Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free]

Indulge in this Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake—a creamy, dreamy, dairy-free delight that’s bursting with real strawberry flavor! Made with ripe, juicy strawberries, dairy-free ice cream, and plant-based milk, this vegan milkshake is thick, luscious, and naturally sweet without any refined dairy. Perfect for hot summer days, dessert cravings, or a kid-friendly treat, this shake is easy to make in minutes and customizable with whipped coconut cream, sprinkles, or cookie crumbles. Whether you're dairy-free, vegan, or just love a good strawberry shake—this recipe is your go-to for nostalgic flavor and plant-powered goodness!

This Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free] is the ultimate old-fashioned treat, made vegan. It's perfect as an old pick-me-up on a hot afternoon, whether you're a kid or just love the flavors of childhood. It is creamy, thick, and bursting with sweet-tart strawberry goodness with a drool-worthy layer of sauciness + creaminess!

What's great about this strawberry milkshake recipe is its total customizability! If almond milk isn't your thing or you have a nut allergy, feel free to swap it out for your fave dairy-free milk options like oat milk, cashew milk, or even coconut milk—they all complement the flavors beautifully! And if you prefer regular dairy milk, that works too!

Milkshakes have this magical way of bringing out the kid in me every time! And for a non-vegan option, you can easily swap in your favorite vegan ice cream or whip up some homemade no-churn ice cream to use as the base! If you're a lover of shakes or milkshakes, then you'll love this Cashew Date Morning Smoothie, Vanilla Cashew Protein Shake, Peach Cobbler Milkshake, Dairy-Free Cookie Dough Milkshake, and Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake as a great option!

Jump to:

• What’s in a Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake?
• Making a Milkshake at Home
• How to Make Strawberry Milkshake
• Ingredients for Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake
• Why You Will LOVE This Strawberry Milkshake
• Can I Use Another Milk For This Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake?
• Tips for Making the Best Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake
• Best Dairy-Free Ice Creams for Milkshakes
• Can I Make This Ahead or Store Leftovers?
• Add-Ins + Flavor Variations
• Can I Make This Milkshake Without Ice Cream?
• Absolutely Love Strawberries?
• Common Q + A's for Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free]
• More Amazing Frozen Dessert + Drink Recipes
• MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
• Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free]

What’s in a Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake?

This shake is made with just a few clean, plant-based ingredients and delivers all the creamy satisfaction of a classic diner-style milkshake—without the dairy.

Key components:

• Strawberries – for vibrant flavor + natural sweetness
• Dairy-free ice cream – coconut, cashew, or oat milk-based
• Plant-based milk – almond, oat, soy, or coconut
• Strawberry sauce – this works as a sweetener
• Vanilla extract – to enhance the strawberry flavor

Making a Milkshake at Home

While milkshakes seem fancy when they’re from a creamery, they are so easy to make yourself. All you need is a high-powered blender and some of your favorite ingredients.

All milkshakes begin with ice cream. You can make the ice cream yourself or use your favorite store-bought variety. Make sure to use a type of ice cream that you really enjoy, as it is the base for the milkshake. Next, you’ll need to decide on flavorings. If you want additional elements, add them here. You can add chocolate, vanilla extract, fruit, candy, flavored syrups, or anything else you enjoy.

Finally, you will need some milk to loosen the milkshake. You don’t want the milkshake too thick, it should be sippable with a straw. Use cow’s milk or your favorite plant-based milk.

Blend up the shake and serve it immediately to avoid melting. With a nice blender, you can make a milkshake with the perfect consistency.

How to Make Strawberry Milkshake

Start by creating the strawberry sauce in a saucepan over the stovetop and let it cool. Then, add all the ingredients to a high-powered blender and blend on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Once you achieve a milkshake consistency, spoon the sauce into tall glasses and pour the milkshake atop it. Top each milkshake with a generous dollop of whipped cream, fresh strawberries, drizzle of strawberry sauce, and rainbow sprinkles, if desired.

Ingredients for Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake

The ingredients for this creamy strawberry shake are simple and easy to find. Here's what you need:

STRAWBERRY SYRUP/SAUCE:

• Fresh strawberries. Sliced + stems removed
• Organic cane sugar. This sweetens the strawberry syrup!
• Lemon. Freshly-squeezed.
• Strawberry preserves/jam. I love Bonne Maman. You can make your own strawberry jam using my recipe.
• Spices. What's dessert without some spices right? You can purchase my Dessert Lover Blend for authentic flavor or you can create a homemade spice mix.

MILKSHAKE:

• Vanilla ice cream. I love Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dazs. For a dairy-free option, my all-time FAVE is So Delicious.
• Cooled sautéed strawberries.
• Vanilla. Choose pure vanilla extract to highlight this classic milkshake flavor.
• Almond milk. You can use whole milk or your fave plant-based milk.

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS MILKSHAKE!

Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free] recipe. Everything from my fave blenders, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Why You Will LOVE This Strawberry Milkshake

• Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings without the dairy
• Creamy + rich with a delightful strawberry flavor
• It's like dessert in milkshake form!
• Just the right amount of sweetness balanced with a touch of tartness.
• Slightly nutty undertones from the almond milk
• Totally indulgent and oh-so-delicious

Can I Use Another Milk For This Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake?

Absolutely, you can use any milk you like to make this delicious strawberry milkshake. While almond milk is great, I know many are allergic to nuts or just not fans. Opt for your favorite store-bought or homemade vegan dairy-free milk, or regular milk if you prefer! Here are some simple recipes to make your own milk that's cheaper and super easy!

• Cauliflower Milk
• Easy Homemade Creamy Cashew Milk
• Quinoa Milk
• Coconut Milk
• How to Make Potato Milk
• Ultra Creamy Homemade Oat Milk

Tips for Making the Best Dairy-Free Strawberry Milkshake

Use Frozen Strawberries for Extra Creaminess. Blending frozen strawberries creates a thicker, frostier milkshake without needing ice—which can water it down. Bonus: they boost that natural strawberry flavor!

Choose a Creamy Dairy-Free Ice Cream. Look for plant-based ice creams made with coconut milk, cashew milk, or oat milk for a rich and silky texture. Vanilla or strawberry-flavored vegan ice cream works best for this shake.

Add Just Enough Plant-Based Milk. Start with a small amount of unsweetened almond, oat, or soy milk and blend slowly. This helps you control thickness. For an extra-thick shake, use less liquid.

Sweeten to Taste. Depending on your berries and ice cream, you might want a touch of maple syrup, agave, or dates. Always blend first, taste, and adjust as needed!

Blend in Layers for Smoothness. To prevent clumps or separation, blend your milk and strawberries first, then add the ice cream. This creates a perfectly creamy, even consistency.

Add Vanilla or Lemon Zest for Depth. A splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of lemon zest can elevate the strawberry flavor, giving your milkshake a bright and delicious twist.

Garnish Like a Pro. Top with coconut whipped cream, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, chocolate chips, or a drizzle of dairy-free white chocolate for that “over-the-top” milkshake shop look.

Serve Immediately. Milkshakes are best enjoyed fresh! If you need to store it briefly, keep it in the freezer and re-blend for a few seconds to restore texture.

Best Dairy-Free Ice Creams for Milkshakes

Choosing the right vegan ice cream makes all the difference in texture and taste. Here are top picks for ultra-creamy results:

• Coconut Milk Ice Cream – Rich and velvety; perfect for a tropical hint
• Cashew Milk Ice Cream – Smooth and neutral; great for flavor balance
• Oat Milk Ice Cream – Naturally sweet and super creamy
• Banana-Based Nice Cream – A lighter option, but still thick and sweet

NOTE: Look for minimal-ingredient, high-fat varieties for that classic milkshake thickness.

Can I Make This Ahead or Store Leftovers?

Milkshakes are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store leftovers:

• In the fridge (up to 24 hours): It will soften—just shake or blend to revive.
• In the freezer (up to 1 month): Freeze in a jar, then blend again to serve like a frosty or slushy-style shake.

Add-Ins + Flavor Variations

Want to take it to the next level? Try these fun, flavorful mix-ins:

• Banana – For a strawberry banana twist
• Dairy-free yogurt – For tang + probiotics
• Chia seeds or hemp seeds – For fiber + protein
• Cacao nibs or dairy-free chocolate chips – For a chocolate-strawberry vibe
• Espresso shot – For a strawberry mocha shake
• Protein powder – To turn this into a post-workout treat

Can I Make This Milkshake Without Ice Cream?

Yes! For a lighter, whole-food version, blend:

• Frozen strawberries
• Frozen banana or soaked cashews
• Plant-based milk
• A touch of maple syrup or dates
• Vanilla extract + a pinch of sea salt

You’ll get a creamy, naturally sweet milkshake with fewer processed ingredients.

Absolutely Love Strawberries?

You might think you know everything about strawberries, especially if you've been munching on them since before you could walk. But hold on to your hats, folks, because I've got some juicy info to share with you! I spill the tea on all things Strawberry Season – from the tastiest varieties to the incredible health benefits that'll have you feeling like a superhero. 

So if you're ready to add a little sweetness to your life, head on over to my blog post Strawberry Season. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you.

Common Q + A's for Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free]

More Amazing Frozen Dessert + Drink Recipes

• Salted Caramel Banana Milkshake
• No-Churn Salted Caramel Oreo Ice Cream
• Vegan Peanut Butter Pecan Milkshake
• Dairy-Free Salted Caramel Chunky Milkshake
• Peach Cobbler Milkshake
• My Fave Childhood Banana Split
• Iced Vanilla Sweet Cream Latte [Starbucks Copycat]
• No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with Rainbow Sprinkles
• The Best Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream
• Frozen Watermelon Margarita

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried my Insanely Good Strawberry Milkshake [Dairy-Free] recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag me @shanikagrahamwhite on Instagram. I love hearing from you!

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