You’re not the only one who doesn’t drink milk every week like I do and many other families do. You can’t keep it in the fridge for long enough some weeks. That extra gallon just sits there for weeks, though, until it’s too late.
You can freeze milk, which is a little-known fact that can save you money, time, and stress. It’s also really easy to do.
This simple cooking trick has become a family favorite. It has helped me not throw away milk, go to the supermarket too much, or feel bad about spilling spoiled milk down the drain.
Let me show you the right and safe way to do it so that you can get the most out of every drop.
beforehand of all, you should know that you may freeze milk, but you need to get it ready beforehand.
A lot of people don’t know that milk, like many other dairy products, can go straight into the freezer. But here’s something more that a lot of people don’t know: it becomes bigger as it freezes.
Yes, if you try to freeze a gallon that is completely full, you could end up with frozen milk all over the shelves of your freezer.
Do this instead:
Step 1: First, pour out a cup.
If your milk jug is full, open it up and pour out about a cup of milk. This offers the liquid just enough space to safely grow when it starts to freeze.
This step is very important if you are freezing milk in its original plastic jug.
How to freeze milk so you can use it every day
You have two great storage options based on what you need after making room for growth:
Option 1: Freeze the whole jug.
This is the easiest way. After you’ve poured that one cup, close the jug tightly and put it in the freezer standing up.
Make sure the jug is made of plastic. When glass containers freeze, the cold plus the expansion could make them crack or shatter.
Option 2: Freeze them in ice cube trays.
This is a great idea for people who only need a little milk at a time for baking, cooking, coffee, or tea.
Put ice cube pans that have been cleaned in the freezer and fill them with milk. Once the cubes are frozen, put them in a container that doesn’t let air in, such a zip-top freezer bag.
It’s easy to measure with these cubes because each one is around two tablespoons.
For how long can frozen milk stay good?
You may freeze milk for up to three months without it becoming bad. The milk will still be safe to drink for a short time after three months, but the quality may start to go down.
Just make sure to put the date you froze it on the bag or container. That way, you’ll always know when to use it.
The Right Way to Thaw Frozen Milk
Here’s how to safely thaw your frozen milk when you want to use it:
Option 1: Thaw it out in the fridge.
This is the best method to accomplish it. Put the frozen jug (or cubes) in the fridge and let it defrost slowly for a day. Shake the jug before you use it. It might come apart a little, but that’s fine.
Option 2: A brief bath in cold water
Do you need milk right now? Do not put the sealed jar or container in warm water. It will melt faster, usually in 30 to 45 minutes. Don’t use hot water or a microwave, because that could make the milk taste bad and be less safe.
Does the taste or feel change?
If you heat up frozen milk, it can break apart a little. You might notice a slight difference in texture; at first, it might seem a touch gritty or watery.
But here’s the good news: You can drink it.
It will come back together if you shake the container well.
It works great in smoothies, baking, coffee, and cooking.
If you don’t like the texture, you can cook with the thawed milk instead of drinking it straight.
Why You’ll Love This Tip for Freezing Milk
As part of my everyday routine, I freeze milk a lot. Why?
Because it stops me from:
Going to the store at the last minute
Throwing away bad milk
Buying too much milk when it’s on sale
I can throw away food and feel bad about it. It also gives me freedom and flexibility in the kitchen.
Here are some ways this trick can help you every day:
Are you leaving town? Don’t throw away what’s left in the fridge; freeze it instead.
Are you buying a lot of things during a sale? You might want to buy a little more and freeze the rest.
Do you want just a splash for your coffee? Put a frozen cube right away in the mug.
Do you need milk to bake? Thaw some cubes ahead of time so you can access to them fast.
Some Helpful Things to Remember
Always put milk in the freezer before it turns bad. Putting milk in the freezer doesn’t make it better.
Put tags on everything. Write the date you froze each bag or container with a marker.
Put goods in containers that won’t let air in and are safe for the freezer. Use a container that can freeze and has room to grow if you’re transporting it from the jug.
Put milk that is frozen in the back of the freezer. This keeps the temperature steady and very cold, which makes the quality better.
Give it a try; you might be surprised at how helpful it is.
I wish I had known that you could freeze milk for years. With grocery prices rising up and my everyday life being so unpredictable, this tiny tip has helped me out more times than I can count.
If you’re tired of throwing away rotten milk or going to the store at the last minute, freeze your milk instead.
You’ll save more money, throw away less, and always have what you need when you need it.