There are many great plant-based alternatives to milk, and almond milk is one of them.
Perhaps you only make a trip to the health food store once in a blue moon and want to buy in bulk. Or maybe you have a vegan friend and want to have almond milk available for when they come over, but don’t drink it yourself.
You may be wondering – is it possible to freeze almond milk?
The short answer is that it’s up to you.
Freezing almond milk won’t cause it to spoil or lose any nutrients, but it will change its color, texture, and maybe even taste. Therefore, almond milk companies do not recommend freezing your almond milk, but there are ways to do it if you want to.
What Happens When You Freeze Almond Milk?
Freezing almond milk and most other plant-based milk will cause the solids and liquids in the milk to separate. The result, even if you stir it, is a not-very-pleasant gritty or chunky texture.
In addition, the color and taste of almond milk can change upon freezing. All in all, thawed almond milk will not be the same as fresh.
However, many people still swear by freezing almond milk. So how do they do it?
How To Mitigate The Effects Of Freezing
If you shake the thawed almond milk vigorously, or better yet, throw it in a blender, you can reunite the separated solids and liquids for the most part. It’s probably still not great to drink straight from the glass, but it’s perfectly fine to put in smoothies, baked goods, or as a coffee creamer.
So, you absolutely can freeze almond milk, although it does require a little extra legwork. And you shouldn’t expect the thawed product to be of the same quality as fresh almond milk.
How To Freeze Almond Milk
If you want to use the whole carton of almond milk at some future date, the best way to freeze it is unopened, in its original container. This is ideal because it minimizes exposure to oxygen and will thus retain the freshness of its flavor.
However, you will likely be freezing it because you want to use small amounts at a time. In that case, you can freeze it in small airtight containers or in ice cube trays. Remember to leave a bit of extra space in the container, as almond milk expands when frozen.
The safest method to defrost almond milk is in the fridge overnight. If it is a large container, it may take longer to thaw, so factor that into your plans.
If you need the almond milk more quickly, you can defrost it by putting the container in cool or lukewarm water. Do not use warm water, as there is a risk of spoilage. If you are using this method, make sure to check your almond milk for signs of spoilage before using it.
Consume almond milk within three days after thawing. Do not refreeze almond milk after it has been frozen and thawed.
How Long Will My Almond Milk Last In The Freezer?
After freezing, you should consume your almond milk within two months. And although opened almond milk usually lasts in the fridge for 7-10 days, thawed almond milk will likely not stay good for more than three days.
Frozen Desserts Made With Almond Milk
Frozen and thawed almond milk may not be great as a drink on its own, but when it comes to frozen desserts, it’s a different story. Almond milk works great in ice creams and popsicles as long as you follow a trusted recipe.
If you are using it for smoothies, it’s also possible to throw cubes of frozen almond milk straight into the blender. It won’t give you much creaminess, but it still has all its nutritional benefits, and you can use it instead of frozen fruit to give your smoothy that icy effect.
Other Ways To Store Almond Milk
If you want to store unopened almond milk long-term, you may not need to freeze it. In fact, freezing unopened almond milk does not extend its shelf life that much, as you can keep an unopened carton in the pantry for a month or two after its best-before date.
Once opened, if you store almond milk in the fridge, it will last for 7-10 days. Do not keep an opened carton of almond milk in the pantry or kitchen cabinet, as it will spoil fast.
As a general rule, if your almond milk is skirting the best-by date, it’s important to check it thoroughly before consuming it to make sure it is still good.
How To Tell If Your Almond Milk Has Gone Bad
Because almond milk always separates when frozen, it can be a little tricky to tell if it has gone bad.
However, just like with cow’s milk, you can generally tell by the smell that almond milk is starting to spoil. If you’re not sure based on the smell, check the texture – although thawed almond milk will have an odd texture, bad almond milk will be thicker and slimy.
If its texture and smell seem okay, perform a final taste check. If there’s any hint of sourness, throw the almond milk out.
The Summary On Almond Milk
- Freezing almond milk will affect the quality of the milk as it causes the solids and liquids to separate.
- However, almond milk will still be nutritious and safe to consume, and you can mitigate the effects by blending it.
- Freeze almond milk in its carton, an airtight container, or ice cube trays, and thaw in the refrigerator.
- Consume almond milk within three days of thawing, and do not refreeze it once it is thawed.
Now that you know everything there is to know about freezing almond milk, we hope you will use this great plant-based milk for your smoothies, coffee, and desserts with confidence.
