If you are someone who cannot have dairy milk, plant-based soy milk can be a great option to use as an alternative. But what happens if you have too much soy milk on hand? Can you freeze soy milk?
Today we will look at whether or not you can freeze soy milk and how you should do it to maintain its integrity when you thaw it out.
What is Soy Milk?
So what exactly is soy milk? For some people who have a dietary intolerance to cow’s milk, a plant-based milk like soy milk can be a good alternative. The health benefits of soy milk differ from cow’s milk as well. Because soy milk is plant-based, it has fewer calories than cow’s milk and rice milk but double the amount found in almond milk and coconut milk.
An advantage of soy milk is that it has a lot less sugar with only 1 gram of sugar per 8 fluid ounces. You still get the fat benefit of 4 grams of fat per 8 fluid ounces and 7 grams of protein per 8 fluid ounces.
Because soy milk is such an appealing option for some individuals, you may find yourself in a situation where you have an abundance of soy milk on hand and no clue what to do with it. This leads many to wonder whether soy milk can be frozen. The short answer is yes, but there are some stipulations. Let’s take a look at what some of those stipulations are.
Can You Freeze Soy Milk?
If you have no other alternative for your soy milk and you do not want to throw it out, you can freeze it and store it away for later use. However, you have to do it properly by considering the following factors.
Changes in Texture and Taste After Freezing
When it comes to fresh soy milk, The taste and texture is very creamy and smooth. This texture that so many soy milk drinkers love gets lost during the freezing process. This is because when it is frozen, the components that make up soy milk come apart during the separation process. Also, this separation can change the way that soy milk looks. The appearance itself can make soy milk unappetizing once it has thawed.
Freezing soy milk can also change the way that the milk tastes. During the freezing process, the ingredients’ separation will alter the flavor and the aftertaste of thawed soy milk. Not only that but if you do not store your soy milk properly during the freezing process, other food odors from your fridge can be absorbed into the frozen soy milk and change the taste of it as well.
How Long Can Soy Milk Be Frozen For?
How to Freeze Soy Milk
Follow these simple steps to freeze your soy milk properly.
Step 1: Use the Right Container
When freezing soya milk, you want to use a container with an airtight seal on the lid. This will keep odors in the fridge from seeping into your container and getting absorbed into the soy milk.
If you are going to be using a freezer bag, make sure the freezer bag has an airtight seal as well in order to avoid both order absorption and leaking.
Step 2: Fill in the Appropriate Amount
When you are storing your soy milk, you want to make sure that you portion out your soy milk properly. Try to create portions that allow you to defrost the soy milk and use it easily. You can freeze soy milk in quantities of cups and pints.
Once you have decided on the quantity you want, make sure your container has enough room for expansion. Because your soy milk contains water, it will expand as it freezes. If you do not leave enough room for expansion, your container can break and destroy your frozen soy milk or cause a leak in your freezer.
Step 3: Label Your Soy Milk Before Freezing It
Labeling your soy milk is essential so that you can keep up with the expiration date. When labeling, you can either write down the day you are freezing the soy milk or calculate three months ahead of that date and write down the three-month expiration date. This will help you remember when you froze your soy milk and when you should consume it.
Step 4: Thaw Your Soy Milk Properly
If you are getting ready to consume frozen soy milk, you want it to thaw it properly. Never let your soy milk thaw on a counter as this will spoil it. Instead, transfer your frozen soy milk from the freezer into the refrigerator. Allow it to thaw in the fridge for several hours. Once it has thawed, stir it well to bring back the soy milk’s original consistency and texture.
How to Use Frozen Soy Milk
Final Thoughts on Freezing Soy Milk
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you have had too much soy milk on your hands? What was your remedy for storing it?
Let us know in the comments section below what worked for you and what did not work in the freezing process. We hope our handy guide has been helpful to you in understanding how to freeze soy milk.
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