Vegan Evaporated Milk Recipe (2024)

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!

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.

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.

Frequently-Asked Questions

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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