Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for milk
Best swap for milk: Oat milk, 1:1; slightly sweet, works in most cooking and baking; custards and pastry cream set softer.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Milk?
The best swap for Milk is Oat Milk, 1:1; slightly sweet, works in most cooking and baking; custards and pastry cream set softer. Another option is Whole Milk, 1:1; "container milk" is just packaged cow's milk. The table below also lists Almond Milk and Half-And-Half, 4 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Oat milk | 1:1; slightly sweet, works in most cooking and baking; custards and pastry cream set softer Diet and health: Oats easily pick up gluten from other grains; if you avoid gluten, choose an oat milk labeled gluten-free. |
| Whole milk | 1:1; "container milk" is just packaged cow's milk |
| Almond milk | 1:1; thinner, avoid in custards and puddings; contains almonds (tree nut) |
| Half-and-half | dilute with equal water for 1:1; richer result |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Celiac Disease Foundation, Sources of Gluten (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Read the full guide: Mashed potatoes without milk: use the potato water
Buying more? Storage times for milk