Whether you’re a vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just enjoy the taste, soy milk has probably found a place in your pantry.
This delicious plant-based milk made from soybeans is an excellent, healthy substitute for dairy milk. It can be used in almost the same way milk is used. But just like dairy milk, after opening the carton, soy milk does not last for a long period of time.
So what can you do about it? Freeze it, of course!
You can freeze soy milk as long as you do it properly, which will extend its expiry date for up to 3 months. Freezing soy milk will change its texture and taste slightly, making thawed soy milk better to be used as part of a recipe rather than consumed straight.
Keep on reading as I discuss everything about freezing soy milk—from the freezing to the thawing process and everything in between!
How to Freeze Soy Milk
Before freezing soy milk, it is very important to check to see whether it has expired or not, so you can ensure that you’re freezing good soy milk.
Ideally, you should freeze it immediately after opening the carton, which will help keep it good for a longer period of time in the freezer.
You also don’t have to freeze the whole amount of soy milk. You can use some first and freeze the remaining amount if you know you won’t be using it any time soon.
After making sure it has not gone bad to start with, you want to give it a really good shake before freezing it to minimize separation later.
The best way to freeze soy milk or any other type of milk is by using an ice cube tray. This way, you won’t have to thaw and refreeze it over and over to use it. The ice cube method is much more convenient and keeps the milk good for a longer period of time.
There are only 5 simple steps to freeze soy milk:
Get your ice cube tray and start pouring the soy milk into it.
Leave the tray in the freezer for several hours until the soy milk cubes become frozen solid.
Remove the soy milk cubes from the ice cube tray.
Put the cubes into a sealable, freezer-safe bag.
Place the bag in the freezer for long-term storage (up to 3 months).
If you want to, you can totally skip the last 3 steps and leave the soy milk cubes in the tray, but many people need to use the ice cube tray for other purposes and don’t want the soy milk to stay in there forever.
So it is more practical to put the cubes in a freezer bag and take out the number you need at any time.
Don’t have an ice cube tray? No problem, you can always freeze your soy milk in a freezer-safe container or mason jar, but remember to leave enough empty space at the top because the milk will expand as it freezes since it’s mostly water.
How to Thaw Soy Milk
When thawing soy milk, remember that you won’t get the best soy milk texture in the world, as frozen and thawed soy milk can be somewhat grainy.
But if you’re using it for recipes like smoothies, you won’t notice the difference. You can also use it to make your favorite vegan cupcakes and muffins. So, its undesirable texture after thawing makes it unsuitable for adding to drinks like tea or coffee.
If you want to thaw frozen soy milk, you can simply leave it in the fridge overnight or until it’s ready to use.
You can speed up the process if you’re in a hurry and submerge the soy milk container in cool water.
Once fully defrosted, you can combine the components that have separated by giving it a good shake.
You do not need to thaw the soy milk if you intend to heat it later, like when you bake. You can take the milk directly from the fridge and warm it on the stove or in the microwave.
Can You Refreeze Soy Milk?
It is never a good idea to thaw and refreeze soy milk; it’s best to use it right after the first thaw.
As previously mentioned, freezing soy milk in an ice cube tray will help you avoid wasting the milk by ensuring that you only defrost or use only the amount you need.
How Long Does Soy Milk Last?
When frozen properly, soy milk should stay good for up to 3 months.
If you don’t store and freeze soy milk properly in the right container and at the right temperature, this period will be shorter.
Like other types of milk, soy milk should be refrigerated after opening and consumed within a maximum of 5 days. If you haven’t opened the carton, you can keep it in a cupboard or pantry for 8-12 months without going bad.
Of course, each brand has its own expiration date, so make sure to check the expiry date on the soy milk carton.
How to Tell If Soy Milk is Bad?
Soy milk goes bad in a way similar to dairy milk.
The texture and smell can both tell you whether it is bad or not. We strongly advise you to throw the soy milk away if it doesn’t smell right or smells sour and unappetizing. When soy milk forms some lumps, this is a clear sign that it has expired.
Another important sign that you should be aware of is the color. The normal color of good soy milk is similar to regular milk but a little bit off-white.
If you’re unsure whether it has gone bad or not, pour some of it into a glass that helps you clearly see its color. If you notice that it has turned into a rotten color, the soy milk has probably gone bad.
Warning: Never drink bad soy milk as you can experience some food poisoning symptoms, including upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
Is it Possible to Freeze Homemade Soy Milk?
If you’re into making your own soy milk, guess what? You can freeze that too! To freeze homemade soy milk, you can follow the exact same steps I mentioned above.
Keep in mind that homemade soy milk will change in texture even more than store-bought soy milk. Additionally, it can go bad considerably more quickly than store-bought soy milk because there are no added preservatives in it.
Watch to learn how to make your own soy milk at home.
Can You Freeze Soy Milk – Conclusion
Now that you know everything about freezing soy milk, nothing will stop you from enjoying your fave vegan smoothie at any time of the day or night—just take out your preferred fruit and add your frozen soy milk cubes, blend them together, and voilà, you have the tastiest, healthiest vegan smoothie within just a few seconds!
