Quick Answer
No, evaporated milk is not dairy free. Evaporated milk is made by removing about 60% of the water from regular milk. This makes it more concentrated in milk solids like protein, fat, sugar and minerals. Since it comes from regular cow’s milk, evaporated milk contains lactose and is not suitable for people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
What is Evaporated Milk?
Evaporated milk, also known as dehydrated milk, is a shelf-stable canned milk product. It is made by removing about 60% of the water from fresh milk through a vacuum evaporation process. The removal of water concentrates the nutrients and extends the shelf life of the milk.
Once opened, evaporated milk needs to be refrigerated and used within 5-7 days. Unopened, it can last between 6-12 months due to the thermal processing it undergoes. This heating process sterilizes the milk to make it safe for long term storage.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Per 1 cup (240g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 339 |
| Fat | 15g |
| Saturated fat | 9g |
| Protein | 16g |
| Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Sugar | 23g |
| Calcium | 528mg |
| Sodium | 180mg |
As you can see, while the water content is reduced, evaporated milk has a very similar nutritional profile to regular cow’s milk, being high in calories, protein, carbohydrates, saturated fat, and minerals like calcium.
Is Evaporated Milk Dairy Free?
No, evaporated milk is not dairy free. Since it is made by removing water from regular cow’s milk, it contains the same dairy components:
Lactose
Evaporated milk contains lactose, the natural milk sugar found in dairy products. Lactose levels are higher in evaporated milk compared to regular milk due to the concentration effect of removing water. People with lactose intolerance may experience digestive issues when consuming evaporated milk.
Milk Protein
Evaporated milk provides high quality complete dairy proteins like casein and whey, which are optimal for growth and development in children. However, people with milk protein allergy need to avoid evaporated milk.
Milk Fat
While lower in fat than cream, evaporated milk provides a concentrated source of saturated fat from dairy. People avoiding dairy for cholesterol or heart health reasons would want to limit evaporated milk.
Vitamin D3
Also known as cholecalciferol, vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D produced by the bodies of mammals, including cows. Evaporated milk is fortified with vitamin D3 to support bone health.
Minerals
Evaporated milk contains high levels of calcium, phosphorus, and potassium derived from cow’s milk. People avoiding dairy minerals for health issues need dairy-free alternatives.
Uses for Evaporated Milk
Because of its thick, creamy texture and concentrated dairy flavor, evaporated milk has many uses in cooking and baking:
Creamer for Coffee
The texture and whitening ability of evaporated milk makes it a shelf-stable option for whitening and flavoring coffee. For people without dairy issues, it can provide a richer mouthfeel over regular milk.
Smoothies
Evaporated milk blends well into smoothies, creating a thicker, creamier texture and adding protein.
Ice Cream
Adding evaporated milk to ice cream bases provides creamy texture and fat without needing heavy cream.
Custards and Puddings
Evaporated milk is commonly used in custard and pudding recipes as it produces a rich, smooth, and creamy result.
Mashed Potatoes
For fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes, evaporated milk is the secret ingredient.
Cheese Sauces
In recipes like mac and cheese, evaporated milk melts into a thick, creamy cheese sauce.
Baked Goods
Evaporated milk can be used to add tenderness, browning, and structure in cakes, muffins, biscuits, and pie fillings.
Dairy Free Evaporated Milk Alternatives
For people avoiding dairy, there are several alternatives that mimic the texture and cooking properties of evaporated milk.
Canned Coconut Milk
Full-fat coconut milk has a thick, creamy texture similar to evaporated milk. Shake the can well before use to disperse the coconut cream.
Canned Soy Milk
Look for unsweetened or lightly sweetened evaporated soy milk. It has a mildly sweet, nutty flavor.
Homemade Evaporated Plant Milk
Simmer almond, oat, soy or other plant milk to reduce the water content by about 60%. Let it cool before using.
Canned Full-Fat Plant Milk
Some companies make shelf-stable canned versions of plant milks like oat and almond. These are thicker than regular plant milk.
Plant-Based Creamers
Dairy-free creamers like coconut creamer can provide thickness and richness in coffee drinks.
Tofu
Blended silken tofu can replace evaporated milk in smoothies and shakes.
Commercial Non-Dairy Evaporated Milk
Brands like Nestle, Nature’s Charm and Armor make canned evaporated milk from plant sources like oats, rice and almonds.
Homemade Dairy-Free Evaporated Milk
It’s easy to make your own evaporated dairy-free milk at home:
Ingredients
– 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, oat milk or soy milk
– 1 tbsp cornstarch, arrowroot starch or tapioca starch
Instructions
1. Whisk plant milk and starch together in a saucepan.
2. Heat over medium, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and let cool.
4. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 5 days.
This creates a thick, concentrated milk that mimics the texture of evaporated dairy milk for cooking and baking. The starch helps stabilize and thicken the milk.
Nutritional Comparison
Here is how homemade evaporated almond milk compares to dairy evaporated milk per 1 cup (240ml) serving:
| Nutrient | Dairy Evaporated Milk | Evaporated Almond Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 339 | 79 |
| Fat | 15g | 3.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 0g |
| Protein | 16g | 2g |
| Carbs | 23g | 9g |
| Sugar | 23g | 0g |
| Calcium | 528mg | 528mg |
| Sodium | 180mg | 204mg |
The homemade almond milk has significantly fewer calories, fat, and sugar compared to the dairy evaporated milk. However, calcium levels can be similar by using a calcium-fortified plant milk. Sodium content varies by brand.
The Bottom Line
Evaporated milk is made by removing water from regular cow’s milk, so it contains lactose and milk proteins. This means it is not dairy-free or suitable for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. There are several alternatives that mimic the rich texture and cooking properties of evaporated dairy milk, like coconut milk, canned plant milks and homemade evaporated milk using starch to thicken plant milks. With some simple substitutions, people avoiding dairy can still enjoy their favorite recipes that call for evaporated milk.
