Milk Substitute
No milk in the fridge? These work in both baking and cooking.
Real substitutes for 1 cup of milk
Unsweetened almond milk
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
Works in most baking and cooking; noticeably less rich than dairy milk, so texture in custards and puddings is a bit thinner.
Oat milk
1 cup oat milk
Closer to dairy milk's richness and mouthfeel than almond milk, and it steams and froths similarly if the recipe needs that.
Evaporated milk + water
1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water
The closest match to real dairy milk's fat content when almond or oat milk isn't an option and you have a can of evaporated milk on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of milk?
Unsweetened almond milk and oat milk both work in most baking and cooking. If you have a can of evaporated milk on hand, diluting it with an equal part water is the closest match to real dairy milk's fat content.
Which non-dairy milk is closest to real milk's richness?
Oat milk -- it's closer to dairy milk's mouthfeel than almond milk, and it steams and froths similarly if a recipe needs that.
What if I only have canned evaporated milk?
Mix it half and half with water -- 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water makes a solid 1-cup milk substitute for baking.