Milk Substitutes

Looking for a substitute for buttermilk? Here's a whole list of things and the proper way to substitute them for your need. Or making a pie and need a substitute for evaporated milk? Whatever type you are looking for, you can probably find a good substitute for milk from the table below.

There are many different kinds of milk products these days including fresh, canned, powdered and evaporated plus the list of milk alternatives which is constantly expanding. So, it's easier than ever to find a substitute for milk!

Use this table to find a substitute for evaporated milk or any other milk called for in your recipe. Whichever type is called for, you should find a suitable substitute for milk below. You could also make a substitute for buttermilk by learning how to make buttermilk or sour milk instead of running to the store.

If the milk substitute is just appropriate for baking, it is noted in the table of substitutes for milk.

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Milk Substitutes

Ingredient Amount Substitute
Buttermilk substitute 1 Cup 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice then add milk to make 1 cup, allow to thicken for 5 minutes before using (works in all recipes)
*OR* 1 Cup Yogurt (not great in all recipes because the consistency changes)
*OR* 1 Cup of sour milk (milk starting to smell sour) works fine in baked goods
Evaporated Milk substitute 1 Cup 1 Cup Light Cream
12 oz can *OR* 1&1/2 Cup Water +plus 1/2 Cup +plus 1 Tablespoon Powdered Milk (Blend this well)
Skim Milk substitute 1 Cup 4 Tablespoons non-fat powdered dry milk mixed with water to make 1 cup
Sweetened Condensed Milk substitute 1 Can Heat 1/3 Cup + 2 Tablespoons of Evaporated Milk with 1 Cup Sugar and 3 Tablespoons of butter or margarine until all ingredients are dissolved.
Whole Milk substitute 1 Cup 1 Cup of non-fat dry milk mixed according to package directions and 2 Tablespoons of butter or margarine
*OR* 1/2 Cup Evaporated Milk and 1/2 Cup Water
*OR* 1 Cup Soy Milk
*OR* 1 Cup Almond Milk
*OR* *for baking only - 1&1/2 teaspoon of butter added to 1 Cup of Water
Coconut Milk substitute 1 Cup 1 Cup of whole milk

Please note that some substitutes may make a slight difference in the taste, texture, richness or moisture of your finished product. These milk substitute ideas are meant to save you a trip to the store before completing your recipe.

Some people say that you can use vinegar to make buttermilk but, although the addition of vinegar will sour the milk, we don't like the taste that it adds to the resulting recipe. Using lemon juice to make buttermilk will still provide a delicate taste in your baked good.

To find out if you can freeze milk visit our webpage can you freeze milk.

For information on the shelf life of milk visit our webpage on how long does milk last.

A note regarding Substitutions...

Using these substitute suggestions may slightly alter the taste, texture or appearance of your resulting recipe. However, we recommend these substitutions as similar replacement ingredients when the original ingredients are unavailable.

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With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

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