Cooking without dairy can sometimes feel like attending a concert where the lead singer suddenly loses their voice—unexpected, yet it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just looking to change things up after watching that latest food documentary, these 25 dairy-free dinner recipes are a delightful mix of familiar comforts and adventurous flavors. From the rich aroma of coconut curries to the vibrant colors of vegetable stir-fries, get ready to redefine your idea of dinner.
Steps
- Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup
- Prepare a creamy base using dairy-free cheese and nutritional yeast to mimic the taste of cheddar cheese.
- Add hidden veggies like carrots, white sweet potatoes, and broccoli to the soup.
- Simmer until all ingredients are tender and well-blended for a comforting dish.
- Choose between rice or cauliflower rice for a grain-free option and combine with other ingredients in the Instant Pot.
- Pour in dairy-free nacho “cheese” sauce for creaminess and add Burnt Broccoli seasoning if desired.
- Cook for 6 minutes and serve hot.
- Create a creamy sauce using a blend of carrots, white sweet potatoes, and nutritional yeast.
- Mix the sauce with gluten and grain-free pasta in the Instant Pot.
- Cook quickly and serve in under 20 minutes, using frozen sauce if available.
- Blend onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic in a food processor for ease.
- Combine these ingredients with paprika, cilantro, peppers, olives, and peas in the Instant Pot.
- Cook for 6 minutes, followed by a 5-minute natural release, and serve.
- Place store-bought marinara sauce, frozen meatballs, and additional staples in the Instant Pot.
- Cook for 5 minutes to quickly prepare this meal.
- Use pre-made, frozen grain-free meatballs to save time.
- Arrange chicken thighs and white sweet potatoes on a baking tray.
- Roast until the chicken is tender and potatoes are cooked through.
- Top with a herby, lemony olive salsa for added flavor.
- Cook spaghetti squash using a method that keeps strands tender but not mushy.
- Top the squash with homemade ranch dressing and buffalo chicken.
- Serve as a flavorful, dairy-free pasta alternative.
- Cook spaghetti squash and pair with chicken, bacon, and cherry tomatoes.
- Add homemade dairy-free ranch dressing for a creamy texture.
- Serve as a popular dish from “Healthy in a Hurry.”
- Grill grass-fed burgers and top with iceberg, avocado, tomato, and bacon.
- Mix a “special sauce” to enhance the flavors.
- Serve as a BLT-inspired twist for summer barbecues.
- Grill grass-fed beef burgers and prepare a salad with honey mustard vinaigrette.
- Add BBQ sauce to the burgers for a classic cookout flavor.
- Quickly assemble the bowl for a gluten and grain-free meal.
- Cook ground meat with Thai basil, using any variety available.
- Season and stir-fry with additional ingredients for authentic flavors.
- Serve hot, with regular basil as a substitute if needed.
- Cook chuck roast in a slow cooker for tender meat and savory broth.
- Use the broth as an au jus for dipping sandwiches.
- Alternatively, prepare in an Instant Pot for faster results.
- Roast cauliflower florets with mild curry for a hearty base.
- Top with roasted salmon, dairy-free pesto, and creamy tahini sauce.
- Garnish with pickled veggies, pepitas, and cilantro.
- Freeze steak for easy slicing and marinate in a pineapple juice mixture.
- Cook thin slices and serve in lettuce cups with Sriracha Aioli.
- Add thin-sliced cucumbers and kimchi for extra flavor.
- Stuff avocado halves with crab meat for California roll flavors.
- Alternatively, fill with chicken salad using dairy-free avocado mayo.
- Pair with a green salad for a no-cook meal option.
- Coat halibut with a mixture of nuts, shallots, and herbs.
- Roast tomatoes and zucchini to create a fresh salsa.
- Serve as a light, flavorful meal with crusted fish or chicken.
Ingredients
- Free Broccoli Cheddar Soup Ingredients:
- Dairy-free cheese
- Nutritional yeast
- Carrots
- White sweet potatoes
- Broccoli
- Rice or cauliflower rice
- Dairy-free nacho “cheese” sauce
- Burnt Broccoli seasoning (optional)
- Carrots
- White sweet potatoes
- Nutritional yeast
- Ghee
- Gluten and grain-free pasta
- Paprika
- Cilantro
- Peppers
- Olives
- Green peas
- Onion
- Bell pepper
- Jalapeño
- Garlic
- Store-bought marinara sauce
- Frozen meatballs
- Chicken thighs
- White sweet potatoes
- Meyer lemon
- Olive salsa
- Spaghetti squash
- Homemade ranch
- Buffalo chicken
- Spaghetti squash “noodles”
- Chicken
- Bacon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Homemade dairy-free ranch dressing
- Grass-fed burgers
- Iceberg lettuce
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Bacon
- Special sauce
- Grass-fed beef burgers
- BBQ sauce
- Honey mustard vinaigrette
- Ground meat (beef, lamb, turkey, or dark meat chicken)
- Thai basil (or regular basil)
- Chuck roast
- Broth for dipping
- Cauliflower florets
- Wild salmon
- Dairy-free pesto
- Tahini sauce
- Pickled veggies
- Pepitas
- Cilantro
- Steak
- Pineapple juice marinade
- Lettuce cups
- Sriracha Aioli
- Cucumbers
- Kimchi
- Avocados
- Crab meat
- Chicken salad (optional with dairy-free avocado mayo)
- Halibut (or chicken)
- Nuts
- Shallots
- Herbs
- Roasted tomato
- Zucchini salsa
FAQ
- What can I use as a substitute for cheese in dairy-free recipes like Broccoli Cheddar Soup?
- In dairy-free recipes, nutritional yeast and dairy-free cheese are great alternatives to traditional cheese. These ingredients can help mimic the rich flavor of aged cheddar.
- How can I make my Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole grain-free?
- To make this casserole grain-free, substitute regular rice with cauliflower rice. This will maintain the dish’s texture while keeping it grain-free.
- What should I do if I can’t find Thai Basil for the Thai Basil Beef recipe?
- If you can’t find Thai Basil, regular basil is a suitable alternative. It will still impart a fresh flavor to the dish, so don’t hesitate to use it if needed.
- How can I ensure my Paleo Beef Bulgogi slices are thin enough?
- To achieve thin slices for Paleo Beef Bulgogi, freeze the steak slightly before slicing. This helps in cutting the meat more precisely and allows it to absorb the marinade better.
- What makes California Roll Stuffed Avocados a good choice for a hot day?
- California Roll Stuffed Avocados are perfect for hot days because they require no cooking. The dish combines the fresh flavors of crab meat and avocados, making it a refreshing meal option.
Tips
- Utilize the Freezer: Maximize efficiency by preparing and freezing sauces and veggies in advance. This will allow you to quickly assemble meals like the Instant Pot Taco Pasta, cutting down on prep time significantly.
- Instant Pot Mastery: Take advantage of the Instant Pot for quick and easy meals. Once you get comfortable with pressure cooking, dishes like Instant Pot Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Spaghetti and Meatballs can be prepared in mere minutes.
- Efficient Ingredient Prep: Use a food processor to quickly chop ingredients for recipes like the Instant Pot Arroz con Pollo. This simple step can save time and make meal prep less daunting.
- Versatile One-Pan Meals: Explore one-pan recipes such as the Chicken Tray Bake with Potatoes and Meyer Lemon Olive Salsa. Not only do they minimize cleanup, but they also allow for flavor combinations that are both simple and satisfying.
Equipment
- Instant Pot – A multi-use pressure cooker is essential for several of the recipes mentioned.
- Mini Food Processor – Useful for quickly chopping ingredients.
- Spaghetti Squash Cutter – A specialized tool for safely cutting spaghetti squash.
- Slow Cooker – Useful for recipes like the Paleo French Dip Sandwiches if you prefer not to use the Instant Pot.
- Salad Spinner – Helpful for washing and drying lettuce for recipes like burger bowls and lettuce cups.
- Grill Pan or Outdoor Grill – Necessary for grilling burgers and other meats.
- Mandoline Slicer – Useful for making thin, even slices of vegetables, such as for Paleo Beef Bulgogi.
- Nut Grinder or Spice Grinder – For making crusts or toppings with nuts and herbs.
