What Is Milk, skim, evaporated and How Can I Use It?
Milk, skim, evaporated is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 53 recipes to get you started.
Key Points
- Evaporated skim milk is canned evaporated milk made from fat-free milk, so it adds body without butterfat.
- Its concentrated, heat-stable proteins thicken sauces and resist curdling, standing in for cream in lean cooking.
- Well chilled it whips into a soft foam, but the low fat makes it deflate fast.
- Thin with an equal part water to replace regular skim milk; refrigerate leftovers and use within five days.
What is milk, skim, evaporated?
Evaporated skim milk is canned evaporated milk made from fat-free milk. Like all evaporated milk, it is fresh milk with most of its water boiled off, then canned, but this version starts from skim, so it carries the concentrated body without the butterfat.
That makes it a quiet workhorse for lighter cooking. You get a creamy mouthfeel and richness in a sauce or pie filling without reaching for cream or whole milk.
It is unsweetened, so do not confuse it with sweetened condensed milk. The full evaporated milk page covers how evaporated milk behaves in general, from cooking to substitutes to storing the cans.
How to cook with it
Think of it as a low fat way to add body. The concentrated milk proteins thicken sauces and gravies and resist curdling on heat, which is why it stands in for cream in lean cooking.
It builds creamy seafood and pasta sauces, like this pasta with light clam sauce, and it enriches custardy pumpkin pie without the fat, as in this nonfat eggless pumpkin pie.
Well chilled, it even whips into a soft foam. Beat it cold and serve it right away, because the low fat makes it deflate fast.
There is a trade-off. Skim carries less of the round, slightly cooked richness of the whole-milk version, so where the milk is the star, full-fat evaporated simply tastes better.
To stand in for regular skim milk, thin it with an equal part water.
Store the cans with the pantry goods. Once opened, refrigerate and use leftovers within about five days, just like fresh milk.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup (256g)Quick facts
Food group: Milk, skim, evaporated is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 牛奶，脱脂，蒸发
- British (UK) term
- Milk, skim, evaporated
- en français
- lait, écrémé évaporé
- en español
- leche, desnatada, evaporada
How much does milk, skim, evaporated weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | 256 grams |
| 1 fl oz | 31 grams |
| ½ cup | 128 grams |
Related
Dairy and Egg Products
Recipes using milk, skim, evaporated
There are 53 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Nonfat Eggless Pumpkin Pie
Nonfat eggless pumpkin pie made with liquid egg substitute, evaporated skim milk, and brown sugar substitute. A diabetic-friendly Thanksgiving dessert with classic pumpkin pie spice.
Nutty Maple Waffles
Nutty maple waffles with separated whipped egg whites for cloud-light texture, evaporated milk, and chopped pecans pressed into each waffle. Maple-scented breakfast classic.
Creamy Cranberry Sherbet
Creamy cranberry sherbet whips fresh cranberries with evaporated skim milk and gelatin into a tart, frosty scoop. A low-calorie holiday dessert with rosy color and fluffy texture.
Garlic Curry Burgers
Garlic curry burgers fold mild curry powder, fresh garlic, and sweet Vidalia onion right into the beef, with egg and evaporated milk keeping the patties tender on the grill. A spiced summer cookout twist.
Kitty's Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie spiked with a half cup of whiskey for grown-up depth, made with canned pumpkin and warm cinnamon, ginger, and clove. A boozy holiday classic that bakes into two custardy pies.
Easy Pumpkin Nut Pie
Pumpkin nut pie baked in a buttery nut cookie crust with brown sugar, warm spices, and evaporated milk. Topped with brown sugar whipped cream for a nuttier twist on the holiday classic.
President Taft Pumpkin Pie
President Taft pumpkin pie with a souffle-light filling lifted by separated and folded egg whites. A heritage Thanksgiving recipe with brown sugar, allspice, and cinnamon warmth.
Party Pumpkin Pie
Lighter pumpkin pie with a gingersnap-graham crust, evaporated skim milk, and mostly egg whites for a lower-fat take. Molasses adds depth, cinnamon and nutmeg do the holiday work.
Pumpkin Spice Soup
Cold pumpkin spice soup with canned pumpkin, evaporated milk, molasses and pumpkin pie spice. Chilled no-cook fall starter that tastes like pumpkin pie in a bowl.
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.
Watermelon Sherbet
Creamy watermelon sherbet churned with evaporated skim milk, lemon juice, and a touch of gelatin for silky smooth scoops. A lighter frozen treat that captures peak summer melon flavor.
Pumpkin Custard with Pecan-Ginger Topping
A lower carb twist on a Thanksgiving tradition. No crust! And a tasty pecan and candied ginger streusel topping.
Avocado Ice Cream
Avocado ice cream blends ripe Hass with whipped evaporated skim milk, citrus juices, and sugar into a creamy, naturally green frozen dessert. No-egg, no-churn-friendly tropical treat with Mexican and Filipino roots.
Caramelized Onion, Mixed Mushroom & Gruyere Pie
Savory vegetarian pie with caramelized onions, mixed mushrooms, and Gruyere in a rustic oat-flour crust. A lighter quiche-style main dish with an earthy, nutty depth of flavor.
Classic Low Fat Pumpkin Pie
A classic creamy pumpkin pie that is low in fat, but without sacrificing any of the rich taste and silky texture.
Red Bell Pepper Sauce
Very tasty and easy to make with a lovely colour. Perfect with some pasta and pairs very well with chicken.
Susan's Chocolate Chess Pie
Susan's chocolate chess pie sets a velvety cocoa custard of butter, sugar, eggs, and evaporated milk into two flaky shells. The Southern dessert with a crackly top and fudgy center.
Sweet Pepper Cream Shrimp
Plump shrimp in a velvety cream sauce made with tri-color sweet peppers, apple juice, and a custom seasoning blend. Lightened up with evaporated skim milk and cream cheese, served over rice or pasta.
Peanut Butter Pie (Finsand)
Diabetic-friendly chocolate peanut butter pie with a cooked custard filling using skim evaporated milk and minimal sugar. Thick, creamy, and lower in sugar.
Frosted Brownies
Low-fat frosted brownies made with applesauce instead of butter and egg whites instead of whole eggs. Topped with a simple cocoa icing, no oil or butter needed.
Pasta Primavera (Lacto)
Pasta primavera in a light evaporated milk sauce with mushrooms, bell peppers, and garlic sauteed in dry sherry. A low-fat vegetarian pasta with no butter or cream.
Creamy Sweet Potato Soup(Lacto)
Lacto-vegetarian sweet potato soup with carrots, celery, peas, and a triple-herb blend of thyme, basil, and tarragon. Finished with nonfat sour cream for a lighter, meatless comfort bowl.
Baked Fettuccine & Cheese
Fettuccine layered with sharp cheddar and sautéed onions bakes in a creamy egg custard speckled with paprika for a simple two-serving pasta bake.
Cherry Clafouti
Cherry clafouti with Bing cherries and kirsch baked in a light custard made with whole-wheat flour and evaporated skim milk, served warm in individual ramekins.
Cherry Clafouti
Cherry clafouti with Bing cherries and kirsch baked in a light custard made with whole-wheat flour and evaporated skim milk, served warm in individual ramekins.
Light Cream of Veggie Soup
Light cream of veggie soup with broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes, partially pureed with evaporated skim milk and a hint of curry powder. Creamy without the cream.
Tuna & Mushroom Cream Over Pasta
Creamy tuna and mushroom pasta sauce made lighter with evaporated skim milk, Parmesan, shallots, and fresh herbs. A quick pantry-friendly dinner that tastes far richer than it is.
Low Fat Lemon Pie
Low-fat lemon meringue pie with a graham cracker crust, fluffy lemon filling sweetened with sugar substitute, and a lightly broiled meringue top. A diabetic-friendly take on the classic.
Mexican Green Chili Quiche
Mexican green chili quiche swaps pastry for a corn tortilla crust, layering cumin-spiced ground chicken, sharp cheddar, and green chilies under a custard of evaporated milk and eggs.
Chestnut Soup
Silky pureed chestnut soup with roasted chestnuts, herbs, and a splash of marsala or sherry. Serve it hot for winter warmth or chilled for an elegant summer starter.
Brown Rice Pudding
A classic and healthful comfort food dessert dish. Using brown rice retains all the goodness of the bran for leaps and bounds added health factors. Sweeten only with apple juice concentrate the recipe stears you clear of refined sugars.
Baked Breakfast French Toast
Overnight baked French toast soaked in evaporated milk, brown sugar, and cinnamon custard. Assemble the night before, bake in the morning for a hands-off brunch.
Gravy
A simple recipe that helps you make a savory gravy that's perfect over steak, mashed potatoes or a succulent pot roast.
Turkey Sausage-Fettucine Alfredo
Lighter fettuccine Alfredo with turkey Italian sausage, evaporated skim milk, and Parmesan topped with fresh tomato. A lower-fat spin on the classic pasta dish that still delivers creamy, cheesy satisfaction.
Banana Chocolate Pudding Cake
A light, airy chocolate pudding cake made with separated eggs, skim milk, and low-cal pudding mix, topped with whipped topping and fresh banana slices. WW-friendly and just 148 calories per serving.
Downeast Blueberry Bread Pudding
Downeast blueberry bread pudding bakes wild Maine blueberries with stale white bread cubes and evaporated skim milk for a low-fat, low-sugar New England dessert.
Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
Spiced mashed sweet potatoes form a golden ring around a creamy chicken and water chestnut filling in this cozy low-calorie casserole. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar make the sweet potatoes sing.
Paige's Favorite Chinese Chicken Casserole
Low-fat chicken casserole with water chestnuts, cream of chicken soup, and evaporated skim milk. A creamy, crunchy baked dish that's lighter than it tastes.
Low Fat Baked French Toast
Try something new for breakfast with this simple recipe that will have you enjoying the scrumptious taste of french toast in no time!
Pasta with Light Clam Sauce
Pasta with Light Clam Sauce uses evaporated skim milk and clam juice instead of heavy cream - a brighter, lower-fat version with fresh tomatoes and basil, ready in 30 minutes.
Seafood Enchiladas with Cream & Tomatillo
Seafood enchiladas with a dual-sauce finish: tangy tomatillo salsa verde on top and a cilantro-cumin cream sauce underneath. Stuffed with crab, Mexican cheese, and cream cheese.
Salmon Surprise Loaf
Salmon loaf with spinach, dill, and lemon baked into a light, heart-healthy main dish. Budget-friendly canned salmon gets a fresh-tasting upgrade.
Artichoke Chowder
Creamy artichoke chowder with mushrooms and peas in a light evaporated milk base. Ready in just 15 minutes for a quick, wholesome soup.
French Fudge
Diabetic-friendly French fudge made with evaporated skim milk, cream cheese, chocolate chips, and sugar substitute. A creamy, lower-sugar chocolate fudge that chills firm enough to cut into squares.
Chicken Breasts with Feta Cheese Sauce
Pan-seared chicken breasts topped with a creamy feta cheese sauce made from evaporated skim milk, chives, and crumbled feta. A lighter take on cheese sauce that still delivers rich flavor.
Alaska Salmon Chowder
Hearty salmon chowder with potatoes, carrots, broccoli, corn, and evaporated milk in chicken broth: lighter than cream-based chowders but still rich and satisfying.
Asparagus & Red Pepper Soup
Vibrant asparagus and roasted red pepper soup, creamy with evaporated milk and ready in 30 minutes. A vegetarian, naturally low-fat bowl packed with spring flavor.
Baked Delicious Pumpkin Pudding
Try something different for dessert in this Thanksgiving, this low fat and low calorie pumpkin pudding is a good pick for a light dessert.
More milk, skim, evaporated recipes
- Alaska Salmon Chowder
- Baked Delicious Pumpkin Pudding
- Chestnut Soup
- Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
- Chicken Breasts with Feta Cheese Sauce
- Gravy
- Light Cream of Veggie Soup
- Low Fat Lemon Pie
- Paige's Favorite Chinese Chicken Casserole
- Pasta with Light Clam Sauce
- Seafood Enchiladas with Cream & Tomatillo
- Tuna & Mushroom Cream Over Pasta
