5-Minute Berry Non-Dairy Kefir: Healthy Vegan Recipe

Yummy non-dairy kefir goes a long way toward gut health. Try this easy 5-Minute Berry Non-Dairy Kefir recipe and enjoy the health benefits.

Stress, anxiety, poor eating habits, and dehydration can all be quite taxing to the gut and our digestive system. I enjoy eating non-dairy kefir to replenish good gut bacteria and aid in my digestive health.

Being a caregiver to Doug who has Parkinson’s, working with my clients as a Lifestyle Medicine Nurse and Health Coach, and just running around with the busyness of the day, sometimes my gut can take a hit.

Eating high-quality fermented food such as this Berry Non-Dairy Kefir, is a great way to keep your digestive health on track.

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5-Minute Berry Non-Dairy Kefir Recipe

This dairy-free kefir recipe is perfect for anyone but especially if you adhere to a vegan diet. It contains just a few natural ingredients and is super easy to make. We are talking 5 minutes tops.

Also, because there are no dairy products in this kefir recipe, it is great for those who have a lactose intolerance. The perfect fermented drink with all of its healthy benefits.

​Incorporating probiotic-rich kefir into your diet is a great way to nourish your body and support your overall well-being.

Handy Kitchen Tools Needed

Strong blender. Using a strong blender is key to creating a super smooth and creamy kefir. I own a commercial-grade Vitamix and have used it for almost 15 years. They are very much worth the investment.

Measuring cups and spoons. A must in every kitchen. 😉

Mason jar. This recipe makes two 8-ounce servings so I like to use a 16-ounce mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. That said, feel free to use any storage container you prefer.

5-Minute Berry Non-Dairy Kefir Ingredients

• Unsweetened organic soy milk. Soy milk is the type of milk I use for this kefir recipe but feel free to use any of the milk alternatives you prefer. These days, there are plenty of plant-based milks to choose from such as oat, flax, or hemp milk, as well as nut milks like almond or cashew milk.
• Unsweetened organic plain yogurt. Yogurt contains wonderful probiotics to aid in gut health and digestion. I like to make my own homemade non-dairy yogurt but you can also use store-bought. Just make sure to buy a plain unsweetened yogurt that does not contain any added flavoring or sugar.
• Organic rolled oats. Rolled oats are loaded with nutrients and fiber. Most of us do not get enough fiber in our diets but just one serving of this berry non-dairy kefir will give you 7 grams right off the bat!
• Pure maple syrup. Look for a good quality maple syrup that contains zero added sugars, oils, or corn syrup. Pure maple syrup tastes delicious and is much better for you than the highly processed fake sweet syrups.
• Chia seeds. In this recipe, I use black chia seeds but feel free to use the white if that is what you have on hand. Chia seeds contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids as well as fiber, which we now know we all need.
• Frozen Strawberries. I like to use organic frozen strawberries for this recipe to make the kefir thicker but feel free to use fresh strawberries if you desire. Just know your kefir will be on the thinner side, which isn’t a bad thing either.

Berry Non-Dairy Kefir Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. Place all ingredients into a strong blender, and combine until very smooth with a slightly thickened consistency. This will usually take about 2-3 minutes of consistent blending. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 2. Pour into a mason jar, cover, and place in the fridge to thicken for a minimum of 15 minutes, or longer.

Step 3. Enjoy!

NOTE: See all the bubbles? These come from the live bacteria in the yogurt, which is what makes this kefir so healthy for you and your gut.

Tips For Success

I like to use soymilk for its healthy nutrients and its creamy texture. However, you can use any kind of plant-based milk you prefer such as oat milk, almond milk, flax milk, etc.

Try your best to get ingredients that are pure and organic to save yourself from consuming unwanted pesticides, herbicides, and other harmful chemicals.

I make my own plain unsweetened yogurt and use it in this recipe. That said, you can easily buy store-bought yogurt. The yogurt I use is soy-based but again, you can use any kind of plain unsweetened yogurt that you prefer such as almond or oat-based yogurt.

Feel free to swap out the maple syrup for a different kind of sweetener such as honey, date syrup, or even stevia or monkfruit.

If you like your kefir more thick like a pudding, add an additional tablespoon of chia seeds.

The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it any flavor you wish depending on the type of frozen fruit you use. I have made blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, peach, cherry, and banana-flavored non-dairy kefir.

It’s so easy to swap out the type of fruit you desire. I encourage you to experiment and have fun in the kitchen!

How To Store

This non-dairy kefir stores well in the fridge for 7-10 days as long as it is in a tightly sealed container.

You can also store this kefir in the freezer, which makes it more of a frozen dessert-type treat. Also delicious!

Kefir Versus Yogurt: What is the difference?

Frankly, I struggled with what to call this delicious Berry Non-Dairy Kefir recipe. Its taste and texture make it somewhere between yogurt, kefir, and a delicious berry smoothie.

Non-dairy kefir and non-dairy yogurt are similar in that they are both plant-based, fermented foods containing probiotics.

Kefir, a fermented beverage, is usually cultured longer which gives it a slightly more tangy taste than yogurt, and because of the longer fermentation time, it contains more probiotic strains than yogurt.

Traditional kefir is made by adding high probiotic kefir grains to milk. Grain such as water kefir grains, milk grains, or dehydrated milk kefir grains, and then let it sit for several days at room temperature to culture.

Whereas, traditional yogurt is made by adding bacteria to milk, heating it, and then fermenting it quickly for just a few hours.

Both probiotic-rich, non-dairy milk kefir and yogurt are delicious and healthy, as long as there are no added sugars and fillers. The best most healthy kefir and yogurt is to make it yourself so you can control the ingredients.

That said, buying quality kefir and yogurt in the grocery store is possible, just make sure to read your ingredient labels.

Health Benefits Of Fermented Foods

In the not-so-distant past, the fermentation process was used mainly to preserve food and increase shelf life.

Today we are learning more and more about fermented foods, the benefits of kefir, and their health benefits.

Research is showing that fermented foods produce beneficial bacteria that can work as an antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and anti-atherosclerotic. This good bacteria builds up the immune system and potentially helps with all kinds of conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

If you are not used to eating fermented foods such as kefir, yogurt, kimchi, or sauerkraut, start small, perhaps one tablespoon per day, to avoid gastric upset. Then slowly increase your serving amount as tolerated.

Experiment And Have Fun In The Kitchen

One of the great aspects of this recipe is you can control its taste and texture completely just by mixing up the berries and adding more chia seeds to create your desired taste preference and thickness.

I cannot tell you how many variations I have made using this non-dairy kefir recipe as a base. I’ve made strawberry kefir, raspberry kefir, blueberry, peach, and even banana kefir.

So much fun experimenting and playing in the kitchen. I encourage you to do the same!

Additional Healthy Gut-Promoting Recipes

Here are some more healthy gut recipes to try.

More Healthy Recipes And Caregiver Support

Let’s Connect

I hope you try this easy 5-minute Berry Non-Dairy Kefir recipe. If you make this kefir recipe, let me know in the comment section below how it turned out and what type of berries, or other fruit, you used. I read every comment and respond promptly. I would love to hear from you!

Also, please consider giving this recipe a 5-star rating. I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance!

Printable Recipe Card To Enjoy