Condensed vs. Evaporated Milk: What's the Difference? (2024)

Most of us have seen recipes that call for either canned condensed or evaporated milk before, but have you ever gotten the two confused or wondered what the difference between them is? If so, you're not alone! Here's the difference between evaporated milk vs. condensed milk.

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened. So, if you confused the two in a recipe you'll get a big surprise when, say, your macaroni and cheese turns out super sweet (yuck!) because you used condensed milk instead of evaporated milk, or your sweet custard pie suddenly has no sweetness because you mistakenly used evaporated milk instead of condensed milk.

Ree Dummond has some deliciously sweet recipes that contain condensed milk, so grab a can and try her easy peppermint fudge or homemade dulce de leche this weekend! Condensed milk is also a key ingredient in Vietnamese coffee and classic key lime pie.

If you're looking for recipes to used your evaporated milk in, try this super easy Instant Pot mac and cheese or Crock-Pot mac and cheese, they're sure to be a huge hit with any mac and cheese lovers! Plus, Ree's delicious tres leches cake uses both condensed milk and evaporated milk!

Can you use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?

No! Condensed milk is very thick and sweet, so if you just use a can of evaporated milk in its place your recipe will not taste the same. The best substitute for condensed milk is heavy cream plus some sugar, depending on how much condensed milk your recipe calls for.

What is thicker: evaporated milk or condensed milk?

Condensed milk is much thicker than evaporated milk, since it contains less water and much more sugar than evaporated milk. A can of evaporated milk has about the same consistency as half-and-half.

Does evaporated milk taste the same as condensed milk?

No, evaporated milk does not taste the same as condensed milk. Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated so that about 60% of the water evaporates. It is then canned and can be used as you would half-and-half, since it is extra creamy! Condensed milk is made in a similar way, but sugar is added to it so that about 45% of its content is sugar. Because of this, condensed milk is very sweet and thick, while evaporated milk is unsweetened.