Summer has definitely been putting our slushie machine to good use! With all the hot weather we’ve been having, it’s become our favourite way to cool off, and I’ve been having so much fun recreating classic frozen treats at home.
The kids have been requesting our dairy-free chocolate milkshakes on repeat, but I wanted to switch things up with a homemade vegan strawberry milkshake. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy- just a thick, creamy strawberry shake that reminded me of the ones from the little burger shop I grew up with. Rich, smooth, and full of sweet strawberry flavour without tasting overly artificial.
After a little experimenting, this recipe turned out to be exactly what I had in mind. It’s made with simple ingredients, comes together in just a couple of minutes, and is such an easy treat to whip up on a warm afternoon. Whether you’re making it as an after-school snack, a weekend dessert, or simply because you’re craving something cold and refreshing, it couldn’t be easier.
One tip I do recommend is adding a tiny pinch of xanthan gum. I found that strawberry doesn’t naturally become quite as thick as some of the other milkshake flavours I’ve made, so this small addition gives it that velvety, creamy texture you’d expect from a classic diner-style milkshake. It doesn’t take much at all, and it’s easy to find in many grocery stores or online. Xanthan gum is commonly used to thicken everything from soups and sauces to ice creams and gluten-free baking, so it’s a handy ingredient to have on hand if you enjoy making homemade frozen desserts.
You’ll also need strawberry syrup for this recipe. If you’re wondering where to find it, it’s often stocked in the drink mix aisle of your local grocery store, alongside other flavoured syrups and drink enhancers. It’s a simple ingredient that helps give this milkshake that classic strawberry flavour we all know and love.
If you’re looking for a dairy-free strawberry milkshake that’s creamy, refreshing, and packed with nostalgic flavour, I think you’re going to love this one. It’s quickly become another summer favourite in our house.
One final note: this recipe was developed specifically for a slushie machine, so I can’t guarantee the same results using another method. If you don’t have one, you may be able to achieve something similar by freezing a portion of the milkshake mixture into ice cubes and then blending those together with the remaining ingredients until smooth. I haven’t tested this myself, so I can’t promise the texture will be the same, but it may be worth experimenting with if you’re looking for an alternative.
Delicious Dairy Free Strawberry Milkshake
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup strawberry syrup
- 2 ½ cups non-dairy milk I recommend cashew or macadamia milk, but most plant milks (including oat) work just fine
- 1 ½ cups vegan half and half I use Silk brand
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ tsp xantham gum
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together thoroughly with a whisk in a mixing bowl and pour into your slushie machine.
- Set to "milkshake" mode and, once ready, pour into chilled glasses. Feel free to top with whipped cream and any additional garnishes. Enjoy!
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