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Dairy Free Recipes

These recipes contain no milk, butter, cheese, cream, or yogurt as written. Olive oil, coconut milk, and plant milks step in where needed, and the bright flavor of lemon means you rarely miss the richness.

If you are avoiding dairy for an allergy, check labels on packaged ingredients like broth, chocolate, and baking mixes, which can contain milk.

A steaming glass cup of amber-colored tea, with a lemon slice floating on top, cinnamon stick balanced across the rim, and visible wisps of aromatic steam rising15 min
Drinkvegan

Ethiopian-Style Lemon Honey Tea

A whole fried fish topped with a colorful pickled mix of carrots, bell peppers, onion, and scotch bonnet pepper, glistening with citrus-vinegar liquid45 min
Maingluten-free

Jamaican-Style Escovitch Fish

A whole roasted white fish on a platter, topped with deep golden caramelized onions, drizzled with pale tahini-lemon sauce, scattered with toasted pine nuts and parsley40 min
Maingluten-free

Lebanese-Style Fish with Tahini-Lemon Sauce

Overhead view of a bowl of jasmine rice topped with flaked lemon garlic salmon, edamame, sliced cucumber, avocado, and sesame seeds, with a lemon half beside it35 min
Savory Mainshigh-protein

Lemon Garlic Salmon Rice Bowl

A pot of dark green Persian herb stew with visible chunks of meat, kidney beans, and whole dried limes, served over a plate of basmati rice115 min
Maingluten-free

Persian-Style Herb Stew with Dried Lime

A chilled white bowl filled with opaque, lime-cured fish pieces mixed with thin red onion slivers and bright green cilantro, garnished with sliced red aji or jalapeno peppers45 min
Mainseafood

Peruvian-Style Lime Ceviche

A bowl of fluffy white rice studded with bright yellow lemon zest, flecks of fresh green parsley throughout, with a glossy sheen from olive oil28 min
Sidevegetarian

Portuguese-Style Lemon Rice

A whole steamed white fish on a plate, topped with a glossy garlic-chili-lime sauce, garnished with cilantro and lime slices30 min
Maingluten-free

Thai-Style Steamed Fish with Lime Sauce

Charred and golden-brown bone-in chicken pieces glistening with marinade, with visible black pepper crust and caramelized edges, arranged on a plate60 min
Maingluten-free

West African-Style Lemon Pepper Chicken

Guides to go with these recipes

Small bowls of lime wedges, white vinegar, and citric acid powder arranged as lemon juice substitute options

Best Lemon Juice Substitutes for Baking and Cooking

A full mesh bag of lemons spilled out onto a kitchen counter next to a cutting board and knife

What to Do With a Bag of Lemons Before They Go Bad

Questions about dairy free recipes

What can I use instead of butter?

In savory cooking, olive oil works well. In baking, use a dairy-free butter alternative labeled for baking, since texture depends on the fat.

Can I use lemon to sour plant milk?

Yes. Adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of plant milk and letting it rest for a few minutes makes a reasonable buttermilk substitute.

Is dairy-free the same as vegan?

No. Dairy-free recipes may still contain eggs, honey, or meat. Check the vegan collection for fully plant-based options.