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5 from 6 votes
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.
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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:
- Add milk to a saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer (low boil).
- Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it’s not browning on the bottom.
- Strain it by pouring it into a fine-mesh strainer to remove any milk skin that might have formed while cooking
- 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.
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.
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.
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
★★★★★
Melody
I use this in the Libby’s pumpkin pie recipe. Swap out the milk and use Just egg and it is perfect!
★★★★★
Dottie
I made this for the first time and it was great. I used it to make a pudding and it was creamy!
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.
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.
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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
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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.
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