Slow Cooker Evaporated Milk Dairy Free Recipe | Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

Slow Cooker Evaporated Milk- Dairy-free powdered milk and water are combined and cooked in the slow cooker until thick and creamy. It's a fantastic vegan alternative to traditional evaporated milk and can be used in countless recipes.

Do you know what evaporated milk is? A lot of people don't. It's a dairy product made by removing most of the water from whole milk or skimmed milk. Evaporated milk is often used in recipes that call for cream because it has a similar consistency. You can buy it in cans, with a shelf life of about two years.

If you're looking for a vegan alternative to evaporated milk, you can make your own at home using a slow cooker. It's much easier than you'd think. All you need is some powdered non-dairy milk, water, and a little patience. The result is a decadent, creamy vegan evaporated milk that is better than store-bought. It's perfect for baking, soups, chili, and so much more!

Why You'll Love This Dairy-Free Evaporated Milk Recipe

Better Than Store-Bought- This vegan evaporated milk recipe is much better than store-bought. It's richer, creamier, and has a deeper flavor.

Budget-Friendly- Making your own vegan evaporated milk at home is less expensive than buying it at the store. This recipe only costs about $0.50 to make! That's a savings of 75%! A can of store-bought evaporated milk costs around $2.00.

Versatile- You can use this dairy-free evaporated milk recipe in any recipe that calls for the real thing. It's perfect for baking, soups, chili, and more!

Freezes Well- This evaporated milk recipe freezes well. Just pour it into an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before you're ready to use it.

Minimal Prep- There is very little prep work involved in this recipe. The slow cooker does most of the work for you!

Customizable- This recipe is easily customizable. You can make it as decadent or light as you like by adjusting the powdered non-dairy milk you use. To taste, you can also add flavorings like vanilla extract, cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Equipment Needed To Make Vegan Evaporated Milk

• Slow Cooker
• Stirring Spoon
• Measuring Cups

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Evaporated Milk

• Water
• Dairy-Free Powdered Milk (Non-GMO)

How To Make This Vegan Slow Cooker Evaporated Milk In The Slow Cooker

For this recipe, the timing and measurements will give you the equivalent of a 12-ounce can of evaporated milk. It can easily be doubled if you need more than 12 ounces.

In a crockpot, combine water and powdered milk and stir until thoroughly combined. Do not cover the slow cooker with the lid! The mixture will not cook down if the top is on. Allow the milk mixture to cook for about 1 ½ hours or until it measures 12 ounces in a measuring cup. Some slow cookers conduct hotter than others, so if too much evaporates, add some extra water to get your measurements correct.

What to Serve/Pair With Vegan Evaporated Milk

This vegan evaporated milk would be perfect in any recipe in which you would use traditional evaporated milk. Try it in:

Soups- Use it as a creamy and dairy-free alternative to the cream soup.

Chili- Evaporated milk adds a delicious richness to chili without adding additional fat.

Casseroles- Casseroles are often made with condensed soups which can be high in sodium. Using evaporated milk will lighten up your casserole without sacrificing flavor.

Curries- For a lighter curry, try using evaporated milk instead of coconut milk.

Baked Goods- Use this homemade dairy-free evaporated milk in any recipe that calls for store-bought.

Popular Substitutions & Additions

One of the great things about this recipe is that it's very versatile and can be easily customized to your liking. Here are a few popular substitutions and additions:

Nuts- Many people like to add a handful of nuts, such as cashews or almonds, to their homemade evaporated milk for an extra creamy, nutty texture. Just be sure to soak the nuts for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before adding them to the slow cooker.

Coconut Milk- You can substitute some (or all) of the water with coconut milk for a richer flavor. Just be aware that this will also make the evaporated milk higher in fat.

Vanilla Extract- For a vanilla-flavored evaporated milk, simply add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the slow cooker.

Chocolate- Adding a few tablespoons of cocoa powder to this recipe will give you delicious chocolate evaporated milk. It would be perfect in a chocolate pudding or pie recipe.

How To Reheat & Store Evaporated Milk

What Is The Best Way To Store Vegan Evaporated Milk?

You can store homemade vegan evaporated milk in an airtight container or a jar with a lid in the fridge. Be sure to give it a good shake before using it, as the powdered milk may settle at the bottom.

How Long Will Slow Cooker Evaporated Milk Last In The Fridge?

When stored properly in an airtight container, this evaporated milk should last in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Can I Freeze This Vegan Evaporated Milk?

Yes, this dairy-free evaporated milk freezes well. Simply place it in an airtight container, which will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight before using.

How To Reheat Evaporated Milk?

If you need to reheat your evaporated milk, simply place it in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until it's heated through. You may need to add a splash of water to thin it out as it heats up.

Slow Cooker Vegan Evaporated Milk FAQs

Do I Need To Stir The Milk While It's Evaporating?

No, you don't need to stir the milk while it's evaporating. Just be sure not to put the lid on the slow cooker, as this will trap moisture and prevent evaporation from happening.

Is it normal for the milk mixture to be clumpy?

Yes, it's perfectly normal for the milk mixture to be clumpy when first mixed together. Keep stirring until the clumps are gone and the milk is smooth.

Can I make this evaporated milk without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop. Simply combine the water and powdered milk in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until combined and cook for about 1 ½ hours, or until it measures 12 ounces.

Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk?

No, evaporated milk and condensed milk are not the same. They are both made by slowly cooking down milk until a portion of the water evaporates; however, condensed milk is much sweeter than evaporated milk and contains added sugar.

I don't have any powdered milk. Can I use something else?

Yes! If you don't have powdered milk, you can try using full-fat coconut milk. I recommend adding a few tablespoons of tapioca starch or flour to help thicken it up, as coconut milk is thinner than powdered milk.

My evaporated milk is too thick. Is there something I can do to fix it?

Yes, if your evaporated milk is too thick, add a splash of water or non-dairy milk until it reaches the desired consistency.

Don't Forget To Come Back And Let Me Know How Your Evaporated Milk Made In The Slow Cooker Turned Out!

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