Whether you’re dairy-free or not, incorporating dairy-free recipes into your routine can be beneficial to your skin, gut health, and overall wellness. But if you don’t have a wide repertoire to choose from, sacrificing dairy can mean giving up some of your favorite meals—and that’s no fun. To those seeking the best of both worlds, I present a list of dairy-free dinner recipes that ditch all of the dairy, but none of the delish.
33 Dairy-Free Dinner Recipes to Try This Week
There’s a lot to like about these dairy-free dinner recipes. Not only are they easy enough to whip up during busy weeknights when you don’t feel like cooking, but they’re also elegant enough to serve for a date night or a gathering on the horizon.
Wherever you lie on the dairy-free equator, put a few of these dinner recipes in your rotation. You might be surprised by just how flavorful and versatile they are.
Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
There’s something special about a soup recipe that’s just as incredible without any dairy products needed. This chicken soup is an elevated twist on everyone’s favorite under-the-weather meal with a burst of citrus in every bite.
Vegan Mushroom Bolognese
Since traveling to Europe and having real bolognese, I’ve been doing my best to tweak recipes in pursuit of the same light yet tomato-y taste. This recipe, however, comes pretty darn close to some of the best pasta I’ve ever tasted—minus the meat and dairy.
Blackened Salmon With Tropical Pico
I mean it: I could eat a different bowl recipe daily. When I have salmon (and some time) on my hands, this is the recipe I turn to for fresh flavor topped with a juicy and spicy pico.
Vegan Red Pepper Pasta with Charred Corn
The secret ingredient in this creamy and dairy-free recipe is soaked cashews. When blended with zesty lemon juice, miso, and a plethora of other flavors, it makes a complex sauce that’s hard to replicate, even with dairy.
Sweet Potato Harvest Hash
What’s better than a sheet pan dinner? They’re quick, simple, and get bonus points for minimal cleanup. This harvest hash can be made without dairy by omitting the goat cheese. But don’t worry, these flavors are still worth every bite.
Pumpkin Gnocchi
One of my most frequented recipes, this pumpkin gnocchi is another adaptable dish that can be made dairy-free. Simply swap heavy cream for coconut milk, and enjoy a touch of added sweetness to complement your savory pumpkin flavors.
Zuppa Toscana Soup
If you thought you couldn’t enjoy the famous Zuppa Toscana while keeping things dairy-free, think again. Replace milk and half-and-half with the same proportions of coconut milk, and you’ll get the same creamy goodness.
Vegan Meatball Recipe
When keeping my dinner recipes dairy-free, I often turn to vegan variations of the dishes I know and love. These mushroom-and-white-bean meatballs are delicious when paired with your favorite pasta and dairy-free sauce. Plus, they freeze well for meal prep.
Vegan Roasted Carrot and Red Pepper Hummus Flatbread
This roasted carrot and red pepper hummus flatbread is a no-recipe recipe for the books. Warm naan bread is spread with creamy hummus and loaded up with a bevy of fresh veggies. We’re talking roasted corn, peas, cucumbers, avocado, and any fresh herbs you have on hand. The possibilities are endless.
Creamy Vegan One-Pot Pasta
Creamy vegan pasta with tomatoes and basil is a healthy, nutrient-dense alternative to a lovable alfredo. The creamy walnut sauce coats each noodle to perfection. If you make your sauce in advance, you’re on track for a delicious dinner that’s ready to go in the time it takes the water to boil.
Hot Honey Glazed Salmon With Coconut Crunch
Not only is salmon a vitamin-packed protein, but it’s incredibly simple to make in this dairy-free dinner recipe. Crisp, broiled salmon lays over a bed of fluffy rice and sweet potatoes for a bowl that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
Cumin Chickpea Salad
Chickpea salads strike a lovely balance between filling and healthy, and this variation delivers your daily dose of greens in a mint chutney to tie it all together. Baby tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, herbs, and hearty chickpeas play starring roles in this salad that you’ll want on repeat.
Spicy Peanut Brussels Sprouts Tacos
A vegetarian taco that won’t make you miss the meat? Sign me up. This inventive recipe features Brussels sprouts, smashed avocado, and a spicy peanut sauce that’s good enough to drink. They’re substantial, easy to make, and loved by all (even your littles)!
Roasted Salmon and Spicy Cucumber-Orange Salsa
Simply put, this baked salmon recipe is a thing of art. The salmon is topped with a salsa that gives it just the right amount of pizzazz. Think fresh dill, cooling cucumbers, pungent fish sauce, and spicy jalapeños tossed together for a to-die-for flavor.
Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
This cozy and creamy soup is ideal for a quiet night in. Cubed butternut squash can mix with any other root veggies under they’re tender enough to be blended together and topped with garnishes like a drizzle of coconut milk.
Lemony Sheet Pan Chicken With Artichokes
Rich chicken thighs roast alongside an impressive panel of veggies and herbs until slightly charred and caramelized. Cherry tomatoes, crushed garlic, red onion, artichokes, lemon slices, and green olives constitute your chicken’s sidekick situation. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, try serving your sheet pan masterpiece over a bed of dairy-free mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.
Whole Roasted Sweet Potato, 2 Ways
It doesn’t get much easier than a whole roasted sweet potato loaded with complex flavors and textures. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of plant-based protein, complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals — and when they’re topped with even more flavors, they make one delicious package.
Chili-Rubbed Salmon Tacos With Cashew-Broccoli Slaw
This salmon taco recipe is a love letter to the genre. Simple chili-rubbed salmon joins humble avocado slices and a marinated broccoli slaw to create a nutritious and satisfying dinner for even the busiest of weeknights. If you make your slaw ahead of time, you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Sweet & Spicy Braised Short Ribs
These short ribs can be prepared almost entirely in advance! Allowing the flavors to combine over a few hours enhances everything to its fullest. When you’re ready to enjoy, gently reheat your pot on the stovetop. Serve these beauties alongside mashed sweet potatoes, cauliflower mash, or creamy polenta to soak up that gorgeous red wine-infused sauce.
Shredded Kale & Cranberry Salad
Crispy tofu makes this salad heartier without sacrificing the healthy components. The key is to press all the water out of it and flash-sear it in a hot pan. You won’t believe how much mild tofu can transform—especially when coated in the peanut-y dressing on this salad.
Spicy Shrimp Coconut Curry Bowl
For a lighter protein-packed dinner, these shrimp coconut curry bowls are a gem. The coconut curry sauce and soba noodles keep things warm and satisfying, while shrimp and veggies fill you up without weighing you down. The key to success is a healthy dose of spice. Peppery ginger is sautéed with onion to lay the foundation for red curry paste and sriracha galore.
Mahi Mahi With Black Olive Vinaigrette
Flaky Mahi Mahi deserves a spot on your dinner table. It’s a mild white fish that lends itself well to any enhancements you can dream up. In this recipe, you have your choice of three sauces: a black olive vinaigrette, a citrus dressing, or a simple aioli to elevate the fish to new heights.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
This recipe is comfort food at its finest. It’s creamy, rich, and indulgent enough to satisfy any craving. In a way, it’s like a healthy, grown-up mac ‘n cheese. Chickpea noodles are cooked and then coated in a dairy-free, cashew-fueled butternut squash sauce. To top it all off, “cheesy” nutritional yeast and chickpea miso seal the deal on flavor.
Cozy Coconut Chicken Curry with Sweet Potato & Lemongrass
This recipe is a one-pot wonder (if you don’t count the protein prep) and will be universally loved by even your pickiest eaters. Golden turmeric fuels the heat alongside chili powder and yellow curry paste. Pair that with tender sweet potato, zesty lemongrass, and savory chicken, and you’re on your way to a comforting dinner.
Vegan Chorizo Tacos
This vegan lentil chorizo is composed of chickpeas, lentils, and a whole set of spices for just the right amount of kick. The legumes are sautéed with cayenne, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, and a chorizo oil for tons of flavor. Then that glorious non-meat mix gets wrapped up in a warm cassava flour tortilla made with five simple ingredients.
Orange-Chili Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Carrot Pesto and Grilled Carrots
I feel like pork gets a bad rap. Maybe it’s because people prefer a juicy steak or a flavorful piece of chicken, but pork tenderloin deserves to be recognized as the powerful protein it is. In this recipe, it’s marinated for a few hours and grilled with seasoned carrots.
Pistachio Crusted Halibut is the Fancyish Dinner You Deserve
Another superstar white fish recipe, this crusted halibut is what your next date night needs. It’s charmingly rustic with an elevated look— which means it’s also equipped for dinner parties. The soft fish is coated in nutty pistachios and baked until golden brown, while the lemon slices over top of each filet lend a hint of acidity to the crust.
Thai Chicken Salad
This chicken salad is bursting with color, flavor, and just about everything you could crave on a sunny day. Shredded chicken, red cabbage, kale, carrots, mango, cucumber, cilantro, avocado, peanuts, spicy peanut sauce… need I go on?
Chimichurri Fish Tacos
Another warm-weather favorite, these chimichurri fish tacos are straight out of summer. Flaky halibut meets crunchy cabbage and creamy aioli, all wrapped in a warm corn tortilla blanket. Are you drooling yet? Same.
Zucchini Lasagna With Dairy-Free Mozzarella
This gluten- and dairy-free zucchini lasagna is something you’ll enjoy making as much as you do savoring. This lasagna embodies each of those meditative qualities with its elegantly simple layers. Zucchini ribbons lay the groundwork for rich bolognese, dairy-free mozzarella, and homemade pesto to shine through beautifully.
Mediterranean Baked Salmon with Tomatoes, Olives, & Capers
Another healthy one-dish wonder, this Mediterranean-baked salmon is sure to win you over. Baking the salmon alongside lemon slices and vegetables gives everything a cohesive flavor and tenderness. Serve these offerings on their own or with a simple green salad—either way, you can’t go wrong.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Salsa Verde
An entire cauliflower roasted in the oven until crisp, caramelized, and tender is a sight to behold. In this recipe, it becomes melt-in-your mouth tender with loads of flavor that transforms into a thing of beauty—making it a unique dairy-free dinner recipe for any occasion.
Lime-y Chicken Tacos with Jicama, Avocado, & Mint
These tacos are so simple to put together, making them perfect for weeknight dinners, gatherings, or date nights. The lime-y flavor profile keeps everything light and fresh, while chipotle aioli offers a smoky finish.
