Freezing milk is an easy and useful way to make the most of sales at the grocery store. We’ll share how to freeze and thaw milk, as well as some creative uses for frozen milk.
Medically reviewed and co-written by Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).
Frozen Milk
For every household that goes through 3 gallons of milk a week, there’s other households that struggle to use up all their milk before its expiration date. No matter which camp you’re in, you might be wondering, can I actually freeze milk? The good news is, that yes, you can definitely freeze milk.
However, you will want to consider the type of milk you want to freeze. Most milks separate when frozen, but some plant-based milks, such as almond and oat milks will become especially grainy in texture. In this post, we’ll discuss freezing dairy milk, since it is commonly used.
Freezing milk is a very resourceful way to the make the most of your groceries. It helps reduce waste, allows you to stock up for emergencies, and is easy to freeze in small amounts for baked goods, cooking, and blended drinks.
Benefits of Freezing Milk
- Budget-friendly
- Allows you to stock up for emergencies
- Reduces waste
- Easy to freeze small amounts to use in baked goods, for cooking, and in smoothies
Gallon or Half Gallon Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pour off a little milk so that you have about 2 inches or so of room at the top of the jug. Not doing so may cause the container to break as the milk freezes and expands.
- Write the date on the container so you know when the milk was placed in the freezer.
- Place the milk in the freezer standing upright.
- To defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw.
Small Portions Step-by-Step Instructions
- Fill each compartment of an ice cube tray or muffin tin until about 3/4 of the way full. This gives the milk room to expand.
- Put the ice cube tray in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
- Once frozen, remove the milk from the tray and place into an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Thaw the small portions of milk in the fridge or use them directly from the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use frozen milk within 1-3 months for the best quality.
Frozen milk will have a milder flavor, as well as changes to its texture and color. Milk becomes a bit grainy and sometimes yellowish once thawed. This is why we recommend using frozen milk in cooking, baking, and drinks like smoothies or milkshakes.
Yes, you can freeze cream, although similar to milk, cream will also separate once thawed. However, heavy cream’s higher fat content will make it separate less than lighter dairy products. To freeze, place cream in a plastic jug or carton, and make sure to leave some room for it to expand once frozen.
How to Thaw Frozen Milk
Once you want to defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw. Do not thaw milk at room temperature, as this puts it at risk for developing bacteria. You’ll want to give the milk a good shake or run it through a blender to restore its texture and consistency.
Uses for Frozen Milk
Once the milk is thawed, it likely won’t be the same consistency it was before. But never fear! Frozen (and thawed) milk is a useful, budget-friendly hack that you can use in many recipes, including these:
Expert Tips
- Freeze milk on or before the best-before date. Freezing milk as quickly as possible will help retain its taste and nutritional profile.
- Avoid exposing milk to light, which may destroy some of the vitamins.
- Freeze single portions using ice cube trays for easy use.
- Once it thaws, milk may separate into solids and liquid, but shaking or blending it will return it to a smoother texture.
- Pour off a little milk so that you have about 2 inches or so of room at the top of the jug. Not doing so may cause the container to break as the milk freezes and expands.
- Write the date on the container so you know when the milk was placed in the freezer.
- Place the milk in the freezer standing upright.
- To defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw.