Author: Alisa Fleming

Last Update in April 2024! Comfort food is still the mother cuisine in the Old Dominion state. Even their “plant-based” options are loaded with indulgences, like “chicken” and waffles, donuts, cakes, and pizzas. You can learn more about them, and even more dairy-free options, in this Virginia guide. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state. We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this…

Last Update in April 2024! Buttery biscuits and cheesy grits can be found on most restaurant menus in South Carolina. But in recent years, many chefs have begun incorporating fresh dishes with local ingredients and less dairy. Consequently, our guide to dairy-free friendly restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops continues to grow. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a section for specialty dairy-free foods produced in this state. We Update Continuously! You can ignore…

Last Update in December 2023! The wonder state is a wild place that’s just waiting to be explored. Their abundant parks include mountains, caves, rivers and hot springs. After all, it’s home to the rugged Ozarks. But you’ll need some good food to fuel your adventures. That’s why we’ve created this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops in Arkansas that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started a…

Last Update in February 2024! From Chimichangas to Cheese Crisps, some of Arizona’s most popular foods are loaded with dairy. But the Grand Canyon state is also a pioneer in fresh, plant-based cuisine and is known for modern takes on native dishes. This means quite a few restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops in Arizona are friendly to dairy-free diners. And we’re gathering them here for you to discover. This collection is based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state (second). And we’ve started…

Last Update in March 2023! Alaska might have a rugged image, but just like the rest of the U.S, they have juice shops, trendy breweries, ice cream parlors, and specialty bakeries. Though we wouldn’t call the 49th state a hot bed for special diets, we did discover quite a few eateries that welcome dairy-free diners. The collection below includes restaurants, bakeries, cafes, ice cream shops, and stores in Alaska that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!) that’s divided into restaurants & shops by city (first) and major chains found throughout the state…

Heading into the new year, Treeline has added a new Reserve category to their collection of nut cheeses. This ultra-gourmet line is hand-crafted with traditional European cheesemaking techniques using vegan cultures, molds, and premium cashews. It includes Treeline True Blue, a blue cheese alternative, and Treeline Bloomy Rind, a soft ripened cheese that’s encased in a live rind. The latter beckons to the creamy, subtle experience of brie and camembert cheeses. Treeline Bloomy Rind is the Dairy-Free Answer to Fine French Cheese This cheese alternative is best enjoyed cold, and suits a charcuterie board with figs and seeded crackers. According…

With the help of cheesemakers in Spain, vegan cheesemaking is reaching new heights. Treeline True Blue is a creamy cashew cheese made with real Penicillium Roqueforti molds, like most of the world’s best blue cheeses. This is entirely plant-based, and imparts the complex flavors of real blue cheese without the need for any colors or flavors. Treeline True Blue Cashew Cheese is for Vegan Cheese Connoisseurs This gourmet dairy-free cheese alternative is best enjoyed cold – it isn’t for heating in sauces. And since it is made with live molds and is free of preservatives, it’s best eaten soon after…

My friends still don’t believe me that I never serve a drop of cream or a shred of cheese when we host a gathering. What do you mean this is cheeseless pizza? There’s no way those cookies are free of butter! And those dairy-free sausage stuffed mushrooms … wow, do they impress. Each bite is filled with bold flavors and an undeniable rich “cheesiness” that will be savored by even the most adamant dairy-lovers. I’ve received recipe requests for these many times, so today, I’m sharing it with you. Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms that are Amazingly Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Because they…

Nutrition is always a priority, but these days, fast, easy, and inexpensive also top the list. That’s why I like this dairy-free dirty rice recipe. This simplified riff on a Louisiana classic uses more familiar ingredients that you can find in almost any kitchen. It also has a comforting flavor that can be spiced up or down, based on your family’s preferences. Dirty Rice that’s Naturally Allergy- and Family-Friendly This dirty rice recipe was originally shared with us by Denise Hall, back when she wrote for a blog called Fit Fare. One of my Cajun grandmother’s standard Sunday dinner items was…

Are you planning to budget more in the new year? Start with home baked bread! It’s not only inexpensive, it’s also fun and easy to make, and taste so much better than store bought. This crusty tea bread recipe was originally shared with us by the vegan blog, The Tea Guide, but we have updated it. I’ve also added options for baking this tea bread in your oven, if you don’t have a bread maker. Easy Crusty Tea Bread for your Bread Maker or Oven It doesn’t get much simpler than this delightful tea bread recipe. It’s made with brewed…

Growing up, my mom made mini pumpkin bread loaves every Christmas for friends, neighbors, and family. I always wondered what her prized recipe was, and of course it was the one from Libby’s pumpkin! Over time, I’ve modified that recipe to be, what we think, is the best dairy-free pumpkin bread. And this year, I continued her tradition of gifting those precious little loaves. The Best Dairy-Free Pumpkin Bread with So Many Options The beauty of basic recipes is that they are immensely versatile. I have many options in the recipe, plus other tips and substitutions or this dairy-free pumpkin…

We recently held a dairy-free sour cream taste test (results coming soon!), and I had quite a bit of sour cream alternative left over. This led to beef stroganoff, mushroom stroganoff, and this delicious dairy-free sour cream coffee cake recipe. It’s a cozy dessert, layered with brown sugar streusel, that begs to be served with a warm mug of tea or coffee. It reminds me of a special coffee shop treat that we enjoyed years ago. The Perfect Recipe for Dairy-Free Sour Cream Coffee Cake I’m not a big cake fan, but coffee cake is something special. It’s a single…

This dairy-free cardamom pear cake recipe comes from Andrew Schloss, the author of Almost from Scratch: 600 Recipes for the New Convenience Cuisine. His cookbook isn’t exclusively dairy-free, but it offers many recipes and ideas for those who are interested in cooking with convenient ingredients. That said, this pear cake is from scratch, in my opinion. It doesn’t rely on any pantry conveniences – but it is still relatively easy to throw together Cardamom Pear Cake made with Naturally Dairy-Free Ingredients We originally posted this recipe way back in 2006, but have since updated it! Like many of Andrew’s recipes,…

We haven’t seen much from the iconic Dream brand in quite a while. But they have been busy working on a makeover of their Rice Dream line and creating a new-to-market milk beverage. Dream Whole Ricemilk is one of the first dairy-free “whole milk” alternatives, and it is the first rice-based one. It’s also free of top allergens, added proteins, and coconut! Dream Whole Ricemilk expands a New Category of Dairy-Free ‘Milks’ There are very few whole milk alternatives available, and they were primarily introduced within the past year – like Silk Nextmilk and So Delicious Wondermilk. So I’m going…

Grab a mug of dairy-free hot chocolate, and relax as you peruse this list of dairy-free winter items at Trader Joe’s. It covers holiday treats for Christmas and Hanukkah, and even more eats that usually stick around for the season. Each item includes a brief description and photo, followed by a quick shopping list by department. Trader Joe’s Dairy-Free Shopping List for Seasonal Winter Items The following Trader Joe’s winter items are primarily seasonal or in limited supply. They begin arriving in late November. Some are purely for the holidays, while some stick around for the winter. Either way, be…

Updated December 2022! Whipped topping is a must for the holidays. It’s essential for topping pies, garnishing cakes, layering in trifles, and sometimes you might want a straight-up spoonful to celebrate! And these days, you can have your dairy-free whipped topping and eat it too. Below is our big guide to all of the vegan whipped cream products available and our favorite recipes – should you prefer homemade. The brands include tub whips for dolloping, spray whips, and whip-it-yourself options. We’ve updated to include all of the latest options! The recipes include options for various tastes and dietary needs. Vegan…

A few years ago. Fresh Cravings launched a full line of plant-based dips in a big range of sweet and savory flavors. Some were made with a base of cashews, and some with almonds. It was a tumultuous time for product distribution, so they didn’t gain much traction. But a couple flavors of Fresh Cravings Cashew Dips did hang on, and the company has added one more: Jalapeno Popper. Fresh Cravings Cashew Dips Score Big with Bold Dairy-Free Flavors This year, Fresh Cravings launched a new look, and they did update their recipes just a bit. They no longer use…

I’m not a big cake fan, but there are a few exceptions. One is gingerbread. Most cakes are fluffy and lack substance, in my opinion. But this iconic holiday dessert has the depth of warm spices and a rich flavor that adds some heft to the experience. And this vegan gingerbread cake recipe has even more allure with a touch of earthiness from whole wheat pastry flour and comforting maple syrup. Vegan Gingerbread Cake made without Dairy, Eggs, or Refined Ingredients This is one of those “cakes” that you could justify enjoying for breakfast. In fact, I’ve been known to…

Did you know there are now almost 50 brands of dairy-free hot chocolate mixes available? Most of them are also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free, and some are even paleo friendly! In this post, we cover the best dairy-free hot chocolate mixes, summaries of the rest, and our favorite recipes for making your own mug of hot cocoa. The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate + More Brands & Recipes This vegan hot cocoa round-up started with a simple request from a reader over a decade ago. Kris wanted to know if there were any options for dairy-free hot chocolate. There sure…

As mentioned, Upfield is gradually transitioning all of their butter alternative brands to be dairy free and plant based. They recently reformulated I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Spray, and now they’re updating I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Baking Sticks. As 2023 takes hold, you should begin to see the dairy-free version of this versatile butter alternative in stores. I Can’t Believe it’s Not Butter Baking Sticks to Join Dairy-Free Alternatives Unlike Smart Balance, who cut costs and fat with their latest reformulation, Upfield has kept the 79% oil level in their baking sticks. So you can expect the…