Dairy-free Yogurt Review

Which Dairy-free Yogurt is the best? Check out this detailed comparison including ingredients, nutrition facts, price and an evolution of flavor and texture. (plant-based, vegan)

Yogurt has been a staple in my diet for as long as I can remember. From topping it with my favorite seasonal fruits and granola to blending it in my smoothies, I’ve always relied on it to start the day with a healthy dose of probiotics.

When I made the decision to give up dairy (for both health and ethical reasons) replacing my morning yogurt was the first task. And it was not an easy one. Finding a plant-based yogurt with a clean ingredient list and minimal added sugars proved to be quite the challenge. Most of them have a long list of stabilizers and are loaded with sugar to mask the flavor.

Over time more high quality options have continued to emerge with better taste. Just as it took thousands of years for our dairy techniques to evolve I believe it’s only a matter of time before the plant-based options are just as good, if not better.

With that said I’ve been able to find a few that I personally love, but I know that taste is ultimately subjective. I thought I would put together a list for those of you who might be interested in dairy-free options, including a detailed comparison of the most popular brands so that you can see the difference between the price, ingredients and nutrition, plus an evaluation of the flavor and texture.*

If you’ve tried a brand that I haven’t mentioned here, please feel free to share it with us in the comments!

Which Dairy-free Yogurt is the best? Check out this detailed comparison including ingredients, nutrition facts, price and an evolution of flavor and texture. (plant-based, vegan)

#1 So Delicious Coconutmilk Yogurt Alternative (PLAIN)

Price: $1.67 (5.3 ounces) OR $6.49 (24 ounces)

Ingredient List: ORGANIC COCONUTMILK (FILTERED WATER, ORGANIC COCONUT CREAM), RICE STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, PECTIN, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, LOCUST BEAN GUM, LIVE CULTURES, VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12.

Nutrition Profile: FAT 7g; SATURATED FAT 7g; FIBER 3g; SUGAR <1g; PROTEIN <1g

Flavor: 9/10

Texture: 8/10

 

#2 Kite Hill Almond Milk Yogurt (PLAIN)

Price: $1.99 (5.3 ounces)

Ingredient List: ALMOND MILK (WATER, ALMONDS), CANE SUGAR, LOCUST BEAN GUM, XANTHAM GUM, AGAR, LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES: S. THERMOPHILUS, L. BULGARICUS, L. ACIDOPHILUS AND BIFIDOBACTERIA.

Nutrition Profile: FAT 13g; SATURATED FAT 2g; FIBER 0g; SUGAR 5g; PROTEIN 6g

Flavor: 9/10

Texture: 9/10

#3 Stoneyfield O’Soy Yogurt (VANILLA)

Price: $1.25 (6 ounces)

Ingredient List: CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC SOY MILK, ORGANIC SUGAR, ORGANIC NATURAL VANILLA FLAVOR, CALCIUM CARBONATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, PECTIN, S. THERMOPHILUS, L. BULGARICUS, L. ACIDOPHILUS, AND BIFIDUS.

Nutrition Profile: FAT 3g; SATURATED FAT 0g; FIBER 1g; SUGAR 21g; PROTEIN 7g

Flavor: 5/10

Texture: 7/10

#4 Forager Cashewgurt (VANILLA)

Price: $1.99 (5.3ounces) OR $5.99 (24 ounces)

Ingredient List: CASHEWMILK (FILTERED WATER, GROUND CASHEWS), CANE SUGAR, CASSAVA ROOT, RICE STARCH, CORN STARCH, NATURAL FLAVORS, LOCUST BEAN GUM, VANILLA BEAN, LACTIC ACID (PLANT BASED), LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES (S. THERMPOHILUS, L. BULGARICUS, L. ACIDOPHILUS, BIFIDUS, L. LACTIS, L. PLANTARUM).

Nutrition Profile: FAT 5g; SATURATED FAT 1g; FIBER 0g; SUGAR 12g; PROTEIN 2g

Flavor: 8/10

Texture: 9/10

 

#5 Silk Dairy-Free Yogurt Alternative (VANILLA)

Price: $1.50 (5.3 ounces)

Ingredient List: SOYMILK (FILTERED WATER, SOYBEANS), CANE SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CORN STARCH, NATURAL FLAVOR, PECTIN, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SEA SALT, VANILLA BEAN, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, LIVE AND ACTIVE CULTURES, VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN C ESTER, NATURAL MIXED TOCOPHEROLS. 

Nutrition Profile: FAT 3.5g; SATURATED FAT .5g; FIBER 2g; SUGAR 16g; PROTEIN 6g

Flavor: 6/10

Texture: 8/10

#6 Living Harvest Hemp Yogurt (ORIGINAL)

Price: $1.89 (5.3 ounces)

Ingredient List: HEMP YOGURT (FILTERED WATER, SHELLED HEMP SEED, CANE SUGAR, INULIN, TAPIOCA STARCH, VANILLA EXTRACT, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, NATURAL GUM BLEND, ALGIN, ACTIVE CULTURES).

Nutrition Profile: FAT 4g; SATURATED FAT .5g; FIBER 3g; SUGAR 8g; PROTEIN 10g

Flavor: 1/10

Texture: 2/10

#7  Daiya Greek Yogurt Alternative (BLACK CHERRY)

Price: $1.67 (5.3 ounces)

Ingredient List: FILTERED WATER, DARK CHERRY FRUIT PREPARATION (DARK CHERRIES, EVAPORATED CANE SUGAR, WATER, TAPIOCA STARCH, BLACK CURRANT JUICE CONCENTRATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE), COCONUT CREAM, PEA PROTEIN ISOLATE, CANE SUGAR, CREAMED COCONUT, CHICORY ROOT EXTRACT, POTATO STARCH, VEGAN NATURAL FLAVORS, LACTIC ACID (VEGAN), TITANIUM DIOXIDE, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE, LOCUST BEAN GUM, PECTIN, GUAR GUM, SEA SALT, L. PLANETARIUM, L. CASEI.

Nutrition Profile: FAT 4.5g; SATURATED FAT 4g; FIBER 3g; SUGAR 15g; PROTEIN 8g

Flavor: 3/10

Texture: 4/10

#8 Almond Dream Almond Yogurt (PLAIN)

Price: $1.79 (6 ounces)

Ingredient List: ALMOND BASE (WATER, ALMONDS), STABILIZER BLEND (TAPIOCA MALTODEXTRIN, CORN STARCH, CAROB BEAN GUM, PECTIN), EVAPORATED CANE SYRUP, TAPIOCA FIBER, TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL FLAVOR, CULTURES*. *CULTURES: L. ACIDOPHILUS, P. LACTIS, S. THERMOPHILUS, BIFIDOBACTERIUM LACTIS, L. ACIDOPHILUS, L. CASEI, L. RHAMNOSUS, L. DELBRUECKII LACTIS & BULGARICUS.

Nutrition Profile: FAT 3g; SATURATED FAT 0g; FIBER 3g; SUGAR 14g; PROTEIN 1g

Flavor: 5/10

Texture: 2/10

 

Takeaway Thoughts: 

Of all the yogurts we tested, Kite Hill came out on top for overall best flavor and texture (specifically the plain- I love it paired with sliced banana and cinnamon). I also like that the ingredient list is really short. Forager was a close second with a similar texture and flavor but less protein.

So Delicious was also in the top for flavor although the texture is slightly thicker and more pudding-like. I personally enjoy the texture and also like that it’s certified organic. The only drawback with this one (in my opinion) is the high amount of saturated fat and low protein. I know there is controversial research out there regarding this topic but since I eat yogurt every morning, I prefer not to get that much saturated fat in one sitting. Unless it’s dessert. But I’ll still purchase it if Kite Hill isn’t available.

Ingredient wise, I found the worst to be Daiya. I’m wary of anything that says “natural flavors” especially if the product isn’t certified organic. Plus it just doesn’t taste very good.

I really wanted to love the Hemp Yogurt because I’m a raving fan of hemp seeds, but it’s just bad. The color is grey, the texture is like thickened jello, and the flavor is awful. If they are able to reformulate this one they could have something good but right now it’s just…no.

Stoneyfield and Almond Dream aren’t terrible but I wouldn’t purchase them again. Silk has a great texture and tastes really good but it’s way too sweet. I actually get heartburn after eating it. I was unable to find the plain version but maybe that one is better. They also have a line of almond yogurt coming out soon.

Overall I recommend sticking with plain varieties (mainly Kite Hill, Forager, So Delicious or Silk) with the least sugar then adding it to smoothies or pairing it with your favorite fruits. This has been the easiest way for me to still get my probiotics in the morning without consuming any dairy!

*Disclaimer: the price, ingredients and nutrition may vary due to your location or the current time period that you read this post. The information provided is based off of what was available to me at the time this post was published.