Out of Whole milk, one case
Evaporated milk substitutes for whole milk
3 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Evaporated milk + water
Per cup of whole milk
½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
To substitute evaporated milk for whole milk, dilute it with water using a 1:1 ratio (½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water = 1 cup whole milk). This recreates whole milk's consistency and fat content.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full whole milk card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup whole milk | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evaporated milk + waterbaking | ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup waterWorks | Works |
| 2 | Evaporated milk + milkbaking | 1/3 cup evaporated milk + 2/3 cup regular milkWorks | Works |
| 3 | Evaporated milk + buttermilkbiscuits | ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup buttermilkTweak it | Tweak it |
Evaporated milk + water
similar taste and texture
Diluting evaporated milk with water creates the good substitute for whole milk. Evaporated milk is whole milk with 60% of the water removed, so adding water back recreates the original consistency.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, sauces, soups, most whole milk recipes
Mix ½ cup evaporated milk with ½ cup water per cup of whole milk. This recreates the exact consistency and fat content of whole milk.
Evaporated milk + milk
similar taste and texture
Combining evaporated milk with regular milk provides a good balance. Use this when you want to use up both ingredients and achieve whole milk consistency.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, when you have both ingredients, most recipes
Mix 1/3 cup evaporated milk with 2/3 cup regular milk. This works well when you have both ingredients available.
Evaporated milk + buttermilk
different taste, enhanced texture
This combination adds tanginess while maintaining richness. Great for recipes that benefit from acidity, like biscuits and pancakes.
- Best for
- biscuits, pancakes, muffins, quick breads, when you want tanginess
Mix ½ cup evaporated milk with ½ cup buttermilk. The acidity helps activate baking soda in recipes.
How it behaves in this recipe
Evaporated milk is whole milk with about 60% of the water removed through evaporation, resulting in a thicker, more concentrated product. To substitute evaporated milk for whole milk, you need to add water back to recreate the original consistency and fat content. The 1:1 ratio of evaporated milk to water well recreates whole milk's properties.
Tips for substituting whole milk
7 tips- Always dilute evaporated milk when substituting for whole milk to avoid overly thick results
- For baking, the 1:1 evaporated milk + water ratio works best for consistent results
- Evaporated milk has a slightly caramelized flavor that can enhance certain dishes
- When making sauces, you can use slightly less water for a richer consistency
- Evaporated milk + water works well in both sweet and savory recipes
- For dairy-free options, use coconut milk diluted with water
- Evaporated milk maintains the same protein content as whole milk
Notes on whole milk
- Use 2% milk for a closer match to whole milk's properties
- Use heavy cream diluted with water for exact fat content
- Use half and half for a middle-ground option
- Use buttermilk for added tanginess
- Use plant-based milks for dairy-free options
- Use whole milk + heavy cream for a custom blend
Questions
5 questionsCan I use evaporated milk directly instead of whole milk?
Not recommended. Evaporated milk is much thicker and more concentrated than whole milk. It needs to be diluted to work properly in most recipes.
What's the best ratio for substituting evaporated milk for whole milk?
Use ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water per cup of whole milk. This recreates the exact consistency and fat content of whole milk.
Will this substitution work in all recipes?
Yes, the diluted evaporated milk works in most recipes that call for whole milk, including baking, cooking, and beverages.
Can I use this substitution for making yogurt or cheese?
Yes, the protein content is similar to whole milk, so it works well for cultured dairy products.
What if I want a richer result than whole milk?
Use 2/3 cup evaporated milk + 1/3 cup water for a richer result, or use evaporated milk + heavy cream for an even richer option.