Soy milk is a great alternative to cow's milk. It's delicious, affordable, easy to make, and only requires 2 ingredients: water and soybeans.
Soy milk is a delicious and healthy alternative to dairy milk. It is packed with nutrients and health benefits and this homemade recipe is way better than any beverage you can find at the grocery store.
It is dairy and lactose-free, so it is perfect for you if you have lactose intolerance. Besides, it only requires 2 simple ingredients! You actually need to blend the soy beans with water and then strain them using a nut milk bag.
How to make soy milk - Step by step
- Soak the soybeans in water overnight.
- Drain the soybeans and remove the outer skins. Then add them to a powerful blender and blend them with 3 cups or 750 ml of water until well blended and almost smooth (photo 1).
- Strain the blended mixture using a nut milk bag, a cheesecloth, a napkin or a fine mesh strainer (photo 2).
- Pour the mixture into a pot or a saucepan and add 1 cup or 250 ml of water (photo 3).
- Bring to a boil, stir and skim foam (photo 4).
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes (photo 5).
- Let the soy milk cool and enjoy it (photo 6).
Pro tips
- Use yellow soybeans, it's the best kind of soybeans to make this milk. They're a great source of protein. Soy protein is one of the best vegetable ones!
- Add more or less water depending on how thick you like your milk. However, it naturally tends to be thicker than other milk alternatives.
- Feel free to add any sweeter you want or don't add any sweetener at all. Add it gently until the milk tastes good.
- Some recipes call for a tiny amount of salt, but I prefer my milk salt-free.
- Feel free to add other ingredients like cocoa powder or ground cinnamon.
- Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
- Before you drink it you need to cook the milk, as soy is a legume and can't be eaten raw.
- You can use your soy milk to prepare recipes like vegan chocolate cake, vegan carrot cake, or vegan cheesecake, or have it with your cereal in the morning.
What is soy milk?
Soy milk is a type of plant milk. It is 100% plant-based and it doesn't contain cholesterol at all. I love to use it for baking because it has a thicker texture than other types of plant milk.
Is soy milk good for you?
Yes, it is! Unless you can't consume soy or it feels heavy in your stomach, this kind of plant milk is perfectly fine for consumption, as it has been in Asia for centuries. Just remember - if the milk has been in the fridge for some time and it smells bad, don't drink it.
Soy milk vs almond milk
Soy milk and almond milk are two different kinds of plant milk. I usually alternate between them and use them for different things; I use the first one for cooking and baking recipes, whereas I prefer to add almond milk to my coffee and smoothies.
Looking for more plant milk recipes?
Did you make this soy milk recipe?
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Soy Milk
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried soybeans
- 4 cups water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or a piece of vanilla bean, optional
- 4 dates, optional
Instructions
- Soak the soybeans in water overnight (ideally 12 hours or longer).
- Drain the soybeans and remove the outer skins. Removing the outer skins is optional, but your milk will have a better texture if you do.
- Add them to a powerful blender and blend them with 3 cups of water (750 ml) until well blended and almost smooth.
- Strain the blended mixture using a nut milk bag, a cheesecloth, a napkin or a fine mesh strainer.
- Pour the mixture into a pot or a saucepan and add 1 cup of water (250 ml). Bring to a boil, stir and skim foam.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.
- Let cool the soy milk. You can add other ingredients such as vanilla extract or dates. Blend the mixture if necessary.
- Keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
Notes
- Use yellow soybeans, it's the best kind of soybeans to make soy milk.
- Add more or less water depending on how thick you like your milk.
- Feel free to add any sweetener you want or don't add any at all. Add it gently until the milk tastes good.
- Some recipes call for a tiny amount of salt, but I prefer my milk salt-free.
- Feel free to add other ingredients like cocoa powder or ground cinnamon.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in May of 2014, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in January of 2022.
Limbraj says
What quantity of coca powder should be added for 1litre of soymilk
Iosune says
Hi Limbraj! It depends on your taste, I would add 1/2 teaspoon, stir, try and add another 1/2 tsp until it tastes good for you. You may need to add some sweetener as well.
Earvin says
I love soy and milk a lot. But i was so amazed when there's a combination with soy and milk. Thanks for sharing!
Iosune says
Hi Earvin! You're so welcome 🙂 SO glad you liked it!
Satyanarain singh says
Since the total amount of soya milk yield has not been given so 4/5 stars only
Iosune says
Hi Satyanarain! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Krisztina Lackey says
Hi, I just finished making a batch of soy milk following this recipe. I used yellow soy beans, but they may have been too old because this drink has a strong soybean flaver and bitter after taste.
Things I tried in order to make it drinkable:
1. Added the recommended dates and vanilla flavoring.
2. Added a bit of Himalayan salt.
3. Added more water.
Result: more diluted flavor and less of a bitter after taste.
Conclusion: I think I need to try different soybeans. Perhaps try a variety of different dates to see which kind works best.
What to do with the undrinkable soymilk? Probably use it in recipes instead of drinking it.
Please feel free to help me.
Iosune says
Hi Krisztina! I don't know what to say. I would probably throw it away, just in case it's not safe to drink it. Another option is to use it to make other recipes, but it's up to you. Have a nice day!
Inge says
Nice recipe! I made tofu just recently and the first part of that process is the same as what you describe above.
Do you have a tip for me how to avoid soy milk getting backed at the bottom of the pot or saucepan?
It bakes really fast on to the bottom even though I stirred a lot.
Iosune says
Hi Inge! Thanks a lot 🙂 Try to use another pot or cook it at a lower temperature. Hope it helps!
Mimi Terranova says
I appreciate the concern. This is a long time condition. More recently all vegan nonfat products have been discontinued. This is the reason I have sought help. There are conditions that do not allow people to digest fat and require medication to do so. It is not uncommon.
Iosune says
Hi Mimi! Hope our fat-free recipes can help 🙂 Have a nice day!
Mimi Terranova says
Thanks so much and good to know. Sounds about right.
Iosune says
Hi Mimi! Maybe your mother should go to see a doctor to help her 🙂
Mimi Terranova says
Hello. Is there any way to remove the fat from soy milk? My mother wants badly to become vegan after gathering information. She is unable to digest fat. Only milk products come fat free any longer except for Arctic Zero non-dairy thank goodness. She loves milk and has discontinued drinking it because of this. I have found low fat but it makes her ill.
R J says
Maybe centrifuge it then skim off the fat layer. But that would require equipment most people don't have.
Iosune says
Hi! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Stef says
Mimi, may I suggest taking digestive enzymes for fat instead? Fats are essential to life. If your mum simply goes fat-free she will become extremely ill over time, in all kinds of distressing ways.
Iosune says
Hi Stef! You're right, it could be a good choice 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Iosune says
Hi Mimi! Fats are essential to be healthy, but there are other plant-based milks that are lower in fat like oat, rice or quinoa milk: https://simpleveganblog.com/9-easy-plant-milk-recipes/ Hope it helps!
Andrea Rowe says
I'm wondering if soya milk would be just as nutritious if you made it with a juicer?
Iosune says
Hi Andrea! I've never tried it myself, so I don't know, but I think so... Have a nice day!
David says
I'm going to make some home-made soya milk to have with my breakfast
Iosune says
Hi David! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Jan says
I work with farmers that raise non GMO soybeans that we export to Asia. Do you have access to locally grown non GMO soybeans? What package size would you prefer as we have them in bulk currently.
Iosune says
Hi Jan! GMO soybeans are usually to feed animals, not humans 🙂 Besides, you can find it at many supermarkets here in Europe. I try to buy in bulk as well as I'm trying to avoid plastic. Have a nice day!
Daksh says
thanks for sharing such Simple and easy recipe.
Iosune says
Hi Daksh! You're so welcome 🙂