Soy milk is a protein-rich plant-based milk alternative that’s been around for a while now! When does it go bad, though?
It’s ideal to drink soy milk before its best-by date and within 7-10 days after opening it. When it’s sealed, it’s not likely to go bad until around a week past its best-by date. Shelf-stable soy milk will last months at room temperature, but once opened it needs to be used within 7-10 days. You can also freeze soy milk for up to three months.
Just how long has soy milk been around? We have the answer to that question and more next!
What is soy milk?
Soy milk is a non-dairy milk alternative made by soaking and blending soybeans with water. If whole soybeans aren’t used, full-fat soy flakes, grits, or flour can be used.
Soy milk is one of the original plant-based milks. It came along before the countless other plant-based milks like almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk, with the first commercial version coming to the United States in the early 1900s!
One of the benefits of soy milk over other plant-based milk alternatives is that it’s naturally rich in protein, similar to cow’s milk.
You can find soy milk without added sugar (unsweetened) or sweetened/flavored, with vanilla being the most popular flavor. Chocolate versions of soy milk exist as well.
What is the shelf life of soy milk?
The shelf life of soy milk depends on the type of packaging it’s in – perishable/refrigerated or shelf-stable/UHT milk.
Refrigerated soy milk will last around one week past its best-by date when it’s sealed.
Once you open soy milk, plan to use it within 7-10 days (ideally), though it’ll likely last longer than that.
Shelf-stable soy milk lasts for months at room temperature, but once opened it needs to be used within 7-10 days and kept in the fridge.
Soy milk shelf life summary
| Room temperature | Refrigerator (sealed) | Refrigerator – opened | Frozen | |
| Refrigerated soy milk | N/A | Until the best-by date (likely okay for a couple of weeks past the best-by date) | 7-10 days (if not past its best-by date) | Up to three months |
| Shelf-stable soy milk | Until best-by date (likely okay to use 1-2 weeks past this date) | Likely 1-2 months past the printed best-by date | 7-10 days | Up to three months |
How long does soy milk go bad after opening?
After you open soy milk, plan to use it within 7-10 days for ideal freshness (though many people use it for longer than this).
Can you use soy milk after its expiration date?
If the soy milk has been sealed, you can usually use it for a bit after its expiration date. However, if it’s been open for many weeks and it hits its best-by date, it’s probably in your best interest to throw it out and replace it with a fresher container.
How to tell if soy milk went bad
Color: Soy milk is usually off-white in color (less white than regular milk). If the color changes from its original hue, it can be a sign that it’s gone bad.
Consistency: Soy milk is creamy and pourable, similar to regular milk. If it develops clumps, grittiness, or another consistency other than smooth and liquid, then it can be a sign of spoilage. (Soy milk might need to be shaken a bit before use since there can be some normal separation.)
Smell: If soy milk smells sour or just “off”, toss it – fresh soy milk has a neutral or pleasant scent.
Taste: Soy milk shouldn’t taste sour or bitter. If it does, it’s a sign it’s gone bad.
What’s the danger in using soy milk after it’s gone bad?
Drinking a small amount of soy milk after it’s gone bad isn’t likely to cause any issues. If you drink a large amount of spoiled soy milk, you might experience symptoms similar to food poisoning, but it should resolve within a day or so (but always contact your healthcare provider if you need to).
Best storage practices for soy milk
- Always keep refrigerated soy milk in the fridge, even when it’s sealed.
- Store soy milk in a tightly sealed container in the back of the fridge where it’s the coldest. This can help it stay fresher longer!
- For shelf-stable soy milk, be sure to store it in temperatures below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing it at high temperatures for prolonged periods reduces its shelf life.
- Shake soy milk before using it, since some settling and separation can occur when it’s been sitting.
- Once you open shelf-stable soy milk, treat it like refrigerated soy milk and keep it chilled.
FAQs:
Refrigerated soy milk is likely fine to drink a few days past its expiration date if it’s been sealed (barring any signs of spoilage). Shelf-stable soy milk is even more likely to be fine to drink past its expiration date since it’s treated at higher temperatures to make it less resistant to spoiling.
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