Milk, canned, evaporated, with added vitamin D and without added vitamin A
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
Evaporated milk is fresh milk with about 60% of its water removed, creating a thick, creamy liquid with a slightly caramelized, cooked-milk flavor. Its concentrated nature makes it a shelf-stable powerhouse, delivering a dense hit of protein and fat without the need for refrigeration until opened. Nutritionally, it's a significant source of calcium and vitamin D, offering a rich, velvety texture to dishes.
💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its unique, slightly sweet, caramelized flavor that enriches everything from coffee to curries. It's a kitchen staple prized for its versatility, acting as a convenient, shelf-stable substitute for fresh milk or cream in countless recipes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its concentrated sugars and lactose content can cause blood-sugar spikes and digestive issues for some. To counteract this, use it in small portions, pair it with fiber or protein-rich foods (like in a savory curry), and choose low-sugar or unsweetened varieties when available.
Key benefits
- Shelf-stable and long-lasting without refrigeration.
- Concentrated source of calcium and vitamin D.
- Provides a rich, creamy texture without heavy cream.
- Adds protein and fat to recipes, increasing satiety.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The canning process for evaporated milk was patented in 1885, and it was a crucial, non-perishable source of nutrition for soldiers during World War I and II.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 74.0 g |
| Energy | 134 kcal |
| Energy | 562 kj |
| Protein | 6.8 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 7.6 g |
| Ash | 1.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 10.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 261 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.19 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 203 mg |
| Potassium, K | 303 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 106 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.77 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.02 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.3 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 8.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.05 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.32 mg |
| Niacin | 0.19 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.64 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.05 mg |
| Folate, total | 8.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 8.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 8.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 31.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.16 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 65.0 ug |
| Retinol | 64.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 233 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.14 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 79.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.50 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.73 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.0 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.92 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.3 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.16 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.24 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 29.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.10 g |
| Threonine | 0.31 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.41 g |
| Leucine | 0.67 g |
| Lysine | 0.54 g |
| Methionine | 0.17 g |
| Cystine | 0.06 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.33 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.33 g |
| Valine | 0.46 g |
| Arginine | 0.25 g |
| Histidine | 0.18 g |
| Alanine | 0.23 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.52 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.4 g |
| Glycine | 0.14 g |
| Proline | 0.66 g |
| Serine | 0.37 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between evaporated and condensed milk?
Evaporated milk is just concentrated milk with no added sugar, while sweetened condensed milk has a large amount of sugar added, making it thick and very sweet.
Can I use evaporated milk as a substitute for heavy cream?
Yes, it can be a lighter substitute in some recipes, especially for adding creaminess to soups or sauces, though it won't whip like heavy cream.
Why does it have a slightly brown color and caramel taste?
The heating process during evaporation causes the natural sugars in the milk to caramelize slightly, giving it a richer color and flavor.