What Is Soy Milk?

Buying, Using, and Recipes

what is soy milk

Lindsay Kreighbaum / The Spruce Eats  

Soy milk—a popular dairy alternative in the West—has long been consumed as a traditional breakfast beverage in China, Japan, and other parts of Asia. In the United States, people with lactose intolerance often choose soy milk, as do vegans and those who perceive it as a healthier option to cow's milk.

But the touted health benefits of soy raise some questions. It's a common food allergen and many store-bought brands of soy milk contain sugar, fillers, and other questionable additives.

What Is Soy Milk?

A plant-based beverage, soy milk production is made by cooking soybeans in water, then grinding and pressing them to separate the insoluble fiber from the resulting liquid. Commercial soy milk ranges from chalky and thin to rich and sweet. Some brands use thickening agents to add the creamy mouthfeel associated with full-fat dairy. Soy milk contains a similar amount of protein per serving, making it a closer nutritional match for cow's milk than other non-dairy milk alternatives such as almond, rice, and coconut.

How to Use Soy Milk

Soy milk can be substituted for cow's milk in coffee drinks, with breakfast cereal, for making yogurt or ice cream, in smoothies, and using a one-to-one ratio in baked goods, although the flavor and texture may not be quite the same. If you use sweetened soy milk, you may need to otherwise adjust the sugar. For savory dishes, unsweetened soy milk typically works best, and you will get a better result in dishes that do not rely on the creaminess of full-fat dairy. Brands abound at the grocery store, but you can better control the ingredients if you make soy milk at home yourself.

Soy beans on a wooden table with a glass of milk on the side
HandmadePictures / Getty Images
Human hand holding a cup of iced cold bubble tea with milk and tapioca pearls
 TaPhotograph / Getty Images
Soy Milk Latte
Gado Images / Getty Images 
Deep fried dough stick and soybean milk in Thailand
 NorGal / Getty Images
Homemade vegan chocolate cheesecake muffins baked in a jar
lavizzara / Getty Images 

What Does It Taste Like?

Fresh soy milk in Asia retains a notable bean flavor, but soy milk produced for Western markets loses some during pasteurization for long-term packaging; added sugars and other natural and artificial flavorings further disguise the soybean taste. Soy milk enthusiasts describe the flavor as nutty or even grassy.

Soy Milk Recipes

You can use soy milk in place of dairy in most any recipe to make vegan baked goods or as a replacement for cream in savory dishes.

Where to Buy Soy Milk

Look for soy milk at any U.S. grocery store; you can find it in the refrigerator section near the dairy or in shelf-stable packaging often located on the same aisle as the breakfast cereals. It's also available at any health food store, most convenience stores, and from online grocery retailers.

Storage

Soy milk from the refrigerator section at the grocery store should be kept in the refrigerator whether it's open or not; unopened soy milk in shelf-stable packaging can be kept for extended periods at room temperature, but it should be immediately refrigerated upon opening. Use up any opened soy milk within eight to 10 days. You can freeze soy milk to keep it from spoiling, but it significantly degrades the quality, affecting both taste and texture.

what is soy milk
The Spruce Eats / Hugo Lin 

Varieties

Japanese consumers can choose from more than 50 types of soy milk, including some seasonal and rare flavors such as cherry blossom and black sesame seed. In the United States, you're likely to find only basic flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, although larger stores may carry brands with seasonally flavored offerings. Flavored varieties usually contain sugar, although you can find unsweetened vanilla versions. Soy milk is also typically available in low fat and non-fat, as well as certified organic products.