Few things can derail a morning faster than two small kitchen disasters happening at once: realizing you are out of coffee and discovering that the full carton of milk you put in the fridge last week may have passed its prime. Most people would immediately pour questionable milk down the sink, but that is not always the only option. If the milk is truly spoiled, smells sour, looks curdled, or has a strange texture, it should be discarded. But if it has only just expired and still looks, smells, and pours normally, it may still be useful in a few surprising ways. Before you throw it away, here are ten practical ways to give expired milk a second life.
1. Freeze It Before It Turns
That’s right, put that thing in the freezer if you’re not going to use it immediately. Just remember that liquids expand when frozen, so leave a little room for that. You could also pour it into smaller containers to know exactly how much milk you’ll be using for whatever recipe. It’s important to thaw the milk inside the fridge, because if you set it on the kitchen counter, you might as well just flush it down the drain. It may separate or look slightly grainy afterward, but a good shake usually helps. Even if the texture is no longer perfect for drinking, it should work well in sauces, soups, and baked goods.