Dairy-Free Mango Lassi
Dairy-free mango lassi made with ripe mango, plain dairy-free yogurt, coconut or oat milk, lime, and cardamom for a cold, tangy drink with no dairy in sight.
Recipe by Andrew Tibbs, the Non Dairy Dude
Published
This is the lassi I make whenever there's curry on the stove. Ripe mango goes into the blender with plain dairy-free yogurt, a splash of coconut or oat milk, lime juice, and a little cardamom. It comes out cold and tangy, with none of the heaviness.
A good plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt is what makes this work. Cocojune and Forager both do the job well, giving you that real lassi tang without a drop of milk. Pour it next to dairy-free butter chicken or chicken tikka masala, and keep some warm dairy-free naan around for mopping up the heat.
Ingredients
Lassi
- 2 cupsFrozen mango chunks or very ripe fresh mango
- 1 cupPlain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt
- ¾ cupFull-fat coconut milk or unsweetened oat milk
- 1 tbspFresh lime juice
- 1½ tbspMaple syrup, agave, or honey, plus more to taste
- ¼ tspGround cardamom
- pinchFine salt
Optional
- ½ cupIce cubes, optional for a colder thinner lassi
Garnish
- 2 tbspChopped pistachios, optional
- 4 leavesFresh mint leaves, optional
Instructions
- 1
Add the mango, dairy-free yogurt, coconut milk or oat milk, lime juice, sweetener, cardamom, and salt to a blender.
- 2
Blend on high for 30 to 60 seconds, until completely smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides if needed, especially if using frozen mango.
- 3
Check the texture. For a thicker spoonable lassi, leave it as is. For a colder, thinner drink, blend in the optional ice or add more coconut milk or oat milk 1 tablespoon at a time.
- 4
Taste and adjust. Add more lime if the mango is very sweet, more sweetener if the mango is tart, or a tiny pinch more salt if the flavor tastes flat.
- 5
Pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with pistachios or mint if using, and serve immediately.
How we make it dairy-free
- Dairy yogurt → Plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt does the heavy lifting here. It's what gives the lassi its tang, so don't swap in a sweetened or flavored kind.
- Milk → Full-fat coconut milk makes a richer, thicker lassi. Unsweetened oat milk keeps it lighter and lets the mango lead.
- Sweetener → Maple syrup, agave, or honey all work. Start light and taste, since ripe mango already brings plenty of sweetness on its own.
Tips & Variations
Use plain unsweetened yogurt: Mango lassi should taste fruity and tangy, not like vanilla yogurt. Sweetened or flavored dairy-free yogurt can make the drink too sweet and artificial.
Coconut milk versus oat milk: Full-fat coconut milk makes the richest, most dessert-like lassi. Unsweetened oat milk keeps the mango flavor cleaner and lighter. Both work; choose based on the meal.
Frozen mango is reliable: Good frozen mango is often sweeter and more consistent than underripe fresh mango. If using fresh mango, make sure it is fragrant, soft, and fully ripe.
Do not skip the salt: A tiny pinch makes the mango taste more vivid. It should not taste salty.
Cardamom goes a long way: Start with 1/4 teaspoon. Too much can turn floral and soapy, especially in a cold drink.
Adjust by mango: Mangoes vary wildly. Tart mango needs more sweetener; very sweet mango needs more lime.
Serve right away: Lassi has the best texture immediately after blending. If it sits in the refrigerator, stir or re-blend briefly before serving.
Pairing ideas: Serve with dairy-free chicken korma, tikka masala, butter chicken, naan, or any spicy dinner that needs a cold, creamy counterpoint.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen mango instead of fresh?⌄
Yes, and honestly it's easier. Frozen mango chunks blend up cold and thick without needing ice, so the lassi stays full strength instead of getting watered down.
Can I make this ahead of time?⌄
You can blend it a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. It'll separate a little since there's no stabilizer doing tricks, so just give it a quick stir or another spin in the blender before you serve it.
How long does leftover lassi keep?⌄
A day, maybe two, in a sealed container in the fridge. The mango flavor holds up fine, but the texture gets a bit looser the longer it sits.
Is this lassi nut-free?⌄
The lassi itself is, as long as your dairy-free yogurt and milk are nut-free versions like oat or coconut based on soy or oat. The chopped pistachios on top are optional, so just skip those if nuts are an issue.
What should I serve with mango lassi?⌄
Anything spicy. It's built for cooling down a plate of butter chicken or tikka masala, and a piece of warm naan alongside makes the whole meal feel complete.
Dairy-Free Mango Lassi · https://nondairydude.com/recipes/dairy-free-mango-lassi
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