Evaporated milk is a versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savory cooking. It is unsweetened, concentrated milk with about 60% of its water removed, giving it a thick, creamy texture without added sugar.

Common Uses of Evaporated Milk:

• Cooking and Baking: It is often used to add richness and body to dishes such as creamy soups, chowders, sauces, and casseroles. It can replace fresh milk or cream in recipes, providing a thicker consistency and deeper flavor without extra fat or sugar

• Cheese Sauces and Mac and Cheese: Evaporated milk helps stabilize cheese sauces, preventing clumping and greasiness, making it ideal for smooth, creamy mac and cheese or cheese dips

• Coffee and Smoothies: It can be added to coffee or smoothies to thicken and enrich the texture while adding a subtle sweetness without sugar

• Desserts: Although less sweet than condensed milk, evaporated milk is used in desserts like flan, fudge, beignets, and some pies. It can substitute for sweetened condensed milk in recipes where less sweetness is desired

• Rehydration: When diluted with water (typically 1 part evaporated milk to 1.25 parts water), it can substitute for fresh milk, making it useful in places where fresh milk is unavailable or for long-term storage

• Other savory dishes: It is used in casseroles, meatloaf, biscuits, and even in some traditional recipes to add moisture and creaminess without extra sugar

Summary

Evaporated milk is primarily used as a creamy, shelf-stable milk substitute in cooking and baking, enhancing texture and flavor in both sweet and savory dishes, from soups and sauces to desserts and beverages