Top 8 Alternatives to Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is the fatty part that floats to the top when milk is boiled. It’s thick and about 95% fat with a little sugar. Although one tablespoon of heavy cream or whipped cream has only 7.5 calories, eating a lot of it regularly could lead to heart problems over time. No animal-based product with such high fat content is good for your health in the long run.

Here are some great substitutes for heavy cream:

1) Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is like condensed milk but without the sugar, and about 60% of its water is removed. There’s some confusion because different countries define it differently, but it’s widely used in many recipes. In the U.S., people add it to tea, coffee, or lattes, and also use it in dressings for salads and sandwiches. It has just 6.5% fat compared to regular heavy cream, making it a healthier choice. Canned and unsweetened evaporated milk can last over 15 months.

2) Cashew Cream
Cashew cream is ideal for those who can’t have dairy. It contains fewer unhealthy fats than regular cream and is thicker and creamier. To make it, soak 2 cups of raw cashews overnight, then blend them with a little salt until smooth and creamy.

3) Soy Milk Cream
Some myths say soy affects men’s hormones, but studies, like one reported by Livestrong, show no link between soy and male hormones. Soy milk cream, made from boiled and ground soybeans, is a great alternative to heavy cream. You can make a dip by adding some agave syrup and apple cider vinegar.

4) Greek Yogurt and Olive Oil
Greek yogurt, which is thicker because it’s strained to remove whey, has a tangy taste that works great as a topping for chili, soups, and sauces. You can add a bit of extra virgin olive oil to make it even better.

5) Full-Fat Coconut Cream
Used widely in Southeast Asia and parts of South America, full-fat coconut cream offers a rich, creamy texture similar to regular cream but without animal products. It’s affordable and can be bought canned at the store, or you can make it by blending coconut meat with water.

6) Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a plant-based thickener found in many foods. It can be added to soups, juices, and sauces to thicken them. While it’s great for adding flavor and texture, it should be used in moderation because it can turn into high fructose corn syrup, which isn’t healthy when consumed in excess.

7) Pureed Tofu
Pureed tofu resembles its original soy milk form and has a toasted flavor, similar to mashed potatoes. It can be flavored to taste and makes a good substitute for heavy cream.

8) Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is extracted freshly from milk and has no more than 30% milkfat as per FDA standards. It’s a great alternative to heavy cream and is often used as a dressing for salads and sandwiches. Its tangy flavor makes it a popular dip for chips. You can make it at home by boiling milk with vinegar to separate the solids, then squeezing out the water to get pure cream cheese.

In conclusion, don’t be fooled into thinking heavy whipped cream is a healthier option than heavy cream. They’re almost identical, and the term “whipped” is often just a marketing strategy. Vegan alternatives are generally lower in fat—heavy cream has about 36% fat while heavy whipped cream has 30%.