Milk Substitute for Hamburger Helper (14 Chef Choice)

You know that feeling when you make a quick meal and realize you are out of milk? You could either make do without it or drive all the way to the store. 

But what if I told you there was another option?! 

Today, we will be exploring some great options for substituting milk in your favorite dishes like Hamburger Helper without sacrificing its taste.

What is Hamburger Helper? 

Hamburger helper is processed food. It usually contains ground beef, macaroni noodles, flour, milk, and cheese sauce. It is most commonly found in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store. 

Can you Make Hamburger Helper Stroganoff without Milk?

Yes, You can create a hamburger helper without milk. 

Hamburger helper is a staple in many American homes. 

If you have a vegan in your life getting ready to go off to college, here’s a way they can make one of the more popular versions of this foodstuff – hamburger helper with no milk! (Yes, it does sound impossible). 

The secret weapon that makes the difference is swapping out the milk with some milk alternatives. It changes everything!

What can I substitute for milk in a hamburger helper- Milk Substitute for Hamburger Helper

1. EVAPORATED MILK 

Evaporated milk is cow’s milk boiled down to 60% of its original volume. It is a shelf-stable product that can be stored at room temperature. 

Evaporated milk is used as a substitute for fresh milk in many recipes, including hamburger helpers. It has a slightly sweeter flavor than fresh milk and is often used in baking.

To substitute evaporated milk for regular milk: Omit 1/2 cup of water, replace with 1 cup of evaporated milk.

If a recipe calls for 2 cups of fresh milk, use 2 cups whole milk plus 1/2 cup of water. 

Or 2 cups skim or low-fat milk plus 1/2 cup water OR 2 cups evaporated milk.

Read More- 7 Natural Evaporated Cane Juice Alternative

2. DAIRY MAYO

Dairy Mayonnaise is mayo that contains milk. It can be utilized in recipes in place of conventional mayo; just be sure to check the label for “may contain milk” if you give this to someone who has a dairy allergy.

Dairy Mayo can use the place of milk in recipes like hamburger helper, and it also makes a great condiment for burgers and sandwiches. 

Dairy Mayo is available at most grocery stores, and it comes in both shelf-stable and refrigerated varieties.

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to add some extra flavor to your burgers and sandwiches, give Dairy Mayo a try! 

It’s perfect for any occasion, and it’s sure to please everyone at the table.

3. DAIRY-free MAYO

Since the average American eats 23.4 pounds of mayonnaise per year, it is safe to say that everyone has their favorite brand. 

And while some prefer the more gourmet options like avocado-based or truffle oil mayo, most rely on one of two common varieties – soy-based or dairy-based.

So Mayo easily goes with hamburger helper instead of milk.

4. HALF and HALF

Hamburger Helper is a boxed meal consisting of a seasoning packet and a separate bag containing dehydrated ingredients such as pasta, meat, and vegetables. 

After microwaving, the ingredients are combined with water or milk to prepare the dish at home.

Half & Half is an American brand of flavored half-and-half dairy varieties: French vanilla, Dutch chocolate, regular (unflavored), pecan praline, blueberry, red raspberry, and strawberry salted caramel and pumpkin spice.

You can use Half & Half in place of milk in Hamburger Helper. Simply follow the instructions on the package, substituting Half & Half for the milk called for. 

Note that: Half & Half has a lower milk fat content than whole milk. It may curdle more easily in recipes that are not cooked long enough or are overheated.

5. CREAM CHEESE-in hamburger helper

Cream cheese is a spreadable, creamy cheese prepared from cow’s milk. It has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a creamy texture. 

Cream cheese is popular for both savory and sweet dishes. You can use it in everything from cheesecakes to bagels to quesadillas.

You can replace the milk with cream cheese in many recipes, including Hamburger Helper stroganoff.

6. DAIRY-FREE MILK

Dairy-free milk is basically an alternative to cow’s milk, so it can be used the same way you would use regular milk. 

For example, when making a hamburger helper, you could replace the two cups of water with two cups of dairy-free milk and the butter/water with half a cup of dairy-free butter and half a cup of dairy-free milk. 

It may take some experimentation to achieve the desired texture and flavor. I hope this helps.

Since my mother is lactose intolerant, I never drink regular milk – I always use almond or soy substitutes (most grocery stores carry them now). 

I have tried making hamburger helper with the substitutes. Still, it tastes great – especially if your family is also dairy-free! Good luck!

7. ALMOND MILK

Almond milk is a plant-based milk substitute produced from ground almonds and water. It has a slightly nutty flavor and can be used in many recipes that call for milk.

Almond milk is also vegan, making it a good choice for those who follow a plant-based diet. You can find almond milk in most grocery stores.

In most recipes, including hamburger helper, almond milk can be substituted for ordinary milk.

Note that almond milk may not work as well in some recipes, such as those that call for thickening with flour. Before serving, make sure to test the recipe exactly as indicated.

A cup of milk is equivalent to a cup of almond milk when substituting in recipes.

8. SOY MILK

Soy milk is made from soybeans that have been soaked in water, ground, and boiled. The soy milk can then be used in many different recipes, your delicious hamburger helper too. 

Soy milk is high in protein and calcium, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a dairy-free alternative to milk.

If you would like to use soy milk in your hamburger helper instead of regular milk, pour the required amount of water into a saucepan and heat. 

Add the dry hamburger helper mix and stir continuously until the mixture is smooth. 

Next, add the preferred amount of soy milk (about two tablespoons) and continue stirring until thoroughly combined.

9. SOUR CREAM

Sour cream is a dairy product prepared by fermenting milk with lactic acid bacteria. It has a thick, creamy texture and a tart, acidic flavor.

Sour cream can replace milk in many recipes, including hamburger helper. It can also be used as a condiment or dip.

10. COCONUT MILK

Some people also use coconut milk to make smoothies or shakes. It is a good source of calcium and other nutrients. 

If you are looking for a healthy alternative to regular milk to make a hamburger helper, try using coconut milk in your recipes. You may be surprised at how good it tastes.

Coconut milk has a slightly different flavor than regular milk, but it is still a good replacement.

11. BUTTER

Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It consists of butterfat, water, and other components such as salt and proteins. 

Butter contains fat in the form of triglycerides, mainly saturated fat (about 55%) and unsaturated fat (about 45%), and other fatty acids, milk proteins, water, and salt.

You can use butter in place of milk in your favorite recipes, including hamburger helper. When substituting, use the same amount of butter as you would milk.

For 1/2 cup of milk, use 1/2 cup of butter. You may need to adjust the seasoning slightly to account for the butter’s stronger flavor. 

12. MARGARINE 

Margarine is a vegetable-based spread that is used as an alternative to butter.

Margarine is made from a combination of oil and water. It contains emulsifiers and stabilizers to help it maintain its consistency.

It is available in several different flavors, including plain, garlic, and herb. Margarine can also be used to spread on toast or bagels.

When using margarine in place of milk or butter in a recipe, it is important to note that the amount of margarine you will need may vary depending on the recipe. 

Usually, 1/2 cup margarine is needed to replace 1 cup of milk or butter.

13. OAT MILK

Oat milk is a plant-based, lactose-free alternative to regular milk. It is made from wholegrain oats and has a subtle oatmeal taste. 

In most baking recipes, Oat Drink Original can be used as a direct 1:1 replacement for cow’s milk. 

In lighter recipes where the flavor of the oat milk isn’t as dominant, such as coffee or smoothies, you can use up to 50% more oat milk than cow’s milk. 

However, you can make a vegan-friendly hamburger helper by using oat milk instead.

14. HEAVY CREAM

Hamburger helper heavy cream instead of milk. Heavy cream is a type of cream that has a high-fat content. You can make your Hamburger helper heavy cream instead of milk.

When substituting heavy cream for another type of fat, use 3/4 the amount in the recipe.

Read More- 14 Milk Alternatives that Exactly Like Milk from Taste to Nutrition | Vegan Option include

Can you substitute water for milk in Hamburger helper?

You can substitute water for milk in Hamburger Helper? It’s not recommended, but it won’t make a huge difference in the taste of your meal and may even help with keeping your costs down. 

We’d recommend you try this before substituting anything else for milk. Still, if you’re in a hurry and all you have is water, you can likely get away with using it instead of milk.

Should You Add Milk When Reheating Hamburger Helper?

Don’t you just hate it when the directions on the back of that boxed Hamburger Helper calls for adding water, but your mind tells you to add milk instead? 

I know! My mind is always thinking about what I could be doing with my time besides standing over a stove waiting for water to boil. 

With so many options out there, who has time for that?

But, should you add milk when reheating Hamburger Helper? The answer is: it depends.

There are a few things to consider when answering this question. The first is the type of Hamburger Helper that you are reheating. 

Some varieties, like Cheesy Baked Pasta, already contain milk, so you don’t want to add any more. In that case, the answer would be ‘no.’ 

The second thing to consider is if you will be adding ingredients once it’s done cooking. For example, you might plan on adding a can of corn or mixed vegetables. 

If so, go ahead and stick with water because the milk might make the dish too creamy.

But if you’re reheating a variety like Hamburger Helper Deluxe, which doesn’t have any added milk, then adding a little bit of milk won’t hurt. 

In fact, it might even add some extra flavor. Just be careful not to add too much, or your dish will be too runny.

Wrap Up On-Make Hamburger Helper Without Milk

After researching milk substitutes for hamburger helpers, we found that there are a few viable options. Almond milk, soy milk, and coconut milk are good substitutes for cow’s milk. 

They have an identical texture and flavor to cow’s milk, and they can be used in most recipes that call for cow’s milk. 

However, almond and soy milk have a stronger flavor than cow’s milk, so you should use them in moderation for best results.

FAQs Hamburger Helper & Its Alternatives