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

FAQs

Should evaporated milk be refrigerated? ›

Yes, NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk should be refrigerated after opening.

Can't find those small cans of evaporated milk? You can substitute 1 1/2 cups (340g) half-and-half (or a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk), a 14-ounce can of condensed milk, and 1/2 cup (113g) heavy or whipping cream.

Don't Substitute One for the Other

Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.

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.

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.

But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it. If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it. Two years is a long time, so if you can't remember how long you've had your evaporated milk, be extra cautious so you can avoid using an expired can.

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.

Substitute Half-and-Half for Evaporated Milk.

Nestlé states that Carnation evaporated milk can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio for regular whole milk. To test this claim, we opened a few cans to make sponge cake, vanilla pudding, and Parker House rolls, and compared the results with the same recipes made with regular whole milk.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk for cheesecake? ›

No! Condensed milk is very thick and sweet, so if you just use a can of evaporated milk in its place your recipe will not taste the same. The best substitute for condensed milk is heavy cream plus some sugar, depending on how much condensed milk your recipe calls for.

Dairy alternatives to evaporated milk include whole milk, cream, and half-and-half, while nondairy options include soy milk, nut milk, and quinoa milk.

In most recipes, evaporated milk and half and half can be exchanged in a 1:1 ratio. Summary Half and half is made from 50% milk and 50% cream blended together. It is higher in fat and lower in protein and sugar than evaporated milk. It can be used in most of the same recipes.

Sour cream will give your baked dishes a creamier texture due to its acidity. You will need to mix it with baking powder, and then add equal amounts according to your recipe. This is a great replacement for evaporated milk. It can also be used to make buttermilk or whole milk.

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

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.

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.