Shelf Life Tips
- How long does a can of coconut milk last once opened? The precise answer depends to a large extent on storage conditions - keep opened coconut milk refrigerated and tightly covered.
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To maximize the shelf life of canned coconut milk after opening, covered opened can tightly with a plastic wrap or lid, or with aluminum foil.
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How long does opened canned coconut milk last in the refrigerator? Coconut milk that has been continuously refrigerated will keep for about 4 to 6 days.
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Is canned coconut milk safe to use after the "expiration" date on the package? Yes, provided it has been stored properly, the can or package is undamaged, and there are no signs of spoilage (see below) - commercially canned coconut milk will typically carry a "Best By," "Best if Used By," "Best Before", or "Best When Used By" date but this is not a safety date, it is the manufacturer's estimate of how long the coconut milk will remain at peak quality.
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Can you freeze coconut milk? Yes - coconut milk will often become separated when frozen, but it is usually acceptable for cooking and baking purposes when reblended.
- Freeze coconut milk in an airtight container and leave at least 1/2 inch headspace at the top, as coconut milk will expand when frozen.
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Thaw frozen coconut milk in the refrigerator and shake or whisk vigorously (or use a blender) to thoroughly blend the milk before using.
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How long does coconut milk last in the freezer? Properly stored, it will maintain best quality for about 3 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only – coconut milk that has been kept constantly frozen at 0° F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How can you tell if canned coconut milk is bad or spoiled? The best way is to smell and look at the canned coconut milk: if the canned coconut milk develops an off odor, flavor or appearance, it should be discarded.
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Discard all canned coconut milk from cans that are leaking, rusting, bulging or severely dented.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
