananas and sweet dates. Don’t forget to garnish your smoothie with a cinnamon stick or star anise.

See the full recipe: Dairy-Free Coconut Chai Smoothie

Carrot Cake Smoothie

Have your cake and drink it too with this smoothie. Carrots are a key ingredient as well as pineapple, hemp seeds, and thick almond butter. Use almond milk as a milk alternative for a nutty flavor that best compliments the carrots and bananas.

See the full recipe: Carrot Cake Smoothie

Mango Orange Banana Smoothie Bowl

This mango orange banana smoothie bowl is made with Pacific Foods Coconut Plant-Based Beverage, to round out its trio of tropical flavors. It’s perfect for a summer breakfast or a cool and refreshing treat any time of year.

View the recipe: Mango Orange Banana Smoothie Bowl

Mocha Maca Smoothie

Need a morning or afternoon kick? The Mocha Maca smoothie includes sweet vanilla beans, bananas, and almond butter as well as strong coffee or espresso.

See the full recipe: Mocha Maca Smoothie

Avocado Cashew Green Smoothie

This is a nutrient-dense smoothie with just the right amount of sweetness. It’s made with Pacific Foods Cashew Original Plant-Based Beverage, so it has earthy undertones. Try it with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top!

View the recipe: Avocado Cashew Green Smoothie

Tropical Mango Green Smoothie

Looking for a simple smoothie? This is it. Simply blend bananas, baby greens, oat milk, pineapple, mango, and fresh lime juice. Then, pour and enjoy.

See the full recipe: Tropical Mango Green Smoothie

Very Berry Smoothie

This smoothie is a tasty classic. Plus, it’s super simple to make. Simply grab a bag of frozen mixed berries and combine them with bananas and almond milk. Garnish with some fresh berries if you’d like.

See the full recipe: Very Berry Smoothie

Strawberries & Cream Smoothie Bowls With Grain-Free Brazil Nut-Hemp Crunch

This smoothie bowl’s surprising crunch makes it extra satisfying. The grain-free Brazil nut-hemp crunch can be made in a larger batch and kept in an airtight container for about a week. Its tasty base is Pacific Foods Coconut Plant-Based Beverage.

View the recipe: Strawberries & Cream Smoothie Bowls With Grain-Free Brazil Nut-Hemp Crunch

Peach Pitaya Tahini AKA The Endless Summer Smoothie

If you’re looking for an explosion of flavor, this is the smoothie recipe for you. Ingredients include tart and sweet peaches, Thai coconut meat, dates, pitaya powder, and tahini. The result is a colorful smoothie you’ll have to see to believe.

See the full recipe: Peach Pitaya Tahini Smoothie

Sweet Green Smoothies

This sweet green smoothie is a great way to add more veggies to your diet. Place banana, spinach, apple, lemon juice, and coconut milk into a blender. Then, blend and enjoy.

See the full recipe: Sweet Green Smoothies

Dairy-Free Blueberry Cashew Smoothie Bowl

You’ll love the festive textures in this luscious smoothie bowl. It’s got a base of Pacific Foods Cashew Plant-Based Beverage and as many whole nuts, blueberries, and coconut pieces as you want!

View the recipe: Dairy-Free Blueberry Cashew Smoothie Bowl

Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl

If someone in your life is skeptical about smoothie bowls, this may be the one that makes them a believer. It’s got all the tastes of childhood and enough texture to please even the fussiest eaters. It’s even got a hit of coconut thanks to a base of Pacific Foods Coconut Plant-Based Beverage.

View the recipe: Peanut Butter & Jelly Smoothie Bowl

Strawberry Mango Ginger Smoothie

Only have five minutes? This smoothie is super quick and easy to prepare. All you have to do is throw hemp milk, strawberries, mango, ice, and ginger into a blender. After a few minutes of blending, your smoothie is ready to enjoy.

See the full recipe: Strawberry Mango Ginger Smoothie

Looking for Even More Dairy-Free Recipes?

Want even more tasty dairy-free recipes? We’ve got you covered. Check out these guides for inspiration:

Enjoy Delicious, Dairy-Free Recipes With Pacific Foods

Whether you’re whipping up a fresh smoothie or cooking a weeknight dinner for your family, Pacific Foods has you covered with ingredients you can feel good about. Shop our products, including plant-based beverages, soups, broths, and stocks, today.