Wondering how to make evaporated milk? Here is everything you need to know about the easy process. This is an essential ingredient of several Mexican desserts and it is known for its rich milky and creamy flavor, thick consistency, and light golden hue.

Although you can buy pre-made evaporated milk from any grocery store, how about if you make it at home?

There are many reasons you should know how to make evaporated milk at home. For one, it is super easy to make. Next, because it is homemade, it is free from preservatives and artificial flavorings. Lastly, because you monitor the process closely, there is no doubt about the quality of the final product. 

What is evaporated milk?

Milk has a certain amount of water content in it. So, when you boil or simmer it on medium to low flame for a longer period, the water content evaporates, and you are left with a creamy consistency and rich flavored milk. This golden-hued product is called evaporated milk. 

Evaporated milk on a cup from above.

In simple words, an evaporated milk is milk that has been reduced to get rid of water content in it.

For those who think about how to make evaporated milk, it is a pretty simple and straightforward process. Whole milk is the best candidate for making evaporated milk. Whether it is raw or pasteurized, it doesn’t really matter. the result is creamy and rich. Furthermore, you can also use low-fat milk for the purpose. However, with low-fat milk, the consistency won’t be as creamy as otherwise.

What is the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk?

Most people confuse between evaporated and condensed milk, but the two are essentially different ingredients. However, both are prepared by almost the same process, i.e., boiling or simmering milk for a certain time until it is thick and creamy. 

  • Texture: Both condensed milk and evaporated milk have a different texture. As we all know, the condensed milk is sticky and thick. Whereas the evaporated milk is not that sticky, and the thickness is not as much as the condensed milk. The condensed milk is denser than the evaporated milk.
  • Flavor: The main difference is that of sugar content in it. Condensed milk is a thick, sticky and delicious form of milk that is sweet in taste. You have to add sugar to milk and then let it simmer. In comparison, the evaporated milk is not sweet at all. There is no sugar added to the whole milk. So, the flavor of the evaporated milk is naturally sweet and without any added sugar. 
  • Uses: You can add evaporated milk to tea, coffee, drinks, omelets, soups, and sauces. It is used in both sweet and savory recipes. However, it is used in desserts and sweet beverages because of the sweet nature of condensed milk. Tres leches cake and Gelatina de Mosaico are made with this. And adding some to atole de avena make it creamier too.

Now that we have everything covered, if you are still wondering how to make evaporated milk at home, read ahead for the recipe.

Mexican jello made with evaporated milk.
Mexican “gelatina de mosaico” made with evaporated milk.

How To Make Evaporated Milk (step by step)

Place the milk in a medium non-stick saucepan and set the heat to medium. Bring it to a gently simmer taking care to not let it boil.

Milk on a pot from above.

Set heat to medium-low, it should be enough to keep a gently simmer and don’t allow it to boil.

While stirring from time to time, allow the milk to reduce for a little more than half, it will take about 30 minutes and you will notice because it will changes its color aswell as it’s flavor to mid-sweet.

Showing how to make evaporated milk.

Strain the milk into a bowl or cup using a fine sieve. Allow to cool down while stirring from time to time to avoid from creating a skin on top.

Passing milk through a fine sieve.

Cover and store for up to 5 days in the fridge or use immediately.

Watch How To Make It

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How To Make Evaporated Milk

1 ¼ cups
An easy recipe that will teach you how to make evaporated milk at home.
prep 5 minutes
cook 30 minutes
total 35 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3 ½ cups full fat milk

Instructions
 

  • Pour the milk in a medium non-stick saucepan. Place over medium heat and bring it to a gently simmer.
  • Set heat to medium-low, just enough to keep a gently simmer.
  • Stir occasionally and allow the milk to reduce for about half, it will takes about 30 minutes, you’ll notice because besides from reducing, it will changes its color aswell as it’s flavor to mid-sweet.
  • Strain the milk into a bowl or cup using a fine sieve. Allow to cool down while stirring from time to time to avoid from creating a skin on top.
  • Cover and store for up to 5 days in the fridge or use immediately.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 356mg | Potassium: 1093mg | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 1341IU | Calcium: 936mg | Iron: 1mg
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3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I didn’t know it was this easy to make your own evaporated milk! I’ve always worried about the preservatives in the canned ones. I will make my own evaporated milk to use for my Tres Leches Cake!