How many carbs are in unsweetened condensed milk?

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite its name suggesting otherwise, unsweetened condensed milk contains naturally occurring carbohydrates, typically around 10-12 grams per 100-gram serving. These carbs come from lactose, the milk's natural sugar, and are a key factor to consider when evaluating how many carbs are in unsweetened condensed milk.

Quick Summary

Unsweetened condensed milk is essentially evaporated milk, containing 10–12g of naturally occurring lactose carbs per 100g, far fewer than the sweetened version. It is not carb-free and should be factored into daily intake for low-carb diets.

Key Points

Natural Carbs: Unsweetened condensed milk contains 10-12 grams of naturally occurring carbs from lactose per 100g.
Evaporated Milk: Unsweetened condensed milk is the same product as evaporated milk, as no sugar is added during processing.
Low vs. High Carb: Its carb count is drastically lower than regular sweetened condensed milk, which has added sugar.
Not Keto: The natural lactose carbs in evaporated milk can be too high for a strict ketogenic diet, requiring careful tracking.
Not Carb-Free: Despite the "unsweetened" label, it is not a zero-carb product and still contains milk sugar.
Culinary Versatility: It can be used for creaminess in savory dishes and certain desserts where added sweetness is not desired.
Keto Alternative: For a truly low-carb option, many recipes use heavy cream and artificial sweeteners to mimic sweetened condensed milk.

The Nutritional Reality: What is Unsweetened Condensed Milk?

Many people mistakenly believe that unsweetened condensed milk is a distinct product line from evaporated milk. In reality, the terms are interchangeable; unsweetened condensed milk is simply evaporated milk. It is made by heating fresh cow's milk until about 60% of the water content evaporates. The milk is then canned and sterilized, resulting in a product that is denser, creamier, and more concentrated than regular milk. Unlike its sweetened counterpart, no additional sugar is added during processing.

However, the concentration process also condenses the milk's natural components, including lactose. Lactose is a disaccharide, or milk sugar, which is a form of carbohydrate. As a result, the final product retains a significant amount of carbs from this natural sugar, making it unsuitable for a zero-carb diet.

A Typical Nutritional Breakdown

While exact figures can vary slightly between brands and whether whole or semi-skimmed milk is used, the general nutritional profile per 100 grams is consistent:

Carbohydrates: Approximately 10–12 grams (from natural lactose)
Sugars: Approximately 10–12 grams
Fat: Around 4–8 grams
Protein: Around 6–7 grams
Calories: 112–136 kcal

For reference, a typical two-tablespoon serving would contain approximately 1.5 grams of carbohydrates.

Comparison: Unsweetened vs. Sweetened Condensed Milk

The primary distinction between unsweetened condensed (evaporated) milk and regular sweetened condensed milk is the astronomical difference in sugar and carbohydrate content. While both undergo a process of water removal, sweetened condensed milk has a large quantity of sugar added to it, which acts as a preservative and provides its signature sweet flavor.


Feature	Unsweetened Condensed Milk (Evaporated)	Sweetened Condensed Milk	Source
Carbohydrates per 100g	~10–12g (from natural lactose)	~71g (from lactose and added sugar)	,
Consistency	Thin, pourable liquid	Thick, syrupy consistency
Primary Use	Creamy texture for savory and sweet recipes	High-sugar desserts and sweets
Keto-Friendliness	Can be worked into less-strict low-carb diets; not keto	Not keto-friendly due to very high sugar

Low-Carb and Keto Considerations

For those on a strict ketogenic diet, the natural lactose in unsweetened condensed milk is typically too high. Most keto-friendly milk options are unsweetened, plant-based alternatives or heavy cream. However, for individuals following a less restrictive low-carb plan, evaporated milk can be incorporated in moderation.

Evaporated milk offers a rich creaminess to recipes without the high sugar load of the sweetened version. For low-carb cooking, it is important to track the natural carb count and use it sparingly. When a recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk, many low-carb bakers make a keto-friendly substitute from heavy cream and alternative sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol.

Practical Tips for Low-Carb Cooking with Evaporated Milk

Use evaporated milk in savory recipes, like creamy soups or sauces, where you need richness without sweetness.
Substitute it for half-and-half in coffee or tea for a richer, creamier texture and flavor.
Use a very small amount in desserts where sweetness comes from other sources, like a low-carb sweetener or berries.
Consider fat-free or low-fat evaporated milk options to reduce fat and calories, though the carb count from lactose will remain similar.

Conclusion

To answer the question, unsweetened condensed milk, which is essentially evaporated milk, contains a moderate amount of naturally occurring carbohydrates from lactose. It is a world apart from its heavily sweetened counterpart in terms of carb content, but it is not carb-free. This distinction is vital for those managing their sugar intake or adhering to a specific dietary plan like low-carb or keto. While not suitable for the strictest ketogenic diets, its rich, creamy texture and lower carb profile make it a useful ingredient for many other culinary applications when used in moderation.

For more information on dietary choices and keto-friendly alternatives, you can consult authoritative sources on nutrition, such as the Healthline guide to milk alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, unsweetened condensed milk is the same product as evaporated milk. Both are made by removing water from fresh milk and undergo the same canning process. The key difference between this and regular 'condensed milk' is the absence of added sugar.

The carbs in unsweetened condensed milk come from lactose, which is the naturally occurring sugar found in milk. The concentration process removes water, which also concentrates the lactose, but no sugar is added.

For a strict ketogenic diet, unsweetened condensed milk is generally not suitable due to its natural lactose content. While lower in carbs than the sweetened version, the lactose can still impact carb limits. Many keto followers opt for heavy cream or homemade low-carb alternatives instead.

The carb difference is substantial. Unsweetened condensed milk (evaporated milk) contains around 10-12 grams of natural lactose carbs per 100g. Sweetened condensed milk, with its added sugar, can contain upwards of 70 grams of total carbs per 100g.

You can use evaporated milk as a substitute if you are not seeking the sweetness. For recipes where the added sugar is critical, you would need to add a sweetener yourself. However, the flavors and textures will not be identical, as the sugar in sweetened condensed milk creates a caramelized flavor.

No, cooking or baking with evaporated milk does not alter its carbohydrate content. The heat can cause further evaporation, which might concentrate the remaining nutrients and carbohydrates, but the total amount of carbs remains the same.

For a low-carb alternative, many recipes use a combination of heavy cream, butter, and a low-carb sweetener like monk fruit, erythritol, or allulose. This mixture is simmered to reduce and thicken, mimicking the consistency and sweetness of regular sweetened condensed milk without the high carbs.

Because the water has been removed, evaporated milk has a higher concentration of all nutrients, including carbs, than regular cow's milk. Evaporated milk has more than twice the carbs of regular milk, with fresh milk containing about 12g of net carbs per cup.