Freezing perishable grocery staples before their expiration date is a smart way to maximize your food budget, as well as minimize food waste. Milk is one perishable that can be frozen. But you may notice some changes to textural components, says Rosemary Trout, DHSc, program director and assistant professor of culinary arts and food science at Drexel University. For this reason, says Trout, frozen and thawed milk is best used in recipes, rather than for drinking. Advertisement
Milk can last for up to 6 weeks in the freezer, without any impact on its flavour and nutritional value. Freeze unopened milk containers in their original packaging before the ‘best-before’ date. Leftover evaporated milk can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 weeks with no adverse effects.
Types of milk you can freeze
According to Trout, both whole milk and low-fat milk can be frozen. As a general rule of thumb, milk with a higher fat content, such as whole milk, will separate more when thawed than milk with a lower fat content, such as skim milk. To remedy this, simply shake or blend the milk before adding to recipes.
How to freeze milk
While Trout states frozen milk is technically safe to store for up to six months, its better to leave it for no longer than three in order to maintain the smooth texture.
To freeze milk, transfer it from the container it was purchased in, like a plastic jug or carton, to an airtight freezer-safe container. Leave at least an inch of headspace, (empty space at the top), to allow for expansion, place the lid back on, and seal.
Trout says that you can use any container with headspace, however, she prefers to use smaller containers, which allow you to more closely control expansion. Square or rectangular plastic freezer storage containers work well for this. Keep frozen milk in the freezer until youre ready to use it, then move it to the fridge, and thaw overnight.
You can also use ice cube trays to freeze small quantities of frozen milk you plan to add to recipes. “This way you wont have to worry about breaking a container during expansion,” says Trout. To freeze milk in cubes, pour the milk into the ice cube tray. When milk cubes are frozen solid and easy to remove (typically after three to four hours). Then take them out of the tray, and store them in a heavy-duty zip-top storage bag in the freezer.
Quick tip: Dont freeze milk in a glass bottle. “It may crack if the milk expands,” says Trout. Advertisement
Can I Freeze Milk?
FAQ
Can I freeze bagged milk?
Can you freeze packaged milk?
Why does milk not freeze well?
Does milk get watery if you freeze it?
Does milk freeze well?
Not all milks freeze equally. Plant-based milks like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and flax milk are known to become grainy after freezing due to fat separation. Diary-based milk like cow’s milk and goat milk both freeze very well, but will also likely experience separation. Since they’re low on fat, skim and fat-free milk freeze the best.
What is the shelf life of canned milk?
According to Brazilian legislation, pasteurized milk has a shelf life of 3 to 8 days under refrigeration, while UHT milk has a shelf life of 2 to 6 months.
Can you freeze milk in a sandwich bag?
Don’t use your typical sandwich baggie to freeze milk. Instead, opt for plastic bags designed for freezing like these Harmon zipper freezer bags ($4, Bed Bath & Beyond) or vacuum freezer bags. The freezer-safe bags are thicker and more resistant to moisture or oxygen.
What happens if you freeze milk?
Milk expands when frozen, which will likely cause cardboard or glass containers to break, leaving a real mess in your freezer. Instead transfer the milk to an airtight plastic container, or multiple containers, and leave one to two inches of room at the top of the container. Be sure to also freeze milk before the expiration date.