How Long Does Almond Milk Last? [Opened and Unopened]

How long does almond milk last? Almond milk is one of the most popular kinds of plant milk due to its great taste and nutrition. But to ensure it doesn’t go to waste, it is important to know how long it lasts.

How long is almond milk good for? The below table shows how long almond milk lasts:

Type of Almond Milk:	Where It Is Stored:	How Long It Lasts:
Refrigerated, unopened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Refrigerated, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Shelf-stable, unopened	Pantry	2 to 4 weeks
Shelf-stable, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Homemade	Fridge	3 to 4 days

Before opening store-bought, commercially-produced almond milk, you should store it at the same temperature where it sat in the supermarket. For example, if it was refrigerated in the store, then keep it in your fridge. If it was not refrigerated in the store, then it is shelf-stable, and you can store it in your pantry (or in your fridge if you want).

After opening any type of almond milk carton (shelf-stable or refrigerated), it must be stored in the fridge. Homemade almond milk should also be stored in the fridge.

Read on to learn more about how long almond milk lasts, how to tell if it has gone bad, and how to make it last longer.

How Long Does Almond Milk Last?

Almond milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk. It is readily available in supermarkets, or you can make it at home. 

How long is almond milk good for? How long does almond milk last after opening and before being opened?

Two kinds of almond milk are available in supermarkets: shelf-stable almond milk and refrigerated almond milk. If you got your almond milk in the refrigerator area, then you need to store it in your refrigerator at home. If you got it on a shelf that isn’t in the refrigerator area, then it’s okay to keep it on a shelf in a cupboard in your home. 

The below table shows how long almond milk lasts:

Type of Almond Milk:	Where It Is Stored:	How Long It Lasts:
Refrigerated, unopened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Refrigerated, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Shelf-stable, unopened	Pantry	2 to 4 weeks
Shelf-stable, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Homemade, any type	Fridge	3 to 4 days

Unopened Almond Milk

What you buy in supermarkets is usually almond milk that has been ultra-pasteurized. Pasteurization, a process that kills bacteria by heating the milk for a few seconds up to 280 °F. This process gives the milk longer shelf life.

A carton of almond milk will usually have a best before date. But, if it remains unopened, it will still be okay to consume 1 to 2 weeks after that best before date. 

Opened Almond Milk

If you have commercially made almond milk, the best-before date on the box should say 7 to 10 days after opening. However, the 7 to 10 days recommendation is based on optimal conditions. It needs to always be refrigerated upon opening at a temperature of 40 °F or lower. It also needs to be always tightly lidded after opening. 

Homemade almond milk usually has a shorter life, even if refrigerated, because homemade almond milk does not contain preservatives. Commercially produced almond milk will contain preservatives and stabilizers, making it last 7 to 10 days after opening. Homemade almond milk will last three days under optimal conditions. 

Remember, as with any food product, taste and quality will start to degrade once opened. When you open the lid of a product countless times, expect it to spoil quickly. Best to open your almond milk container only when you are going to use it. 

Tips on Storing Almond Milk to Ensure Freshness

To avoid spoilage of almond milk, follow these tips on proper storage: 

1. Unopened almond milk that is shelf-stable can be kept unrefrigerated, on a shelf or in a cabinet that’s cool and dark until the best before date stamped on the box. Keep away from sources of heat. Once you open it, keep refrigerated. 
2. You should store opened almond milk on a shelf that gets consistent 40 °F or lower such as at the back of the fridge because that part is usually the coldest. Do not store milk products on the door shelf because this does not get a consistent 40 °F temperature. 
3. Homemade almond milk must be stored in an airtight container so that bacteria does not set in. When you make homemade almond milk, you must rinse the almonds very well. How long does homemade almond milk last? Homemade almond milk will keep for 3 to 5 days in the fridge. 
4. Remember to always put back in the fridge your container of almond milk right after serving. And keep the lid tightly sealed. 

Take note that it is always best to consume almond milk as soon as you can after purchasing it to avoid spoilage. 

We already answered the question, “How long does almond milk last after opening or before opening?”. But how do you know if your almond milk has gone bad? 

How to Tell If Almond Milk Has Gone Bad?

Your almond milk’s shelf life will depend on the type you have. Commercially produced almond milk has preservatives and stabilizers and will last longer than homemade almond milk without preservatives. 

• The first sign of almond milk that has gone bad is a bloated carton. Yes, it happens – we open a milk carton and forget that it is sitting in the fridge. If you notice that your carton of almond milk has become bloated, it has gone bad. Don’t even taste it. Discard immediately. 
• Please give it a good sniffing. Almond milk naturally has a fresh and nutty smell. If it gives off a foul or sour smell, it has gone bad. Discard the milk if it has even the slightest scent of being spoiled. 
• Check the texture. Fresh almond milk has a silky texture to it, and it flows smoothly. If the milk has a thicker consistency and has lumps, it has spoiled. 

Checking to see if your almond milk has gone wrong is only logical, of course, if it is within a reasonable period. If it has been opened and kept in the fridge for more than ten days, toss it out. 

What If Almond Milk Separates?

Plant-based milk has a tendency to separate. It has been common thinking that when milk separates, it is usually bad. Separating is actually common with almond milk. More often with homemade almond milk. Preservatives and stabilizers lessen the occurrence of almond milk to separate and actually gives it a more stable shelf life. 

If your almond milk separates, give it a good shake. However, to be sure, check your almond milk using the tips given above. 

Can Almond Milk Be Kept Frozen? 

To freeze or not to freeze? Most food products will keep longer if you freeze them. But, with almond milk, freezing is a controversial topic. Yes, you can freeze almond milk to make it last longer. Note, however, that freezing this plant-based milk will most likely result in changes in taste and texture.

And this is why it is controversial because, for some people, the difference in taste and texture is subtle, and for some people, it isn’t. 

Freezing almond milk will change consistency, texture, and taste. It may not be a very discernible change in taste, but you will surely notice the changes in texture and consistency. When the milk thaws, the almond milk ice crystals break the milk’s structure. Ice will cause the milk to separate. You’ll need to shake the milk to fix the separation. 

The color will change when you thaw out almond milk. It will be darker than the usual bright white. The taste will somehow be blander, and the nutty flavor will be slightly weaker. 

Thawed out almond milk won’t have a long shelf life. When you thaw out almond milk, it will be best to use within the day because it has a shorter shelf life after thawing. 

Frozen and thawed almond milk will work best with recipes rather than for drinking as it is. It will work best in making protein shakes or fruit smoothies as the changes in consistency, texture, and taste are somewhat covered up and become less noticeable. 

To thaw out your frozen almond milk, let it sit in the fridge until it melts.

A tip on freezing almond milk: Freeze almond milk in ice cube trays. When they’ve become solid, remove them from the trays and store them in freezer bags tightly sealed. You may want to reinforce with heavy-duty aluminum foil. 

How Long Does Homemade Almond Milk Last?

Homemade almond milk won’t have a longer shelf life than commercially made almond milk. The almond milk you buy from stores contains preservatives and stabilizers, which make them last longer. 

It’s easy to make almond milk, plus they don’t contain preservatives. Be sure that you only make what you can consume for three days, as that is the amount of time it will last.

To make your own homemade almond milk, follow the below recipe:

What You’ll Need

• 1 cup almonds
• 2 cups water (plus about another cup for soaking)
• Honey or maple syrup (measure according to sweetness preference)
• The 1:2 ratio (almonds to water) works best according to experience. If you want to make more or make less almond milk, adjust the recipe accordingly.
• Blender 
• Measuring cups
• Bowls
• Strainer
• Cheesecloth

Steps

1. Soak the almonds for at least a day (24 hours) in a bowl with water that completely covers all the almonds. You may soak for up to 48 hours. Cover with a cloth. You may keep it soaked at room temperature or store in the fridge. Soaking the almonds longer will give you creamier milk. The almonds will get plumper as they absorb. 
2. Drain the water from the almonds. Your almonds will feel soft by this time. Discard the water you used for soaking the almonds. Rinse your almonds very well under running water. 
3. In your blender, place the two cups of water and all the almonds. Run the blender on pulse a couple of times to start cutting up the almonds. Then, blend thoroughly until the almonds become fine. Blending will take anywhere from two to four minutes. It would be best if you ended up with an almond meal. By this time, the water would have turned white. 
4. Line a bowl with cheesecloth. Make sure that your almond water mixture will fit in the bowl. Transfer the mixture from the blender in the lined bowl. 
5. Twist the cheesecloth all around the mixture. Press and squeeze the mixture, letting the liquid drain into the bowl. Make sure to get as much liquid as you can from the mixture, about two cups, as you’ve added the same amount of water. Make sure you have spotless hands while doing this. 
6. Add your honey or maple syrup in the bowl and mix very well. You should have almond milk that has a silky texture and a nutty, sweet smell. 

How long does homemade almond milk last? As mentioned earlier, this homemade almond milk will last only about 3 to 4 days in the fridge. So make sure to use it up before it goes bad.

Tip: Don’t throw out that almond meal you used because you can add it to muffin or cupcake recipes. You may also use it to add to your oatmeal. 

Conclusion: How Long Does Opened Almond Milk Last? How Long Does Unopened Almond Milk Last?

How long does almond milk last once opened? How long does almond milk last unopened?

The table below shows how long almond milk lasts unopened and opened – for refrigerated, shelf-stable, and homemade almond milk:

Type of Almond Milk:	Where It Is Stored:	How Long It Lasts:
Refrigerated, unopened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Refrigerated, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Shelf-stable, unopened	Pantry	2 to 4 weeks
Shelf-stable, opened	Fridge	7 to 10 days
Homemade, any type	Fridge	3 to 4 days

There are two kinds of almond milk available in supermarkets: the refrigerated kind and the shelf-stable kind.

The refrigerated kind needs to be in the refrigerator at all times, even when you haven’t opened it yet. This kind will keep for seven days in the fridge after you open it.

The shelf-stable kind may be stored outside the refrigerator when unopened. Once opened, it can keep for 7 to 10 days in the fridge. Homemade almond milk will keep for three days in the fridge. Make sure that your milk gets a constant 40 °F temperature.