Food storage
How long does milk last?
Opened milk keeps about 4–7 days in the fridge. Unopened, go by the use-by date on the bottle — and you can freeze milk for around a month.
| Milk | Unopened (fridge) | Opened (fridge) | Freezer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh cow’s milk | To use-by date | 4–7 days | ~1 month |
| Plant milk (oat, almond) | To date | 7–10 days | Not ideal |
| UHT (once opened) | — | 4–7 days | ~1 month |
How to make milk last longer
Store it on a shelf near the back — the coldest part — not in the door, where it’s warmest and the temperature swings every time you open the fridge. Keep the lid on tight and put it straight back after use.
How to tell if milk has gone off
- Sour or off smell the moment you open it
- Lumps, curdling or a thick, slimy texture
- A slightly yellow tinge
“Use by” is a safety date — if it smells sour, don’t risk it.
Use it up before it turns
Close to the date? Use it in porridge, pancakes, a white sauce, or a smoothie — or freeze it. Not sure what to make? Ask What’s in my Fridge and it’ll suggest dinners from what you’ve got. See also: the full fridge storage chart.
Stop losing food to the back of the fridge
Snap your shopping and What’s in my Fridge logs it, tracks freshness, and nudges you to use things before they go off.
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