Heavy cream substitute
Out of heavy cream? Here are 6 swaps that work, with exact amounts scaled to your recipe.
The best heavy cream substitutes
Heavy cream is about 36% fat. That fat makes sauces rich, soups silky and whipped cream hold its shape. The best all-round swap is whole milk + melted butter: works in sauces, soups and baking. Will not whip.
| Substitute | For 1 cup heavy cream, use | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Whole milk + melted butter | 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter | Sauces, soups, baking |
| Half-and-half | 1 cup half-and-half | Coffee, soups, sauces |
| Milk + cornstarch | 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp cornstarch | Creamy soups and pasta sauces |
| Full-fat coconut cream | 1 cup coconut cream | Curries, whipped topping, vegan desserts |
| Silken tofu + milk | 1/2 cup silken tofu + 1/2 cup milk or soy milk | Creamy soups, smoothies, pasta sauce |
| Evaporated milk | 1 cup evaporated milk | Sauces, pies, casseroles |
How to choose
- Match the jobThink about what heavy cream does in your recipe, then pick the swap listed for that kind of dish.
- Scale the amountEnter your recipe's amount in the tool above and every swap rescales automatically.
- Check the tagsGreen Healthier swaps cut calories or add protein. Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free swaps are tagged too.
Missing something else? The full ingredient substitute finder covers 20 ingredients, and our recipe calorie calculator shows how a swap changes your recipe's nutrition.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
The best substitute for 1 cup heavy cream is whole milk + melted butter: 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter. Works in sauces, soups and baking. Will not whip.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
For sauces and soups, yes: whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch into 1 cup cold milk and heat until thick, or use 3/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup melted butter. Milk alone will be thin and will not whip.
What can I use instead of heavy cream to whip?
Chilled full-fat coconut cream whips well. Milk-based swaps do not whip.
Is half-and-half the same as heavy cream?
No. Half-and-half is about 10 to 12% fat versus about 36% for heavy cream. It works in coffee and many sauces but will not whip.
References
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