Can You Freeze Milk? Good news! According to the Dairy Council of California, it's perfectly fine to freeze milk for later use. You just have to make sure you do so before the expiration or "best by" date. If you find yourself always pouring out-of-date milk down the drain, this simple solution can save you money and reduce food waste.
How to Freeze Milk You can actually freeze milk in its original container, so long as that container is plastic. If your milk comes in a glass or cardboard container, transfer it into a freezer-safe plastic container before you freeze. Milk will expand when frozen, causing glass or cardboard to break - and you don't want that mess in your freezer. Because milk will expand, it's important that you don't place a completely full jug of milk straight into the freezer. Leave one to two inches of headspace in each container, whether you're freezing the entire jug or you're separating it out into individual containers. Then simply reseal the lid, shake vigorously, and place in the freezer. Write the date on the milk with a marker. Milk will save in the freezer for up to three months, although it's best to use it sooner rather than later, as it can absorb odors from food stored nearby. How to Thaw Milk For safe consumption, milk will need to be thawed either in the refrigerator or in cold water. Do not thaw milk at room temperature, because this can risk the quality of the milk if it gets too warm. To safely thaw milk, place it in the refrigerator to slowly thaw. To speed things up, you can also fill a sink or a large bowl with cold water and place the entire container in the water. Replace the water as it warms up. You may notice the texture of the milk after it's thawed is a bit grainy. This is because the fat separates. But fear not! A vigorous shake will help return the milk to its original texture. Thawed milk should be consumed within three to four days. How Milk Changes After Freezing Although thawed milk will retain its nutrients, you may notice a difference in its appearance. The fat may separate, causing the texture to be slightly grainy, which is why shaking it prior to use is necessary. You may also use an immersion blender to mix the fats back into the milk. Because of their lower fat content, skim milk and low-fat milk freeze best. Another change you might notice in your milk is the flavor, and not because the milk has gone bad. Storing milk in the freezer (even with a sturdy plastic container) can cause it to absorb odors from particularly pungent foods (looking at you, seafood). This is why you should try to use your frozen milk sooner rather than later, and avoid storing it next to foods with strong odors. _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list Cookinginthedark@acbradio.org http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark