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Does Condensed Milk Go Bad? How Long Does It Stay Good?

You’ve stocked up on too many cans of condensed milk in the past. You made that conclusion when you found one in your pantry. Should you still use it to make that great tiramisu for dessert? Does condensed milk go bad?

There are a lot of ways to use condensed milk, but you need to be sure you can prepare the dessert without worrying too much. Milk is mostly dairy-based and thus very delicate and perishable.

Luckily, since condensed milk is canned and made to last long, it’s very unlikely that you won’t have to worry a lot.

In this article, we will cover all you need to know about condensed milk: its shelf life, how to store it, and spoilage.

Enjoy the read!

How Long Can Condensed Milk Last

Condensed milk is sweetened milk and the opposite of evaporated milk, which is the unsweetened variant.

As always, we will provide a short table for condensed milk:

Condensed MilkPantryRefrigerator
UnopenedBest-by date + up to 2 years
Opened/Up to 2 weeks (14 days)
Homemade/Up to 1 week (7 days)
Indicative timetable for how long condensed milk can last. Always check for spoilage signs.

As you can see, canned products like condensed milk last very long.

A first indication of the quality is the best-by date on the can. This gives you an idea of when the condensed milk will be great in taste and fresh. They will last for quite some time after the expiration date.

Unopened Condensed Milk

An unopened can of condensed milk will have a decent quality for up to 2 years past the printed date on the can. If you store it well, it will last for a longer time.

Of course the longer it’s behind the expiration date, the less likely it will be great in taste and good in texture. Don’t let it come that period of time, try and manage your inventory and use it before the expiration date if possible.

From the moment you open the can, things change drastically.

Opened Condensed Milk

When the can is opened, it will be more vulnerable and perishable because of the external threats out there.

When opened, it will last for up to 2 weeks (14 days) in the fridge when stored correctly. You should transfer it to an airtight container if you have some leftovers.

We advise you to consume and use it in the first 5 days after opening, this way you’ll likely enjoy great quality.

Homemade Condensed Milk

When it comes to homemade condensed milk, it will stay good for about 1 week (7 days). Of course, this is when it’s stored directly in an airtight container, sealed tight, and placed in the fridge.

Of course, the above periods are if everything is stored properly.

How To Store Condensed Milk

Storing condensed milk is much like you store any canned food.

The important thing when it comes to storing canned foods is to store them in a dark and cool place and protect it from external threats like air, heat sources, direct sunlight, bacteria, and so on. A pantry is thus a great place for this.

When it comes to canned goods, you don’t want to have rust, so try to prevent moisture from developing in the pantry where the canned goods are stored.

You can also use the healthy habit of storing the can directly in your fridge, but do this as there is some place left as we use it for a lot of foods and drinks.

We will talk about unopened condensed milk and opened condensed milk, just like in the previous chapter.

Unopened Condensed Milk

You can store it perfectly fine in the pantry or another place that is dark and cool. The important thing is that it’s safe from external threats like heat, direct sunlight, air, moisture, and so on.

You can of course place it directly in the fridge.

Openend Condensed Milk

Once you open the can, things change rapidly when it comes to the condensed milk. The external threats are more direct and require action on your part.

Always refrigerate from the moment you’ve opened it and seal it very tight. Transferring everything to an airtight container will usually do the trick.

You can also try to let everything sit in the can and wrap a plastic bag around it and seal it thoroughly.

We at GoodOrGoneBad always prefer to transfer everything in an airtight container. Pretty easy and convenient.

If you’ve stocked up on too much condensed milk or don’t know what to do with it, you can always opt for freezing them.

Homemade Condensed Milk

For those who made condensed milk at home, there is no doubt: always store it in the fridge.

Try to use it within the first 2 days if possible. Don’t take any risks.

If you have still too much condensed milk, you can also go and freeze the rest of it.

Can You Freeze Condensed Milk

Yes, you can freeze condensed milk, just like any drink or food out there. It is not different from freezing evaporated milk, almond milk…

We always say on GoodOrGoneBad, that you should overthink this because freezing als means thawing and this can have some consequences on your condensed milk. Milk and other dairy-based products tend to separate after they’ve thawed.

Always use these guidelines when freezing your sweet condensed milk:

  • Divide into smaller portions, but should usually be ok if it’s 1 can
  • Make sure everything is sealed tight, this means that to transfer everything in an airtight container or put it into a freezer bag, or 2 plastic bags (double-bagging them).
  • Always write down the date and time of freezing the condensed milk.
  • Place into the freezer and close the freezer

Freezing condensed milk can make it last for up to 6 months.

Freezing for a longer period than 6 months isn’t exactly freezing with a plan. Always make sure you have a plan for the products in your freezer so you can get the most out of them. Always judge whether you should freeze your condensed milk or not as this can come with a quality loss.

After it the condensed milk has been thawed, you should check for signs of spoilage before you do anything else with it.

How Can You Tell If Condensed Milk Has Gone Bad

When it comes to detecting spoilage, things aren’t that hard. There’s always a very structured approach you can apply when doing this.

Combine this with the knowledge that condensed milk is a dairy product and you’ll know that you must be extra careful.

Always use your senses as eating and drinking start with looking, smelling…

Look for the following signs:

  1. When still unopened: does the can have holes, rust, or expanded, throw it away immediately. This means the bacteria already have done a great job.
  2. When opening the can, does it make a sound? This can also be an indication that something isn’t right. Discard it.
  3. Does the condensed milk have another color? Condensed milk looks yellow and should look like that only. Don’t doubt when you see some spots that have a color different from yellow. Discard it immediately. Be cautious of mold.
  4. Does the condensed milk have a weird or sour smell? If you smell something funny or unpleasant, discard it straight away.
  5. Does the milk have a more slimy texture? This can be a sign of spoilage. Discard it.
  6. The last and final taste is tasting it. How is the taste? Does it taste odd, off, or sour? Don’t taste it further and rinse your mouth with water.

When you’re using condensed milk, always know that you have some layer on top of it. This can be perfectly normal because of the separation process. You can stir it up. Of course, always check with the other tips above, and if something is off, discard it.

We on GoodOrGoneBad always say you don’t have to take unnecessary risks as food poisoning is something you should avoid. While some products can be quite expensive, that cost doesn’t outweigh your well-being and health as a human being. If there’s doubt about drinking condensed milk, just discard it and buy some new condensed milk.

Enjoy your condensed milk!