April 4, 2025
Dairy Staples Every Home Cook Needs
What’s always in a great cook’s fridge? Dairy. From butter and milk to cheese and yogurt, dairy staples are the secret to better sauces, baked goods, and everyday meals. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, here are the best dairy items to keep on hand—and why they matter.
Why Dairy Items Deserve a Spot in Every Kitchen
Dairy items aren’t just delicious. They’re some of the most hardworking basic ingredients for cooking. These kitchen staples offer flavor and endless versatility—making them true heroes of your fridge.
Healthy Dairy Foods
Dairy makes it easy to create meals that nourish and satisfy, even on your busiest days.
The health benefits of dairy go beyond taste. Think bone-strengthening calcium, muscle-supporting protein, and gut-friendly probiotics. Just a few servings of milk and dairy products each day can boost your overall wellness. Milk, yogurt, and cheese are all good sources of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients.
Quick Tip: Sneak in More Protein
Stir cottage cheese into scrambled eggs or Greek yogurt into smoothies for an easy protein boost that will help you feel fuller longer.
Uses of Dairy around the Kitchen
Dairy staples can transform your cooking with just a few simple swaps.
- A splash of cream can add richness to sauces and soups.
- Butter helps prevent sticking and adds flavor when sautéing or baking.
- Adding milk to your scrambled eggs creates a lighter, fluffier texture.
- Swapping milk for water makes canned soups creamier and hot chocolate extra cozy.
Quick Tip: Get the Benefits of Dairy without Lactose
Lactose intolerance? Explore our favorite dairy alternatives to get similar benefits while cooking dairy-free.
The Best Dairy Foods to have on Hand
When your fridge is stocked with the most common dairy products, you’re always ready to cook something delicious. Here’s a kitchen ingredients list to keep on hand:
- Milk – great for smoothies, baking, or elevating everyday dishes
- Cream – perfect for sauces, dips, and decadent desserts
- Butter – ideal for sautéing, spreading, and baking
- Yogurt – versatile for breakfast bowls, snacks, or marinades
- Cheese – a must-have for melting, topping, and snacking
- Cottage cheese – great for quick lunches, baking, or adding protein to meals
- Sour cream – ideal for dips, toppings, baking, and creamy dressings
- Cream cheese – perfect for spreads, frostings, or thickening sauces and soups
- Buttermilk – delicious in pancakes, waffles, salad dressings, and tender baked goods
- Whipped cream – a finishing touch for desserts, fruit, or sweet breakfast treats
- Evaporated or condensed milk – shelf-stable options ideal for baking and sauces
Out of buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar into 1 cup milk and let sit for 5 minutes.
Milk
Few ingredients work as hard in the kitchen as milk. It’s one ingredient that works in nearly every meal. The uses of milk are nearly endless: it adds creaminess to sauces, structure to baked goods, and balance to flavors. Here are some recipes showcasing the benefits of milk.
Quick Tip: Tame the Spice
Too much heat? Stir in a little milk to mellow spicy dishes and bring flavors back into balance.
Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Milk
Banana, peanut butter, and Horizon Organic® Chocolate Milk come together in this easy, creamy drink recipe.
Try This Dairy-Forward Favorite
Tres Leches Cake With Berries
Sweet milks and Land O Lakes® Half & Half soak this sponge cake to perfection, while fresh berries add a bright, fruity twist.
Berry Smoothie Bowls Recipe
Blend Seal the Seasons Florida Antioxidant Blend with banana and milk, then top with granola, coconut, and peanut butter.
See the Full Recipe + Shop Now
Butter
Behind every golden crust, rich sauce, and tender baked good is often one thing: butter. Use butter to sauté, bake, or spread—it’s one of those basic ingredients for cooking that always delivers.
Quick Tip: How to Store Butter
Keep butter in its original wrapping, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Want it spreadable? Store in a butter bell on the counter.
Browned Butter Recipe
Use Land O’Lakes Butter to create a rich, golden browned butter you’ll want to use on everything.
Homemade Herb Butter
This homemade herb butter blends Land O’Lakes Unsalted Butter with fresh herbs for a flavorful finishing touch on meats, veggies, or bread.
Sweet Shaken Butter Sauce
This easy recipe uses Land O Lakes® Butter and a hint of vanilla to make a sweet, creamy sauce in minutes.
Cream
Cream adds silky texture to everything it touches. Popular heavy cream uses include making silky sauces, fluffy whipped toppings, and rich fillings for baked goods. The benefits of cream are many—and the results are always worth it. Just a splash can turn basic meals into something special.
Quick Tip: Whip It Good
For the fluffiest whipped cream, chill your bowl and beaters before whipping. Cold cream = better peaks!
Fresh Berry Cream Puffs
Fresh berries and mint top these fluffy, homemade cream puffs filled with rich vanilla bean cream made with Land O Lakes® dairy favorites.
Grilled Peaches and Cream Shortcake
Grilled peaches and Graeter’s Madagascar Vanilla Bean Ice Cream come together in this summery spin on classic shortcake.
Coconut Cream Pie
Creamy, dreamy, and coconut-packed, this pie features Land O Lakes® Butter, Eggs, and Heavy Whipping Cream in every delicious layer.
Yogurt
Yogurt isn’t just for breakfast. The benefits of yogurt—like moisture and flavor—are nearly endless. It blends, bakes, and balances with ease. Try swapping it for sour cream or mayo. Need more uses for yogurt? Try the recipes below.
Quick Tip: Cooking with Yogurt
Use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream or mayo to reduce fat while boosting protein.
Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Steak
Marinate your steak in Greek yogurt for a juicy, flavorful twist on classic grilling.
Greek Yogurt Egg Muffins Recipe
These protein-packed egg muffins combine Greek yogurt, bacon and cheese for an easy, make-ahead breakfast.
Three-Ingredient Cheesy Yogurt Drop Biscuits Recipe
Greek yogurt gives these biscuits a soft texture and tangy flavor—no rolling or kneading required.
Cheese
Cheese fits into every corner of your kitchen—from lunchboxes to lasagna. One of the best benefits of cheese is its ability to turn simple dishes into serious comfort food. Other uses of cheese include topping tacos, building sandwiches, and stirring into sauces.
Need more inspiration? See the best types of cheese for every dish.
Quick Tip: Grate and Freeze
Shred cheese and freeze it in portions to cut down on prep time. No thawing needed!
Crispy Cheese Burrito
Wrap up melty cheese and refried beans in a golden, pan-fried tortilla for the ultimate comfort food.
Family Pizza Night
This fun twist on pizza night starts with Lender’s Bagels and layers on sauce, cheese, and your family’s favorite toppings.
Magical Cheese Crisps
One ingredient, endless crunch—these cheese crisps made with Sargento® Cheddar are pure snack magic.
More Recipes for Cooking with Dairy
Hot Honey and Yogurt Marinated Chicken Recipe
This tender chicken gets a sweet and spicy upgrade with a hot honey and Greek yogurt marinade.
Ham and Cheese Sliders Recipe
This simple slider recipe pairs soft rolls with ham, Borden® Extra Sharp Cheddar Melts and a buttery glaze.
Spicy Fried Paneer with Cilantro Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Crispy paneer bites bring the heat, while a cool cilantro yogurt sauce brings the balance in this flavorful dish.
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