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Can You Actually Freeze Milk?

Many foods can be preserved longer in the freezer—what about milk?
Many foods can be preserved longer in the freezer—does that include milk? Photo: Getty Images

April 23, 2025, 9:16 am | Read time: 2 minutes

To make food last particularly long, it is frozen. However, not everything can simply be placed in the freezer. There are also foods whose texture and taste change due to the low temperatures. What about milk? Can the white liquid be easily frozen?

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Whether after a big shopping trip or when looking in the fridge just before a vacation, the question sometimes arises: What to do with the leftover milk? Quickly bake a cake? Or can the you simply freeze the milk? myHOMEBOOK answers this question in this article.

Can You Freeze Milk?

Dairy products like yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, and quark should not be stored in the freezer—unless you want to eat them as ice cream. When thawed, their consistency becomes lumpy. Milk is different: It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months without issue. Only the taste might change slightly.

Most milk alternatives can also be frozen. However, oat milk should not be frozen, as its consistency can change upon thawing.

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Freezing Milk—What to Keep in Mind

Like water, milk expands when frozen. Therefore, glass bottles should not be used, as they can burst from the pressure. Tetra Paks or airtight plastic containers are better suited, as they leave enough room for expansion.

If you want to use the milk in small amounts—such as for coffee or cooking—you can also use ice cube trays. This way, the milk can be conveniently portioned and easily retrieved as needed.

To thaw, ideally place the milk in the refrigerator overnight. This allows it to thaw slowly and gently. Before using, shake or stir it well to mix the fat and protein that may have separated during freezing. Thawed milk should be used promptly and not refrozen.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

Topics Lebensmittel
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