How Long will Coconut Milk Last in the Fridge?

If you’ve recently purchased coconut milk, you might wonder how long it will last in the fridge. The answer is that it should stay fresh for about four days.

How long it will last depends on whether you’re storing unopened cans or opened cartons. If you’re unsure, check the expiration date on the can. Read on more to get information about the shelf life of coconut milk.

How Long Will Coconut Milk Last in the Fridge

How Long will Coconut Milk Last in the Fridge?

Here is all the information you require on coconut milk storage, shelf life, and spoiling. It will teach you when to refrigerate it and identify spoiled food.

When you first purchase coconut milk, you may not know how long it will last after opening the carton or bottle.

Or perhaps yours has been sitting in storage for a few days, and you want to make sure it’s still safe to use. You don’t know what to search for, which is the problem.

Sounds recognizable? If so, you’ll benefit greatly from this overview of coconut milk.

Let’s start by discussing the differences between canned and carton coconut milk and how they differ. Even though both are referred to as “coconut milk,” they vary greatly and are rarely used interchangeably.

Unopened Cans

Unopened coconut milk in a can is one of the most common ways to store it, and it will last for months when stored correctly. However, if it is not refrigerated, coconut milk can start to go bad within a week. It will begin to thicken, smell chemical-like, and form curdles.

It is not safe to eat after this time frame has passed. If you notice any odor, you should discard it immediately and buy fresh coconut milk.

When storing canned milk, it is important to cover the can with an airtight lid or foil. This will help to keep the contents from getting damaged and leaking, which can cause mold and other health issues.

In some cases, coconut milk can be stored in a pantry or room that is dark and cool with low humidity to prevent mold from growing. This is the best way to ensure that coconut milk stays fresh.

Coconut milk can also be frozen in ice cube trays to prolong its shelf life. This is especially helpful if you do not need to use it in the immediate future.

Another way to preserve coconut milk is to freeze it in a glass jar or airtight container. This will extend its shelf life by about one month, provided it is not opened or contaminated with food particles.

If you decide to freeze coconut milk, place it in a plastic storage bag or wrap it before placing it in the freezer. This will prevent it from absorbing any additional air and causing the freezer to overheat.

You may need to add more water if you are freezing coconut milk. It will defrost over time, so check the label and use the jar of frozen coconut milk in a recipe as soon as possible after it has been removed from the freezer.

The shelf life of coconut milk depends on the variety and the packaging. Thick coconut milk, for example, will have a longer shelf life than thinner varieties. It should remain good for at least a week when stored in the fridge and a few months in the pantry.

Canned coconut milk will have a shelf life of two to five years when stored properly in an area with low humidity and a cool temperature. This is because the milk contains a preservative called sodium propionate which helps to protect it from spoilage and mold growth.

This is why it is important to read the expiration date on the can. You should not risk using a can of coconut milk that has expired because the toxins in the product will make you sick if you consume it.

Aside from the cans, other types of coconut milk are also available in cartons. These containers are typically found on grocery shelves and will last for about ten days if kept in the refrigerator. The same variety, if kept in the pantry, will keep for a month but must be opened before it can be used.

Does Coconut Milk Go Bad?

Coconut milk does expire, yes. The smell and sour flavor indicate that the milk has gone bad. Before using it in cuisine, you might not realize it has gone bad. When you taste coconut milk, you can tell if it has gone rancid. It will taste sour and possibly even make your food smell awful.

Before using coconut milk, make sure to verify the expiration date. Coconut milk that has been opened needs to be kept in the refrigerator and well covered or frozen in ice cube trays or other containers if you don’t use it immediately.

How can you Tell if Coconut Milk has Gone Bad?

It’s simple to determine when coconut milk has gone rancid. You’ll be able to know for sure by all of the indicators listed below.

  • The liquid has a black hue.
  • Its expiration date was weeks past.
  • The packaging wasn’t properly or securely packed.
  • The coconut milk carton in the refrigerator wasn’t sealed.
  • It has a horrible odor.
  • Poor flavor
  • Possesses pink mold growth
  • It is sour because it has chunks in it.
  • If you consume it, you become ill.

How to Store Coconut Milk?

Although coconut milk can be consumed as a beverage, most people avoid doing so because the flavor isn’t as pleasant as you might expect. However, when used in recipes, coconut milk works wonderfully in baked goods and other dishes. The three main forms of coconut milk are cans, cartons, and bags of coconut powder.

The method of storing coconut milk varies. Although it has a longer shelf life than dairy milk, it may deteriorate, rot, and even develop mold or turn rancid if it is not maintained properly.

How to Store Unopened Cartons and Canned Coconut milk?

Coconut milk has a two- to five-year shelf life in cans. Before using the milk in your recipes, be sure it hasn’t gone bad. Always keep unopened cans of coconut milk in a cold, dark, dry place, such as a pantry. Mold growth is encouraged by humidity.

The unopened carton or can of coconut milk also be stored there. There, it can be kept until you’re ready to incorporate it into your preferred dishes or foods. Canned coconut milk needs to be stored correctly to keep it from spoiling.

What can you do with Leftover Coconut Milk?

Here are some suggestions for using coconut milk without throwing it away if you don’t want to store it in the fridge, freeze it, or dispose of it.

Aside from the recipes already offered, a dash of coconut milk can be added to nearly any dish, from mashed potatoes to green beans.

Nobody enjoys throwing food out. It’s too costly. Fortunately, coconut milk has uses beyond baking and cooking.

Add some coconut milk to a candle melt burner if you enjoy the flavor’s sweet aroma, and let it fill your house.

Consider using a little coconut milk for the typical cinnamon when making salt dough decorations for the Christmas season. They have a wonderful coconut scent that lingers longer than cinnamon, so they will still be fragrant when you hang them on the tree the following year.

You may manufacture coconut milk shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Coconut milk is a creamy substance. Thus your soap will have a lot of bubbles. Buy a soap mold from your neighborhood craft store.

Make candles out of coconut milk; soy wax is preferred. Compared to conventional polish, it aids in better preserving the aroma of coconut milk. Mason jars or candle molds are both options. These are wonderful gifts.

How Long does Coconut Milk Last Seal in the fridge?

On supermarket shelves, cans of coconut milk are packaged in cartons. They must be refrigerated after being opened and remain fresh for eight to ten days. On the other hand, it will only last for about four to five weeks if it is sealed or unopened.

Can I Freeze Leftover Canned Coconut Milk?

The best method for preserving leftover canned coconut milk is to freeze it. Canned coconut milk keeps it fresh in the freezer for about a month. The recipes worked just as well with milk from the freezer stores as they did with milk from freshly opened ones.

How to Defrost Coconut Milk?

It’s best to let the coconut milk defrost in the refrigerator. Typically, depending on the amount of coconut milk, this takes 8 to 12 hours. However, a microwave will do if you need it to defrost rapidly.

Coconut milk that has been frozen may “break.” I’ve discovered that using an immersion blender to re-blend coconut milk into milk gives it the creamiest texture.

Conclusion

In conclusion, coconut milk can be kept in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days, provided it is securely sealed. Before ingesting, it is advised to look for any indications of spoilage, such as a sour scent or curdled texture. The coconut milk will remain safe and of the highest quality if kept in the refrigerator and used before the end of its shelf life.