15 Outstanding Illustrative Evaporated Milk Substitutes That You Must Try Once

Don’t have evaporated milk for that recipe you really wanted to make? Why not try some simple substitutes like regular milk, half-and-half, powdered milk, heavy cream, and milk, or simply coconut milk?

These options still give you great results, and are definitely worth a try. 

Evaporated milk is an important ingredient for many meals. However, it is not something that’s always readily available when you need it.

If you are someone who loves to make recipes that include evaporated milk, but can rarely ever get evaporated milk, stick around! You will love to learn that there are some amazing substitutes that you can use if you find yourself without!  

Just keep reading, and you will find out everything you need to know about substitutions for evaporated milk. It is always nice to have some alternatives that you can turn to, right?

Understanding The Difference Between Evaporated Milk And Condensed Milk

Before we dip into our handy bag of substitutes, it’s important for us to understand the difference between evaporated and condensed milk.

A lot of people who aren’t used to spending too much time in the kitchen might not be aware that there even is a difference, but there is. A massive difference, actually. 

No shame, though. Even if you look at the labels, they are usually super similar. If you are in a rush, picking condensed milk over evaporated milk is an honest mistake. We’ve all been there. 

However, you cannot mix the two up when you’re using it.

Let’s look at the difference between these two products below:

• Evaporated Milk – this is normal cow’s milk, but 60% of its water content has been taken out. This product is unsweetened, and can essentially be turned back into regular milk by just adding water (more on that later).
•  Condensed Milk – this is also cow’s milk, but the majority of the water content has been removed and sugar has been added. This product is super sweet and delicious.

So, while both evaporated and condensed milk are both versions of good old cow’s milk, they’re very different. They are made to use for different things, and cannot be substituted for one another.

As such, if you ever accidentally buy condensed milk instead of evaporated milk, don’t try to use it for your recipe.

The result would likely be disastrous.

What Can I Substitute For Evaporated Milk?

Okay, so now we know that we can’t use evaporated milk and condensed milk interchangeably, so what can we substitute for evaporated milk? Well, that’s what we are going to go through below. Let’s take a look. 

Milk

We are all familiar with regular cow’s milk, right? Chances are, you have some sitting in your refrigerator! If you do, then you can use this instead of evaporated milk.

In fact, you can create your own evaporated milk just by boiling it for long enough. 

Measure out 2 ½ cups of regular cow’s milk and pour it into a small pot. Put it over a medium-high heat, and allow it to heat up, stirring occasionally.

Eventually, it will begin to boil. Just leave it to boil until it reduces to around 60% (like evaporated milk)! Leave it to cool down, then use it.

How To Substitute

Create your own evaporated milk using regular cow’s milk following the method above, then use the DIY evaporated milk as you would the store-bought stuff! This method is so easy and healthy, and is the closest you will get to your store bought product.

Powdered Milk

Powdered milk is another good option to go with if you need a substitute for evaporated milk. This is a super easy method, and the results are exactly what you would hope for. 

All you need to do is measure out 1 ½ of non-fat powdered milk and mix it with 1 ¼ cups of water. Just stir the mixture until everything is dissolved and mixed together, and you have DIY evaporated milk once again.

It’s really that easy, and it takes no time at all.

How To Substitute

To substitute powdered milk for evaporated milk, follow the instructions above, then use it as you would regular evaporated milk. Make sure to allow it to cool down if the recipe requires it to, though!

Half And Half

Half-and-half is a mixture of equal parts cream and whole milk. This is more popular in places like the United States, and might  not be readily available in other countries.

However, it is an amazing substitute if you find yourself without evaporated milk in the house. 

To use half-and-half as a substitute for evaporated milk, you can use it at roughly a 1:1 ratio. While this product might be a little thicker than evaporated milk, it still gets great results, and makes everything super creamy.

How To Substitute

Use the half-and-half (half milk, half cream), at the same 1:1 ratio that you would if you were using regular evaporated milk. This is a very easy option, as most Americans will have some half-and-half sitting in their refrigerator already!

Milk And Heavy Cream

Here, you are basically making your own half-and-half mixture! All you need to do is mix six oz of milk with six oz of heavy cream. Mix the two ingredients together thoroughly before using it as your substitute.

This DIY half-and-half mixture is a great option for anyone who can’t easily access half-and-half in the country they live in.

It’s also just great for when you have run out of your usual half-and-half, so it can come in handy in a number of scenarios! 

How To Substitute

You can use your at home half-and-half exactly like you would your regular half-and-half. This means that you will use it at roughly a 1:1 ratio to get the perfect, creamy results you need.

RELATED: 9 Best Malt Milk Powder Substitutes

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is delicious. No one can argue against that (unless they don’t like coconuts?). Using coconut milk as a substitute for evaporated milk works incredibly well because of the texture.

It’s so full and creamy, and it’s very similar to evaporated milk. 

How To Substitute

Coconut milk is an excellent substitute for evaporated milk. It is because it has a richer flavor and is much lower in calories and saturated fat. It also has a lower glycemic index, which means it does not spike blood sugar levels like other dairy products.

Almond Evaporated Milk

If you or someone in the house is more sensitive to lactose, then why not try a dairy free substitute for evaporated milk? In fact, why not just try this anyway? It’s delicious!

All you need to do is get 2 ½ cups of unsweetened almond milk, and put it in a saucepan. Heat the almond milk up using a medium-high heat, and bring it to the boil.

Turn the heat down to medium, then allow it to simmer away, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the mixture and keep stirring until it reduces to around 60%. Allow it to cool down, then use it as you would your evaporated milk!

How To Substitute

Once boiled down, use the almond evaporated milk as you would regular evaporated milk. It’s a delicious dairy-free option for the whole family to enjoy!

Soy Milk

Soy milk is an excellent substitute for evaporated milk in many recipes.

Soy milk is less processed and more nutritious than cow’s milk, so it’s a great option for recipes where you want to use the least processed most nutritious ingredients. Soy milk also tastes great in many recipes, including coffee and tea.

If you are substituting evaporated milk with soy milk, you need to use soy milk with a high-fat content. For sweet and savory dishes, soy milk will be the perfect substitute.

How To Substitute

You may use soy milk to substitute evaporated milk in a 1:1 ratio.

Walnut Milk

If you are not tight on a budget, walnut milk can become your next substitute in your recipe.

It contains a milder taste and works excellently in dishes to achieve a sweet and savory flavor to your desired recipes.

Walnut milk has a slightly nutty flavor and a silky texture. It’s great in smoothies, sauces, dressings, and even coffee!

How To Substitute

Use an equal amount of walnut milk that your recipe calls for evaporated milk.

Rice Milk

Some people need help with substituting evaporated milk with Rice Milk.

Rice milk contains a glycemic index and becomes the reason for blood sugar fluctuation.

Rice milk could be an excellent substitute for people who are not comfortable with regular or soy milk.

How To Substitute

You can substitute evaporated milk with Rice Milk by replacing one cup with one cup of Rice Milk.

Sour Cream

Sour cream is one of the most popular substitutes that you must add once in a while in your recipe to know the final outcome.

You can substitute evaporated milk with sour cream in many recipes, such as a cream sauce, by adding one cup of sour cream for every cup of evaporated milk.

How To Substitute

You may substitute evaporated milk with sour cream after adding some baking powder.

Oat Milk

If you are looking for a dairy-free alternative to evaporated milk, then oat milk is the next savior.

It depends on you if you want to go for a store-bought version of oat milk or make it home. 

Because of the thin consistency of the oat milk, you must thicken it by whipping it for some time before using it in your recipe.

How To Substitute

The best ratio to substitute evaporated milk with oat milk is 1:1.

Quinoa Milk

Quinoa Milk is the perfect substitute for evaporated milk. It’s packed with essential nutrients and is free from saturated fats.

Quinoa is a high-quality protein source, which makes it an excellent alternative for those of you who are lactose intolerant.

It’s also high in fiber, which means that it’ll fill you up for longer, and best of all, it’s gluten-free.

How To Substitute

For the best result, substitute 1 cup of evaporated milk with 1 cup of quinoa.

Canned Coconut Milk

Substitute evaporated milk with canned coconut milk is an easy and economical way to add dairy-free richness to your favorite dishes. You can use canned coconut milk instead of evaporated milk in many recipes.

Canned Coconut Milk has a high-fat content, which makes it a healthier alternative, as it is lower in saturated fat.

You can use it in recipes for dairy-free milkshakes and ice cream. The flavor of the milk is sweet, and it is perfect for cooking and baking.

How To Substitute

Use canned coconut milk in a 1: substitution ratio in any recipe.

Hemp Milk

Hemp milk is a delicious and creamy plant-based with a slightly sweeter taste. Due to its sweetness, it is better suited for baking than other kinds of milk.

The hemp milk is thinner in consistency and texture, so it would be best to thicken it before using it in any of your recipes.

How To Substitute

If you want to substitute evaporated milk with Hemp Milk for a recipe, you’ll have to use about two cups of Hemp Milk for every cup of evaporated milk called for in the recipe. In addition, you may have to make some changes to the recipe, such as changing the amount of sugar or the type of sweetener.

Lactose-Free Evaporated Milk

Milk is an essential component of many recipes. However, if you are lactose intolerant, you can use lactose-free evaporated milk to make your favorite dishes. The product is similar to evaporated milk, but it is lactose-free.

The best way to substitute evaporated milk for Lactose-Free Evaporated Milk is to take a can of regular evaporated milk, place it in the refrigerator overnight, and then open it up and pour the contents into a pot.

Add the appropriate amount of Lactose-Free Evaporated Milk and mix well. You can substitute evaporated milk with regular, but the taste will be slightly different.

How To Substitute

Use the same quantity of lactose-free evaporated milk in your recipe that your recipe calls for.

Ideas For Using Evaporated Milk

Use it in smoothies – who doesn’t like a smoothie? Just add a splash of your delicious evaporated milk to the next smoothie you want to make, and make a delicious concoction. 

Add it to a pudding – add your condensed milk to your favorite pudding to make it unforgettable.

This goes incredibly with chia or instant mix puddings, and you will get a smooth and creamy consistency. It’ll become a family favorite.

Try it in popsicles – you can add some evaporated milk to any of your favorite popsicle recipes, or just freeze it plain!

Adding it to your favorite recipes will make them so smooth and creamy, and give them a sweetness unlike anything else. It’s the perfect summer treat.

Serve it with tea – combine a little condensed milk with a spoon of honey in your favorite tea, and there’s nothing better. This combination is great for winding down at the end of the day and relaxing a little before the chaos starts all over again.

Turn it into regular milk – you can easily reconstitute evaporated milk and turn it into regular milk! All you need to do is add water so that the volume doubles, and you have regular milk again.

We wouldn’t recommend using it like you typically would, though, as it won’t taste the same. However, it’s still perfect to be used in a variety of recipes, especially for baking.

Make a salad dressing with it – want a creamy salad dressing that will knock your socks off? Try icing evaporated milk with a little lemon juice! The results will simply be to die for, and you will never want to go back.

Use it in a soup – there are so many soups that require something creamy to be added to them, and evaporated milk is perfect!

It’s a great alternative to using something like half-and-half in your favorite savory recipes.

RELATED: 6 Substitutes For Sweetened Condensed Milk For Your Sweet Recipes

Storing Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk should always be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container. That way, it should be good to store for up to five days, giving you plenty of time to use it!

However, the best thing you can do is use the milk as soon as possible, just try out one of the dishes mentioned above. You won’t regret it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Good Substitute For Evaporated Milk?

Some of the most popular substitutes for evaporated milk are:

• Non-dairy MIlk
• Regular Milk
• Powdered Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Half and Half

What Can I Use In Place Of Evaporated Milk In Pumpkin Pie?

Pumpkin pie is a classic dessert, but the typical recipe calls for evaporated milk. It is derived from the milk of cows pumped full of milk. 

Evaporated milk is a key ingredient in pumpkin pie. A nutritious alternative to eveaporated milk is almond milk or coconut milk.

Which Is Healthier: Evaporated Or Condensed Milk?

Compared with condensed milk, evaporated milk is healthier since it contains no harmful components. In addition, since it isn’t heated, it has no toxic chemicals in condensed milk.

Can I Use Sour Cream Instead Of Evaporated Milk?

The best substitute for evaporated milk is sour cream, which is considered one of the best alternatives. It provides your dish with a creamy texture. However, you will be required to add baking powder to it.

How Can I Make My Own Evaporated Milk?

Making your own evaporated milk is easier than you think. All you need is a saucepan and some heat. All you need to do is fill the saucepan with milk and turn the heat on until it starts to boil. 

Stir the milk continuously as it boils to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The milk will start to foam, and then it will turn into a thick, white cream. As the cream boils, the fat will separate from the liquid. And form a layer on top of the liquid. 

When the cream has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit for at least 20 minutes before straining the cream into a bowl.

Evaporated Milk Substitutes – 15 Great Options

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

35

minutes

Forget to get evaporated milk on your last shopping trip? Don’t worry! There are plenty of great substitutes you can try out instead! Just read this.

Ingredients

• Milk

• Powdered Milk

• Half And Half

• Milk And Heavy Cream

• Coconut Milk

• Almond Evaporated Milk

• Soy Milk

• Walnut Milk

• Rice Milk

• Sour Cream

• Oat Milk

• Quinoa Milk

• Canned Coconut Milk

• Hemp Milk

• Lactose-Free Evaporated Milk

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

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