Oat milk is taking the plant-based milk world by storm and is becoming widely available at coffee shops as a cow’s milk alternative. When does oat milk go bad, though?
Sealed oat milk won’t go bad until a couple of weeks or months past its best-by date depending on whether it’s refrigerated or shelf-stable. Once opened, oat milk will stay good for around 7-10 days. You can also freeze oat milk for up to three months if you don’t plan on using it any time soon.
What’s the best way to store oat milk so it doesn’t go bad prematurely? Find out next!
What is oat milk?
Oat milk is quickly rising in popularity among non-dairy, plant-based milk alternatives. How is it made, though?Â
Oat milk is made by soaking oats in water, blending the mixture, and straining the solids from the liquid. Some of the benefits of oat milk are that it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and is higher in fiber than many plant-based milk alternatives with around two grams of fiber per cup.
What is the shelf life of oat milk?
Like many other plant-based milks, oat milk comes in two forms: perishable (refrigerated) and shelf-stable. Shelf-stable oat milk is ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk, which means it’s been heated to higher temperatures than regular pasteurized milk. Heating it at higher temperatures allows shelf-stable oat milk to be safely stored at room temperature until it’s opened.
If you buy oat milk in the refrigerated section, then it’s considered perishable (not shelf-stable) and needs to stay in the fridge at all times. Refrigerated oat milk still has a long shelf life (a couple of months) compared to regular cow’s milk, but not as long as shelf-stable oat milk.
Once you open oat milk, it has to stay in the refrigerator and it’s best to use it within 7-10 days. Oat milk won’t necessarily go bad after 10 days, but most manufacturers suggest using it within this timeframe to ensure it has the best taste and quality.
Oat milk shelf life summary
| Room temperature | Refrigerator (sealed) | Refrigerator – opened | Frozen | |
| Refrigerated oat milk | N/A | Until the best-by date (it’s likely okay to use it for a couple of weeks past the best-by date if it’s been sealed) | 7-10 days (if not past its best-by date) | Up to 3 months |
| Shelf-stable oat milk | Until the best-by date (likely okay to use around 1-2 weeks past this date barring signs of spoilage) | ~1-2 months past the printed best-by date | 7-10 days | Up to 3 months |
How long does oat milk go bad after opening?
After you open oat milk, plan to use it within 7-10 days for ideal freshness. This is true regardless of whether it’s shelf-stable or the refrigerated version!
Can you use oat milk after its expiration date?
If the best-by date has come and the oat milk is still sealed, it’s likely fine to use for a week or two longer. If it’s been open for several weeks and the best-by date comes and goes, then you should replace the oat milk with a fresh carton.
How to tell if oat milk went bad
Color: Oat milk is typically white or beige. If it develops a yellow hue, then it’s time to toss it.
Consistency: Oat milk should be creamy in consistency. If it develops lumps or grittiness even after shaking it, then it might be going bad.
Smell: If oat milk smells sour or just plain bad when you give it a whiff, then toss it!
Taste: Oat milk should have a pleasant, neutral taste or even slightly sweet depending on the type. If it tastes bitter, sour, or otherwise unpleasant, then it’s likely spoiled.
What’s the danger in using oat milk after it’s gone bad?
Drinking a small amount of spoiled oat milk isn’t likely to cause any issues. If you happen to drink a significant amount before realizing it’s past its prime, then you might be dealing with stomach upset for a day or two.
Best storage practices for oat milk
- Always keep refrigerated (not shelf-stable) oat milk in the fridge, even if you haven’t opened it yet.
- Store oat milk in a tightly sealed container in the fridge, ideally between 33-38 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store shelf-stable oat milk below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (ideally room temperature). Long-term storage of shelf-stable oat milk at high temperatures shortens its shelf life.
- Shake oat milk before using it (some separation can occur in both refrigerated and shelf-stable versions) for the smoothest consistency.
- After opening shelf-stable oat milk, store it in the fridge until it’s used up.
- If you choose to freeze oat milk, know that its texture will be grainy after you thaw it. It’s fine to use thawed oat milk, but it’s not ideal for drinking straight. Instead, use thawed oat milk in recipes or smoothies where you aren’t likely to notice the texture.
FAQs:
Oat milk should be refrigerated (unless it’s a sealed shelf-stable carton) to keep it fresh and preserve its nutrients. Failing to refrigerate oat milk can cause it to take on an unpleasant taste and consistency.
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