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

FAQs

What can I use as 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.

After the water content is reduced, the milk is canned and then sterilized to extend its shelf life. The sterilization process involves heating the canned milk to destroy any microorganisms, resulting in a product that does not require refrigeration until opened.

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.

Yes, NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk should be refrigerated after opening. As with any fresh milk, use within a few days. Clean can top after each use and keep covered or transfer to an airtight glass or plastic container.

Evaporated Milk – With a similar consistency, you can use a 1-to-1 swap of evaporated milk for heavy cream in most sweet and savory dishes. Its flavor is richer with unique caramelized tones and is not a lower-fat option, but evaporated milk makes do in a pinch.

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.

Evaporated milk:

It is possible to freeze evaporated milk, and it is kept in the freezer for three to six months.

Why cant you drink evaporated milk? ›

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.

If the evaporated milk is just past the expiration date and shows no signs of spoilage, giving consideration to its application in various recipes is key: Cooking and Baking: Milk used in baking or cooking will be subject to high temperatures that can reduce the risk of foodborne bacteria.

To substitute evaporated milk for fresh milk, one cup of whole milk is equivalent to 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water. However, you should only substitute for cooking, not for drinking.

Potential downsides

Evaporated milk may be problematic for people with lactose intolerance or cow's milk allergy (CMA), as it contains more lactose and milk proteins per volume, compared with regular milk. Lactose is the main type of carb found in milk and dairy products ( 20 ).

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. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, you can also use it in place of sweetened condensed milk in plenty of desserts.

Food Safety Tips

Storage: To minimize the risks of spoilage and bacterial growth, an opened can of evaporated milk should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated immediately.

Both condensed milk and evaporated milk are forms of concentrated milk in which approximately 60 percent of the water content has been removed, but that is where the similarities end. Sugar: Sweetened condensed milk is about 45 percent sugar, while evaporated milk is unsweetened.

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.

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.

What is the difference between 2 milk and evaporated milk? ›

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.

If dairy isn't an issue, heavy cream can substitute for condensed milk. But if you're avoiding dairy, the only thing that can sometimes substitute for condensed milk “as is” is full-fat coconut milk. However, full-fat coconut milk may not have the condensed milk consistency you're going for.