Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (2024)

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5 from 6 votes

41 minutes minutes

by Marly

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Make this simple vegan evaporated milk recipe to use in your favorite vegan dishes! Many recipes call for evaporated milk, and now you’ll have this quick and easy vegan version to make at home. You can add this dairy-free evaporated milk to your coffee, in puddings, sauces, and more.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (1)

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Evaporated milk has interesting origins. It’s similar to the wacky cake and has its roots in American history; this time, it was the civil war. It turns out the original condensed and/or evaporated milk was created for food safety reasons — so it could be canned and stored for long periods.

Evaporated milk and condensed milk share a similar production process where milk is simmered over heat to cause evaporation of up to 60% of the water.

The original purpose may have been to distribute milk safely, but eventually, home cooks discovered that the thick, creamy texture was perfect for recipes.

But what are you supposed to do when you’re vegan? Can you make evaporated milk vegan? I’m glad to report that not only is it possible, but it’s also easy too!

I think you’ll love this vegan substitute for evaporated milk!

Table of Contents show

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Plant-based milk — Making non-dairy evaporated milk doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. In fact, there’s really only one: plant-based milk. I use soy milk, but I have used other kinds of milk. I have yet to try my pecan milk, but I imagine it would make a tasty evaporated milk too.

How to Make Vegan Evaporated Milk

When you have your plant-based milk ready, here are the steps for making a vegan evaporated milk substitute:

  1. Add milk to a saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer (low boil).
  2. Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it’s not browning on the bottom.
  3. Strain it by pouring it into a fine-mesh strainer to remove any milk skin that might have formed while cooking
  4. Transfer it to a lidded glass jar and refrigerate.

Step-by-Step Instructions

You will also need a saucepan and a little bit of time. Most of the time involved in this recipe is indirect, allowing the milk to simmer in the pan, but you will want to stir it occasionally.

Here’s a visual guide to making it:

Step One: Add Milk to a Saucepan

Pour the milk into a saucepan and cook over medium heat until it simmers (low boil).

Turn the heat down to medium-low and allow it to gently simmer.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (2)

Step Two: Simmer

I like to stir the milk occasionally to make sure it doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pan. If it seems like it’s getting brown on the bottom, be sure to turn the heat down a little more.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (3)

Keep it at a gentle simmer for 30–40 minutes. Keep a pyrex measuring cup nearby and pour it into it when you think the milk is ready. It should measure out around 1½ cups when finished.

Step Three: Strain

Remove the pan from the heat source and allow it to cool slightly before passing it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any milk skin that might have formed while cooking.If you don’t have milk skin, you can skip the strainer and pour it directly into the jar.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (4)

Transfer the milk to a lidded container (I like to use mason jars) and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Evaporated Almond Milk

Wondering how to make vegan evaporated almond milk? It’s good to know you have options for a vegan alternative to evaporated milk!

Follow the same steps as above and use your favorite almond milk.

I find vanilla-flavored works best when I’m making things like vegan chia pudding, vegan chocolate ice cream, or vegan banana cream pudding.

Unsweetened plain almond milk works best when used in savory sauces, like the one found in this vegan pot pie.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
I use this in the Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe. Swap out the milk and use Just egg and it is perfect!

Melody

★★★★★
I made this for the first time and it was great. I used it to make a pudding and it was creamy!

Dottie

Frequently-Asked Questions

What is a vegan substitute for evaporated milk?

Evaporated milk is simply milk that has been cooked to evaporate up to 60% of the water content. This means you can make a vegan substitute using plant-based milk and a saucepan!

What kind of milk can I use?

I prefer to use soy milk, but there are a number of different plant-based kinds of milk you can use, such as almond milk, cashew milk, and more. To make evaporated coconut milk, simply use coconut milk. Whichever type of plant-based milk you’re using, follow the steps in the recipe to create an extra creamy condensed milk.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (5)

New to Vegan Baking?

The idea of making cookies, cakes, or muffins without eggs or dairy can seem like a hill too tall to climb. But with the simple tips in my Guide to Vegan Baking, you’ll be baking like a vegan pro in no time!

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipes

Cook with confidence using these delectable vegan evaporated milk recipes. Nothing is sacrificed in flavor, with all the guilt being taken away. Get started making amazing vegan dishes today and enjoy the guilt-free culinary experience!

Now that you’ve made your evaporated almond milk (or whatever milk you’ve used), what do you do with it? I love using dairy-free evaporated milk in my pudding recipes. Here are some of my favorites:

Blueberry Overnight Oats

125 mins total

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

10 mins total

Chocolate Chia Pudding

50 mins total

Vegan Cherry Vanilla Parfaits

25 mins total

Vegan Chocolate Pie with No-Bake Crust

15 mins total

Hot Chocolate Tea

10 mins total

Enjoy creamy vegan evaporated milk with no dairy needed! In just minutes. You can make this creamy and delicious dairy alternative with your favorite plant-based milk! That makes this vegan evaporated milk the perfect addition to your plant-based recipes.

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (13)

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Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (14)

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (15)

Plant-Based Evaporated Milk

You can use vegan evaporated milk in your favorite recipes that call for evaporated milk. This quick and easy dairy-free evaporated milk can also be added to your coffee, in puddings, sauces, and more!

5 from 6 votes

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Course: Sauce

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 41 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cup

Calories: 212kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 3 cups plant-based milk

Instructions

  • Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until it simmers (low boil).

  • Turn the heat down to medium-low and allow it to gently simmer. Stir the milk occasionally to make sure it's not scorching (burning) at the bottom of the pan. If it is beginning to burn, turn the heat down a little more.

  • Keep it at a gentle simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. The milk should measure out around 1 ½ cups when finished.

  • Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly before passing it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any milk skin that might have formed while cooking.

  • Transfer the milk to a lidded container (I like to use mason jars) and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Recommended Equipment

Medium Saucepan

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

The nutritional information will vary based on the type of plant-based milk you use. If you use non-sweetened milk, it will have fewer carbs and calories.

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 236mg | Potassium: 666mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1855IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 661mg | Iron: 2mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do vegans use instead of evaporated milk? ›

There are plenty of plant-based products that can be used in place of evaporated milk, such as soy, rice, nut, oat, flax, hemp, quinoa and coconut milk.

What can I use if I don't have enough evaporated milk? ›

We have 6 different suggestions for evaporated milk substitutions.
  • Regular Milk (whole, 2% or skim) ...
  • Heavy Cream. ...
  • Half-and-Half. ...
  • Powdered Milk. ...
  • Regular Non-Dairy Milk (almond, oat, etc) ...
  • Coconut Milk.
Feb 28, 2023

How much almond milk do I substitute for evaporated milk? ›

You'll want to use about 3/4ths the amount of almond or soy milk as evaporated milk. Also, keep in mind that soy milk separates into liquids and solids under heat, so if you're using it in a sauce, try to add it after you're done heating!

What is the best vegan substitute for milk in baking? ›

Among other milk alternatives like almond milk, soy milk and oat milk, soy milk is by far the best for baking. I learned this over the course of several years and many cookies, cakes, muffins and pies. Moreover, some people will tell you that you must swap full-fat coconut milk in for heavy cream or half-and-half.

What is the healthiest milk alternative for vegans? ›

Soy Milk. Soy milk is the OG of non-dairy milk and is made by soaking soybeans (which have been hulled and ground) in water. Soybeans contain essential amino acids, high levels of protein, and iron, and soy milk has lower fat and cholesterol levels than cow's milk. Soy milk has a subtly sweet, creamy, and mild flavor.

What can I do with a small amount of evaporated milk? ›

Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, you can also use it in place of sweetened condensed milk in plenty of desserts.

Can I use yogurt in place of evaporated milk? ›

Not exactly. Any fermented or soured milk—buttermilk, cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. —are non-starters. Remember that evaporated milk was created as a replacement for fresh milk, so be sure to use fresh milk products to replace it.

What can I use in place of evaporated milk in pumpkin pie? ›

While many recipes call for it, you can absolutely make an outstanding pumpkin pie without evaporated milk. If your recipe calls for one can of evaporated milk (as most do), you can substitute 1 ½ cups of cream or half and half, or a combination of the two. You can also use milk (any kind from whole to skim).

Is there dairy-free condensed milk? ›

1Nature's Charm. Founded by two vegan sisters, Nature's Charm is a go-to brand for most plant-based baking needs, including dairy-free condensed milk. The brand currently offers three varieties: Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk, Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk, and Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk.

Can I use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk? ›

Another alternative for evaporated milk is to substitute coconut milk 1:1 in the recipe. This will impart a coconut flavor to the recipe, so it works in some recipes but not all.

What is a substitute for evaporated milk in tres leches cake? ›

An inauthentic but perfectly acceptable substitute for the 5 ounces of evaporated milk is 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons half & half. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, or 1 tablespoon brandy or light rum.

Is there a vegan evaporated milk option? ›

Almond, oat, soy, cashew, and any other alternative milk base you can think of, can all be reduced on the stovetop to make a plant-based equivalent of evaporated milk.

What if you don't have evaporated milk? ›

Substitute Heavy Cream for Evaporated Milk

Use the same amount of cream as you would evaporated milk. Or, If you have both cream and regular milk on hand, thin the cream to make your own half-and-half. Whisk together equal parts of cream and milk and use the same amount called for in your recipe.

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?

What is a vegan option for condensed milk? ›

Many vegan bakers agree that the easiest and tastiest dairy-free alternative to condensed milk is made with coconut milk. Since thickness is part of what you're looking for, it's helpful that full-fat coconut milk is already quite dense.

Is there a vegan substitute for dry milk? ›

In general, coconut milk can be substituted for milk powder at a 1-to-1 ratio, unless stated otherwise on the packaging. Shop for coconut milk powder online. Coconut milk powder is generally a nondairy, vegan alternative to milk powder that can be used in equal amounts.

What can a cup of evaporated milk be substituted with? ›

In many recipes, evaporated milk may also be replaced with a combination of whole milk and half-and-half. For 1 cup of evaporated milk, use 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup half-and-half.

Is there evaporated milk that is dairy free? ›

Use NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Lactose-Free Evaporated Milk to add rich, creamy flavor to all of your favorite recipes. Packaged in a reclosable bottle so you don't have to waste any milk.

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