Evaporated Milk vs Buttermilk: Which is Better? (2024)

There are so many wonderful types of milk these days, and almost every kind is available with just a quick trip to the store or an online purchase.

However, that can make it difficult to decide on which one you should choose! For example, evaporated milk and buttermilk are two animal-based milks that have some unique pros and cons, but which one is better?

Well, we’ll explore exactly that in this article, helping you decide between evaporated milk and buttermilk, considering things like their nutritional profiles, storage requirements, best uses, and more! That way, you’ll be able to make your decision more easily!

Let’s jump in!

Comparing evaporated milk vs buttermilk

Both evaporated milk and buttermilk are animal-based, and have milk as an allergen. Unfortunately, neither of them are suitable for vegan, paleo, and keto diets, so you can check out something like hemp milk if that’s a quality you want!

Differences between evaporated milk and buttermilk

The main difference between evaporated milk and buttermilk are how they are processed, which creates changes in their flavors.

Evaporated milk has a lesser water content than regular milk, which is done by removing 60% of the water from regular milk through evaporation under a reduced pressure and high temperatures, which prevents the milk from scorching.

This gives it a thick and creamy texture, with a richness that boosts the texture and flavor in many recipes! It also has a slightly caramelized and rich flavor that comes from the evaporation process, which is quite different from buttermilk…

Buttermilk is also thick and creamy, but has a tangy and slightly sour flavor profile. It’s made by adding a probiotic culture to pasteurized or hom*ogenized milk, which ferments it – similar to how kefir is made! It’s often used in recipes to add moisture and its unique tanginess.

How to use evaporated milk vs buttermilk

Here are a couple ways to get the most out of evaporated milk and buttermilk:

Evaporated milk:

• Add extra creaminess and richness into things like sauces and soups.
• Make custards and puddings.
• Use in recipes like pie, fudge, and sweet buns.
• Bake with it.
• Mix into your coffee or hot chocolate for a rich flavor and texture.

Buttermilk:

• Tenderize meat with it.
• Add moisture to different bakes like pancakes, cookies, and cakes.
• Use it as a base for dressings and dips to add a creaminess.
• Use as marinades and brines.
• Make the many recipes that call for it, using its unique tangy flavor.
• Drink on its own.

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.

That being said, evaporated milk can be used in recipes where regular milk is required if you want to add a richer, creamier, and slightly sweeter twist.

Nutrition: Evaporated milk vs buttermilk

The evaporation process in evaporated milk gives it a heavy fat content, and it also has more protein than buttermilk. It also has more sugar and calories, and contains a solid amount of calcium and vitamin D!

Buttermilk, on the other hand, has less carbs and sugar than evaporated milk. It boasts some decent calcium and vitamin D contents, but not quite as much as evaporated milk. However, buttermilk contains some awesome probiotics, which is a nice benefit for overall health!

Note the different serving sizes in the chart below, with evaporated milk being compared as 2 tablespoons against buttermilk’s 1 cup.

How to store evaporated milk and buttermilk

Evaporated milk can be stored in a cool and dry place, like your pantry. The evaporation process creates a really long shelf-life when it’s unopened, staying fresh for a few months. However, once you open it, finish it within 3-5 days for best results.

Buttermilk should be stored in the fridge so that it doesn’t spoil quickly, and usually lasts up to 7 days when it’s unopened. After you open it, try finishing it within 3-5 days, although some brands can last up to 14 days – although that’s a risk for spoilage!

Evaporated milk vs buttermilk: Which is better?

This is a tough decision, as both milks offer their creamy and thick consistencies with unique flavors.

Evaporated milk is great to have on hand in the pantry, as it’ll stay fresh for quite a while unopened. It also adds a rich and creamy touch to many recipes.

Buttermilk has a tangy taste in its thick and creamy texture, and is a very popular ingredient in many bakes due its ability to moisten things and add a unique flavor.

Both milks are great, and it depends on your goals and needs, but buttermilk takes the overall win for being a more consistent ingredient in many recipes and for its unique flavor profile that’s hard to replace.

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