Freezing milk is an easy and useful way to make the most of sales at the grocery store. We’ll share how to freeze and thaw milk, as well as some creative uses for frozen milk.

Gratitude post – super easy – saved money – great for smoothies. Images of a hand holding up a frozen milk cube over a tray of frozen milk.

Medically reviewed and co-written by Lauren Braaten, Pediatric Occupational Therapist (OT).

Frozen Milk

For every household that goes through 3 gallons of milk a week, there’s other households that struggle to use up all their milk before its expiration date. No matter which camp you’re in, you might be wondering, can I actually freeze milk? The good news is, that yes, you can definitely freeze milk.

However, you will want to consider the type of milk you want to freeze. Most milks separate when frozen, but some plant-based milks, such as almond and oat milks will become especially grainy in texture. In this post, we’ll discuss freezing dairy milk, since it is commonly used.

Freezing milk is a very resourceful way to the make the most of your groceries. It helps reduce waste, allows you to stock up for emergencies, and is easy to freeze in small amounts for baked goods, cooking, and blended drinks.

Benefits of Freezing Milk

  • Budget-friendly
  • Allows you to stock up for emergencies
  • Reduces waste
  • Easy to freeze small amounts to use in baked goods, for cooking, and in smoothies

Gallon or Half Gallon Step-by-Step Instructions

A half gallon of milk in the freezer getting ready to be frozen.
  1. Pour off a little milk so that you have about 2 inches or so of room at the top of the jug. Not doing so may cause the container to break as the milk freezes and expands.
  2. Write the date on the container so you know when the milk was placed in the freezer.
  3. Place the milk in the freezer standing upright.
  4. To defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw.
A jug of milk in a freezer tray against a white background.
Grab your milk and a freezer tray.
A hand holding a jug of milk poured it into a small freezer bowl tray.
Carefully pour the milk into each section until 3/4 the way full.
Two hands putting a lid on a freezer tray of milk.
Place on the lid. I found placing the freezer tray on a baking sheet catches any spills.
Two hands holding a freezer tray of frozen milk against a white background
Freeze until solid.
A hand holding a frozen milk cube against a tray of frozen milk.
Pop out to use or thaw.

Small Portions Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Fill each compartment of an ice cube tray or muffin tin until about 3/4 of the way full. This gives the milk room to expand.
  2. Put the ice cube tray in the freezer for 3-4 hours.
  3. Once frozen, remove the milk from the tray and place into an airtight container or freezer bag.
  4. Thaw the small portions of milk in the fridge or use them directly from the freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does frozen milk last?

Use frozen milk within 1-3 months for the best quality.

What does frozen milk taste like?

Frozen milk will have a milder flavor, as well as changes to its texture and color. Milk becomes a bit grainy and sometimes yellowish once thawed. This is why we recommend using frozen milk in cooking, baking, and drinks like smoothies or milkshakes.

Can you freeze cream?

Yes, you can freeze cream, although similar to milk, cream will also separate once thawed. However, heavy cream’s higher fat content will make it separate less than lighter dairy products. To freeze, place cream in a plastic jug or carton, and make sure to leave some room for it to expand once frozen.

How to Thaw Frozen Milk

Once you want to defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw. Do not thaw milk at room temperature, as this puts it at risk for developing bacteria. You’ll want to give the milk a good shake or run it through a blender to restore its texture and consistency.

Uses for Frozen Milk

Once the milk is thawed, it likely won’t be the same consistency it was before. But never fear! Frozen (and thawed) milk is a useful, budget-friendly hack that you can use in many recipes, including these:

Expert Tips

  • Freeze milk on or before the best-before date. Freezing milk as quickly as possible will help retain its taste and nutritional profile.
  • Avoid exposing milk to light, which may destroy some of the vitamins.
  • Freeze single portions using ice cube trays for easy use.
  • Once it thaws, milk may separate into solids and liquid, but shaking or blending it will return it to a smoother texture.
Graphic repost – how to freeze milk. Images of a handling up a frozen milk cube over a freezer tray full of frozen milk against a white background.

Get the recipe: How to Freeze Milk (super easy!)

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Freezing milk is an easy and useful way to make the most of sales at the grocery store. We'll share how to freeze and thaw milk, as well as some creative uses for frozen milk.
Yield: 1 gallon
Prep: 5 minutes
Freeze Time: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 5 minutes
Author: Michele Olivier
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Fill each compartment of an ice cube tray or muffin tin until about 3/4 of the way full. This gives the milk room to expand.
    A hand holding a jug of milk poured it into a small freezer bowl tray.
  • Cover and place the freezer tray in the freezer for 4 hours. I found it helps to place the freezer tray on a baking sheet to catch any spills.
    Two hands putting a lid on a freezer tray of milk.
  • Once frozen, remove the milk from the tray and place it into an airtight container or freezer bag.
    Two hands holding a freezer tray of frozen milk against a white background
  • Thaw the small portions of milk in the fridge or use them directly in a smoothie.
    A hand holding a frozen milk cube against a tray of frozen milk.

Notes

How to Freeze a Half Gallon:
  1. Pour off a little milk so that you have about 2 inches or so of room at the top of the jug. Not doing so may cause the container to break as the milk freezes and expands.
  2. Write the date on the container so you know when the milk was placed in the freezer.
  3. Place the milk in the freezer standing upright.
  4. To defrost and use the milk again, place it in the fridge for 24-36 hours to thaw.

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