A Quick Glance…
Who doesn’t love buttermilk, right? Well, if you are one of them, and you decide to buy tons of it, you might start wondering, “How long does buttermilk last?”
Rejoice, as buttermilk can last up to as long as 14 days in the refrigerator once you open it. It could also last beyond that if it’s still not open. However, it’s best to use it as soon as possible!
| Past best buy date | Fridge | Freezer |
| Unopened buttermilk | 7-14 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Opened buttermilk | 7-10 days | 1-2 weeks |
What is buttermilk?
Buttermilk, in the traditional way, is nothing but the liquid that gets left behind after churning butter from cultured milk. But don’t be tricked by its name, as it is low in fat and a good source of protein!
In comparison to regular milk, buttermilk comes with a tangy flavor and is thicker. It is popularly used for pancakes, bread production, and other quick breads.
Buttermilk can also be consumed as a drink, added to dips and sauces, and made into cheese. But because it is tangy, most people don’t know how to tell if buttermilk is bad or is safe.
How long does buttermilk last after best buy date?
If you don’t know what to do with unopened buttermilk that’s sitting in your fridge and its expiry date is approaching, don’t worry!
You’ll be glad to know that unopened buttermilk can last up to 7–14 days after best buy date. When you freeze it, it can go up to even three months!
However, the catch here is that freezing buttermilk might change its taste and texture and may be ideal only for baking purposes.
How to tell if buttermilk is bad?
There are quite a few ways to tell if buttermilk has gone bad. They are:
- Smell
If buttermilk has gone bad, the smell tends to become even more sour than usual. If it is unopened, you will be able to differentiate between good and bad buttermilk right away.
- Texture
Another way to know whether buttermilk has gone bad or not is its texture. Buttermilk that’s thick, lumpy, and difficult to pour is a sign that it has gone bad.
Of course, buttermilk has quite a few lumps normally. But these lumps should break up when whisking or mixing it with other ingredients.
- Taste
Tasting buttermilk might be the last option left if you want to know if it has gone bad! Even though it tastes tangy normally, buttermilk will be sour if it has gone bad.
Also, buttermilk has a buttery taste with some creaminess to it. So, if buttermilk is spoilt, these elements will be lost too.
Can you freeze buttermilk?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze buttermilk, especially when you have lots of it left! All you have to do is give it a proper shake. Then, pour the buttermilk into ice cube trays with a tablespoon.
Once the buttermilk is frozen, place the ice cubes into ziplock plastic bags and store them in the freezer. This way, you can ensure that you save your buttermilk from spoiling!
How to properly store buttermilk to extend its shelf-life?
In order to properly store buttermilk to extend its shelf-life, you need to keep the buttermilk away from light and keep it back in the refrigerator immediately.
While storing it in the refrigerator, make sure that you keep it on the interior shelf and not on the door. That’s because the temperature fluctuates every time you open the refrigerator door.
Conclusion:
Whether you want to drink buttermilk or use it for baking purposes, the choice is yours! But remember, unless you take measures to store it properly, all the buttermilk will go to waste.
You can avoid hoarding buttermilk if it’s not that necessary. Or else, following the above measures for preserving it will make sure that buttermilk lasts longer than expected!
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttermilk
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-long-does-buttermilk-last
- https://foodsguy.com/buttermilk-bad/
- https://www.southernliving.com/kitchen-assistant/can-you-freeze-buttermilk
