The closest alternatives to Table Cream are Half and Half cream, Evaporated Milk, Coconut Milk, Greek Yogurt and Milk, and Silken Tofu.
Half and Half CreamHalf and half is a dairy product made by combining equal parts whole milk and light cream.
Evaporated MilkEvaporated milk is made by removing about 60% of water from regular milk.
We all know the drill. You're in the middle of whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, and you reach for the table cream, only to find the carton empty.
What do you do next? ? Run to the store?
No way. We've got you covered with the five best table cream substitutes that will save your dish and might even make it tastier.
5 Creamy Alternatives for Table Cream
The best substitute for table cream/light cream will depend on what you are using it for.
Here's a detailed comparison of the 5 best substitutes for table cream, along with their key characteristics and proper ratios:
| Substitute | Key Characteristics | Proper Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Half and Half Cream | Half and half is a dairy product made by combining equal parts whole milk and light cream. It has a lower fat content than table cream. | Use an equal amount of half and half as you would with table cream in recipes. |
| Evaporated Milk | Evaporated milk is made by removing about 60% of water from regular milk. It has a slightly caramelized flavor and a creamy texture. | Use an equal amount of evaporated milk as you would with table cream in recipes. |
| Coconut Milk | Coconut milk is a rich, creamy liquid made from the flesh of coconuts. It has a distinct tropical flavor and can add richness to dishes. | Use an equal amount of coconut milk as you would with table cream in recipes. |
| Greek Yogurt and Milk | A mixture of Greek yogurt and milk can provide a similar thickness and tanginess to table cream. | Combine ½ cup Greek yogurt with ½ cup milk to replace 1 cup of table cream. |
| Silken Tofu | Silken tofu is a soft, smooth tofu variety that can be blended into a creamy consistency. It is a dairy-free option. | Blend silken tofu until smooth and use an equal amount as you would with table cream in recipes. |
Now, let's discuss each substitute in more detail:
1 - Half and Half cream
As we mentioned before, half and half cream is table cream with a lower fat percentage.
The USDA defines half and half cream as a mixture of milk and cream with 10.5-17.9% milkfat.
Because this cream is so similar to table cream, you can easily substitute it in any recipe.
If you use half and half in a sauce or gravy instead of table cream, it will come out a bit lighter.
If this makes the sauce too light, you can thicken it up with a bit of cornstarch.
Half and half cream is also great as a creamer for coffee, so it is healthier than commercial coffee creamers, which contain a large amount of added sugar.
- 1 cup table/light cream= 1 cup half and half cream.
2 - Evaporated Milk
Here is a product you can find virtually anywhere in the world and is also known as unsweetened condensed milk.
Evaporated milk is milk that has had around 60% of its water removed.
This gives it around twice as fats and solids as regular milk.
Evaporated milk will thicken your coffee up just like a regular cream, but be careful when adding it.
Evaporated milk has a much stronger taste than regular milk, so mixing it with whole milk is a good idea.
Evaporated milk can replace whole milk (1 cup whole milk= ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water).
When using evaporated milk as a substitute for table cream, you can mix in cornstarch to make your dish thicker.
- 1 cup light cream= 1 cup evaporated milk + 1 tablespoon cornstarch ( cornstarch optional).
3 - Coconut Milk
If you are on a vegan diet, you will need a dairy-free option to replace light cream.
Dairy products are used in loads of recipes, and it can be hard to find a vegan option.
Coconut milk has recently become very popular as a substitute for regular milk, as it is 100% vegan.
Coconut milk is not coconut water, which occurs naturally inside coconuts.
Coconut milk is made by mixing the flesh of the coconut with water and processing it.
You can use coconut milk as a very healthy and delicious creamer for your coffee or tea.
If you want to make it sweeter, add some vanilla extract and honey.
Coconut milk can also be used as a cream for cooking and baking.
If you want to make it thicker, you can chill the milk in a can and remove the liquid.
- 1 cup light cream= 1 cup coconut milk.
4 - Greek Yogurt and Milk
Here is a simple replacement for cream using everyday ingredients you probably have at home.
Greek yogurt is regular yogurt that has been strained to give it a thicker consistency.
You can make yogurt yourself easily with just milk and a starter.
Simply boil the milk, and add the yogurt starter after the milk cools.
Set that aside in a warm place for a few hours, and you have yogurt.
Strain it to remove whey and make it thicker.
By itself, Greek yogurt is too thick to replace light cream, but you can mix it with milk to get the thickness you want.
- 1 cup light cream = ⅓ cup Greek yogurt +⅔ cup whole milk.
5 - Silken Tofu
The soybean has a seemingly limitless amount of uses, from meats to sauces.
One of those products, soy milk, has become a huge health drink.
Soy milk was the first non-dairy milk to become famous, even though it has been replaced by almond milk.
Silken tofu is made from soy milk, and it has a softer consistency than regular tofu.
It crumbles very quickly and can be used as a substitute for many things besides cream.
To use it for cooking, blend the silken tofu until it is creamy and soft.
- 1 cup light cream = 1 cup pureed silken tofu.
You might also want to know how table cream compares.
Frequently Asked Questions
Half and Half CreamHalf and half is a dairy product made by combining equal parts whole milk and light cream. Use it at a 1:1 ratio in any recipe that calls for Table Cream.
Yes, and the results are often hard to tell apart. Half is the go-to replacement.
For variety, Half cream and Evaporated Milk adds its own twist to the dish.
Sometimes. Blending two partial substitutes - one for flavor and one for texture - gets closer to the original.
This works best when neither alone fully replicates what you need.
Not always. Some substitutes are processed or have a strong raw flavor that disappears with heat.
Check whether the original is typically used raw before assuming the substitute will work the same way.