How Long Does Buttermilk Last?: Buttermilk is a very versatile dairy product that is mostly used in baking goods and pancakes, and also we can use it for some savory dishes. We all buy the buttermilk from the store, sometimes we make it at home.
However, after using a little in your dishes we keep it in the fridge. But, do you know how long buttermilk last? Maybe you have thrown the buttermilk many times as it has gone bad.
But you no need to do such things, if you know the storing tips, shelf life, and spoilage signs. Here in this article, we are going to provide you with the shelf life, storage tips, and much more information. If you would like to know you can start reading!!
- What is Buttermilk Anyway?
- How Long Does Buttermilk Last?
- Can Buttermilk Go Bad? How Do You Know When Buttermilk Is Bad?
- Can I Freeze Buttermilk?
- How To Freeze Buttermilk?
- How to Store Buttermilk
- How To Substitute Buttermilk?
- Dry Buttermilk Powder
- Interesting Facts About Buttermilk
- How to extend the shelf life of buttermilk?
- Can I use expired buttermilk?
- How can I make buttermilk using milk?
- Why does buttermilk go bad?
What is Buttermilk Anyway?
Buttermilk is nothing but a fermented daily beverage that was traditionally made from the liquid that remained after fresh butter was churned. Buttermilk will be sour and tangy not like sour cream and yogurt. Store-bought buttermilk differs from homemade buttermilk because store-bought buttermilk is made by adding lactic acid bacteria to milk. The buttermilk that we buy at the grocery stores is known as cultured buttermilk whereas homemade is known as traditional buttermilk.
How Long Does Buttermilk Last?
If it is storebought buttermilk we will have the expiry date and sell-by date. According to the information from the united states department of agriculture (USDA), buttermilk can be refrigerated for about 2 weeks, or frozen for up to 3 months. Look into the shelf of the buttermilk that was given on the table.
Buttermilk (unopened) | Buttermilk (opened) | |
Refrigerator | up to 7–14 days past the expiration date | up to 14 days after opening |
---|---|---|
Freezer | 3 months | 3 months |
When the buttermilk is not been opened, buttermilk will be sealed with air and bacteria. As soon as you open it, the product will begin to deteriorate slowly. Buttermilk should always be kept in the refrigerator, if you leave it in the pantry it will go bad.
Can Buttermilk Go Bad? How Do You Know When Buttermilk Is Bad?
Yes, like all other dairy products buttermilk will also go bad. But by storing it properly you can extend the shelf life of the buttermilk than the expiry date. If you want to know that the buttermilk has gone bad, we are having some signs. By looking at those signs you can easily find that buttermilk has gone bad.
The easiest sign, you can identify that buttermilk has gone bad is simply by looking at it. When the buttermilk goes bad it slightly has discoloration. You can even see the mold growth on the surface and around the lid. If you see these signs just discard them into the trash.
Another sign that you need to check is if the buttermilk looks nice, if the buttermilk has gone bad, you can smell very sourer. Buttermilk should have a buttery, tangy smell but not a sour smell. So, if you find a sour smell just throw it away.
Buttermilk will have a smooth texture, but if your buttermilk is thick and clumpy then it is a sign that buttermilk has gone bad. Buttermilk will always have small clumps but they will break up if you whisk and mix it with other ingredients.
As we already mentioned in the above sign, buttermilk should have a tangy and buttery taste, but if it tastes sour then it is better to discard it. Even drinking the sour buttermilk will not affect your health but it is not good if you prepare any dish or baked goods.
Can I Freeze Buttermilk?
Yes, buttermilk can be frozen. Buttermilk is used best in recipes like pancakes, marinades, and baked goods instead of for drinking as a beverage. After every use, you can freeze the buttermilk. If you have any slightly clumpy texture just shake it well before using it. Freezing the buttermilk in an ice cube tray as buttermilk cubes are the best option than freezing them in a container. Freezing buttermilk is the best option for those who hate wasting food.
How To Freeze Buttermilk?
As we have mentioned above, frozen buttermilk cubes are the best option here we will tell you the way you need to do it. Once, if you place the buttermilk in the muffin tin when you need it to make pancakes just take as much as you need. Again put the tin in the freezer and leave it until the liquid freezes. Then transfer those frozen blocks into freezer bags. In case you do not have a muffin tin, use a bunch of small freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
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How to Store Buttermilk?
Here we are going to provide some storage tips for buttermilk so that you can store the buttermilk for very long. Check the tips below.
- When you are going to buy the buttermilk in the store, see the latest expiration date. If you buy the old one you can able to store for long.
- Use an airtight container to store the buttermilk and write down the date on the container. so that you will know when you have opened and you can use it quickly.
- By freezing the buttermilk you can prolong its shelf life of the buttermilk.
- Once if you open the pack of buttermilk, just keep it in the refrigerator only do not keep it outside.
- Even it is an unopened buttermilk pack doesn’t stock too much buttermilk.
- If you are using buttermilk daily for baking goods, it is better if you should shift to powdered buttermilk.
How To Substitute Buttermilk?
When you think to make the pancakes, and kept all the ingredients ready, and if you see that the buttermilk is old and gone bad. At that time you no need to worry as we have the substitutes for buttermilk. Buttermilk is used in pancakes or baked goods as it will have acidity in it. The acid is required to activate baking soda, so you can add other acidic substances instead of buttermilk like vinegar, or lemon juice. Add these acidic substances into milk either with vinegar or with lemon juice. Once you leave it for 10 minutes you can use it as buttermilk in your baking.
Dry Buttermilk Powder
We are going to provide you with an alternate option for the buttermilk as you need just a little amount of buttermilk for your pancakes, which is dry buttermilk powder. It will have a very long shelf life like about a year at room temperature. Like other powders, you need to store them away from the moisture. It will be good for baking goods, than for drinking.
Interesting Facts About Buttermilk
Here we are going to tell you about some interesting facts that many of us do not know.
- Buttermilk has more calcium than milk.
- Buttermilk can be used as a good substitute for cooking instead of milk.
- Fermented Milk products will have full of healthy bacteria that will be very helpful for your immune system.
- Buttermilk has been used traditionally in baking cakes as well.
- Buttermilk is a rich source of emulsifiers.
FAQs on How Long Does Buttermilk Last
1. How to extend the shelf life of buttermilk?
You can extend the shelf life of the buttermilk by keeping it in the refrigerator after every use. Keep your fingers away from the opened buttermilk carton.
2. Can I use expired buttermilk?
Yes, it is safe to consume expired buttermilk as long as it doesn’t have any unpleasant smell, sour taste, and mold growth.
3. How can I make buttermilk using milk?
You can prepare the buttermilk at home immediately if you do not have buttermilk at home. Just add some vinegar or buttermilk into the regular milk and leave it for 10 minutes.
4. Why does buttermilk go bad?
Buttermilk will go bad as we have the high lactic acid which is hostile to more bacterial growth, however, after some days harmful bacteria begin to multiply and buttermilk becomes more acidic.
In a Nutshell
Hope the information that we have shed on how long does buttermilk last is beneficial to you. Buttermilk is always delicious and tangy beverage that was used in many baking goods. By storing it with the above storage tips, buttermilk can last long. If you find any signs that buttermilk has gone bad, throw it away rather than get sick. Still, if you want any other dairy products like can powdered milk go bad, can Velveeta cheese go bad and many others, stay connected to our site.