What is evaporated milk?
Evaporated milk is a shelf-stable canned milk product where about 60% of the water content has been removed through evaporation. This makes it thicker and richer than regular milk. When the water is removed, the important nutrients like calcium and protein are concentrated, giving evaporated milk a creamy texture while preserving the nutritional content of milk.
The evaporation process gives evaporated milk a caramelized, slightly sweet flavor. It has a pale golden color and is sometimes known as unsweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk contains vitamin D since vitamin D is added during manufacturing.
Unlike sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk has no added sugar. It is simply pasteurized milk with reduced water content. The lack of added sugar allows evaporated milk to have a variety of savory and sweet applications in cooking and baking.
Nutritional Information
Here is the nutritional information for a 1 cup serving of evaporated milk (240ml):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 338 |
| Fat | 19.8g |
| Saturated fat | 12.3g |
| Protein | 16.1g |
| Carbohydrates | 18.3g |
| Sugar | 16.2g |
| Calcium | 723mg |
| Potassium | 809mg |
| Vitamin A | 523IU |
| Vitamin D | 124IU |
As you can see, evaporated milk is high in calcium, protein, vitamins A and D, potassium, and other nutrients. The calories come mostly from natural milk sugars (lactose) and fat.
How is evaporated milk made?
Evaporated milk is produced by heating fresh milk to around 170–190°F (77–88°C) under vacuum conditions. This causes water to evaporate while preserving the nutritional content of the milk.
About 60% of the water is removed, condensing the nutrients and turning the liquid milk into a smooth, thickened cream. This heating process also has the effect of pasteurizing and sterilizing the milk at the same time.
After the evaporation and sterilization process, the thickened milk is rapidly cooled and packaged into cans. The cans are sealed under vacuum conditions to prevent bacteria from entering. This gives evaporated milk a remarkably long shelf life of 12 to 15 months at room temperature when unopened.
Once opened, evaporated milk should be handled like fresh milk and stored in the refrigerator. It generally lasts 5–7 days once opened.
The canning process was invented in 1810, allowing milk to be shelf-stable and safely stored for long periods of time. This enabled wider and more convenient distribution of nutritious evaporated milk worldwide.
What are the uses of evaporated milk?
Evaporated milk has many uses in recipes, cooking, and baking. Here are some of the most common uses:
Creamer for Coffee
Evaporated milk is ideal as a non-dairy creamer for coffee, tea, and other beverages. Just pour some directly into your drink. The thickness and creamy texture lends well to hot beverages.
Pour over Cereal
Drizzle evaporated milk over your cereal or oatmeal for added richness, thickness, and nutrition.
Substitute for Heavy Cream
Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute for heavy cream in many recipes. Add it to soups, sauces, casseroles for a creaminess and body.
Whipped Topping
When chilled, evaporated milk can be whipped to form fluffy whipped cream. Simply pour cold evaporated milk into a bowl and whisk or use a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Sweeten it with sugar or vanilla to serve over pies, ice cream etc.
Homemade Ice Cream
The high fat and sugar content of evaporated milk makes it ideal for creating creamy homemade ice cream. Just mix it with your choice of fruits or other flavors.
Smoothies
For thicker, creamier smoothies, try using evaporated milk instead of regular milk. It blends smoothly with fruits, yogurt, juice etc.
Mashed Potatoes
Evaporated milk is commonly used in mashed potatoes for a perfectly smooth, creamy texture. It beats out lumps better than regular milk.
Quiches, Pies, Tarts
The thick consistency is great for getting that perfectly smooth filling in savory and sweet custard pies like quiche, pumpkin pie, or egg tarts.
Pudding
Evaporated milk is ideal for creating homemade puddings like chocolate, rice pudding, crème anglaise etc. It gives a rich and creamy consistency.
Hot Chocolate
For an ultra creamy hot chocolate, use evaporated milk instead of regular milk. Heat it up with cocoa powder and sugar for a cozy winter drink.
Custards and Flans
Evaporated milk is commonly used as the liquid base in custard recipes like crème brûlée, flan, rice custard etc.
Cream Sauces
In cream-based pasta sauces like alfredo, using evaporated milk instead of heavy cream makes it easier to prevent curdling and keeps the sauce light.
Creamy Soups
Adding some evaporated milk to blended vegetable soups gives an ultra creamy, velvety texture.
Meatballs and Meatloaf
Evaporated milk helps keep meatballs and meatloaf tender and moist. Add some to the mix before baking.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
For that ooey-gooey mac and cheese, evaporated milk is the secret ingredient. Add it to the cheese sauce for extra smoothness.
Cakes and Frostings
In cake batters, evaporated milk gives a fine, moist texture. It can also be used to make creamy frostings and buttercream.
French Toast
Soaking bread in an egg-evaporated milk mixture makes it perfectly custardy for French toast.
Cheese Making
The proteins in evaporated milk allow it to be turned into cheese products through curdling. It is used to make processed cheeses.
Yogurt
You can use evaporated milk as the base to make homemade yogurt in an instant pot or yogurt maker.
Biscuits
For tender, flaky biscuits, evaporated milk is the secret. It works well in place of buttermilk.
Bread
Some enriched bread doughs call for the addition of dried milk powder. You can substitute evaporated milk instead.
What are the benefits of evaporated milk?
Here are some of the benefits of using evaporated milk:
More Nutritious Than Cream
Evaporated milk is nutrient-dense, as the removal of water concentrates the levels of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients found in regular milk. It has significantly higher nutrient levels compared to heavy cream.
Longer Shelf Life
Properly canned evaporated milk can be stored at room temperature for over a year when unopened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and lasts around a week – longer than regular milk.
Brings Creaminess Without the Fat
Though rich and creamy, evaporated milk is lower in fat than heavy creams. It adds lush texture without having to use as much saturated fat.
Budget-Friendly
Evaporated milk is quite affordable, especially compared to heavy cream. Buying it canned allows it to be stocked in the pantry for whenever a recipe calls for it.
Adds Moisture to Baked Goods
The velvety texture of evaporated milk introduces moisture into cakes, breads, and muffins. This makes them deliciously tender and moist.
Makes Smooth Purées
Evaporated milk blended into cooked vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and squash keeps the consistency silky smooth without watering it down.
Versatile Ingredient
Evaporated milk can be used in an astonishingly wide range of sweet and savory recipes – from cream sauce to ice cream!
Blends Smoothly When Cold
Straight from the fridge, evaporated milk blends easily into smoothies, milkshakes, and cold soups without clumping.
Heats Evenly
The canned sterilization process means that evaporated milk heats evenly for making baked custards and puddings with no lumps or curdling.
Easy to Store and Handle
Unlike milk, the canned and refrigerated shelf life of evaporated milk makes it convenient to always have some on hand. It transports and stores easily.
How to substitute evaporated milk in recipes?
Evaporated milk can be easily substituted for regular milk in many recipes. However, some adjustments may be needed.
Reducing Evaporated Milk
Since evaporated milk is thicker than regular milk, you generally need less of it. As an estimate, use 3⁄4 of the evaporated milk amount called for regular milk.
For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, use 3⁄4 cup of evaporated milk instead and reduce any other liquids slightly.
Reducing Other Liquids to Compensate
When swapping evaporated milk for regular milk, reduce any other liquids (water, juice, broth etc.) called for in the recipe by about 1/3. This helps prevent the dish from being too dense or dry.
Making It From Dry Milk Powder
In a 1:1 ratio by weight, you can reconstitute dry milk powder with water to make evaporated milk. Mix 1 cup dry milk powder with 1 cup water.
Let it fully rehydrate for 5 minutes before using as you would evaporated milk.
Making Your Own Evaporated Milk
To make your own version of evaporated milk, simmer regular milk gently in a pan until the volume reduces by 60%, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Allow to cool before using in recipes.
Reconstituting Evaporated Milk Into Regular Milk
To use evaporated milk when regular milk is called for, you can reconstitute it into a thinner liquid first. Just mix equal parts evaporated milk and water.
Use this reconstituted milk in place of regular milk in a 1:1 ratio.
Substituting Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sweetened condensed milk is thicker and sweeter with added sugar. To substitute evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk, use the same amount called for in the recipe and add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar per 1 cup evaporated milk to replicate the sweetness.
Substituting Half-and-Half or Cream
For using evaporated milk in place of lighter half-and-half or heavy cream, generally use a little less evaporated milk than the amount of cream called for, and reduce other liquids slightly. The thickness should compensate for the fat content differences.
What can I make with evaporated milk?
Here is a list of recipes that commonly use evaporated milk:
Beverages
– Creamy hot chocolate
– Tea and coffee creamer
– Milkshakes
– Homemade eggnog
– Smoothies
Breakfast
– Oatmeal and overnight oats
– French toast
– Pancake and waffle batter
– Creamy scrambled eggs
– Yogurt
Breads
– Dinner rolls
– Biscuits
– Scones
– Banana bread
– Zucchini bread
Desserts
– Pudding
– Custard
– Flan
– Cheesecake
– Pumpkin pie
– Ice cream
– Whipped cream
– Frosting and buttercream
Savory Dishes
– Alfredo sauce
– Soup bases like chowder, bisque
– Macaroni and cheese
– Quiche and casserole fillings
– Mashed potatoes
– Meatballs and meatloaf
Frequently Asked Questions
Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk?
No, evaporated milk and condensed milk are different products:
– Evaporated milk has 60% of the water removed through evaporation. It has a slightly caramelized flavor from heating and is unsweetened.
– Condensed milk is made by adding sugar to milk then removing water until it is very thick with a long shelf life. Sweetened condensed milk is extremely sweet.
Can evaporated milk be frozen?
Yes, evaporated milk can be frozen for future use. Allow it to thaw completely in the fridge before using. Freezing it can cause some separation, so stir the milk well once thawed and before use.
Is evaporated milk bad for you?
Evaporated milk is nutritionally comparable to regular milk, though higher in calories due to the concentrated milk nutrients. It can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet in moderation. Those with lactose sensitivity may experience issues with evaporated milk.
How long does evaporated milk last when opened?
Once opened, evaporated milk should be handled like regular milk. Store it in the refrigerator where it will stay fresh for about 5-7 days.
Can evaporated milk be heated up again?
Yes, leftover evaporated milk can be reheated as long as it has been kept refrigerated and used within the 5-7 day window after opening. Avoid boiling it though, as overheating can cause curdling.
What can I substitute for evaporated milk?
Some substitutes for evaporated milk include:
– Regular milk mixed with cream or half-and-half
– Milk and butter
– Whole milk plus dried milk powder
– Coconut milk (for vegan recipes)
– Homemade evaporated milk
Conclusion
Evaporated milk is a versatile canned milk product used extensively in cooking and baking. Removing water extends its shelf life while concentrating its nutrients. When substituted properly, evaporated milk brings creaminess, moisture, and richness to recipes ranging from creamy pasta sauce to fluffy pancakes to decadent ice cream. With its unique flavor and velvety texture, evaporated milk is a handy staple ingredient to keep stocked in every pantry.