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How to Substitute Dairy Products

How do you substitute for whole milk? Is there a suitable substitute for heavy cream? We'll tell you what subs work the best.

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Substituting dairy ingredients can get dicey. How do you substitute for whole milk? Can you sub half-and-half with skim milk? Is there even a suitable substitute for heavy cream? We'll tell you what subs work the best.

Use these formulas to substitute one dairy product for another.

HOW TO SUBSTITUTE FOR WHOLE MILK

To Replace: 1 cup whole milk

  • 5⁄8 cup skim milk + 3⁄8 cup half-and-half
  • 2⁄3 cup 1% milk + 1⁄3 cup half-and-half
  • 3⁄4 cup 2% milk + 1⁄4 cup half-and-half
  • 7⁄8 cup skim milk + 1⁄8 cup heavy cream

HOW TO SUBSTITUTE FOR HALF-AND-HALF

To Replace: 1 cup half-and-half

  • 3⁄4 cup whole milk + 1⁄4 cup heavy cream
  • 2⁄3 cup skim or low-fat milk + 1⁄3 cup heavy cream

HOW TO SUBSTITUTE FOR HEAVY CREAM

Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream in soups and sauces, but is not suitable for whipping or baking recipes.

To Replace: 1 cup heavy cream — 1 cup evaporated milk

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