Not only that, it is a very easy and quick way to create a delicious meal if you do not want to spend too much time preparing a dish in the evening.
However, milk is added to Hamburger Helper which is not suitable for everyone. You might be lactose intolerant or vegan – or maybe you have just run out of milk. When this is the case, what can you add instead?
Fortunately, there are many different ingredients you can add to Hamburger Helper in place of milk. If you need some inspiration when it comes to milk substitutes in Hamburger Helper, then look no further.
Here you will find 6 of the best substitutes to ensure you can eat delicious Hamburger Helper today.
Why Is Milk Added To Hamburger Helper?
The reason people add milk to Hamburger Helper is that it has become a tradition to do so. It is something that has been passed down from grandparents to grandchildren.
This is because the milk will improve the flavor of Hamburger Helper, but it can also improve the overall texture.
This will make it extra creamy and satisfying. Milk generally pairs well with the flavors within the Hamburger Helper too.
Hamburger Helper always needs some form of liquid to enable the process of cooking to be completed. Adding milk is an easy and very effective way to add the liquid, as well as the flavor and texture.
However, just like we stated above, not everyone can drink milk. Fortunately, there are many options for substituting milk – so, let’s take a look at them!
The Best Substitutes For Milk In Hamburger Helper
Here are the 6 best substitutes to use in place of milk in Hamburger Helper:
1. Powdered Milk
If you have no issues with consuming milk, such as you are not lactose intolerant or vegan, then you can use powdered milk in Hamburger Helper.
Having powdered milk to hand is always a great idea. Once you run out of fresh milk, then you can always use the powdered milk that is sitting in your pantry.
Not only does powdered milk last a lot longer than fresh milk, but it can be a cost-effective way of using milk.
If you are not much of a milk drinker, then powdered milk will always be the better option.
Milk can go bad fast, and if you do not drink milk often, then you may find that it smells terrible once you come around to using it.
To use powdered milk, follow the instructions on the package to make it into a milky liquid. You can then use the same amount of powdered milk as you would regular milk within the Hamburger Helper.
2. Butter
Butter is a creamy ingredient that is used in a lot of recipes in place of milk. This is because they have a similar role of binding ingredients together to create a smooth texture.
The butter itself is creamy and acts similarly to cream. For example, it thickens up the sauce and creates a very creamy and delicious texture. However, butter may not be the most healthy option.
When choosing butter for your Hamburger Helper, always go for the salt-free version. If you do not, then you may find that the result tastes very salty.
You can also see if there are any low-fat options if you wish to keep the fat content low.
The great thing about butter is that you can buy plant-based or all-dairy versions. This means that you can add butter to your Hamburger Helper even if you are vegan.
3. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a wonderful addition to Hamburger Helper. So much so, it is a fantastic substitute for milk.
However, it is richer than milk, so you will notice it adds a very creamy depth of flavor and thicker texture.
Not only that, you will be adding some protein too. This does not mean that cream cheese is a healthy option, however. Even so, you can always opt for a low-fat version. This will have less saturated fat too.
Cream cheese can also be used with many of the different Hamburger Helper options. It suits most flavors and textures, so is always a great choice. It is also an ingredient that is easy to cook with.
4. Regular Cheese
If you do not have any cream cheese to hand, then you can also use regular cheese.
However, to use this ingredient you will want to shred it rather than slice it. This helps the cheese to melt down efficiently.
The cheese will help to add some creamy texture, as well as make the sauce thicker. This gives a wonderfully comforting overall feel to the Hamburger Helper.
Also, if you are wanting to create a cheese-based casserole, then you can add it to the Hamburger Helper to turn it into such a thing. It will be the perfect addition to a cold, dark evening at the weekend.
If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, you should opt for plant-based cheese.
It will work in the same way as regular cheese, only it will not include any dairy ingredients. Just make sure that the cheese can be melted down well.
5. Cream
The cream is a great substitute for those who love eating their Hamburger Helper on the creamier side. Not only does cream taste delicious, but it will add a thicker consistency overall too.
It can provide a much richer experience to the whole dish, as well as a luxurious flavor. For this reason, you may want to opt for a lower-fat option.
If you are health conscious, then you may even want to find a cream that has completely no fat at all.
Just like with the milk, you can substitute it like-for-like in the Hamburger Helper.
However, if you find that the cream is far too rich, then add in three-quarters worth. You may find that practice makes perfect to achieve your desired result using cream instead of milk.
6. Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is a great substitute if you are either vegan or lactose intolerant.
However, what you will find with adding something like coconut milk is that it may change the flavor of the Hamburger Helper. Fortunately, it is not dramatically different from how it should be.
Even so, adding something like coconut milk or cream is a great way to add some depth and flavor to the meal. You might even really enjoy it and not want to return to regular creamy flavors.
Coconut milk can also last longer than regular milk, so it makes sense to use coconut milk if you do not plan to use it often.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many substitutes you can use for Hamburger Helper that can provide you with the same creaminess as milk.
There are also many alternatives for when you are either lactose intolerant or vegan.
If you have none of the above and need options quickly, then you could also opt for just adding water. While it will not add any creaminess, it will work as a liquid substitute in Hamburger Helper.
Hopefully, you have enjoyed this article. You can find more ingredient substitutes on the rest of the website.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
