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Having milk in the freezer is great in a pinch! If you took advantage of a sale on milk or wanted to freeze it in case of an emergency, knowing how to safely defrost the milk is crucial. Fortunately, thawing milk is pretty hands-off as long as you give yourself some time.
Best Ways to Thaw Frozen Milk
The fastest way to thaw frozen milk is by holding the milk container under lukewarm water. Or, put the milk container in a large bowl of water and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Shake or blend the thawed milk before you use it.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Want to defrost non-dairy milk like oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk? No problem! Follow the same guidelines to safely defrost the milk of your choice.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/knox/freezing-milk-and-cheese/
- ↑ https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/tips-keeping-frozen-food-fresh
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/frozen-milk-cubes/
- ↑ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/frozen-milk-cubes/
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/big-thaw-safe-defrosting-methods
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/got-too-much-milk-freeze-it-for-later-184693
- ↑ https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/milk/
- ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/a32067757/can-you-freeze-milk/
About This Article
To get the best out of your frozen milk, plan to defrost it within a month of the date when it was frozen. While you can safely drink milk that’s been frozen for up to 4 months, the texture and flavor won’t be as good. When you’re ready, simply take the container of milk out of the freezer and put it in your fridge. You’ll need to give it 1 to 2 days to thaw completely. If you’re in a hurry, fill a large bowl with cool water and submerge the container of milk in it. Then, set the bowl in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Replace the water and put the bowl back in the fridge for another 30 minutes. Keep doing this until the milk is completely thawed. Depending on how big the container is, this might take a few hours. If you want small amounts of milk that you can defrost quickly, freeze the milk in an ice cube tray. When you’re ready to use it, put the cubes in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them for 15 seconds at a time until they’re thawed. If you use this method, drink the milk right away instead of storing it again, since the heat from the microwave can encourage bacteria to grow. It’s also important to avoid thawing your milk at room temperature, since doing so will give bacteria a chance to multiply, possibly making the milk unsafe to drink. Milk tends to separate when it’s been frozen, so shake it up, whisk it, or put it in a blender for a few seconds to remix it and improve the taste and texture. For tips on how to use grainy thawed milk in baking or cooking projects, keep reading!
