We Tried 3 Plant-Based Milks That Claim to Mimic Dairy Milk
Can a vegan milk really taste like it came from a cow? We put Next Milk, NotMilk, and Wondermilk to the test.
By Sally Wadyka
Whether you steer clear of dairy due to lactose intolerance or are just trying to consume fewer animal products, you’re far from alone.
Consumer interest has spurred the plant-milk category to new levels. The latest data shows that sales have topped $2 billion, with plant-based milk purchases accounting for 15 percent of all milk sold. Analysts at marketing research firm Mintel project that by 2026, plant-based milk will make up 30 percent of milk sales.
But many people—myself included—are still loath to eliminate dairy milk because they don’t like the taste or texture of plant-based alternatives. I’ve yet to find anything that froths as well as dairy for my morning latte or doesn’t add some flavor I’m not necessarily looking for (oats, almonds, coconut or whatever’s used as the milk’s base).
Three plant-based milks that have recently hit the market—NotCo NotMilk, Silk Next Milk, and So Delicious Dairy Free Wondermilk—claim to overcome any issues of taste or consistency. In fact, all of them assert that they’re close enough to cow’s milk that even dairy lovers wouldn’t know the difference.
CR experts put them to the test.
Tasting Notes
A sensory panel at Consumer Reports blind taste-tested cow’s milk and the 2 percent reduced fat versions of NotCo NotMilk, Silk Next Milk, and So Delicious Dairy Free Wondermilk. These products blend plant milk (sometimes more than one) or water with other ingredients, such as coconut or sunflower oil, soy protein isolate, pea protein, and chicory root fiber.
The plant-based milks didn’t taste exactly like dairy milk, but one came pretty close.
“Our panelists were easily able to identify the cow’s milk sample versus the plant milks,” says Amy Keating, RD, the CR nutritionist who oversaw the testing.
Testers were also able to detect some of the plant bases used in these non-dairy alternatives. They found that NotMilk, made with water, sunflower oil, and pea protein, had a somewhat thin consistency with a coconut-like flavor as well as slight vegetable notes (it contains cabbage and pineapple juice concentrates).
“Next Milk and Wondermilk—both with oat and coconut milks—were more neutral tasting, with subtle hints of oat flavor and a full texture,” says Keating. Overall, WonderMilk won top marks for its creamy, smooth consistency and slightly sweet mild flavor.
“It didn’t fool any of our testers, but they did find it closest in taste and texture to cow’s milk,” says Keating.
Nutrition Notes
These new dairy-free alternatives aren’t exact matches for dairy milk when it comes to calories, fat, protein, and other nutrients.
Per cup, all of the plant-based milks are lower in calories than dairy milk (70 to 90 calories versus 122). A cup of 2 percent milk has 3 grams of saturated fat, while the fat content of the vegan milks vary depending on their ingredients. WonderMilk and Next Milk contain coconut oil, which bumps the saturated fat to 4 grams. NotMilk uses sunflower oil as a base, so it contains only poly- and monounsaturated fats.
“Soy milk typically rivals dairy milk for protein content, and soy is a complete protein that contains all the essential amino acids,” says Dana Hunnes, PhD, RD, senior clinical dietitian, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
A cup of soy milk has 7 grams per cup to cow’s milk’s 8 grams, but despite containing soy protein Next Milk only has 4 grams. NotMilk also has 4 grams of protein (from pea protein), while WonderMilk (predominantly oat-based) has just 1 gram.
“Cow’s milk is a naturally rich source of calcium and vitamin B12 and is fortified with vitamin D,” says Keating. These plant versions had added those nutrients to make them comparable to the levels in cow’s milk.
One thing you’ll find in these plant-based milks is added sugars, albeit in small amounts—less than 1 teaspoon’s worth per cup.
“To match dairy, you need some sugar. Dairy milk has a slight sweetness to it from the lactose it contains,” says Keating. It’s worth pointing out though that regular unsweetened plant milks have no added sugars.
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