What Is Milk, low-fat and How Can I Use It?

Wondering what to do with milk, low-fat? This guide covers how to pick it, cook it, store it, and swap it, plus 167 recipes to put it to work.

What is milk, low-fat?

Low-fat milk is cow's milk with most of the cream removed, leaving 1% or 2% milkfat by weight against whole milk's roughly 3.25%. The protein and milk sugar and calcium stay almost the same; what changes is the fat, and with it the richness and body.

That difference is small in a glass and larger in a pot. Low-fat milk behaves like whole milk in most cooking, but its sauces come out thinner, its custards lighter, and its foam collapses faster.

Cooking With Low-Fat Milk

For everyday jobs low-fat milk is a fine one-to-one stand-in for whole. It works in pancake batter, shakes, oatmeal, and quick breads, where the missing fat hardly registers. Plenty of dishes are even built around it, like the Green Beans Supreme (Modern Low Fat Version).

Where it shows is in anything that leans on fat for body. A béchamel or a custard made with 1% sets up thinner and tastes leaner, so you may want a touch more roux or an extra egg yolk to compensate.

It also scorches a little more readily. The fat that buffered the milk solids is gone, so keep the heat moderate and stir a milk sauce often, the way you would for a No-Bake Macaroni & Cheese.

Pairing and Common Mistakes

Low-fat milk slides into smoothies and chowders and puddings without complaint, carrying flavor while trimming calories. A clam chowder like One Serving Boston Clam Chowder leans on it for exactly that.

People expect it to whip or foam like cream. It cannot. Without enough fat the bubbles have nothing to hold them, so it steams for a latte but will not build a thick froth.

The other slip is reducing it hard for a rich sauce. Boil low-fat milk down and you concentrate the proteins faster than the fat can protect them, and it is prone to breaking. Thicken with a starch instead of relying on reduction.

Substitutes

Whole milk swaps in at one-to-one and gives a richer result; thin it with a splash of water to land closer to low-fat body.

Skim milk goes the other way, leaner and thinner still. To mimic 2% from whole, stir half whole milk with half skim. Unsweetened plant milks like soy or oat match the pourable texture, though their flavor and browning differ.

Buying and Storage

Cartons are labeled by fat. 1% and 2% are the low-fat tier, sitting between whole and skim; pick 2% when you want a hint more body and 1% when you are counting closely.

Milk keeps best at the back of the fridge near 38°F (3°C), not in the door where it warms each time you open it.

Unopened, it lasts to its printed date and usually a few days past. Once opened, use within about a week and trust your nose over the label.

Low-fat milk also freezes for up to 3 months. It separates as it thaws, so shake it hard and save thawed milk for cooking rather than drinking.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find milk, low-fat: Milk, low-fat is usually found in the dairy section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Milk, low-fat is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

乳，低脂

British (UK) term

Milk, low-fat

en français

lait faible en gras

en español

leche baja en grasa

How much does milk, low-fat weigh?

Related

Dairy and Egg Products

Recipes using milk, low-fat

There are 167 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Granola with Fresh Fruit

Granola with fresh fruit is the no-cook breakfast bowl done right: crunchy granola topped with blueberries, raspberries, banana, and sliced almonds, then milk or yogurt. Ready in 5 minutes, high in fiber.

Jordan's Blueberry Muffins

Bakery-style blueberry muffins pack 2.5 cups of berries into a tender butter-creamed batter with crackly sugar tops. A bursting-with-fruit breakfast classic.

Reduced-Fat Apple Muffins

This apple muffins are rich in fibire and low-fat, they are fit for all!

Herbed Mashed Potatoes

Our family all love mashed potatoes, we try different kinds of mashed potatoes, this herbed ones are very nice too.

Fresh Corn Blinis with Roasted Bell Pepper, Artichoke Hearts & Arugula

These corn blinis are topped with roasted bell peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, olives and arugula leaves. They are so cute, easy to pick up and pop into your mouth. A great appetizer when you have company to come over or host a party.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Frozen hot chocolate blends frozen chocolate-milk cubes into a thick, slushy chill, the iconic NYC dessert made light with low-fat milk and cocoa. Top it with marshmallows or shaved chocolate.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Frozen hot chocolate blends frozen chocolate-milk cubes into a thick, slushy chill, the iconic NYC dessert made light with low-fat milk and cocoa. Top it with marshmallows or shaved chocolate.

Yummy Creamy Cauliflower Soup

Creamy cauliflower soup made light with low-fat milk and a flour roux instead of cream. Bright lemon juice, a whisper of nutmeg, and pureed florets give it body without the heaviness.

Yummy Cheese Muffins (Healthier Version)

100% whole wheat flour, roasted bell pepper, scallions, and olive oil together make these muffins a much healthier snack, and still taste cheesy and delicious.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Yogurt Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce

These deliciously moist pancakes are so easy to make and also packed with goodness. You can find juicy blueberry bursts in every bite. A perfect breakfast with a cup of orange juice.

12 Grain Crepes

With most 12 grain flour and whole wheat flour, these crepes come out super healthy with great nutty flavor. Fill these warm crepes with jam, fruits, or even savory filling such as sauteed vegetables or leftover cooked meat dishes. They are great at any time of the day, breakfast, lunch or supper.

Best Cranberry Muffins (Healthier Version)

Use mostly whole wheat flour and grape seed oil to make these muffins much healthier without losing a bit of deliciousness.

Roasted Red Pepper, Bacon & Egg McMuffins for Two

Easy and fun low-fat breakfast sandwich that can work for lunch or as a quick snack.

Master Frittata-Frittata DIY

An easy and tasty frittata. It's also a great way to use up your leftover vegetables from the day before to make a delicious breakfast. It's very versatile, you can pretty much add any veggies or cooked chicken, or seafood, etc...

Double Pumpkin & Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Chocolate chips make everything taste better :) Made some whole wheat pumpkin pancakes incorporated in some semi-sweet chocolate chips and pumpkin seeds for breakfast. Needless to say, they turned out delicious, and chunks of melting chocolate and nutty seeds could be found in every bite.

Zucchini Brownies

Rich and fudgy brownies with a delightful frosting. You'd never know they contained zucchini!

Mini Cheesy Potato Casseroles

These potato cups are incorporated with feta and ricotta cheese. You can feel the chunks of feta in every spoonful.

Green Beans Supreme (Modern Low Fat Version)

The original version that inspired this recipe was incredibly rich using whipping cream for the cream sauce and delivering a whopping 16 grams of saturated fat per serving. 85% of the calories came from fat! This version has only 4 grams of saturated fat and cuts the calorie count from 269 to 121, is still delicious and rich tasting.

12-Grain Crepes with Warm Applesauce

Warm applesauce is a delicious filling for these nutty 12-grain crepes and also packed with goodness.

Oatmeal & Berry Pancakes

These delicious pancakes are full of yumminess and goodness. They are moist in the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. Berries give you some juicy explosion in every bite. They are perfect for breakfast.

Maple Cranberry-Bran Muffins

Cranberry bran muffin recipe with maple syrup and wheat germ.

Awesome Low Fat Banana Bread

I used the whole wheat flour, 2 eggs, and my bread was very fluffy and delicious.

Brown Sugar & Toasted Almond Ice Cream

Brown sugar and toasted almond ice cream, a custard base with deep butterscotch notes, warm cinnamon, and crunchy toasted almonds. Made lighter with milk and evaporated milk, churned smooth and scoopable.

Lemon Verbena Ricotta Pancakes

Fluffy lemon verbena ricotta pancakes with whipped egg whites for lift and bright lemon zest. Ricotta drained overnight gives the batter a tender, soufflé-like texture worth the wait.

Asparagus & Gruyere Pie

Cheesy and delicious. The whole wheat crust is so flakey and tasty, the filling is made with sauteed onions, asparagus and gruyere cheese, packed with yumminess. It's great for an appetizer, or a vegetarian main course.

Thousand Layer Lasagna

Home made basil and spinach lasagna with home made red and white sauce, with the thousand layers juice sauce and tasty lasagna, it is a great recipe when you have company coming or a holiday dish for your family.

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Classic pumpkin pie with a silky brown-sugar custard, warm pumpkin pie spice, and a two-temperature bake that sets it without cracking. Topped with amaretto whipped cream. The Thanksgiving standard, made easy.

100% Whole Wheat Cranberry Cinnamon Rolls

Who doesn't like one or two warm cinnamon rolls with your morning coffee or a cup of afternoon tea. These cranberry cinnamon rolls are made with 100% whole wheat flour and freshly made cranberry filling. Ethese delicious treats without guilt.

Almond Raspberry Layered Cake

This delicious almond raspberry layered cake is fluffy and moist. Raspberry jam and fresh raspberries make the cake so deliciously fruity. It's also much lower fat, which makes you enjoy it without feeling guilty at all.

Fresh Tomato Quiche with Whole Wheat Crust

Silky egg custard cradles roasted tomatoes, sweet corn, and chewy sundried tomatoes in a nutty whole wheat crust. This savory tart balances rich cheddar with bright basil and the concentrated sweetness of oven-roasted summer tomatoes.

Blueberry French Toast (Low-fat)

A delicious breakfast or brunch can be prepared the night before. You will love how good your house smells when you bake it in the oven the next day.

Better Than Oreo Ice Cream

A rich chocolate taste but surprisingly light chocolate ice cream studded with chunks of chocolate wafers and walnuts.

Double Chocolate & Walnut Pancakes

These delicious pancakes are made with whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Serve with maple syrup, ideal for breakfast or brunch.

Lemon-Lime Tea Cookies

Soft, light and buttery cookies with a burst of citrusy flavor. Perfect for a garden party.

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts with Sherry Asiago Sauce

Asiago sherry sauce was sensational! It was cheesy and creamy. The dish was so quick and easy to make, only took about 15 minutes, and it came out delicious.

Oatmeal Banana & Fruit Muffins

Whole wheat oatmeal banana muffins with cubed bananas, dried fruit, and toasted sunflower seeds. Lightly sweetened with just one tablespoon of sugar, hearty enough to fuel a morning, ready in 35 minutes.

Fresh Corn Blinis with Smoked Salmon & Chive Cream

Fresh corn blinis topped with smoked salmon and chive cream. Fluffy cornmeal pancakes flecked with fresh corn kernels, crowned with silky cold-smoked salmon and a dollop of tangy cream. Elegant bite-sized appetizer.

Brussel Sprouts & Green Bean Frittata

Love frittata for breakfast, lunch or sometimes dinner. It's so versatile to make, and it never lets me down :) The combination in this frittata is delicious, you can substitute other vegetables you have on hand, and it will be still very tasty.

Beet Bottomed Goat Cheese Soufflé

Fluffy and light the roasted beets add beautiful color rising from the bottom.

Roasted Parsnip & Pear Soup

Using seasonal parsnips and pears, adding skim-milk gives the soup more creamy flavor, drizzle concentrated balsamic vinegar on top. It is a fabulous dish.

Irish Cream Frozen Yogurt

A touch of Irish Cream teams up with chocolate for a mouth-watering change of pace.

Pasta with Creamy Dill Sauce & Oven-Dried Cherry Tomatoes

Pasta with creamy dill sauce, a light milk-based sauce built on shallots, garlic, and sherry, tossed with fresh dill, oven-dried cherry tomatoes, and shaved parmesan. A quick, low-fat creamy pasta with bright flavor.

Oatmeal-Blueberry Muffins

Healthy and tasty muffins, breakfasts or desserts, both are great options.

Crockpot Salisbury Steak

Crockpot Salisbury steak: seasoned beef patties bound with onion soup mix and bread crumbs, browned for color, then simmered in a rich onion gravy in the slow cooker until tender.

Decadent Chocolate Babka

Found the original recipe in foodnetwork magazine "The Chocolate" issue. I changed a few things according to my own taste and this decadent chocolate babka only lasted about half day at our counter.

Delicious Carrot & Tarragon Tart

Looks beautiful and tastes delicious! Carrot gives the nice and bright color, tarragon is a great pairing with carrot. Using cheddar cheese, milk, yogurt and egg makes a cheesy, creamy and quiche like filling, which goes very well with the tasty crust.

Buttermilk Custard Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

A rich vanilla frozen yogurt. The rich custard taste and mouth feel come from the egg yolks with a smooth vanilla flavor from the vanilla bean.

Custard Peach Pie

This custard peach pie is a great way to use seasonal peaches. The custard is creamy and sweet, and the pecans in the crust and topping are a yummy addition. It’s hard to resist this delicious treat!

Brussels Sprouts & Mushroom Frittata

Make this moist and delicious frittata for breakfast. It provides you with enough nutritions that you need to power through the whole morning before lunch hunger arrives, and needless to say that it's so tasty. Serve it with a slice of whole grain toast and grape fruit.

Whole Wheat & Quinoa Pancakes

Quinoa is getting more and more popular because it's rich in protein and fiber, and it's versatile to cook. This recipe uses both whole wheat flour and quinoa flour to give the pancakes extra protein and fiber, they are delicious as well. Use fruit sauce, jam or fresh fruits as topping, an ideal breakfast to start the day.

All 167 recipes