If you often find yourself tossing out milk before you’ve had a chance to use it, you’ll be pleased to know there’s an easy way to keep it fresh for up to three weeks.
Food storage experts have revealed a simple yet effective trick using a common kitchen ingredient that can dramatically extend the shelf life of your milk, helping you avoid waste and unnecessary trips to the supermarket.
By incorporating a pinch of salt into your milk storage routine and following a few other key tips, you can preserve its freshness for longer, ensuring it stays perfectly drinkable and ready for your next recipe.
Typically, once opened, milk stays fresh for about four to seven days in the fridge, although this can vary depending on the type.
Whole milk lasts around five to seven days beyond its sell-by date, while skimmed and reduced-fat milk tends to remain good for over seven days.
Lactose-free and non-fat varieties can last even longer, maintaining freshness for seven to 10 days past the printed date.
To make your milk last longer, there are several steps you can take.
Start by selecting milk with the longest shelf life when shopping. Always check the dates on the cartons to ensure you’re picking the one that expires the latest.
Food storage experts, such as those from Wheeldon Brothers, recommend placing milk in your trolley last, ensuring it stays at a stable temperature until you reach home. Once home, be sure to refrigerate your milk immediately.
While it’s common to store milk in the fridge door, it’s actually better to keep it on one of the inner shelves where temperatures are more stable.
Dairy products should ideally be stored towards the back of the fridge, as the door area is exposed to fluctuating temperatures each time it’s opened.
When you use milk, it’s crucial to return it to the fridge promptly to prevent it from warming up on the counter.
This simple method helps keep your milk fresh for as long as possible. If you’re looking to extend milk’s shelf life even further, a simple trick can make all the difference.
By adding a pinch of salt to the carton and shaking it gently, you can extend its freshness by slowing the souring process.
The salt draws out water molecules, which reduces bacterial growth and inhibits spoilage, so using this method, your milk could last up to a week longer, even after opening.
And if you’re worried about not finishing it in time, you can freeze milk for up to three months. While the texture might change slightly upon thawing, it will remain perfectly safe for drinking or cooking.
Just remember to leave some space at the top of the container for expansion during freezing, and when thawing, beat it with an electric whisk to re-incorporate any separation.
And if you’re ever unsure whether the milk is in good condition or you think it might be spoiled, it’s always best to stay on the safe side and discard it.
