The Best Dairy-Free Brands from Heinen’s

The following story was written by Heinen’s partner Elaine T. Cicora. Photography was provided by Ashley Durand of Plate & Pen.

Whether it’s dietary restrictions or personal preference that drive you to dairy-free food, you’re destined to find products that meet your lifestyle needs at Heinen’s. Unlike 10-20 years ago when you’d tirelessly scan labels and ingredients lists, dairy-free shopping is as simple as ever.

At Heinen’s, the dairy-free product category continues to explode with new, innovative brands on a mission to source high quality, sustainable ingredients. We’ve pulled together a quick guide of some of our top alternatives for cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream and more.

As always, it’s important to check all brand’s labels and ingredients to ensure the product(s) is truly dairy free, meaning it contains zero dairy products or real milk from any animal.

1. Planet Oat Oat Milk
You’re probably familiar with the power of oats, but have you tried oat milk?

Known for being “out-of-this-world delicious,” Planet Oat offers a rich, creamy oat milk that tastes like real milk. It’s rich in calcium and vitamins A and D, yet free from peanuts, gluten, artificial flavors and preservatives, soy and, of course, dairy. The traditional Original Oat Milk product is velvety smooth and creamy, while the Vanilla Oat Milk flavor kicks up the sweetness factor.

Available in Unsweetened Original Oat Milk, Original Oat Milk, Vanilla Oat Milk and Extra Creamy Original Oat Milk.

2. Kite Hill Dairy-Free Yogurt, Sour Cream, Cream Cheese and Ricotta
When it comes to Kite Hill, plant-based eating comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and tastes. The award-winning brand, founded by Chef Tal Ronnen, strives to deliver sustainably-sourced, high-quality products with irresistible creaminess and flavor.

From cream cheese and ricotta alternatives to almond milk yogurts and more, there are so many opportunities to integrate Kite Hill into your meal lineup.

Available in Almond Milk Yogurt (Multiple Flavors), Sour Cream Alternative, Cream Cheese Alternative (Multiple Flavors) and Ricotta Alternative.

3. Cosmic Bliss Organic Plant-Based Ice Cream
Can plant-based ice cream meet your appetite’s sweetest expectations? We were skeptical, too, but then we tasted Cosmic Bliss Ice Cream.

Made for those who are “committed to self-love and the planet,” the organic, coconut-based ice cream offers out-of-this-world creaminess and flavor. Whether you’re craving traditional vanilla flavor or something more chocolatey, a scoop or two from a pint of Cosmic Bliss won’t disappoint the dessert lover in you.

Available in Madagascan Vanilla Bean, Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate, Chocolate Hazelnut Decadence, Sea Salt Caramel Swirl Bars and Coconut Almond Crunch Bar.

4. Cocojune Coconut Yogurt
Created by a team of “fermentation nerds,” this yogurt brand surprises the taste buds with its coconut deliciousness. Even better, cocojune’s plant-based, organic yogurt products contain some of the most highly researched probiotic strains, meaning it works to battle away gut bugs that can negatively impact overall health and wellbeing. If you love probiotic science like cocojune’s founders, you’ll be happy to know that each serving of yogurt contains billions of CFUs, which keep your microbiome as happy and healthy as possible.

Available in Pure Coconut, Unsweetened Vanilla, Lemon Elderflower, Strawberry Rhubarb and Vanilla Chamomile.

5. Violife Dairy-Free Cheese
If you crave gooey cheesy goodness, the dairy-free regimen doesn’t come without its challenges. Fortunately, brands like Violife deliver the rich flavor and textures of classic cheese products.

Launched in Thessalonica, Greece in the 1990s, Violife founders are committed to the vegan lifestyle and proudly serve vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians in over 50 countries around the globe. Their 100% plant-based, dairy-free cheese shreds, blocks and slices bring every dish the full-bodied cheesiness you love.

Available in Cheddar Shreds, Mozzarella Shreds, Cheddar Slices, Mature Block Cheddar, Smoked Block Cheddar, Feta Cheese and Parmesan Cheese.

By Heinen's Grocery Store

In 1929, Joe Heinen opened the doors of a small butcher shop on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, aiming to establish himself as the city’s purveyor of quality meats. As customers came into Heinen’s new shop for their meat purchases, they began asking him to carry groceries as well. Joe added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and by 1933, business had grown enough to include a line of produce and canned goods. Heinen’s Grocery Store was born.