8 Excellent Evaporated Milk Substitutes to Skip the Grocery Store Trip

Running out of evaporated milk can feel like a real setback when cooking. Ever found yourself almost ready to prepare that delicious mac and cheese, only to realize the recipe calls for evaporated milk? That sinking feeling hits when you check the pantry and see you're out. Instead of giving up or rushing to the store, try these baking-friendly substitutes to save the day.

DIY Homemade Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk differs from condensed milk, and the latter is not a great substitute. However, you can easily create your own evaporated milk at home. Simply heat 2 ¼ cups of regular milk and simmer until it reduces to 1 cup. This method is the same one used to create evaporated milk for commercial use. Though 2% milk is most common, you can also use whole milk, 1%, or skim.

Half-and-Half

If you're racing against a tight deadline, half-and-half can replace evaporated milk in equal amounts (for example, 1 cup of half-and-half for 1 cup of evaporated milk). While you won’t get the signature caramelized flavor of evaporated milk, the rich, creamy texture of half-and-half comes close.

Heavy Cream

Heavy cream offers a similar consistency, and you can swap 1 cup of it for 1 cup of evaporated milk in both sweet and savory dishes. While its flavor may lack the distinct caramelized taste of evaporated milk, the richness of its texture will be more prominent. It’s not the lightest option, but when you’re in a pinch, it might be the solution to last-minute baking stress.

Powdered Milk

Powdered milk, a dehydrated version of regular milk, is a long-lasting, nutritious alternative. To make evaporated milk, simply combine 1 cup of powdered milk with 1 ½ cups of warm water, stirring until fully dissolved. The mixture will thicken to match the consistency of the evaporated milk found in classic 12-ounce cans.

Coconut Milk

For dairy-free cooks, there’s no need to miss out on the rich, smooth flavor and texture that evaporated milk brings. Coconut milk serves as a perfect replacement, with a simple 1:1 ratio (1 cup of reduced coconut milk for every 1 cup of evaporated milk) that works seamlessly in recipes.

You can use either refrigerated coconut milk from a carton or canned coconut milk as a substitute. Keep in mind that coconut milk comes in both sweetened and unsweetened varieties, so it’s important to check which one you're using.

Canned coconut milk tends to be sweeter than the kind from a carton, though both offer a subtle coconut flavor with a touch of sweetness. To use it as a substitute, bring it to a boil on the stove and then simmer until you've reached the desired amount and consistency.

Soy or Rice Milk

Soy and rice milk are two great non-dairy substitutes when you're out of evaporated milk. These options have a thinner consistency, similar to skim or 2% milk, so you might want to add a thickener like cornstarch to achieve the desired texture.

To use soy or rice milk as a substitute, bring it to a boil, then simmer until it thickens to the right consistency for your recipe. With their more neutral flavor, soy and rice milk work well in both sweet and savory dishes.

Nut Milks

Nut milks are another excellent choice when you run out of evaporated milk. While almond milk is the most common on store shelves, cashew and hazelnut milk are also great alternatives.

As with other non-dairy milks, be sure to choose the unsweetened, unflavored variety for cooking. Otherwise, your dish might end up tasting differently than you planned. You can use any of these nut milks in both sweet and savory recipes, though some people find almond milk has a naturally sweeter flavor.

Oat Milk

Oat milk has gained significant popularity as a plant-based alternative to soy and almond milk in recent years. It's free from nuts, making it a great choice for those with nut allergies who still want a dairy-free option.

Oat milk is a perfect 1:1 substitute for evaporated milk, and you can reduce it in the same way you would with coconut, soy, or regular milk. One advantage of oat milk is its fiber content, which is uncommon in many plant-based milk alternatives.