This Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute is my go-to when I want something rich and creamy - without soaking nuts or using coconut cream. It blends in under 2 minutes, tastes delicious, boosts protein, and works everywhere from savory bowls to soups. This one belongs in your fridge.
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🔍 Quick Look: Nondairy Cream Substitute
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 📊 Calories: ~90 kcal per serving
- 👩🏽🍳 Flavor Profile: Creamy and savory with a hint of umami, balanced by brightness from lemon and mild garlic.
- 💪🏼 Nutrition: 6 grams of protein, 0.5 grams saturated fat for one serving
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy-blend and use.
👩🏽⚕️ Nutritionist's Note
Hemp hearts are naturally soft, so they blend silky smooth without soaking. They add:
- Creaminess without heaviness
- Plant protein
- Omega-3 fats
- Minerals like magnesium and iron
- Unlike cashews, they digest easily and keep this recipe truly weeknight-friendly.
Jump to:
- 🔍 Quick Look: Nondairy Cream Substitute
- 👩🏽⚕️ Nutritionist's Note
- 👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
- 🧄 Substitutions
- 📝 How to Make A Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute
- ✔️ Storage & Meal Prep Tips
- 🫙 More Healthy Dressing Recipes
- 🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
- 🥣 Pair nondairy cream substitute with...
- 👩🏽🍳 Made this recipe?
- ⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)
- Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute Recipe
- 🛍️ Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients
- 💬 Comments
👩🏼🌾 Ingredients
Below, I share ingredient notes from both a nutrition expert's and trained chef's perspective.
- Hemp hearts: Add natural creaminess without dairy or nuts, plus plant protein and heart-healthy fats. They blend silky smooth (no soaking!) and give the sauce real staying power.
- Miso: Brings savory depth and umami so the cream actually tastes rich and satisfying. It also adds a little fermented complexity that replaces what dairy usually provides.
- Lemon juice: Brightens everything up and balances the richness. That pop of acidity makes the flavors feel fresh instead of heavy.
- Water: Controls texture. Less water gives a thick, spoonable cream. More water creates a pourable sauce. Simple, customizable, and keeps it light.
- Garlic: Adds warmth and savory backbone. Even a small amount transforms this from "plain cream" into something crave-worthy.
See the printable recipe card below for quantities.
🧄 Substitutions
This recipe is versatile and easy to adapt. Below are some simple ingredient substitutions.
- Garlic: Use raw (bold), sautéed (milder), or roasted (sweet & mellow). You can also swap in ¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic powder or 1-2 tablespoons sautéed shallot.
- Miso: Substitute white miso with chickpea miso or skip and add soy sauce or tamari to taste.
- Lemon juice: Swap with apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Hemp hearts: Cashews (soaked) or sunflower seeds work.
📝 How to Make A Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute
The complete recipe with exact amounts is below. These additional tips will help you get the best results.
- For ultra-smooth hemp cream, add the water to the blender first so the seeds don't stick.
- Use a high-speed blender if you can, and blend a full 30-60 seconds, even if it looks smooth early. Scrape down the sides halfway through.
- Use this hemp-based, non-dairy cream in my Creamy White Beans with Amaranth.
✔️ Storage & Meal Prep Tips
These simple steps help preserve freshness and texture:
- Storage: Store hemp cream in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a quick stir before using, as natural separation can happen.
- For meal prep: Make a double batch at the start of the week and use it across bowls, pasta, roasted veggies, and soups. If it thickens in the fridge, just blend or stir in a splash of water to loosen it back up.
🫙 More Healthy Dressing Recipes
This oil-free fresh Herb Dressing is bursting with fresh flavor from basil, parsley, and lemon, balanced by savory miso, and a hint of garlic.
Try my Dill Dressing-oil-free, dairy-free, and nut-free. Packed with flavor and goes with everything.
My 5-Minute Creamy Asian Tahini Dressing made with wholesome ingredients-oil-free and perfect for meal prep.
Herby, zesty, creamy Everything Cashew Sauce is for pasta, soups, stews, roasted veggies, and more!
🙋🏽♀️ Recipe FAQs
Not really. Hemp hearts have a mild, neutral flavor. Once blended with miso, garlic, and lemon, the cream tastes savory and balanced.
Yes - hemp hearts provide unsaturated fats and plant protein, making this a lighter alternative to coconut or cashew-based creams.
Coconut cream is very high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol when used regularly. While it's fine occasionally, I prefer hemp hearts because they provide creaminess with mostly unsaturated, heart-supportive fats plus protein - making this a better everyday option.
🥣 Pair nondairy cream substitute with...
👩🏽🍳 Made this recipe?
Let me know your thoughts on my Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute by leaving a ⭐️ rating below or sharing it on Instagram.
⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)
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Quick Nondairy Cream Substitute Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoons hemp hearts or hemp seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons mellow miso or chickpea miso
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice plus more to taste
- 1 small clove garlic
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EQUIPMENT
- 1 Blender or immersion blender
Instructions
- Combine: Add water, hemp hearts, miso, lemon juice, and garlic to a high-speed blender.
- Blend about 60 seconds or until completely smooth.
- Adjust thickness with water as needed.
- Season: Add more lemon, salt, and pepper to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate. Nutritional values may vary depending on factors such as product types and brands used.
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