Dairy-free substitute for milk when marinating chicken

Dairy-free substitute for milk when marinating chicken - Person Holding Bottles with Milk

A number of recipes involve soaking meat in milk, buttermilk or yogurt, for example several Middle Eastern lamb recipes and traditional American southern fried chicken. Someone I'm cooking for is allergic to dairy. What dairy-free substitute would give the most similar effect and why?

(Slightly related answer about effects of milk)

meatmarinadedairydairy-free


Best Answer

Milk has been used in marinades for a long time, and it does work. It is thought that it is the calcium in the milk that activates enzymes in the chicken rather than enzymes in the milk tenderizing the chicken, see this article for the science. This means you can use soy, rice, or any milk substitute, but you'll get the best result from the one with the most calcium. This article lists the mg of calcium per 1 US cup (235ml) of cow's milk and substitutes:

  • Cow's milk: 300mg
  • Rice milk: 283mg
  • Coconut milk: 41mg
  • Soy milk: 19mg

So it looks like Rice milk is the best substitute from a tenderizing perspective.

There are other ways of tenderizing chicken, pineapple for example does a great job, however if you want authentic middle eastern milk substitutes are the way to go.



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Quick Answer about "Dairy-free substitute for milk when marinating chicken"

So it looks like Rice milk is the best substitute from a tenderizing perspective. There are other ways of tenderizing chicken, pineapple for example does a great job, however if you want authentic middle eastern milk substitutes are the way to go.

How can I tenderize chicken without milk?

Tenderize meat without dairy
  • Use a mallet: Pounding your meat helps to break down tough fibers.
  • Use chicken thighs or tenders: There is more fat in the chicken thighs, allowing the meat to be more tender.
  • Acidic liquids like lemon juice or pineapple juice break down fibers in the muscle of the meat.


    • How do you marinate without milk?

    Quick & Easy Chicken Marinade
  • 1 tablespoon ketchup.
  • \xbd tablespoon soy sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon paprika.
  • \xbd teaspoon salt.
  • \xbd teaspoon black pepper.


    • Can you soak chicken in almond milk instead of milk?

    Almond milk chicken is creamy comfort food at it's best. It's an easy naturally dairy free dinner that everyone loves so it's perfect for entertaining!

    Do you need milk to marinate chicken?

    In summary - The Secret to Tender chicken Marinating the chicken meat before cooking is a great thing to do, especially if you are not in a rush to cook it. Let it sit overnight and notice the changes once you have already cooked it. Soaking chicken in milk will yield you a better result in its taste.


    HOW TO REPLACE DAIRY / Dairy-Free for 8+ years! (Tips on Going Vegan)



    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Polina Tankilevitch, Ivan Samkov, Polina Tankilevitch, Nataliya Vaitkevich

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