Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe

This homemade dairy-free strawberry ice cream recipe is so creamy and simple to make with only 4 ingredients! Once you learn how to make homemade strawberry ice cream, you will never want to eat store-bought again.

This recipe fits into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet so if you are looking for a guilt-free ice cream, you will have to give this one a try!

Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream

This recipe makes it possible to enjoy velvety smooth ice cream made without milk or cream. Instead of using dairy to make ice cream, this recipe calls for canned coconut milk. This ingredient is the perfect replacement for what traditional ice cream calls for because it whips up the perfect consistency without the need for heavy cream or milk.

The rich and creamy coconut solids from the canned coconut milk provide a luxurious texture, ensuring a delightfully satisfying dairy-free treat.

You may remember this being the key ingredient in this popular 3 ingredient coconut ice cream recipe.

What You’ll Need to Make Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberries– I recommend using frozen strawberries for a fast ice cream recipe although if you prefer to use fresh strawberries they will work great too. It will just take longer to freeze and get to the perfect ice cream temperature whereas using frozen strawberries gets this dairy-free ice cream to temperature pretty quickly.

Unsweetened Canned Coconut Milk– I use full-fat coconut milk from a can for this recipe because it makes this ice cream the perfect creamy consistency.

Honey- This ingredient offers a perfectly sweet flavor while lending itself to a smooth and well-balanced taste in the ice cream. The natural sweetness of honey complements the strawberries and coconut milk, creating a delicious harmony of flavors. If you’re looking for a vegan strawberry ice cream recipe, feel free to substitute honey with maple syrup or your preferred sweetener such as regular sugar for a delightful dairy-free treat that is vegan friendly.

Vanilla Extract– Adding vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of this dairy-free strawberry ice cream, providing a subtle and aromatic undertone. The vanilla extract complements the fruity sweetness of strawberries and the richness of coconut milk, contributing to a more indulgent and satisfying taste.

Just a small amount of vanilla extract goes a long way in elevating the complexity of flavors in this delightful frozen treat.

How to Make Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream

Combine fresh or frozen strawberries, unsweetened almond milk, a touch of honey (or your preferred sweetener), and a splash of vanilla extract in a high-powered blender.

Blend until you achieve a smooth and milkshake-like consistency.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and churn for approximately 15-20 minutes.

This process ensures that the dairy-free strawberry ice cream reaches the ideal texture, delivering a lusciously creamy and indulgent frozen treat.

Now that you know how to make this dairy-free strawberry ice cream, you should learn how to make these easy ice cream sandwiches that are gluten-free and SCD-legal.

Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream Storage Tips

This ice cream stores well but after sitting in the freezer for a while it is recommended to let it sit out on the counter for a few minutes before serving once it has been frozen. To speed up the process of softening the ice cream, you can briefly microwave it on low power or gently stir it in the container.

This will restore its creamy consistency, making it easier to scoop and enjoy the delectable flavors of this dairy-free strawberry treat.

Tips for Making Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream

Keep a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator or at least place it in the refrigerator overnight before making this recipe.

While this isn’t necessary, refrigerating the can of coconut milk is a great way to get this creamy dairy-free ice cream up to temperature, which is especially helpful when you don’t have an ice cream maker to make this recipe.

Use a high-speed blender to make this ice cream creamy using frozen strawberries. It can be difficult to use a blender with a dull blade because it will struggle to break down the frozen fruit and whip all of the ingredients together.

A good high-quality blender is a great kitchen appliance to have around so if you don’t already have one, pick one up because it is worth the investment if you enjoy making homemade ice cream and smoothies at home.

Variations on this Dairy Free Strawberry Ice Cream

If you want to add in some probiotics, use coconut milk yogurt which is readily available in stores. You can even pick up strawberry coconut milk yogurt to use in conjunction with the canned coconut milk.

You can use yogurt in this recipe but be sure to only use the coconut solids from the can of coconut milk when making it this way. To ensure optimal solidification of coconut milk, refrain from shaking the can as it may emulsify the liquids and solids.

When selecting a can at the grocery store, choose one that doesn’t slosh when turned upside down.

Additionally, refrigerating the can overnight aids in firming up the coconut solids, causing the liquids to settle at the bottom.

Add salt if you prefer to enhance the flavors but be sure not to add too much salt, just a pinch will work, you don’t want to make this ice cream salty, just enhance the flavors.

You could also add a squirt of lemon juice as it brightens the flavor of the strawberries and makes the fruit flavor vibrant.

Dairy-Free Strawberry Ice Cream FAQS

Do I Need An Ice Cream Maker to Make Strawberry Ice Cream?

No! Using an ice cream maker can speed up the process of this recipe but it isn’t necessary. You can pop the finished product into the freezer for a few hours, allowing it to firm up and achieve the desired ice cream consistency.

Simply ensure you use a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent ice crystals from forming. While an ice cream maker provides a quicker turnaround, this no-churn method allows you to enjoy the delightful taste of homemade strawberry ice cream without the need for specialized equipment.

Can I Swap Out the Coconut Milk for Almond Milk?

For a low-fat twist on the classic, try this dairy-free strawberry ice cream recipe using almond milk as a luscious alternative. While you will not achieve the same creamy consistency as you would with canned coconut milk, using almond milk is a great alternative for those who want a dairy-free ice cream with less fat.

Will Carton Coconut Milk Work?

For the perfect consistency using canned coconut milk is preferred, the high-fat content lends itself to making the perfect ice cream consistently. The coconut milk that comes in a carton has more water added to it which will result in a hard, icy ice cream texture. You could swap out the canned coconut milk with canned coconut cream if you can find it in your grocery store.

This may be a hard ingredient to get your hands on but if you can find it, since this item has more coconut solids it will deliver the perfect texture for dairy-free ice cream.

Is Dairy-Free Ice Cream Healthier than Regular Ice Cream?

Opting for dairy-free ice cream can provide certain health advantages, such as reducing your intake of calories, sugar, and saturated fat, which are factors linked to elevated cholesterol levels. However, it’s worth noting that some plant-based alternatives may contain higher amounts of these components.

More Easy Ice Cream Recipes

If you are looking for more dairy-free recipes, this Peach Dairy Free Coconut Milk Ice Cream Recipe is sure to hit the spot!

For chocolate and peanut butter lovers, this is the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream and the best part is that this one is a no-churn ice cream with a simple process.

These Guilt-Free Ice Cream Sandwiches deliver several layers of flavor to create the perfect guilt-free treat using bananas, strawberries, and peanut butter.

You may also want to try some of these 15 easy ice cream recipes while you are here.

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