Manufacturers don’t usually suggest freezing soy milk, also known as soya milk.
Why?
Because the texture of your soy milk changes after you’ve thawed it.
However, freezing soy milk won’t damage its nutritional content and can extend its storage life. It’s just important to note that the texture change means that thawed soy milk is only suitable for cooking and baking, not used on its own or as an addition to your coffee.
Today, we’ll break down exactly how to freeze soy milk and compare it to your other options for storing soy milk. We’ll also give some advice about what you can use frozen-and-thawed soy milk in.
How To Freeze Soy Milk
You’ve got two options when it comes to freezing your soya milk.
The first is for easy portioning, a great option if you only use a little soy milk at a time or want to add frozen soy milk straight into your cooking. Simply pour soy milk into an ice cube tray and pop that in the freezer for 3 hours.
Make sure you leave a little space at the top of each hole, as your soy milk will expand when it freezes.
Once your soy milk ice cubes have frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or airtight container and replace them in the freezer to save on storage space and ensure all the cubes don’t stick together.
Your other option is to pour all your soy milk into an airtight container and place that in the freezer. Again, make sure there is adequate empty space in the container, as the high water content in your soy milk will cause it to expand.
When you’re ready to use your soy milk, you’ve got options too:
- Defrost your soy milk overnight in the refrigerator.
- For fast defrosting, place your container of soy milk in lukewarm water.
- If you freeze your soy milk as ice cubes, add them to your smoothie as is or defrost as many cubes as you need in the refrigerator.
Once defrosted, your soy milk will be slightly grainy and may have separated. Give it a mix – it won’t be perfect, but when using soy milk in something else, you won’t notice the graininess.
How Long Will My Soy Milk Last In The Freezer?
Expect your soy milk to last for up to three months in the freezer.
Of course, this storage period will be reduced if your soy milk comes into contact with bacteria. That’s why using an airtight container or freezer bag is so important.
What To Use Frozen Soy Milk In
As we’ve discussed, soy milk that has been frozen and thawed will change in texture, meaning it’s not the best to drink on its own or add to coffee or tea. However, you can use frozen or thawed soya milk in any of the following recipes:
- Smoothies
- Ice cream
- Vegan bakery foods, like muffins and cupcakes
Other Storage Options For Soy Milk
So you can make an educated decision about whether you want to freeze your soy milk, it’s important to understand other storage methods.
The good news is that you store soy milk like other plant milk alternatives, meaning that once you’ve mastered one, you’ve mastered them all!
If your soy milk is shelf stable, it’s been treated with UHT (ultra-high temperature) to kill bacteria, which means it can be stored unrefrigerated for 8-12 months from the production date.
Therefore, it’s not worth emptying out your unopened bottles of shelf-stable soya milk in order to freeze them since the storage period at room temperature is longer.
You should store unopened shelf-stable soy milk in a cool, dry, dark place, like a cellar, pantry, or even a kitchen cabinet that’s not near heat sources.
If the grocery store sells your soy milk in the refrigerator, then that’s exactly where it should go as soon as you’re home.
Once open, whether your soy milk is shelf stable or not, you should reseal the bottle tightly and store it in the refrigerator.
If possible, try not to store your soy milk in the refrigerator door, as this is the area of the fridge most prone to temperature fluctuations, which cause your soy milk to go bad faster.
In the refrigerator, expect shelf-stable soy milk to last 7-10 days and non-shelf-stable soy milk to last for 3-7 days.
The Verdict On Soy Milk
Soy milk is perfect for freezing, provided you’re looking to use it in a smoothie, muffin, or another recipe. That’s because freezing and thawing soya milk cause its texture to change.
If you have an opened bottle of soy milk that you’re not going to use within a week, that’s another reason to freeze: freezing your soy milk will extend its shelf life to 3 months!
Just try to pop your soy milk in the freezer as soon after opening the bottle as possible, and don’t re-freeze after thawing.
Tip: Using ice trays can help prevent that.
