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Home > Recipes > Vegan Kitchen Basics

Soy Milk

Published: Jan 26, 2020 ยท Modified: Oct 7, 2022 by Iosune Robles ยท This post may contain affiliate links

4.76 from 49 votes
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A picture of a bottle with soy milk and the words homemade soy milk

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.

A picture of a bottle and a glass with soy milk made from scratch

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.

Contents hide
1. How to make soy milk โ€“ Step by step
2. Pro tips
3. What is soy milk?
4. Is soy milk good for you?
5. Soy milk vs almond milk
6. Looking for more plant milk recipes?
7. Did you make this soy milk recipe?
8. Soy Milk

How to make soy milk – Step by step

Step by step photos of how to make soy milk
  • 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.
A shot of a glass with homemade soy milk and a bamboo straw

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?

  • Oat Milk
  • Hemp Milk
  • Rice Milk
  • Cashew Milk
  • Coconut Milk
Side shot of a glass with homemade soy milk

Did you make this soy milk recipe?

Please leave a comment below, share it, or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!

 

A square picture of a bottle with homemade soy milk
4.76 from 49 votes

Soy Milk

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.
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 25 minutes mins
Servings: 2 cups (500 ml)
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Ingredients 
 

  • ½ cup dried soybeans
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or a piece of vanilla bean, optional
  • 4 dates, optional
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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.
  • Use it to prepare recipes like vegan chocolate cake, vegan carrot cake, or vegan cheesecake.
  • 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

Serving: 1cup (250 ml) | Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.2g | Protein: 9.5g | Fat: 4.8g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 16mg | Fiber: 2.1g | Sugar: 2.1g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know how it was!
Course: Drink, How to
Cuisine: Chinese
Author: Iosune Robles

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.

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Comments

  1. Cliff says

    January 24, 2024 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    I've been making soy milk for about a year. I started with a recipe from a book, which has evolved into something quite a lot like yours! I start with 18 oz of beans and add 8 pints of water; I get close to a gallon of soy milk.
    I began this after I noticed the amount of sodium in cow's milk -- soy has almost no sodium whatever. Commercial soy milk, however, has added salt, which defeats the purpose, from my point of view.
    I had been making yoghurt for a while when I began this, and making soy milk required virtually the same equipment. I think the only thing I've bought, besides the beans, is some nigari for tofu.

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      March 11, 2024 at 9:38 pm

      Hi Cliff! Thanks a lot for your comment ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Natalie says

    July 01, 2023 at 6:42 am

    5 stars
    I stumbled onto this recipe when trying to make dรฒufu nวŽo. Itโ€™s almost impossible to find soy milk in the stores that donโ€™t have any additives which ruin the dรฒufu nวŽo. Anywayโ€ฆ I canโ€™t believe how easy (and cheap) it is to make your own soy milk! I will be using this recipe from now on ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      August 29, 2023 at 9:33 am

      Hi Natalie! I'm go glad to hear that ๐Ÿ™‚ Have a nice day!

      Reply
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