Milk is usually made out of water and other nutritional elements like fat and protein. But when you remove water from milk, around 60% or more, you get condensed milk. Condensed milk is also known as canned milk, and it’s usually sweetened with more sugar than regular milk.
Perhaps you have a can or two of condensed milk which you aren’t sure is going bad or not. Maybe it’s your first time trying it in a recipe and you aren’t sure how to store the rest. If all of these are on your mind, then you are in the right place. Let’s get into it.
Table of Contents
Does Condensed Milk Go Bad?
Condensed or not, milk is milk, and it can definitely go bad. This means that proper storage and taking a good look at the printed date can go a long way in making sure you don’t end up with spoiled milk in your recipe.
Most dairy products go bad due to the nature of them being full of nutrition for both humans and bacteria. This is why you should learn how long condensed milk lasts, as well as how to keep it lasting for even longer with good storage.
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How Long Does Condensed Milk Last?
So now we know that condensed milk does go bad, the question is how long before it goes bad?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think. This is because condensed milk is a canned good, which means with good enough care, it can last even beyond its expiration date.
However, the average can of condensed milk lasts an extra year beyond the expiration date listed by the production company, assuming you made sure it was stored properly.
Once your open the can, the shelf life will drop drastically. An open can of condensed milk lasts around 2 weeks starting from the opening date. This means the earlier you consume it, the better condition it will be in.
Condensed Milk Shelf Life [Full Chart]
| Condensed Milk | Pantry | Fridge |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened | 1 to 2 years | |
| Opened | Up to 2 weeks | |
| Homemade | 7 days |
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How To Store Condensed Milk?
Storing condensed milk is easy and yet essential. It helps keep the milk in a good condition for long-lasting storage, as well as keeps it fresh for all the recipes you want to cook.
For unopened cans, it’s pretty much straightforward. All you need to do is place the can in a cool and dark place, such as the pantry, and avoid exposing it to sunlight as much as possible.
For the opened cans, things can be a bit tricky. You should close the can and keep it refrigerated. If you want to keep it lasting even longer, you can do this by placing the can content in an airtight container. This will prevent airborne particles from spoiling the milk.
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Can You Freeze Condensed Milk?
If you started a recipe and had plenty of leftover condensed milk, you probably wondered to yourself: Can I freeze condensed milk for later use?
The answer to this is a clear yes. You can store condensed milk in a freezer for an even longer shelf life to use it for more recipes to come.
But wait, there’s a catch. Condensed milk can be frozen, but it does not turn into solid blocks. Instead, it becomes more viscous just like honey or molasses.
The reason for this is the fact that condensed milk has a big amount of sugar within it, preventing it from fully freezing into a solid block.
Here are the steps you need to follow to freeze condensed milk:
- Find a clean airtight container.
- Pour your condensed milk into the container.
- Seal it tightly and make sure the air can’t find its way inside.
- Tuck it in the freezer and leave it.
That’s all! now your condensed milk can last for up to 6 months after freezing. You don’t even need to thaw it if you wanna use a small portion of it. Simply scoop the amount with a spoon or pour (slowly) into your cup and that’s all you need to use it!
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How To Tell If Condensed Milk Has Gone Bad?
Perhaps you found a can of condensed milk, the label is saying it’s expired, but you aren’t sure about it, what do you do?
Well, simply be on the lookout for signs of spoilage for condensed milk. The signs can either be found on the can, or in the look of the milk.
The Can
The can in which the milk is stored can tell you a lot about its condition. Any bulging or opening in the can is a sign of bad storage, hence the milk could potentially be spoiled. Dents aren’t as serious of a sign as bulging, but you should try to avoid it as much as possible.
The Look
Condensed milk has an off-white look. When it starts to age, it can get a bit dark and yellow, but definitely not yellow that it looks concerning. Also, any visual changes to the traditional look of your milk can be a sign of spoilage.
Mold is also another one to take note of. Any presence of mold is a spoilage sign and it means the milk is no longer safe for consumption. Throw it away and get yourself a safer package.
The Consistency
One thing that should be noted is the thickness of the condensed milk. We all know how it’s not as liquid-like as regular milk is. However, it shouldn’t also be really hard to pour.
As the condensed milk ages and spoils, it starts to form lumps that make it hard to pour as well as being way thicker than it should. Once you struggle to pour your milk, then it’s much safer to buy a new pack for your fudge recipe.
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Wrapping up
Knowing if your condensed milk can go bad or not is essential to avoid using expired milk in your recipe. It’s also important to learn the proper steps to keep your milk fresh for as long as possible through good storage and understanding of shelf life. If you still have any questions concerning condensed milk, feel free to leave them in the comments below and we will answer as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and we hope you have a nice day
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