The vegan milk market is thriving. Right now, there are already more dairy-free options than ever on the shelves, and they’re set to keep coming. In fact, by 2030, experts predict that the industry could soar to a value of nearly $70 billion. Traditional dairy alternatives like soy and almond are now being joined by macadamia, pecan, and even sunflower seed milk varieties. But with so many options, how do you know which one to choose? Below, we’ve selected some of our favorite unsweetened varieties to help you narrow it down.
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What is the difference between sweetened and unsweetened dairy-free milk?
The difference between sweetened and unsweetened dairy-free milk is, of course, the presence of sweeteners. Sweetened milk contains added sugars or sweeteners—like sugar, coconut sugar, agave syrup, for example—to enhance its taste. And for that reason, it can contain more calories and carbohydrates.
Unsweetened dairy-free milk is usually made with just a handful of ingredients; almonds, soybeans, oats, coconut, or rice are blended with water, and sometimes fortified with vitamins and minerals. This type of milk, which has a more neutral flavor, is best for those who are looking to reduce their sugar intake, but it also works best in savory recipes for sauces, soups, and dips.
If you’re looking for the best unsweetened vegan milk on the market, check out some of our favorites below (listed in no particular order).
The best unsweetened vegan milk: 14 types to try
1 Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk
Made with just three ingredients (almonds, water, and sea salt), this unsweetened almond milk from Califia Farms is ideal for pouring on your cereal, blending into smoothies, and making creamy curries and soups. It’s free of oils and gums, and it’s certified USDA organic, too.
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2 Silk Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
Silk, the leading soy milk brand in the US, offers several different types of soy milk made from whole-harvested soybeans, including Vanilla, Chocolate, and Unsweetened. The latter is not only totally dairy-free, but it’s also nut-free, low in saturated fat, and contains zero cholesterol. Plus, each serving contains calcium and 8 grams of protein.
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NotCo
3 NotMilk Vanilla Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk
NotCo’s NotMilk is arguably one of the closest products to cow’s milk on the market. With a pea protein base, this Vanilla Unsweetened version is deliciously creamy, rich, and perfect for mixing up in a smoothie or vegan milkshake. It’s also a source of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
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4 WhatIf Foods Unsweetened BamNut Milk
Many different legumes can be processed into milk, but WhatIf Foods is one of the only brands on the market making creamy, rich, delicious milk with bambara groundnuts. According to the brand, this grain legume is naturally high in fiber and protein, and it’s good for the earth, too, as it helps to regenerate and restore soil when it grows. WhatIf Foods offers several varieties of BamNut milk, including this Unsweetened version.
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5 Willa’s Unsweetened Oat Milk
Oat milk is one of the most popular dairy-free milk varieties on the market today, with most vegan milk brands choosing to make their own versions. This one from Willa’s is made with just four simple ingredients: water, whole-grain oats, vanilla, and salt. According to the brand, it contains the least sugar of any oat milk available right now.
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6 Milkadamia Unsweetened Vanilla Macadamia Milk
Another brand that strays from the norm when it comes to dairy-free milk is Milkadamia, which is one of the only brands to make milk from macadamia nuts, which, again, are harvested using regenerative farming methods. This Unsweetened Vanilla flavor from the brand is deliciously creamy, rich, and sugar-free.
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Good Karma
7 Good Karma Unsweetened Flaxmilk +Protein
This Unsweetened milk from Good Karma Foods is a good source of omega-3 healthy fats, due to the fact it’s made with flaxseeds—one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids available. On top of that, it tastes great, and it contains 5 grams of protein per serving, as well as calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.
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8 Pecana Purely Americana Unsweetened Pecan Milk
If you’re after a rich, nutty flavor, this Unsweetened Pecan Milk from Pecana is well worth a sip. It’s particularly delicious in dairy-free lattes, but it can also be added to most recipes, too, in place of cow’s milk. As well as tasting delicious, this milk is a source of calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium.
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9 Hazelicious Unsweetened Hazelnut Milk
Another tasty nutty choice, perfect for creamy coffees and indulgent vegan shakes, is hazelnut milk. This Unsweetened version from Hazelicious has a pleasant, naturally creamy texture, and it’s made with sustainably sourced hazelnuts, which are grown entirely with rainfall.
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10 Pacific Foods Unsweetened Hemp Milk
Hemp can be many things—it can be transformed into leather, added to cereals, and even made into milk. This Unsweetened hemp milk from Pacific Foods is another good source of omega 3, plus it contains calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and 3 grams of protein per serving.
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11 Ripple Unsweetened Pea Milk
Pea protein is becoming a popular ingredient in plant-based innovation, and it’s no surprise. It’s rich in nutrients, versatile, and it’s eco-friendly, too. To sample it in milk form, check out this creamy, tasty version from Ripple, which packs in 8 grams of protein per serving.
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12 So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a classic dairy-free milk flavor. With a nice, coconutty taste (as you’d expect!), it’s a great addition to curries, smoothies, soups, and much more. This version from So Delicious is non-GMO and free of added artificial flavors, colors, and gluten.
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13 Lattini Unsweetened Sunflower Milk
Another unique vegan milk option is sunflower milk. It turns out that the seeds of these pretty summer flowers are tasty and nutritious, and can be transformed into a creamy alternative to cow’s milk. Plus they’re great for the earth—sunflowers attract pollinators, are drought tolerant, and good for soil health.
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Elmhurst 1925
14 Elmhurst Unsweetened Walnut Milk
And finally, another great nutty option is Elmhurst’s Milked Walnuts. It’s incredibly simple, made with just walnuts and water, but it’s still delicious when added to coffee, cereal, oatmeal, and baked goods. It’s also a good source of omega-3, and it’s gluten-free, too.
Find it here
For more on vegan milk, read:
Charlotte is a writer and editor based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the vegan lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission. In no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
