Need to swap out whole milk? Here’s the best whole milk substitute to use in recipes and baking, including dairy and non dairy options.
All out of whole milk? Or looking for a non-dairy substitute for allergies or diet preferences. Don’t worry: there are several options that fit the bill! Milk is an important ingredient in baked recipes: it softens the baked good, provides moisture, and helps with browning. It’s also integral in many types of savory recipes as well.
If you’re making a baked recipe: remember that baking is a science! You’ll have to be more careful than if you’re making a cooked recipe, where you can be a little more free-form in your replacements. Note that any change you make can slightly affect the texture. Here’s the best whole milk substitute to use in all your recipes!
Dairy
Food
|
Amount
|
Substitute
|
Milk, whole
|
1 cup
|
1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup water
|
Milk, whole
|
1 cup
|
1 cup nonfat milk, 2 1/2 tsp butter
|
Milk, whole
|
1 cup
|
1 cup skim milk, 1 tbsp melted butter
|
Milk, whole
|
1 cup
|
7/8 cup skim milk, 1/8 cup heavy cream
|
Best whole milk substitute
Looking for a whole milk substitute in baking because you ran out? Here are some of the best dairy-based replacements:
- 2% milk: You can use 2% milk as a 1:1 replacement for whole milk. Whole milk has 3.25% milkfat compared to 2% milkfat 2%. So whole milk is slightly richer, but you won’t notice a large difference.
- Half and half: Half and half has 10 to 18% milkfat. Use ¾ cup half and half and ¼ cup water as a replacement for 1 cup whole milk.
- Heavy cream: Heavy cream has 36% milkfat. Use ½ cup cream and ½ cup water as a substitute for 1 cup whole milk.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is thicker than milk: stir in water until it resembles the consistency of milk. Then you can use it as a 1:1 substitute. To offset the tangy flavor of yogurt, add a touch of vanilla. The tang may actually enhance the baked good, similar to buttermilk.
- Sour cream: Same as yogurt: stir in water until it resembles the consistency of milk.
How do you substitute evaporated milk for whole milk?
FAQ
What can be the substitute for 1cup of whole milk?
How to make 1 cup whole milk?
What can I use instead of whole milk?
You can always use substitutes for whole milk without compromising the taste of your meal. But what exactly can you use instead of whole milk? Several substitutes will give you the same baking/cooking results. They include sour cream, half & half, evaporated milk, and powdered milk.
What are the healthier substitutes of milk?
Many people do not drink milk from mammals because of a food sensitivity to the protein in dairy milk or an intolerance to lactose. Even though they are not technically milks, there are several plant based alternatives to dairy milk available. Soymilk is an example of a non-dairy substitute that come closest to diary milk in nutrient profile. It contains similar amounts of calcium, protein, as well as vitamins A, B12, and D if the soymilk is fortified. Be sure to read nutrition facts labels. For individuals who count calories, almond milk is lower in calories per serving than dairy milk. Also, almond milk contains similar amounts of vitamin A while providing more calcium per serving compared to diary milk. For individuals concerned about environmental health, almond milk production uses less water to produce than cow’s milk dairy, while soy milk and oat milk use even less water than almond milk. Of the three milks mentioned, oat milk is the most environmentally friendly to produce, and because it is creamy, it works well in hot foods like coffee and tea. It also provides vitamin A, D, B12, and more calcium than diary milk if fortified. There is no reason not to include several alternative milks in one’s diet.
Can you substitute whole milk for plant based milk?
You can trade every 1 cup of whole milk for 1 cup of plant-based milk. Even so, the resulting dish may turn out differently because plant-based milks are not usually as thick as whole milk. Depending on the recipe, you can use another ingredient as a thickening agent, such as cornstarch or flour. Using plant-based milk does affect baking time, too.
Can you substitute whole milk for coconut milk?
Coconut milk comes in 2 different varieties. The one is a thick, high-fat canned version, and the other a ready-to-drink type generally available in a carton. To substitute whole dairy milk, use the drinkable, thinner version of carton-packaged coconut milk. Its coconut flavor may alter the taste of some recipes.