From baking to cheese making, there are many ways to use your milk a few days past its expiration date, as long as it’s still in a good shape. Expired milk doesn’t necessarily equate to spoiled, and there are a few ways to determine if it’s safe to use or better thrown away.
Check the Date
Like most products, milk usually has “best if used by” date on its packaging. It’s at its peak quality by this day, but it can be used a few days afterward. Research has shown that unopened milk can stay good for 5–7 days past its listed date, while you usually shouldn’t use it for longer than 2-3 days past this date if it’s been open.
Taste and Texture
If you forget to check the date on your milk, its taste and texture will quickly help you realize it’s been spoiled. Its natural sweetness will be replaced by an acidic or sour flavor, and it will most likely develop a slimy, chunky texture.
Strong Odor
If the expiration date doesn’t help you determine if your milk is good to use, its smell certainly will. Spoiled milk tends to develop an unpleasant, rancid odor, and it’s best thrown away once this happens.