Does Evaporated Milk Go Bad?
Evaporated milk does indeed go bad at some point. There isn’t really any way to avoid that. But, what we can do is give you the answers to the questions: How long can I make it last? Does it go off quicker once it’s been opened? And how will I know when it has gone off? We’ve also got some storage tips for opened and unopened cans of evaporated milk. All of this should ensure that you never accidentally use gone off stuff ever again! So, if this is the info you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place! Read on!
How Do I Store Evaporated Milk?
How you store evaporated milk will have a huge effect on how long it lasts. Naturally, an opened can will need to be treated totally differently than an unopened one. Because of this, we’ve collected the best tips for opened, unopened, and rehydrated evaporated milk. These tips will ensure that your evaporated milk won’t go off for ages!
Unopened cans of evaporated milk
Unopened cans are the least demanding when it comes to storage techniques. The can itself is pretty much the ideal storage solution. When you think about it, pretty much all of the foods that last for the longest come in a can. All of these foods will also require the same treatment. All they need is to be kept away from heat and sunlight. So, the best spot for them is in either the pantry or a kitchen cabinet away from the cooker. Then you can simply forget about them because time is on your side! One tip we can give you is always to check the condition of your cans before you buy them. Dented cans can leak and rust and attract all sorts of bacteria. And that’s it! It really is that simple! No need to keep it in the fridge. It won’t do anything to extend its lifespan.
Opened cans of evaporated milk
Opened cans of evaporated milk need a little more care than unopened ones. For example, you can’t just open the can, use half, and then jam it into the fridge. It just won’t survive under those conditions. The remaining liquid will still need to go into the fridge though. We recommend transferring it into an airtight container or bottle for use later on.
Rehydrated evaporated milk
Some people choose to use evaporated milk exactly as they use milk. When they need milk, they simply open up a can and pour it into a pot with some water. The trouble is that this mixture won’t last as long as unadulterated evaporated milk. The best bet is still to transfer it into an airtight container in the fridge. Just be aware that it will only last for a few days.
Should You Refrigerate Evaporated Milk?
There is absolutely no need to refrigerate unopened cans of evaporated milk. Keep that fridge space for something important instead! However, this all changes once the can has been opened. The same is true if your evaporated milk came in a carton. In either case, your best bet is to transfer any remaining liquid into an airtight container or bottle and keep it in the fridge. For best results, keep it away from the door. The door area of the fridge is subject to temperature changes that can make things go off much quicker.
Can You Freeze Evaporated Milk?
Most companies will advise against freezing their product. This is because the texture can totally change after it has been thawed out. The solids and the liquids will separate and it will just look messy. But, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be done! It just means that it should only be used in cooked dishes afterward. This means that the change in texture won’t be noticed. Freezing it is pretty simple. First, take the evaporated milk out of the can. Pour it into some freezer-safe and airtight containers. Label the containers with the date you froze it. It can then be used for up to 3 months. If you are using it in a cooked dish, there will be no need to thaw it out first. If not, let it thaw out in the fridge for a day. You can then whip it back together again.
How Long Does Evaporated Milk Last?
Unopened cans of evaporated milk
How long evaporated milk lasts for really depends on how it was stored. Every can of evaporated milk will have a sell-by date, but this date isn’t really a cut-off point. Instead, it is best thought of as the last definite day that it will be at top quality. This means that unopened cans can actually last a lot longer than this. We would recommend using an unopened can up to a maximum of 6 months after the sell-by date.
Opened cans of evaporated milk
Unfortunately, opened cans of evaporated milk won’t last anywhere near as long as unopened ones. As soon as the air in your kitchen hits the contents, the clock starts ticking. If the contents were immediately put into the fridge in a sealed container, it will last for a maximum of four days only. If you want to keep it longer, just put it into the freezer. Doing this will make it last for up to 3 months. Just be aware that freezing your evaporated milk will change its texture.
How Do I Make Evaporated Milk Last Longer?
Unopened cans of evaporated milk are pretty much perfect for keeping for a long time. So, there’s pretty much nothing you can do to extend their shelf-life further. The only thing to remember is to keep your cans away from sources of heat and never buy dented cans.
Signs That Your Evaporated Milk May Have Gone Off
There are few things in this world that smell as bad as gone-off dairy products. This will be the most obvious sign that your evaporated milk has gone off. There are also a few more subtle signs to watch out for. For example, lumps in your evaporated milk are a sure sign that it needs to be thrown out. As are any signs of discoloration. If it passes these tests but tastes different than it should, it is better not to take the risk and just throw it away. If you notice that there is a skin on the top of the milk, don’t worry. This will happen naturally over time and won’t necessarily mean that the milk has gone bad.
And that’s all we have on evaporated milk. We hope you found this guide a useful source of information. Thanks for reading!]]>
