Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk: What's the Difference? (2024)

Find out if condensed milk and evaporated milk are really interchangeable.

Updated on June 10, 2022

It's a question many aspiring bakers want to know: What's the difference between condensed milk vs. evaporated milk? You may have both milk products in your pantry without realizing that each one is used in different contexts. Regardless of your milk mastery, we're here to clear up the confusion.

Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is unsweetened milk that has been preserved in cans. It was invented when refrigerators were a luxury and families had to find a way to preserve the calcium-loaded beverage for their children. Today it is a pantry staple for several sweet and savory recipes.

To make evaporated milk, fresh milk is slowly simmered over low heat until approximately 60% of the (naturally occurring) water is removed. The milk becomes creamier and thicker once the water has, well, evaporated. It is then hom*ogenized, sterilized, and packaged for commercial sale.

How to Use

The unsweetened nature of evaporated milk makes it versatile for savory dishes like decadent mac and cheese and some sweeter recipes like sweet potato pie, which is a more savory dessert. Keep in mind that evaporated milk has some inherent sweetness from the milk, but it is not nearly as sweet as condensed milk.

Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk starts with the same process as evaporated milk—regular milk is boiled down to about half the amount to create a decadent, creamy product. However, a generous amount of sugar is added to the evaporated milk to sweeten it, which turns it into condensed milk.

How to Use

Condensed milk is most commonly used in indulgent desserts like turtle bars, mocha latte fudge, and toasted coconut key lime pie. It's also the single ingredient used to make Dulce de Leche, which is simply caramelized condensed milk. Condensed milk is so beloved by bakers that dairy-free alternatives, like condensed coconut milk, now exist too.

Substitutions

While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

Shelf Life

Both evaporated milk and condensed milk typically have a shelf life of at least one year. After opening cans of evaporated and condensed milk, keep them refrigerated and use them within five days.

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Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk: What's the Difference? (2024)

FAQs

Evaporated Milk vs. Condensed Milk: What's the Difference? ›

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.

Can I substitute evaporated milk for condensed milk? ›

Substitutions. While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

Does evaporated milk taste the same as condensed? ›

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened.

Which is healthier condensed milk or evaporated milk? ›

In summary, evaporated milk is unsweetened and has a similar nutritional value to regular milk, while sweetened condensed milk is very sweet and has a higher calorie count due to the added sugar.

What is evaporated milk used for? ›

Evaporated milk starts out as fresh milk and is heated to drive off more than half of the water. Add water and use it as milk or pour it straight out of the can and use it as half-and-half. Creamy, rich and perfect for baking, custards, soups and even ice cream.

Is evaporated milk directly interchangeable with sweetened condensed milk? ›

Even though these are both shelf-stable, concentrated forms of milk and have some similarities, evaporated and condensed milk cannot be used interchangeably.

What do you use condensed milk for? ›

A can of sweetened condensed milk is a wonderful thing to have. Use it to create perfect pies and puddings, deliciously moist cakes, and irresistible cookies and candies. No matter what kind of decadent dessert you're in the mood for, we've got you covered with this collection of recipes using sweetened condensed milk.

Why is condensed milk in a can? ›

Sweetened condensed milk is a very thick, sweet product, which when canned can last for years without refrigeration if not opened. The product is used in numerous dessert dishes in many countries. A related product is evaporated milk, which has undergone a lengthier preservation process because it is not sweetened.

Can I drink evaporated milk? ›

So, now we know that evaporated milk is safe to drink from its container, but just because you can consume it this way doesn't necessarily mean you'll want to. Since evaporated milk is thick and creamy, the consistency will be completely different than a regular carton that you're used to.

Is heavy cream and evaporated milk the same thing? ›

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.

What are the cons of evaporated milk? ›

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 ).

Is evaporated milk good in coffee? ›

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.

What is thick milk called? ›

thick milk is another name for clotted cream. Clotted Cream is the thickened layer that would be at the top of a milk can when farmers opened the cans since cream rises to the top when fresh unpastorized milk is allowed to sit undisturbed for a period of time.

When should you not use evaporated milk? ›

Unopened cans of evaporated milk can keep for more than a year. But if you open a can and it's dark yellow or brown (a light brown color is normal), smells bad or appears curdled, don't use it.

Can you eat evaporated milk by itself? ›

You can drink evaporated milk by itself, many people prefer to drink evaporated milk due to its taste, and it doesn't contain extra ingredients you will find in pasteurized fresh milk. It is rare to drink straight out of the bottle, but most people drink it once they've added water.

Does evaporated milk go bad? ›

And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. 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.

Can you use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk in fudge? ›

I suggest sticking with the regular version and skipping the fat-free kind. Make sure that you grab a can of sweetened condensed milk and NOT evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thick and sweet and will give you the proper consistency for this fudge.

How much evaporated milk equals 1 cup of milk? ›

For the same consistency as drinking milk, mix ½ cup Evaporated Milk and ½ cup water to make 1 cup of regular drinking milk. How can I use Evaporated Milk for extra richness and creaminess in my recipes?

How to thicken evaporated milk? ›

Take the ice tray out of the freezer and pour the slightly frozen evaporated milk into a pre-chilled bowl. Whisk the ice cubes with the chilled beater until a thick texture forms that resembles cream. Use in place of cream for dessert, cake filling etc.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk in ice cream? ›

No. Due to its lack of sugar, you can not use evaporated milk in place of condensed milk in this Easiest Homemade Ice Cream Recipe.

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