You know that sinking feeling you get when you reach for a bottle of milk or carton of eggs in the refrigerator, only to find out that it’s expired? It’s a waste of money when that happens and it can easily throw off your plans for a nice cup of coffee or dinner.
Dairy products in general can be expensive so when they’re on sale it’s wise to stock up on your favorites. While many dairy items spoil and go bad not long after being purchased or opened, there is a way to store and preserve them for later use.
YouTube favorite HouseholdHacker explains it all and that by freezing dairy products you can extend their shelf life. This video lays out the details and shows how to go about doing exactly that. Here’s a breakdown of what works best for the most common dairy items.
First off, eggs can be frozen by cracking one egg into each individual ice cube slot in an ice tray. After they completely freeze simply pop them out of the tray and store in a freezer bag. Now you have them on hand for when a recipe calls for only one egg!
Next is milk, which can only be frozen for about 1-2 months and coffee creamer for longer, up to 6 months. Just stick the unopened and fully sealed cartons in the refrigerator right after you buy them. Once you remove it from the freezer thaw the milk in the refrigerator for a day or two and be sure to shake it up well before using because it will definitely have separated.
Cheese can be a bit more difficult to freeze because the texture can be affected, and not in a good way. While most cheese is freezable, Parmesan works the best, and shredded cheese is the way to go because blocks tend to get all dry and crumbly. Shredded cheese can be stored for up to 2-3 months and thawed out in the refrigerator before using, that should help retain its original texture.
Salted butter can last the longest, for 6-8 months if wrapped well, but unsalted butter only lasts for one month. Also, make sure there is nothing in the freezer with a strong smell or pungent odor because you risk having the butter pick it up and it’ll end up tasting like that.
Greek yogurt freezes well for a couple of months, but make sure to stir it well after thawing. A great way to enjoy frozen yogurt is to make yogurt pops. Simply stick a popsicle stick in the container top before freezing or pour the yogurt in an ice cube tray and use them in smoothies.
Full fat cream cheese can be frozen but results vary when thawed as to texture depending on the brand you buy. Once it has been thawed always make sure to use it right away in dips, sauces, or baked dishes.
Now you don’t have to see any of your dairy products spoil ever again. Hopefully these tips and information will help you in the future!
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