gluten-free heavy cream
substitute.

13 gluten-free substitutes for heavy cream — top pick Heavy Whipping Cream at 100% function match.

all substitutes on this page are gluten-free

top substitutes

01

Heavy Whipping Cream

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Essentially the same product

02

Light Whipping Cream

10.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Higher fat, works in all recipes

03

Butter

8.0
1/3 cup : 1 cup

Melt 1 tbsp butter per cup of milk needed; won't whip but adds richness to sauces and baked goods

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04

Cream Cheese

8.0
1/2 cup : 1 cup

Use half cup thinned with milk; rich in sauces

05

Half and Half

8.0
1 cup : 3/4 cup

Lighter and thinner; won't whip, works in soups, coffee, and cream sauces with less richness

06

Coconut Cream

7.5
1 cup : 1 cup

Full-fat coconut cream is dairy-free and whips when chilled; slight coconut flavor, best in curries and desserts

07

Cream Substitute

6.7
1 cup : 1 cup

Real cream, richer result

08

Milk

6.0
3/4 cup : 2 1/2 cup

Much thinner; add 2 tbsp melted butter per cup milk to boost richness in sauces and soups

09

Buttermilk

6.0
2/3 cup : 1 cup

Thin and tangy; works in pancake batter and marinades but won't whip or thicken sauces

10

Evaporated Milk

6.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Use undiluted from can; similar body and richness, slightly caramelized flavor, won't whip stiff

11

Eggnog

6.0
2 cup : 1 cup

Mix with milk, vanilla, nutmeg, sugar

12

Ricotta

6.0
1 cup : 1 cup

Blend smooth with 2 tbsp milk for cream-like texture

13

Greek Yogurt

6.0
1:1

Thick and tangy; thin with milk for pourable consistency, adds protein, won't whip

pitfalls to avoid

watch out

Butter: Won't whip into stiff peaks for desserts

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Butter: Melt 1 tbsp butter into 1 cup milk to approximate

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Cream Cheese: Very thick — must thin with milk for pourable use

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Half and Half: Won't whip to stiff peaks

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Half and Half: Noticeably thinner body in sauces

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Coconut Cream: Coconut flavor noticeable in non-tropical dishes

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Milk: Won't whip or hold air for mousse or ganache

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Milk: Add 2 tbsp melted butter per cup for richness

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Buttermilk: Won't whip or thicken sauces

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Buttermilk: Much thinner and more watery

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Evaporated Milk: Won't whip to stiff peaks

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Evaporated Milk: Slight caramelized taste from processing

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Eggnog: Nutmeg-sugar-egg base; only for sweet applications

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Ricotta: Grainy even when blended; noticeable in smooth sauces

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Greek Yogurt: Won't whip; curdles if overheated

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Greek Yogurt: Tangy dairy flavor changes cream sauces

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