When we talk about vegan-friendly milk substitutes, supermarkets present us with a lot of options. There’s soy milk, coconut milk, and even oats milk. But one particular milk alternative stands out among all others- Almond milk!
Almond milk is one of the best dairy replacements. It is vegan-friendly and has a very creamy and rich taste. In fact, most people believe that almond milk comes closest to actual dairy milk in terms of its texture, quality, and taste.
So you’ve got a carton full of almond milk and you want to store it. Can you freeze almond milk? How do you store it ahead of time?
Keep reading to find out!
What Is Almond Milk?
Before we get into the details of storing and freezing almond milk, let’s first look at what exactly constitutes almond milk.
Almond milk is a plant-based non-dairy alternative that is a great option for vegans and people with lactose intolerance.
It is also a great source of good fats and Vitamin E. Although it has a somewhat nutty taste, some manufacturers add extra flavoring to achieve a milk-like taste.
Can You Freeze Almond Milk?
Yes, it is completely safe to freeze almond milk! Freezing does not affect its nutrition value and quality in the slightest way at all. So if you want to make it last long, by all means, consider freezing it!
But everything aside, is freezing good? Well, the answer is: Yes and also No!
Most people would definitely advise against it. But freezing it is alright as long as you know what you’re getting into.
Frozen-and-thawed almond milk will be significantly different in terms of taste, texture, and appearance than fresh almond milk. And while it is not something that cannot be fixed, it is still good to know before proceeding.
How to Freeze Almond Milk?
If you’re choosing to freeze almond milk, you have a couple of options. And depending upon what you’ll be using it in after thawing, you can make a choice.
Let’s first look at each one of them!
- Can you freeze almond milk in cubes?
Yes! In fact, it makes much more sense to first freeze your almond milk in tiny cubes and then store it. This saves time and avoids wastage when thawing. Plus, you don’t have to worry about refreezing the leftover milk because you can conveniently thaw as much as you want!
For this process, you’ll first need to pour the almond milk into ice cube trays, put them in the freezer, and let them rest in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to freezer bags and store them away!
- Can you freeze almond milk using a container?
Absolutely! Freezing almond milk is easy as long as you properly cover it and don’t allow any moisture to enter the container.
Remember to portion size your milk into separate containers so you don’t have to thaw it all at once. Almond milk, once thawed, can’t be re-frozen. Therefore, only consider freezing it in the amount you’ll need later.
Another important thing to remember is that almond milk expands in volume once frozen. Therefore, whichever container you end up choosing, make sure you leave extra space on top for expansion and water content.
How Long Can You Freeze Almond Milk For?
Well, it depends on how you plan on freezing it.
Generally, frozen almond milk has a shelf life of about 2 months. After that, it starts forming ice crystals and losing their consistency.
However, almond milk ice cubes that are frozen using ice cube trays tend to retain their consistency better than milk stored in containers. Therefore you might want to use up your almond milk soon if you froze it in a container.
How to Thaw Almond Milk?
Thawing almond milk can almost be as easy as freezing it. And you do have a variety of methods to choose from when it comes to thawing almond milk!
- The Traditional Method
Like any other frozen food, the traditional method is to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This method is your best bet to retaining most of the original texture and taste.
The reason this method works best is that it gradually lowers the temperature of the frozen food, instead of shocking them directly to room temperature. This in turn ensures that maximum food quality is returned, and avoids food spoilage!
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- In Cold Water
If you’re in a hurry, you can simply keep your almond milk in cold water for thawing! This is your next best option to get perfectly good thawed almond milk.
To further speed up the process, keep changing the cold water every five minutes, or whenever you feel like the water has turned too cold!
- Directly Using Frozen Almond Milk
This is by far my favorite method (and why I like freezing almond milk in ice cube trays!). When you’re freezing milk in an ice cube tray, you can add them to things like smoothies, milkshakes, coffee, etc.
Can You Microwave Almond Milk to Thaw It?
You can try, but I would advise you against it.
While most almond milk enthusiasts are strictly against ever microwaving it, I can understand why some people may want to try it. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s very convenient! You can microwave your almond milk on the defrost setting at 30-second intervals. Or, you could also heat it on the lowest setting for 15 seconds and then repeat.
Remember to give it a stir after every few seconds and you should be good to go!
How to Revive Thawed Almond Milk?
Thawing almond milk is an easy process, but the results don’t always look very appetizing. Frozen almond milk often separates into two layers of a watery liquid and a milky residue. It most often also develops some ice crystals that change the overall flavor.
And while there’s no way to get it back to its exact original consistency, you can surely fix this almond milk. All you need to do is whisk the almond milk immediately after thawing. Using a blender or a hand-mixer should do the trick too! Half a minute and the almond milk will be ready to consume! You won’t even recognize any prior changes!
Can You Refreeze Almond Milk?
As it goes with any frozen item, do not refreeze it once you’ve thawed it. Freezing already frozen food items messes up their molecular structure and spoils their quality and taste.
It is always advised to thaw only as much as you’ll need. If you have any leftovers, use them in some other recipes! The best way is to freeze things in small batches. This way, you ensure minimum food wastage!
Does Freezing Almond Milk Affect Its Texture?
The short answer is Yes! But it depends on individual preferences.
Frozen milk of any kind is definitely not the same as fresh milk. That’s for sure. It won’t look the same, it will not taste the same, and it will definitely have a different consistency. Therefore, if you’re planning to drink your almond milk after thawing, it’s probably not a very good idea.
If, however, you wish to add the frozen almond milk cubes to your smoothies, milkshakes, or other food items, you don’t really have to worry about the texture!
Not to mention that even though almond milk does not taste exactly the same when frozen, it is just as safe to consume and does not lose any nutrients at all!
How Long Can You Store Almond Milk In The Refrigerator?
Almond milk is generally ultra-pasteurized and sealed in a tetra-pack, which extends its shelf life and lets it last longer.
Most people say that an unopened carton of almond milk can last anywhere from a few weeks to a month. Of course, you’d have to store it in the refrigerator, at a stable temperature.
Almond milk cartons, once opened, can last anywhere from 7-10 days. It can last way past its shelf life, but this is the period when it is at its best quality and taste.
Homemade almond milk should be refrigerated at all times.
How to Tell If Frozen Almond Milk Has Gone Bad?
Like dairy milk and any other milk product, almond milk does go bad. But since almond milk is basically nut milk, it is a little difficult to tell.
Spoiled almond milk will develop a sour taste and a very off-putting texture.
There are two things to remember here. First, frozen almond milk already exhibits an uneven texture when thawed. If you think that your frozen milk has gone bad, you can’t rely on the texture alone. In this case, try blending it for a few seconds. If it still has a separated layer of fat and protein content, it has probably gone bad. Also, check to see its smell and consistency.
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Secondly, if fresh almond milk feels lumpy and thicker than its normal consistency, it is definitely on the verge of going bad. But separated milk doesn’t necessarily mean spoiled milk. Separation of layers is a very common site in nut milk varieties. You should only be concerned when the milk develops an off smell.
What Happens If You Drink Bad Almond Milk?
Well, for one thing, you’re at a risk for food poisoning.
Although nut milk has a comparatively longer shelf life than dairy milk, you want to err on the side of caution in these things. Most almond milk brands advertise ultra-pasteurized milk, so they already have a pretty good shelf life. Beyond that, you want to throw it away.
Spoiled almond milk’s side effects include nausea, vomiting, or fever if you drank a lot. But if you accidentally had just a small amount, you should be fine.
Can You Make Almond Milk At Home?
Absolutely! It is very easy to make homemade almond milk, although you wanna carefully check out the next few steps before you try it yourself.
- First things first, you will need to soak your almonds overnight.
- In the morning, you need to drain the water out of the soaked almonds.
- Add the almonds to a blender jar, along with some salt, water, and any other flavorings you’d like.
- Using a nut milk bag, strain the blended mixture. Squeeze using a spoon to make sure you get the most out of it.
- Your almond milk is ready!
Can You Freeze Homemade Almond Milk?
Yes! In fact, freezing almond milk right after you make it is a great way to ensure minimum texture change and that maximum nutrients are retained.
You can opt for freezing homemade almond milk with the same procedure you’d freeze store-bought one. Freeze milk cubes or just freeze it whole. You can then add these almond milk cubes to make ice cream recipes, smoothies, almond butter, or even almond milk yogurt. The choice is yours!
How to Use Frozen Almond Milk?
Frozen almond milk tastes better when added to almond drink varieties like smoothies or milkshakes. You can even use frozen milk cubes as a substitute for regular ice cubes!
You might want to first quickly blend the milk in your blender before you use it again. Brands like Almond breeze and others can be stored frozen and later used in coffee, ice cream, or cold desserts!
Since almond milk products have multiple health benefits and storage options, it is one of the most convenient non-dairy milk products. Not to mention that it is packed with nutrients and is very beneficial to your health!
FAQ
Can you freeze Almond Milk in the carton?
Yes! Among the many storage options that you have with almond milk, you can also place the entire carton in the freezer for the freezing process.
Can you freeze almond milk to make ice cream?
Yes! All you will need to do is thaw the almond milk from the freezer bag and blend it to bring it back to a milky texture. Add this to your ice cream maker and place it in the freezer. You’re done!
Can you freeze almond milk yogurt?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt made from almond milk. Although it might not be the best option to have on its own. But what you can do is use the frozen yogurt in some baking or cooking recipes, or other yogurt products.
Can you freeze Almond Milk smoothies?
Yes! Freezing almond milk smoothies is a great option for when you need breakfast to go. But I would still recommend freezing almond milk separately and then turning it into a last-minute smoothie!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for dairy milk replacements or whether you’re simply looking to make some lifestyle changes and cut down on dairy, almond milk can be a great place to start!
And now that you know you can store it in the freezer and make it last longer, you have to go out there and try new brands and products! Right from freezing it on its own, or making delicious treats out of it, let us know if you have any further queries or doubts!
Eva M. Smith is the owner of this website. She is a 4 year old mother of two kids and a professional chef. Eva loves to cook for her family, but being a working mom has a lot of challenges. From squeezing in time to do the groceries to make three meals for the day. Eva knows how challenging cooking can be without a kitchen game plan.
That’s why she perfected techniques of preserving staple ingredients and several foods so that you have something pre-cooked or pre-baked to use for an array of meals. And they do not come short in flavor! And she does not want to sacrifice flavor with convenience. That’s why she is the best person to ask.