Does Almond Milk Go Bad? Shelf Life of Almond Milk, Spoilage Signs, and Proper Storage Tips
Does almond milk go bad? Yes. Almond milk lasts a few days longer than fresh cow’s milk, but it can go bad. Discover how long before it spoils, and learn the signs of bad almond milk.
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Almond milk is a tasty and nutritious non-dairy milk, loaded with nutrients and health benefits for you, which include:
- Lowering the risk of heart disease with its high vitamin E content
- Strengthening bones, with 45-51% of the RDI for calcium
No animal products are used in almond milk, making it perfect if you’re on a vegan diet, allergic to dairy products, or lactose intolerant.
Planning to buy or make your own almond milk? Know how long you can store it, as well as signs of spoilage and proper storage.
Almond Milk and the Ultra-Pasteurization Process
The almond milk you see in supermarkets are ultra-pasteurized. In this process, the milk is heated to 280°F for a few seconds, and good and bad bacteria are killed, prolonging shelf life.
Shelf-stable almond milk is also stored in a Tetra Pak carton to maintain room temperature while unopened.
Shelf Life of Almond Milk
The shelf life of almond milk depends on how you store it.
When Opened
After opening, you should consume refrigerated almond milk within 7 days, while shelf-stable almond milk should be consumed within 7-10 days. Some almond milk, like Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze, do not contain preservatives, so keep them refrigerated after opening to prevent spoilage.
When Unopened
When stored at room temperature, an unopened carton of shelf-stable almond milk can last for 3-4 weeks after the use-by date. Its prolonged shelf life is due to its sterilization process. The product is heated and /or dried to destroy foodborne microorganisms that cause spoilage. It also uses aseptic carton packaging that is designed to prolong the shelf life of the almond milk for an extended period.
On the other hand, refrigerated, unopened regular almond milk can last for a week. The sterilization process is not as strong as a shelf-stable almond milk’s, so it lasts a couple weeks shorter.
Homemade Almond Milk
The shelf life of your almond milk depends on the almonds you use. Your homemade almond milk can last for 3-5 days when properly stored in an airtight pitcher in your fridge.
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Signs of Almond Milk Spoilage
You can still drink or use almond milk after the use-by date. However, you should be wary of these signs of a spoiled nut milk:
- Sour taste
- Thicker texture
- Starts to clump
- Smells off
- Unusually bloated carton
- Color Changes
Is Curdling A Sign of Spoiled Almond Milk?
Not automatically. Curdling is actually normal for any almond milk! Lecithin, a stabilizer used to emulsify almond milk, makes the curdling of shelf-stable milk slower.
Effect of Spoiled Almond Milk
Just as with any other milk, you are prone to food poisoning if you drink spoiled almond milk. It may have fewer bacteria than dairy milk, but bacterial spores can still grow when the container is left open. This is why you should refrigerate almond milk and observe hygienic handling.
How to Properly Store Almond Milk
To keep your almond milk fresh and prolong its shelf life, keep these reminders in mind:
- Store opened, shelf-stable almond milk in the main body or in the back of the fridge, where the temperature is coldest and most stable, rather than on the back of the door.
- Store unopened, shelf-stable almond milk in your cabinet, unrefrigerated, until the best-by date on the milk carton. Refrigerate it as soon as you open it to prevent spoilage.
- For homemade almond milk, rinse almonds very well. Store them in an airtight container to prevent bacteria from creeping in.
- Always return your almond milk carton or container to the fridge after using it.
It’s best to consume your stock of almond milk as soon as you purchase to prevent it spoiling. That would be a shame because almond milk is so good!
Need some almond milk recipes? Try my Chocolate Banana Smoothie with Goji Berries. You can also use almond milk as an alternative to coconut milk when making a creamy mushroom pasta or in a Thai red curry dish. It has the same creamy texture but with a hint of nutty flavor.
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About the Author
Sharon Chen is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, an author and a sous vide fanatic who believes food not only brings healing but also connection. As the creator of StreetSmart Kitchen, she's on a mission to help you find balance, ease, joy, and simplicity in the kitchen as you improve your well-being.
I buy Walmart’s Great Value Vanilla Almond milk. The date on the carton is always months away from when I buy it. Foe example, I’ll buy it in September, the date on the carton will be November. It is refrigerated when I buy it. I don’t drink it that often, so it does sit open for maybe a couple of weeks in between using it. Is it still good up to November after opening? I usually toss it after a couple of weeks because I can’t find info about Vanilla Almond milk and how long it’s good for with the carton date being so far away from the purchase date.
Once opened, it’s generally a good idea to consume within a week.
I purchased Almond Breeze almond milk 4 pack, non goo/dairy free, unsweetened vanilla from a Home Goods store. I just noticed that the expiration date is Nov. 11, 2020. Today is February 28, 2021. Should I throw the 4 small containers away to avoid getting sick or is the almond milk good to go, as long as it has never been opened?
The almond milk I’m referring to is Almond breeze original and unsweetened vanilla..it does not require refrigeration and the best used date is July and Aug of 2021 .. but it was forgotten and froze in my trunk in freezing temps outside.. the next day I took it in left it in my sink to I thaw and I have left it on my counter the last couple days .. would it be any good or do I throw it out …
I bought almond breeze shelf stable almond took it home and in my trunk it froze.. so I took it in unthawed sitting in my sink overnight and now I’m wondering is it still good on my shelf ( I bought four cartons of it) I’m wondering now if it’s still good to drink if I leave it on my shelf or do I have to refrigerate it…
I had Kirkland Almond milk (no refrigeration needed until opened) that expired Jan 2020 – just opened one Jan. 2021 and drank about 10oz – tasted like new, didn’t get sick…but I am not going to drink anymore of it, since it registered with me that it’s 2021 now!
If almond milk can start to go slimy but not taste bad even after you violently shake the gallon bottle 3 months before the date on the jug; why do they date them so far ahead, if the information is false. The dates they put on the gallon jugs lead you to think that the milk will last up to 3 to 3 and 1/2 months in the refrigerator.
I had bought some almond milk at Costco, a 3 pack. I had not used one of them for almost 4 months past the exp date, but it was refrigerated the whole time. I opened it up, expecting it to be sour and spoiled. But it still smelled sweet and the color had not changed, and there was no clumping. So I drank a sip and it still tasted great! So I made chocolate milk out of it! That was 3 days ago and I didn’t notice any bad feelings from it, so I guess it has a long shelf life if it was processed and kept cold. I wont do that again, but maybe I just got lucky.
How much extension of life, does refrigeration give unopened ‘Shelf Stable’ almond milk, before opening?
I make my own almond milk from organic almonds I buy at Trader Joe’s.(And no, it doesn’t last long.) It will always separate in the fridge but when it starts to re-separate Faster after being shaken (but still tastes good) , then I know it’s time to use it up and I have a smoothie for breakfast! I squeeze out the milk from the whizzed-in-the-blender nuts (I use a new, washed knee-high), Then I take the nut mash and spread it out on a cookie sheet and dry it in the oven. when it i bone dry I put about 1/2 cup at a time in a coffee grinder that I use for nuts and herbs. I whiz that up for about 10 to 15 seconds and I now have organic almond flour! I store it in an airtight container in the freezer, since it doesn’t freeze. So 2 for 1, cheaper, and organic!
I was given the impression that Almond milk would last longer, and I could avoid ‘dumping’ stale milk when not used by expire date. Reading this, I now have the impression that regular dairy milk will outlast almond milk once opened, and is about half the price. Since I have no issues with dairy milk, I guess I will revert back to purchasing 1%, rather than almond.
Good on you. Way to do your research. Regular milk is what Jesus drinks.
and prey tell how would you know what Jesus drinks? For reals!! In that era, nobody was pasturizing, so there ya go!! get it from the source, don’t waste what you don’t use!
I think he was joking.
Great content, well written and informative. Thanks for posting.