Short answer
Evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are both canned, concentrated dairy products, but evaporated milk contains no added sugar while sweetened condensed milk includes significant sugar. Their labeling, composition, and culinary uses differ, and they are not directly interchangeable in recipes. 1 2
Both products are made by removing water from milk, but sweetened condensed milk always includes added sugar, while evaporated milk does not.
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At a glance
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| Question | evaporated milk | sweetened condensed milk |
|---|---|---|
| Added sugar? | No | Yes |
| Labeling requirement | Must state vitamin addition | Must declare added sugar |
What each thing is
Evaporated milk. Evaporated milk is canned milk made by removing part of the water from milk, without added sugar, and is heat-processed to prevent spoilage, following specific US standards for milkfat and solids content. 1
Sweetened condensed milk. Sweetened condensed milk is a canned product made by removing water from milk mixed with added sugar, resulting in a thick, sweet liquid with higher milkfat and solids, as defined by US regulations. 2
Key differences
The defining difference is the presence of added sugar: evaporated milk contains only concentrated milk, while sweetened condensed milk is concentrated milk with added sugar, affecting both taste and texture. 1 2
How to tell them apart
You can distinguish them by reading the label: evaporated milk will not list sugar as an ingredient, while sweetened condensed milk will. However, flavored versions or additional ingredients may complicate quick identification. 1 2
Where they overlap
Both products are shelf-stable, canned, and made by removing water from milk. They may appear together in the baking aisle and can be used in desserts, but their sugar content and recipe roles are not the same. 1 2
Edge cases
Some flavored or specialty versions may include additional ingredients or labeling variations, such as fruit or flavoring, but the core distinction of added sugar versus none remains under US standards. 1 2
Why the distinction exists
US regulations require evaporated milk to meet specific milkfat and solids levels without added sugar, while sweetened condensed milk must include enough sugar to prevent spoilage, resulting in different culinary properties and labeling. 1 2
Common misconceptions
A common misconception is that evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk can be substituted for each other in recipes; in fact, their sugar content and consistency make them unsuitable as direct replacements. 1 2
Examples
A shopper looking for ingredients for fudge finds both cans: one labeled ‘evaporated milk’ with no sugar listed, and another labeled ‘sweetened condensed milk’ with sugar as a main ingredient. The recipe specifically calls for sweetened condensed milk. 1 2
Sources
Sources checked October 3, 2026.
- US Food and Drug Administration — 21 CFR 131.130: Evaporated milk. Evaporated milk composition.
- US Food and Drug Administration — 21 CFR 131.120: Sweetened condensed milk. Sweetened condensed milk composition and added sugar.