01
Cream
10.01 cup : 1/2 cup
Very rich; dilute 1 part cream with 1 part water for whole-milk consistency in recipes
10.0
vegetarian whole milk
substitute.
17 vegetarian substitutes for whole milk — top pick Cream at 100% function match.
all substitutes on this page are vegetarian
top substitutes
02
Whey
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Less tangy, add splash of vinegar
10.0
03
1% Fat Milk
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Richer, works fine in most recipes
10.0
show 14 more substitutes
04
2% Milkfat Milk
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Slightly richer, works perfectly
10.0
05
Goat Milk
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Most common swap, milder flavor
10.0
06
Sheep Milk
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Less rich but widely available
10.0
07
Evaporated Milk
8.01/2 cup : 1 cup
Rich and slightly caramelized; dilute 1:1 with water, adds body to cream sauces
8.0
08
Eggnog
8.01 cup : 1 cup
Add vanilla, nutmeg, and sugar
8.0
09
Half and Half
8.01/2 cup : 1 cup
Dilute with 1/2 cup water to match richness
8.0
10
Oat Milk
8.01 cup : 1 cup
Closest plant-milk swap thanks to beta-glucan and dispersed starch; may need extra fat in custards
8.0
11
Coconut Milk
7.51 cup : 1 cup
Use canned light coconut milk; shake well, adds subtle sweetness and works in curries
7.5
12
Soy Milk
6.51 cup : 1 cup
Good protein content (3-4g/cup); slight bean note works in baking but flag in unflavored applications
6.5
13
Dry Milk
6.04 cup : 1 cup
Reconstitute 1/3 cup powder in 1 cup water; lighter body, good for baking and sauces
6.0
14
Buttermilk
6.01/2 cup : 1 cup
Tangy and thick; use 3/4 cup buttermilk per cup milk, adds tenderness to baked goods
6.0
15
Skim Milk
6.01 cup : 1 cup
Richer and fuller body; use in baking and cooking where extra creaminess is welcome
6.0
16
Chocolate Milk
5.01 cup : 1 cup
Add 2 tbsp cocoa + 2 tbsp sugar
5.0
17
Almond Milk
5.01 cup : 1 cup
Lacks casein protein; thicken sauces with extra starch and add 1 tbsp milk powder for body
5.0
pitfalls to avoid
watch out
Cream: Custard may not set as firmly
watch out
Cream: Very rich — dilute 1:1 with water for milk body
watch out
Whey: May change cookies crumb density
watch out
Whey: Loaf texture may be less cohesive
watch out
Whey: Batter may spread differently
watch out
1% Fat Milk: Custard may not set as firmly
watch out
1% Fat Milk: May change smoothie thickness
watch out
2% Milkfat Milk: May shift the broth flavor profile
watch out
Goat Milk: May change muffins crumb density
watch out
Sheep Milk: Loaf texture may be less cohesive
watch out
Sheep Milk: May change smoothie thickness
watch out
Evaporated Milk: May change cookies crumb density
watch out
Evaporated Milk: Slight caramel sweetness from concentration
watch out
Eggnog: May change brownies crumb density
watch out
Eggnog: May not set as firmly when chilled
watch out
Half and Half: May change smoothie thickness
watch out
Half and Half: Richer — dilute with water to match whole milk
watch out
Coconut Milk: Batter may spread differently
watch out
Coconut Milk: Watch smoke point at high wok heat
watch out
Coconut Milk: Coconut flavor changes neutral dairy dishes
watch out
Dry Milk: Custard may not set as firmly
watch out
Dry Milk: Watch smoke point at high wok heat
watch out
Dry Milk: Lighter body — slightly chalky in drinks
watch out
Buttermilk: Watch smoke point at high wok heat
watch out
Buttermilk: Thicker and tangier — won't pour like milk
watch out
Skim Milk: May weaken gluten development
watch out
Skim Milk: Thinner and less creamy than whole milk
watch out
Chocolate Milk: May change muffins crumb density
watch out
Chocolate Milk: Batter may spread differently
watch out
Chocolate Milk: May shift the broth flavor profile