Can you freeze freeze lactose-free milk? Yes, you can freeze milk that is lactose-free and it’s a fantastic method to prolong its shelf-life. It is possible to freeze it in an airtight container, and keep it in the freezer storage for up to 4 months or more. When it is thawed, the milk will appear to have a slightly grainy texture, but remain safe to consume.
Lactose-free cow’s cheese can be a lifesaver for those who are lactose intolerant but love drinking cow’s milk, or using it for cooking or baking. As with all types of milk, lactose-free does not last as long once it is opened.
Read on for a thorough guide to freezing and defrosting milk that is lactose-free and other tips for making the procedure simpler and more efficient.
Lactose-Free Milk Vs Regular Milk
The milk of cows contains lactose as a natural sugar. Since many suffer from lactose intolerance in their milk, manufacturers have discovered an answer.
It is made and used extensively as a healthy alternative for those who want to add cow’s milk to their diets without feeling any discomfort.
Lactose-free milk is milk that does not contain lactose. However, the most confusing thing is that lactose isn’t actually eliminatedfrom the milk. It is instead, lactase is added to milk to help break it down .
Lactase is an enzyme which is required to digest milk properly. This means that with the addition of this enzyme people who have lactose intolerance are able to drink the same way as normal milk.
Lactose-free milk can be an 1:1 replacement to traditional milk. They can be used in any recipe and do not differ in so in terms of taste, texture, or overall texture are concerned.
Read our comprehensive buying guide: the best lactose-free milk brands
Can you Freeze Lactose-Free Milk?
It is possible to freeze lactose-free milk like normal milk, or even plant-based dairy. The milk is in a safe condition for consumption and will suffer minimal nutritional change.
However, the texture however, is likely to alter.
The milk that has been defrosted isn’t as smooth as it was prior to freezing. It may be slightly grainy and separate however it is still safe to consume.
Which is the best lactose-free milk for freezing?
Skim milk and lactose-free low-fat milk is the most effective to freeze. The reason why milk separates after it has been defrosted is due to the fat which was evenly distributed throughout the milk is separated and forms the clumps.
The use of lactose-free cow’s dairy that is less fat results with less grainy milk when you have it thawed.
What is the best way to freeze lactose-free milk?
Before freezing the milk, you must first make sure that it is still in good condition.
If the milk is stored in the right conditions it is safe to consume it for approximately one week beyond the expiration date on the package. The benefit of the lactose-free dairy is that it can last longer than regular milk.
There are several simple methods to verify whether the milk is acceptable to freeze:
- In the beginning, you should do the good smell test. A milk that’s safe to drink doesn’t smell too much. However, if it’s an unpleasant smell that is sour then you’ll know the milk has gone bad.
- Another sign that the milk is poor is the texture. It is normal for defrosted and frozen milk to be grainy, milk that has been kept in the refrigerator is expected to appear silky smooth.
- And lastly, examine your milk’s colour. If the milk’s color is yellow, it’s probably become stale and you shouldn’t attempt to extend the shelf-life by freezing. A slightly yellow hue however is common for frozen milk.
After you have determined that the milk can keep in the freezer here’s how to keep milk that is lactose free in the freezer:
- Pour the lactose-free dairy into an airtight container. You can also store the milk in the gallon plastic container it comes in.
- Be sure to leave a bit of space between the cover and milk, as the latter expands after freezing.
- The container should be labeled. The milk should be labeled with the day on which you placed it into the freezer. Also note down how many days were remaining for the milk to run out. This can be helpful after you have thawed the milk.
How long can you keep The Lactose Free Milk You Buy in the freezer?
Milk that is lactose-free should be kept in the refrigerator at all times.
Unopened lactose-free milk is valid for a few days after the date of sale when it is kept chilled. Be sure you check it thoroughly before you make use of it.
The shelf-life of lactose-free cow’s dairy is significantly extended after you put it in a freezer.
Lactose-free milk can be secure within the refrigerator for as long as 4 months. It will remain suitable for consumption for longer if your freezer is less than 0deg F.
How do you defrost lactose-free milk?
One rule to keep in mind when you are thawing lactose-free milk or any other dairy-based milk is that you shouldn’t apply heat to it in order to speed up the process of defrosting. Refrigerating the milk frozen at room temperature not advised.
Two ways to defrost milk without lactose:
- Let it cool in the refrigerator. It can take several hours to fully thaw in the refrigerator. It is however the most efficient method to defrost the milk. The temperature of the fridge that is greater than that of the freezer causes the milk to slowly thaw.
- Defrost the milk using cold water. If you want the milk defrosted as quickly as is possible then submerge the container or gallon filled with frozen milk in cold water.
Shake well prior to use to smooth out the consistency of the milk to the best extent feasible. Making use of a blender, food processor, or hand mixer can be effective.
How to Use Defrosted Lactose Free Milk
The lactose-free milk you have defrosted must be consumed within the same number of days as it took for the milk to run out before freezing. This is why we suggest that you mark the bottle with a message such as ‘ 5 days to expire’.
If you have frozen the milk for 5 days prior to the deadline for expiration, take it out within five days after it has removed from the freezer..
Because milk’s texture alters after defrosting, you might not be able to enjoy it drinking or as a breakfast cereal. In contrast, defrosted milk is ideal for baking and cooking when it’s texture isn’t important.
Tips for Freezing and Defrosting Lactose Free Milk
The process of freezing milk can be daunting for those who haven’t done before. It is however a fantastic way to prolong the shelf life of your product, and then using it again instead of throwing it away.
Here are some suggestions to help you successfully to freeze and defrost milk that is lactose-free.
Tip # 1: Freeze the milk as soon as possible
Although texture changes are inevitable when you freeze milk, regardless of whether it’s lactose-free or non but you can find a method of bringing them down to a minimum.
The quicker the milk is frozen, the less texture alter. So, if your refrigerator is equipped with a ‘fast freeze’ button, make use of it!
Tip #2: Be aware when freezing gallon plastic jugs of milk
If your preferred lactose-free milk was at a sale and you decided to stock with multiple gallons it is possible that you are inclined to store the milk bottles in the freezer in their current state without spending any additional energy and time.
Although it’s easy however, it’s not the best method for freezing milk. Plastic gallons are a great option for milk to be frozen. But, they’re almost empty when not opened. So, if the milk cools and expands the plastic gallon probably leak.
To prevent any mess within your fridge, eliminate half one cup of the dairy from the gallon and then put in your freezer.
Wrap a Cling bandage around the cap, to ensure that milk doesn’t leak.
Tip 3: Include heavy cream in the defrosted milk
To smooth the defrosted milk again You can mix in some heavy cream it and mix it. The addition of cream can restore the milk’s texture to a certain degree.
Mix 2 teaspoons cream into four cups of milk that has been defrosted and blend with the hand blender or food processor.
Other Questions Asked
Can you freeze lactose-free milk in Cartons?
The freezing of milk in cartons made of paper is not recommended.
Pour the milk in a gallon plastic and seal it with an airtight container. Glass bottles, even though they claim that they are freezer safe, they are not an ideal option.
The milk expands, and the odds of the glass container breaking is higher than with plastic containers.
Can you Freeze Non-Dairy Lactose-Free Milk?
Certain people do not just have lactose intolerance but also allergic to cow’s-milk protein. This is a very widespread allergy that causes the body respond to proteins present in milk differently, leading to itching, hives and more.
In such instances drinking non-dairy milk could be the best option. And fortunately, there are a variety of choices, such as almond milk, soy milk cashew milk and more.
There is a way you can freeze milk without lactose that is non-dairy. But, the consistency of the milk will change once you remove it from the freezer.
Therefore, it is recommended to store this kind of milk in case you want to use it for baking and cooking, instead of drinking it.
