These Evaporated Milk Substitutes May Already Be in Your Fridge (2024)

FAQs

What can be a substitute for evaporated milk? ›

Once opened, evaporated milk should be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. It generally retains its best quality for 3 to 5 days after opening but might be safe to consume for a day or two beyond this if it has been stored correctly and shows no signs of spoilage.

Yes, NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk should be refrigerated after opening. As with any milk, use within a few days. Wipe can top after each use and keep covered or transfer to an airtight glass or plastic container. We do not recommend that you freeze unused products because it becomes very watery when thawed.

Evaporated milk comes in three varieties based on the amount of fat: whole milk, low-fat and skim. The benefit of evaporated milk is shelf-life: canned milk can remain stable for up to two years for peak flavor, and maybe longer. If you open a can of evaporated milk and it is dark yellow or brown, don't use it.

The bottom line is that heavy cream has more than twice the calories and five times the fat content of evaporated milk. The first thing to notice in the label comparison above is that the serving size for heavy cream (1 tablespoon) is half the serving size of evaporated milk (2 tablespoons).

While many recipes call for it, you can absolutely make an outstanding pumpkin pie without evaporated milk. If your recipe calls for one can of evaporated milk (as most do), you can substitute 1 ½ cups of cream or half and half, or a combination of the two. You can also use milk (any kind from whole to skim).

Besides looking inside the can to evaluate the milk's color, you can also give it a quick sniff test. If the smell is off, that's yet another sign the can has spoiled. Also, short of tasting it, you can stir the contents to make sure the milk is still smooth. If it's lumpy, it's time to toss.

Evaporated milk is nutritious

Just like fresh milk or powdered milk, evaporated milk is a healthy choice. It provides nutrients needed for healthy bones: protein, calcium, vitamins A and D. Evaporated milk is sold in cans. It comes in skim, 1%, 2% or hom*ogenized (3.25%) versions.

When stored correctly, evaporated milk can be stored at the temperature of the freezer for up to 3 months. It's safe to use within this amount of time.

Evaporated milk may be used to prepare both sweet and savory dishes, mostly desserts or sauces that call for a thick consistency. You may also use it as a substitute for heavy cream or half-and-half, or even drink it on its own. Still, note that its caramelized taste differs from that of fresh cow's milk.

What is the point of evaporated milk? ›

But when left in its thickened, low-moisture canned state, it can also stand in for milk or heavy cream as an enriching agent. Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal.

On its own, evaporated milk is thick and creamy, making it an excellent replacement for half and half or creamer in your coffee or tea. You can also experiment with adding it to smoothies, milkshakes, soup, or pasta sauces, although you'll want to use less than you would with regular milk.

Substitute Heavy Cream for Evaporated Milk

Use the same amount of cream as you would evaporated milk. Or, If you have both cream and regular milk on hand, thin the cream to make your own half-and-half. Whisk together equal parts of cream and milk and use the same amount called for in your recipe.

As for whether you can drink evaporated milk right out of the can, it's safe to do so. Because the only real difference is the water content, evaporated milk is pretty similar when it comes to nutritional value. However, the taste and texture of evaporated milk can be somewhat off-putting to many people.

It makes an excellent direct swap for half-and-half in many instances, but keep in mind that evaporated milk has less fat and more protein than half-and-half.

Make evaporated milk by heating 2 ¼ cups of regular milk and gently boiling it down until it reduces to 1 cup. This exact method is used to make evaporated milk for commercial retail. Evaporated milk is most commonly made with 2 percent milk, but whole milk, 1 percent, or skim will also work.

Regular milk has a higher water content compared to evaporated milk. Due to its reduced water content, evaporated milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk. It's often used in recipes to provide a richer texture and flavor. Regular milk has a more fluid and watery consistency.

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Can you substitute evaporated milk for buttermilk? Both milks here are great for adding a creaminess to different recipes, so you can use them interchangeably in that regard. However, their different flavors can really affect a dish, with buttermilk's tangy flavor being a staple in many different recipes and bakes.