Evaporated Skim Milk Substitutes
Find the best substitutes for evaporated skim milk in cooking and baking. Learn proper ratios and techniques for dairy alternatives with concentrated milk flavor.
Quick Answer
The best substitutes for evaporated skim milk are regular evaporated milk, skim milk powder reconstituted with less water, or fresh skim milk reduced by half. Use 1:1 ratio for most recipes.
Best Substitutes
Regular Evaporated Milk
1:1Regular evaporated milk provides the same concentrated milk flavor and texture as evaporated skim milk, with slightly higher fat content. Perfect for most recipes where you want the authentic evaporated milk character.
Best for:
Use regular evaporated milk directly as a 1:1 replacement. It has slightly higher fat content but provides the same concentrated milk flavor and texture.
Skim Milk Powder + Less Water
1/2 cup skim milk powder + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup evaporated skim milkReconstituting skim milk powder with less water creates the same concentrated consistency as evaporated skim milk. Excellent for when you have skim milk powder on hand.
Best for:
Mix 1/2 cup skim milk powder with 1/2 cup water to create 1 cup of evaporated skim milk substitute. This maintains the same protein content and concentrated flavor.
Fresh Skim Milk (Reduced)
2 cups fresh skim milk reduced to 1 cup = 1 cup evaporated skim milkSimmering fresh skim milk until reduced by half creates the same concentrated consistency as evaporated skim milk. Good for when you want to make it fresh.
Best for:
Simmer 2 cups fresh skim milk over low heat until reduced to 1 cup. This creates the same concentrated flavor and texture as evaporated skim milk.
1% Milk (Reduced)
2 cups 1% milk reduced to 1 cup = 1 cup evaporated skim milkReducing 1% milk by half provides slightly more richness than evaporated skim milk while maintaining the concentrated consistency. Good for when you want a bit more creaminess.
Best for:
Simmer 2 cups 1% milk over low heat until reduced to 1 cup. The slightly higher fat content adds richness while maintaining the concentrated texture.
Soy Milk (Reduced)
2 cups unsweetened soy milk reduced to 1 cup = 1 cup evaporated skim milkReducing unsweetened soy milk by half provides a dairy-free alternative with similar protein content to evaporated skim milk. Good for vegan and lactose-free diets.
Best for:
Simmer 2 cups unsweetened soy milk over low heat until reduced to 1 cup. Choose unsweetened varieties to avoid added sugars.
Cooking Tips
- 💡For baking, evaporated skim milk provides concentrated milk flavor without added fat - regular evaporated milk works as a substitute
- 💡In cooking, evaporated skim milk adds richness to sauces and soups - reduce fresh milk for similar results
- 💡When reducing fresh milk, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent scorching
- 💡Evaporated skim milk is popular in coffee drinks for its concentrated flavor without added fat
- 💡For emergency substitutions, keep skim milk powder on hand to make evaporated milk substitute
- 💡In desserts, evaporated skim milk provides creaminess without the fat content of regular evaporated milk
- 💡For making evaporated milk substitute, the reduction process concentrates both flavor and nutrients
- 💡Store homemade evaporated milk substitute in the refrigerator and use within 3-5 days
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular evaporated milk instead of evaporated skim milk?
Yes, use regular evaporated milk in a 1:1 ratio. It has slightly higher fat content but provides the same concentrated milk flavor and texture.
How do I make evaporated skim milk from fresh milk?
Simmer 2 cups fresh skim milk over low heat until reduced to 1 cup. Stir frequently to prevent scorching and remove from heat when reduced by half.
Can I use skim milk powder to make evaporated skim milk?
Yes, mix 1/2 cup skim milk powder with 1/2 cup water to create 1 cup of evaporated skim milk substitute. This maintains the same protein content and concentrated flavor.
What's the difference between evaporated milk and evaporated skim milk?
Evaporated skim milk has virtually no fat (0.5%), while regular evaporated milk has higher fat content. Both provide concentrated milk flavor and can often be used interchangeably.
Can I use plant-based milk to make evaporated milk substitute?
Yes, reduce unsweetened soy milk or almond milk by half over low heat. Choose unsweetened varieties to avoid added sugars and maintain the concentrated flavor.
Why use evaporated skim milk instead of regular evaporated milk?
Evaporated skim milk provides concentrated milk flavor without added fat, making it popular for those watching their fat intake while still wanting rich, concentrated milk flavor.
Summary
Find the best substitutes for evaporated skim milk in cooking and baking. Learn proper ratios for regular evaporated milk, skim milk powder, and homemade alternatives.