If dairy doesn’t really sit well with you, then finding a reliable substitute for milk is pretty much a must-have, since milk is a standard ingredient in a lot of different recipes. If you happen to be out of milk, you may be out of luck since most of the more common milk substitutes are simply non-dairy milk products. The only solid substitute for milk that you may have stashed away in your pantry is evaporated milk, which can be mixed with water to create a passable substitute for baking. You can also toss some into your coffee if you need, but remember not to add any extra sugar, since it’s got plenty already. So, when you need a better substitute for milk, try these handy alternatives.
Rice Milk
Rice milk is a milk created mostly from brown rice. It’s naturally sweet, but lighter in consistency and taste than soy milk, which tends to be heavier and thicker. Rice milk is more commonly used in sweet recipes for desserts, given its sweetness. It’s not so useful in savory dishes, but you can use it in a tough spot.
Oat Milk
Oat milk is one of those rarer milk substitutes, which is kind of sad as it’s really the perfect milk substitute. It’s not as thick and creamy as soy milk, but it does have a milder flavor that’s ideal for both acting as a substitute in recipes for both sweet and savory dishes, and also in more mundane things, like tea and coffee. The flavor of oat milk isn’t strong enough to affect the flavor of a cooked dish, which makes it the most ideal substitute, in our opinion.
Soy Milk
Soy milk is one of the most common substitutes for milk, and it’s one of the easiest to find. You can almost always find this at any grocery store you head to. Soy milk is a great substitute in your morning coffee or cereal. It also works well for recipes that use milk to help its creaminess or in savory dishes.
What soy milk is not good for is things that need a less intense flavor. Because soy milk has a very unique and individual flavor on its own, it can impact the flavor of dishes that are a bit more delicate. Given that, it’s not great it all kind of desserts, so consider that before using it as a substitute for milk in baking.
Evaporated Milk & Water
As odd as it sounds, since evaporated milk is incredibly sweet, you can mix 1/2 cup of evaporated milk with 1/2 cup of water and use that as a 1:1 ratio for milk. This isn’t the best option for baking, but it can work alright if you’re really desperate for a last-minute substitute and you have nothing else on hand.
