Each year our review staff samples hundreds of new dairy-free products. We are constantly scouring the shelves for the latest natural goodies to challenge the myth that dairy-free living is anything less than delicious. This year we had so many new innovations to choose from that it was mind-boggling, but we finally narrowed it down to ten wonderful foods. Oh yes, and our selections are completely unbiased, unsponsored, and personally sampled, so you can bet these are foods we happily spend our own hard-earned money on …

Number 1: Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread - Soy-Free

Seriously, why in the world did it take so long for someone to come out with a dairy-free, soy-free butter alternative? For its versatility, ingredients, and performance, this buttery spread easily slides into our number one spot ...

As a trans fat free spread, Earth Balance Soy-Free is heads and tails above traditional old margarine in terms of ingredients, yet it performs equally well in recipes. We have trialed it in baked goodies, roasted vegetables, stove-top sauces, melted atop broccoli and green beans, whipped into frostings, and simply spread on fresh-baked bread, and I am happy to say that it easily passed all tests.

The texture of the new Earth Balance Soy-free is close to identical to your average tub margarine, the mouth feel is rich and creamy, and the flavor is spot on. My only complaint was that it tasted a touch saltier than I am used too, but my fellow reviewer thought it could use a touch more salt … so I think this is simply a matter of taste.

Not all stores are stocking the soy-free version as of yet, but when I asked my local Whole Foods and even my local mega-grocer to bring some in, both not only obliged, but were surprised when the remaining tubs from the batch they ordered flew off the shelves.

Of course, you may be wondering what our review staff is doing with all of this Earth Balance Soy-Free. Here are just a few of the delicious recipes we have been enjoying:

• Crumbly Maple Apple Crisp 
• Oven “Fried” Fish Fillets
• Acorn Squash with Sweet Sage Butter
• Browned Butter Vanilla Bean Cupcakes
• Rustic Potato Gratin
• Vegan Fudge (and lots of it!)

For more information:

• Read our Earth Balance Soy-Free Review
• Visit the Earth Balance website

Article and top photo by Alisa Fleming, founder of GoDairyFree.org and author of Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. Lower photo by Hannah Kaminsky, author of My Sweet Vegan.