Better Milk Options: Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks?

It’s been a long-running battle between two of the most popular coffee chains in America: Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts. And while there’s no real need to choose sides, we often naturally do – ultimately favoring one over the other for a host of different reasons.

There are different reasons to love them, and different ways to come to a conclusion about which chain is superior…but we’re here to answer one specific question: which coffee shop offers better milk options?

Here’s the bird’s-eye-view:

STARBUCKS	DUNKIN’
Dairy Milks: Whole Milk 2% Milk Nonfat Milk Half and Half Heavy Cream Vanilla Sweet Cream	Dairy Milks: Whole Milk Skim Milk Cream
Plant-Based Milks: Soy Milk Coconut Milk Almond Milk Oat Milk	Plant-Based Milks: Almond Milk Oat Milk

Let’s take a deep dive into the various types of milk available at Starbucks versus Dunkin’, both dairy and plant-based, to determine which spot wins the milk category.

Starbucks vs. Dunkin’: dairy milk options

Let’s start things off with the dairy category, which typically accounts for the majority of milk options you’ll find across most major coffee chains. Starbucks is known for offering a plethora of ordering options and customizations, and milk selection makes up a big part of that. With six types of milk in the dairy category alone, Starbucks offers double the amount of Dunkin’s three dairy choices.

So when it comes to dairy milk, Starbucks wins. The chain currently offers six different choices that you can add or substitute to virtually any drink order: whole milk, 2% milk, nonfat milk, half and half (aka breve), heavy cream, and vanilla sweet cream.

Meanwhile, Dunkin’ offers three main types of dairy milk: whole milk, skim milk, and cream (which, at Dunkin’, is a “light cream” made of a milk and cream blend). The whole milk and skim milk can be added or substituted in most drink orders, while the cream is reserved for certain specific frozen or signature items that have a creamier, thicker base.

Here’s a quick recap of each type of dairy milk and how they differ from one another.

Whole milk [Starbucks and Dunkin’]

Whole milk, which has a fat content of 3.25%, is considered full-fat milk. It’s thick, creamy, and slightly sweet due to a higher amount of natural sugars. This is typically the standard type of milk used in most drink orders at Dunkin’ unless indicated otherwise, while it’s reserved for certain creamier Starbucks creations like Frappuccinos and Flat Whites.

2% milk [Starbucks]

As a reduced fat milk (2% milk fat), this milk is a bit lighter than whole milk and is very versatile, working well in hot or iced drinks. Starbucks uses 2% milk as its default milk in almost all of their menu items – so essentially any drink made with milk will be made with 2% unless otherwise specified. Dunkin’ does not currently offer 2% milk.

Skim milk / Nonfat milk [Starbucks and Dunkin’]

Referred to as skim milk at Dunkin’ and nonfat milk at Starbucks, this type of milk has had all of its fat removed. It’s the lightest in consistency and the most mild in flavor (as well as the dairy choice with the least amount of calories, carbs, and sugars). Skim milk is an option for most classic coffee and tea drinks on the Dunkin’ menu, and is used to make any drink a “skinny” order at Starbucks.

Half and half / Cream [Starbucks and Dunkin’]

Half and half, also known as breve, is half heavy cream and half whole milk. At both Starbucks and Dunkin’, this is also what they refer to as simply “cream” – so if you ask for cream in your coffee, you’ll get half-and-half. Because it’s a lot heavier than whole, 2%, or nonfat milk, half and half isn’t necessarily ideal for lattes or other espresso drinks, but its consistency is ideal as an add-in for drip coffee or cold drinks like iced coffee and cold brew. The in-house cream at Dunkin’ is technically a “light cream”, which is only an add-in option for a handful of drinks on the menu.

Heavy cream [Starbucks]

Heavy cream is essentially the fat that’s been removed from whole milk. It’s what Starbucks uses to make their whipped cream that they include in many of their signature drinks, but it’s also a milk option that you can customize your drink with if you want something extra thick, rich, and creamy. Heavy cream is not currently available at Dunkin’ (although they do also offer whipped cream on frozen and signature drinks).

Vanilla sweet cream [Starbucks]

Exclusive to Starbucks, the chain mixes a blend of heavy cream and 2% milk with their vanilla simple syrup to make their vanilla sweet cream. It’s included under milk customization options for most orders, but it’s used more so as a sweetener in drinks like cold brews and iced coffees to add flavor and creaminess.

Here’s the full breakdown of all of the dairy milk choices available at both Starbucks and Dunkin’’, along with the basic nutritional info for Starbucks milk types (unfortunately it’s unclear what brand of dairy milk Dunkin’ carries and the chain doesn’t provide nutritional information for the milk itself, so we’re unable to confirm the nutritional facts).

STARBUCKS
Type of Milk	Definition	Nutritional Facts  [Per ~8oz Serving]
Whole Milk	Full-fat milk with 3.25% fat	Calories: 149 Fat: 7.9g Carbs: 12g Sugar: 12g Protein: 7.7g
2% Milk	Reduced-fat milk with 2% fat	Calories: 122 Fat: 4.8g Carbs: 12g Sugar: 12g Protein: 8.1g
Nonfat Milk	Milk with all fat removed	Calories: 83 Fat: 0.2g Carbs: 12g Sugar: 13g Protein: 8.3g
Half and Half (Breve or Cream)	Half heavy cream, half whole milk	Calories: 317 Fat: 28g Carbs: 10g Sugar: 10g Protein: 7.6g
Heavy Cream	Fat that’s been removed from milk	Calories: 816 Fat: 87g Carbs: 6.6g Sugar: 7g Protein: 6.8g
Vanilla Sweet Cream	3 parts heavy cream, 2 parts 2% milk, 1 part Starbucks vanilla syrup	Calories: 65 Fat: 1g Sugar: 4g *Per splash or serving
DUNKIN’
Type of Milk	Definition
Skim Milk	Milk with all fat removed
Whole Milk	Full-fat milk with 3.25% fat
Cream	Milk mixed with heavy cream

Starbucks vs. Dunkin’: plant-based milk options

It may be no surprise that where Starbucks doubles Dunkin’ in the amount of dairy milks offered, they also double the amount of plant-based milks. With two plant-based milk choices currently available at Dunkin’ and four at Starbucks, Starbucks wins again.

As Starbucks has continued to roll out more plant-based and vegan options throughout the years, the four types of plant-based milks currently available are soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and almond milk. Like the dairy choices, these can be used to customize pretty much any drink you can order on their menu.

Dunkin’ currently offers two plant-based milks: almond milk and oat milk. These milk options can be substituted in many drinks on the Dunkin’ menu, but while you can always ask in-store, they aren’t necessarily a milk substitution choice for all of their menu items. 

Here’s the rundown on the plant-based milks and the specific brands that each chain carries.

Soy milk [Starbucks]

Soy milk is derived from whole soybeans, and has been offered at Starbucks for many years as the chain’s first non-dairy milk alternative. Starbucks uses a brand called Westsoy Original Soymilk, which is an organic blend formulated specially for Starbucks stores. It’s sweetened with cane juice and vanilla, and also contains other additives and controversial ingredients like carrageenan. Soy milk makes a creamy, slightly sweet addition to hot and cold drinks. This plant-based option is not currently offered at Dunkin’.

Coconut milk [Starbucks]

Coconut milk is another very creamy, rich plant-based milk alternative made from coconut meat. Starbucks also uses their own brand of coconut milk called Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk. It has a coconut cream base and contains sweeteners and additives like gums, natural flavors, and carrageenan. Coconut milk doesn’t tend to foam well, but it works great in cold, iced, or frozen beverages. Dunkin’ did offer coconut milk up until recently, but they discontinued it from their menus in December of 2023.

Almond milk [Starbucks and Dunkin’]

Almond milk is made with almonds and filtered water, and is available at both Starbucks and Dunkin’. Most Starbucks locations use Califia Farms Barista Blend Almond Milk, which includes ingredients like lecithin, gums, and natural flavors, as well as some added cane sugar. The almond milk brand of choice at Dunkin’ is Almond Breeze Vanilla Almondmilk, which is flavored with vanilla and other natural flavors, and also contains thickener additives and cane sugar. Almond milk has neutral flavor and light, creamy texture; it steams well and tends to work best in hot drinks.

Oat milk [Starbucks and Dunkin’]

Oat milk is another popular milk alternative that’s made by soaking whole oats in water. Starbucks carries Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk, which contains rapeseed oil and small amounts of other added ingredients, while Dunkin’ uses Planet Oat Extra Creamy Oatmilk, which includes sunflower oil and other added thickeners. Oat milk is slightly sweet and thicker in consistency, making it a great option for foaming in hot drinks or adding to cold drinks for creaminess.

Here’s everything you need to know about the brands of plant-based milk that each coffee chain carries, including ingredients and nutritional information. 

STARBUCKS
Type of Milk	Brand Carried	Ingredients	Nutritional Facts  [Per ~8oz Serving]
Soy Milk	Westsoy Original Soymilk (Danone)	Organic Soymilk (Filtered Water, Whole Organic Soybeans) Organic Evaporated Cane Juice Calcium Carbonate Natural Vanilla Flavor Sea Salt Carrageenan Sodium Citrate Baking Soda Vitamin A Palmitate Vitamin D2 Riboflavin (B2) Vitamin B12	Calories: 130 Fat: 4g Carbs: 16g Sugars: 13g Protein: 7g
Coconut Milk	Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk	Water Coconut Cream Cane Sugar Tricalcium Phosphate Coconut Water Concentrate Natural Flavors Sea Salt Carrageenan Gellan Gum Corn Dextrin Xanthan Gum Guar Gum Vitamin A Palmitate Vitamin D2	Calories: 80 Fat: 5g Carbs: 7g Sugars: 7g Protein: 1g
Oat Milk	Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk	Oat Base (Water, Oats) Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed Oil Contains 2% or less of: Dipotassium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin D2, Vitamin B12	Calories: 140 Fat: 7g Carbs: 16g Sugars: 7g Protein: 1g
Almond Milk	Califia Farms Barista Blend Almond Milk	Almondmilk (Water, Almonds) Cane Sugar Calcium Carbonate Sunflower Lecithin Sea Salt Guar Gum Natural Flavor Gellan Gum Potassium Citrate	Calories: 60 Fat: 4g Carbs: 6g Sugars: 5g Protein: 2g
DUNKIN’
Type of Milk	Brand Carried	Ingredients	Nutritional Facts  [Per ~8oz Serving]
Almond Milk	Almond Breeze Vanilla Almondmilk	Almondmilk (Water, Almonds) Cane Sugar Calcium Carbonate Natural Flavors Sea Salt Potassium Citrate Sunflower Lecithin Gellan Gum Vitamin A Palmitate Vitamin D2 D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E)	Calories: 80Fat: 2.5gCarbs: 14gSugars: 13gProtein: 1g
Oat Milk	Planet Oat Extra Creamy Oatmilk	Oatmilk (Filtered Water, Oats) Sunflower Oil Calcium Carbonate Dipotassium Phosphate Guar Gum Sea Salt Sunflower Lecithin Gellan Gum Vitamin A Palmitate Vitamin D2 Riboflavin Vitamin B12	Calories: 120 Fat: 3.5g Carbs: 22g Sugars: 5g Protein: 2g

Starbucks vs. Dunkin’: the ultimate verdict

When it comes to the types of milk available at each major coffee chain, Starbucks offers better milk options overall. While Dunkin’ has five milk options to choose from – three dairy and two plant-based – the Starbucks menu includes everything Dunkin’ offers and more, with a whopping ten different milk choices available for customers.

With six dairy milk options and four plant-based milk options, Starbucks doesn’t just offer more choices and thus a greater variety of milk and milk alternatives, but they also offer more ways to customize and substitute each milk. Dunkin’ typically allows for certain types of milk to be selected for certain menu items, but at Starbucks you pretty much have free reign to add, substitute, or customize any order with any type of milk you’d like.

For this reason, Starbucks simply beats out Dunkin’ in terms of milk variety and the overall choices available to you.

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