Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

Have you ever wondered can you freeze almond milk? Let’s find out!

Almond milk is a worldwide popular substitute for cow’s milk and one of the most adored plant kinds of milk ever (more popular than soy milk or coconut milk). This vegan-friendly drink is tasteful, it’s healthy, its beautiful addition to coffee and smoothies, cakes and cookies, as well as when you drink it on its own. One of the controversial questions is can you freeze almond milk? 

Yes, almond milk can be frozen, although all manufacturers advise consumers not to freeze almond milk. It would be best to prepare that it won’t have the same texture, color, or taste once it’s thawed.

Maybe it would be better to ask if you can freeze almond milk without any changes after you thaw it – and sadly, that’s impossible. 

If you want to find out all about freezing almond milk, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for more information.

What is almond milk?

Almond milk is a healthy substitute for cow’s milk made with only two ingredients – almonds and water. 

It contains more vitamins and minerals than any other plant milk, as almonds are naturally rich in nutrients. Therefore, You should add no additional nutrients to almond milk.

Homemade almond milk has the same nutritional value as almond milk available on the market.

Almond milk is lactose-free milk; it does not contain lactose at all, nor casein, a milk protein similar to gluten. That is why it is excellent for people who are allergic to these substances.

Also, almond milk is one of the most nutrient-rich types of milk. It does not contain saturated fatty acids and cholesterol. It contains Omega 3 fatty acids that are great for the heart. It contains proteins as well as unsaturated fatty acids. 

250 milliliters (or 1 cup) contains about 1 gram of protein and about 1 gram of dietary fiber, about 40 calories and about 2g of carbohydrates, and 3g of fat.

Nutrients in almond milk	Amount
Calories	39 kcal
Fat	3 grams
Protein	1 gram
Carbs	3.5 grams
Fiber	0.5 grams
Calcium	24% of the Daily Value (DV)
Potassium	4% of the DV
Vitamin D	18% of the DV
Vitamin E	110% of the DV

It contains vitamins and minerals such as vitamins E and B6, manganese, selenium, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, fiber, phosphorus. Almond milk consists of flavonoids that reduce cancer risk and premature signs of aging. High levels of vitamin E act as a powerful antioxidant.

Now that we know how healthy almond milk is let’s see if you can freeze it and prolong its usability.

How to freeze almond milk?

The answer to the question, can you freeze almond milk is yes, but what is the proper way to freeze fresh almond milk?

If you have some almond milk leftovers that you won’t be using in the next few days and don’t want it to get spoiled, here are two ways to freeze almond milk. Both are easy and practical. 

Before you decide what freezing method you will use, it would be best to figure out how you’re going to use almond milk once it’s thawed. If you need small amounts of almond milk for your smoothie, freeze it in an ice cube tray. If you’re planning to use it for baked goods and require more significant amounts, freeze almond milk in freezer-safe containers.

As we mentioned, the first method is freezing almond milk in an ice cube tray. Just pour almond milk into the tray, as you would pour water when you need ice. Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours or overnight so you’re sure that the liquid has frozen. You can leave almond milk in the ice cube trays or shake out almond milk cubes and put them in a ziplock bag or a freezer-safe container. Make sure you write a little label with a date of freezing.

Freezing almond milk in the way of ice cubes is practical because once you need it, you don’t need to thaw the whole amount of milk – you can melt just a few almond milk cubes. Also, almond milk cubes are easy to use in smoothies or any other recipe.

The other method is freezing almond milk in airtight containers. Just pour the desired amount of almond milk into a freezer-safe container and seal it properly. Make sure containers are standing upright until the milk is frozen. 

Freezing in a freezer-safe container is more appropriate for more significant amounts of almond milk, while freezing in ice cube trays is more suitable for small quantities of this liquid.

Can you freeze almond milk after opening it?

Yes, you can freeze almond milk within seven days after opening it. An opened almond milk carton can last 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator.

Don’t put almond milk in the refrigerator door, as the temperature fluctuates, which could easily lead to spoiling the product.

If you’re not planning to use refrigerated almond milk after seven days, and you don’t want to throw it away, it would be best to freeze it.

Always double-check your milk consistency before freezing it to prevent loss of sweetness. Transfer the milk into a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray.

If you’re putting almond milk in the container, remember that it expands as it freezes, so leave a little bit of space in the bottle.

Can you freeze almond milk in a carton?

You can freeze almond milk in its original container, but only if it’s made out of plastic. If the container is cardboard or glass, pour the milk into the plastic container before freezing it. 

Almond milk expands while freezing, and that’s the reason cardboard containers could easily crack in the freezing process. Even if you’re using plastic containers, make sure you leave at least one inch of space so the liquid can expand while thawing.

Can I freeze homemade almond milk?

Yes. Freezing homemade almond milk is possible, too.

You can keep fresh almond milk that is homemade in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days (unlike store-bought that can last longer, for 7 to 10 days), and you can freeze it in the way we described above for up to six months.

Can you freeze almond milk yogurt?

Yes, just like any other kind of yogurt, you can freeze almond milk yogurt too. However, the texture of frozen almond milk yogurt will change once it’s thawed, so it will be best if you use it in cooked or baked recipes, just like fresh almond milk.

You can also freeze almond milk smoothies made with almond milk.

Can you freeze soup with almond milk?

Yes. Soups and cooked dishes that contain dairy milk or cream should never be frozen, as those ingredients tend to separate once the soup thaws.

However, soups with almonds or any other kind of plant milk have a better chance of being creamy and regaining their texture after blending or a good stir. For the best consistency of your soup, add almond milk to the recipe as later as possible.

Is frozen almond milk good for smoothies?

Yes, frozen almond milk is excellent in smoothies. Just grab two or three almond milk ice cubes and add them to other ingredients you’re using for your smoothie.

Freezing almond milk will give your smoothie a creaminess, taste, and cold touch.

What happens to almond milk when it freezes?

Freezing affects almond milk. Frozen almond milk will change its texture, color, and taste once it’s thawed. Frozen almond liquid – no matter is it store-bought or homemade almond milk – separates. The same goes for all other kinds of plant kinds of milk. Once they thaw, it will disrupt their texture and taste.

Luckily, the nutritional value of frozen almond milk remains the same.

How to thaw almond milk?

There are a few ways to defrost frozen almond milk:

• The first and safest way of thawing almond milk is to put it in the refrigerator for several hours, or even better – overnight. Simply put ice cubes in a freezer bag or airtight container into the fridge and next morning you’ll have liquid milk ready. Keep in mind that larger amounts of milk may need more time to thaw.
• The second method includes using warm water. Put a freezer bag or an airtight container into the dish filled with lukewarm water, which will speed up thawing. Make sure the water you’re using to thaw almond milk never gets in touch with the milk. Water could contain harmful bacteria that would endanger your health. Also, do not use hot water. Lukewarm or cold water will do it. Every 30 minutes replace the water until almond milk is completely thawed.
• You can avoid the thawing process if you add almond milk cubes directly to the dish you’re cooking on the stove. If you’re baking, you’ll need to thaw it first.

Always blend or shake or give a good stir to thawed nut milk, so it gets a similar texture as before freezing.

How to fix separated thawed almond milk?

Thawed almond milk separates. It will come out a bit foamy, but its texture will resemble fresh almond milk. You can fix separated defrosted almond milk if you put it in a blender and blend it for about 30 seconds. 

Also, you can shake it vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds until all components have a homogeneous structure.

Thawed almond milk won’t be as tasty as fresh, but you can still use it for numerous recipes for smoothies, cookies, cakes, etc.

How do I use thawed almond milk?

Thawed almond milk will surely change its consistency. Once frozen, almond milk cannot get the consistency of fresh milk. Of course, even its texture and taste are changed, you can still drink it, but it would be best to use it in recipes where the change won’t be noticeable. 

Use thawed almond milk in smoothies, sauces, curry, cookies, cakes. If you want to add it to your coffee, blend it first.

Can you refreeze almond milk?

Yes, refreezing almond milk is safe, although it is not something we would recommend. Refreezing won’t have any side effects on your health.

The absolute worst-case scenario will be having to defrost almond milk another time and run it through an electronic blender. Twice-thawed almond milk will not be so sour.

The additional ice and defrosting won’t help the texture, but the taste and nutritional value will remain the same.

Suppose you want to avoid refreezing frozen almond milk the first time in small portions in an ice cube tray. This way, you’ll be able to defrost as much almond milk as you need – no more, no less.

Why does it say not to freeze almond milk?

Most almond milk manufacturers do not recommend freezing their products, and there are two reasons for this.

First of all, almond milk sells in sealed cartons which unopened can have a shelf life of up to six months or more. The best way of preserving unopened almond milk is in its original carton. Still, if you open the carton and don’t use milk in the next few days, the only way to store almond milk is to freeze it.

Manufacturers are against freezing because almond milk changes its texture, consistency, flavor, and color after freezing. Thawed almond milk will go darker, have a bit bitter taste, and fluids will separate and become grainy.

Still, its nutritional value will remain the same, and thawed milk will be helpful in numerous recipes.

How long does almond milk last?

Sealed and unopened, adequately stored store-bought almond milk cartons can last until their expiration date or at least 6 months.

Once opened almond milk carton needs to be refrigerated, and it can last 7 to 10 days. In most cases, milk will be good to use even after 10 days if you keep it in the fridge. If you freeze almond milk after thawing, its shelf life will be 3 to 5 days, unlike when you first time open the carton.

Type of almond milk	Pantry	Fridge	Freezer
Shelf-stable unopened almond milk	3 to 4 weeks after an expiration date	–	Up to 6 months
Shelf-stable opened almond milk.	–	7 to 10 days	Up to 6 months
Refrigerated unopened almond milk	–	A week after an expiration date	Up to 6 months
Refrigerated opened almond milk	–	Up to 7 days	Up to 6 months
Homemade almond milk	–	4 to 5 days	Up to 6 months

Why does almond milk go bad in 7 days?

If you leave unused open carton almond milk longer than 7 to 10 days in the fridge, it won’t be long until bacteria, and other microorganisms get into the milk. The fermentation process will begin, and milk will spoil quickly.

Can I keep almond milk out of the fridge?

Shelf-stable store-bought almond milk that you didn’t open can be kept at room temperature for a few weeks without going bad. But once opened, you should always hold almond milk in the refrigerator. It can be left unrefrigerated for no longer than two hours.

Tip: Carefully read the manufacturer’s labels about the product – some kinds of almond milk need to be refrigerated even if they’re not opened.

How long is frozen almond milk good for?

Almond milk frozen at constant degrees below 0° will be safe to eat or drink forever, but it will stay in the best quality for about 6 months. Of course, after six months, its quality will gradually deteriorate with time, so the best option is to use it in a given period.

How do I tell if my almond milk has gone bad?

A few signs will warn you that almond milk has gone bad.

Spoiled almond milk becomes thick, or it has clumps. If you see any lumps in your almond milk, throw it away. Also, do not use almond milk if the carton is bloated or damaged in any other way. Spoiled almond milk will have a weird strong sour smell and different tastes. 

Keep in mind that fluid separation is natural for almond milk, and it’s not a sign that the product has gone bad.

If your milk has stayed in the fridge longer than the recommended period of 7 to 10 days, and it doesn’t have a bad taste or smell, it’s okay to snack on it.

What happens if you drink expired almond milk?

If you drink expired or spoiled almond milk, you could get food poisoning like any other food that’s gone bad.

Almond milk is less prone to bacteria than dairy milk, but mold formations can still grow in it if it’s not stored correctly. Always smell almond milk before tasting it.

How long is frozen almond milk good for?

Almond milk frozen at constant degrees below 0° will be safe to eat forever. Of course, its quality will gradually deteriorate with time, so the best option is to use defrosted almond milk within 3 days.

Can almond milk be used after its expiration date?

Yes, you can use almond milk seven days after its expiration date, but if appropriately kept – at temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Expired almond milk that’s not spoiled will be great in muffins, pancakes, or other baked goods.

Citations:

• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/almond-milk#nutrition
• https://www.doesitgobad.com/does-almond-milk-go-bad/#:~:text=Does%20Almond%20Milk%20Need%20to,the%20fridge%20at%20all%20times.
• https://robustkitchen.com/freeze-almond-milk/