Saving on Groceries: Freeze Dairy Products

Learn a simple way to save on your grocery bill.

Save Money On Groceries!

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Today’s Tip: Save money on groceries by freezing dairy products.

Did you know that you can freeze many dairy products? This means you can purchase extra when you find a good deal and store it in the freezer for later use. Most frozen dairy products should be used within three to six months.

Dairy Products That Freeze Well

Freezing dairy products sounds great, but you should be aware that some dairy products freeze better than others.

Milk

I freeze milk because it’s cheaper to purchase it by the gallon, but we don’t use the entire gallon before it goes bad.

I pour part of the milk from the gallon container into a plastic shaker bottle leaving room for the liquid to expand, then I freeze it upright. Once frozen the container of milk can be stored on its side.

To thaw, I set the milk on the counter to thaw at room temperature for an hour then move it to the fridge to finish the process (usually a few hours). Once completely thawed, shake the milk to reconstitute the fat and water content.

You can also freeze milk in the gallon jug if you pour about a cup out first to allow room for expansion.

By the way, non-dairy “milk” such as oat milk, nut milks and soy milks do not freeze well, but check with the individual processor for their recommendations.

Cheese

I purchase large bags of grated cheese which are cheaper per pound than smaller bags where I normally shop, then I separate them into quart-sized freezer bags and freeze them flat on a cookie sheet or cutting board.

This enables me to keep a smaller amount of cheese in the fridge so we’re able to use it all before it gets moldy.

Note: Block cheese does not freeze well as it becomes dry and crumbly.

Butter

Place the entire package of butter (real butter not margarine) in the freezer and grab a stick or two as you need them. Thaw them in the fridge for about 24 hours.. I move the entire box to the fridge once we’re down to our last stick.

This is an especially great strategy to take advantage of holiday sales on butter.

Eggs

I know eggs aren’t technically dairy products, but they are usually in the same section in the grocery store. And if you have eggs close to their expiration date and don’t want to boil them, freezing them is a great way to preserve them.

How to freeze eggs step-by-step:

Lightly beat eggs to combine yolk and white. Don’t over beat.
Lightly spray ice cube tray compartments with non-stick spray or coat lightly with oil.
Pour eggs mixture into compartments allowing a little room at the top for expansion.
Freeze for 3-4 hours.
Pop frozen egg cubes into a plastic zipper freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Frozen eggs once thawed can be scrambled or used in baked goods.

Dairy Products That Do Not Freeze Well

Cultured, soured dairy products lose their smooth texture when frozen and develop a grainy texture. They can still be used for cooking, but I prefer not to freeze these products:

Sour Cream
Plain Yogurt*
Buttermilk
Whipping Cream
Cream Cheese

You can freeze these products, but again, the fat separates and does not reconstitute once thawed leaving a grainy texture.

*Flavored yogurt in tubes seems to freeze well without developing the texture issues associated with plain yogurt.

Being intentional about freezing your dairy products before they go bad can save you lots of money on your grocery bill.

Do you have any special recipes or tips for freezing dairy products? Leave a comment below to share with us.

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