How long buttermilk good after opening

The lactic acid gives buttermilk its tangy flavor and also acts to keep any other bacteria and molds from multiplying. The probiotic bacteria also produce diacetyl, which gives it a buttery flavor. Buttermilk continues to ferment throughout its time in your refrigerator, losing the buttery flavor while the lactic acid continues to be produced, making it sour. Keep buttermilk refrigerated and don't let it sit out at room temperature. An unopened carton will last longer than an opened carton.

Use good hygiene when you open the carton and pour from it—keep your fingers away from the lip of the carton, and never drink straight from the carton. Those are habits that can introduce bacteria, yeast, and mold to the buttermilk.

You can freeze buttermilk if you want to use it in baking. Freezing it will alter the consistency and cause it to clump and separate, so you won't want to use frozen buttermilk for drinking or uncooked recipes. It will still have its acid content which is what is desired for baking, as it helps the baked products rise.

You can also use it for tenderizing meat. If you are tired of having your buttermilk go bad before you're done using it, switch to powdered buttermilk.

It has a very long shelf life at room temperature. You can make just what you need, so there's never any waste. If you have some buttermilk sitting in the fridge, how do you tell if it has gone bad? There are a few ways to tell if buttermilk has gone bad.

You can smell the buttermilk, observe the texture, have a taste, or check the expiration date. If anything seems off, there is a good chance that the buttermilk has spoiled and should be thrown away. It can be tricky to tell if buttermilk is bad, especially if you are not used to using it at home, as it has a very different texture to milk and has a tangier smell as well, which many of us associate with off milk.

Below is everything you need to know on how to tell if buttermilk is bad, why buttermilk might go bad, and how to extend its shelf life. There are a few signs to look for to see if buttermilk is off or not, so if you are not completely sure whether it is off or not, you can check for other signs to make a decision.

Using the different senses, here are a few signs to look for to tell is the buttermilk has spoiled. Buttermilk does have a slightly tangier smell than normal milk or other dairy products, but the smell does tend to become sourer as the product spoils. There is a period of the buttermilk storage where it can be difficult to detect a particularly sour smell, but if it has gone properly sour, you will be able to detect it straight away.

Remember that a closed carton of buttermilk will have a stronger smell, as the odor has not had a chance to escape, so take that into account when smelling a newly opened buttermilk. You can tell whether or not buttermilk has gone off by simply looking at it. When it spoils, buttermilk can have slight discoloration. Buttermilk which is well past its expiry date might even have mold growing on the surface and around the lid.

This is due to increased bacterial growth, and if there is any mold present in the buttermilk or on the container, you should just discard it straight away, it is not worth any foodborne illnesses that come with drinking bacteria-ridden buttermilk. When it begins to turn bad, buttermilk develops a thick, clumpy texture.

It will be difficult to pour and there will be large clots. There is no way to salvage buttermilk that has turned lumpy, as there is a good chance that it is spoiled.

Take note that buttermilk does naturally have a small number of lumps, but this should not interfere with the way the buttermilk has been poured and the little clumps should break up when it is whisked and mixed in with other ingredients.

A commercial buttermilk packing is also stored for 6 months if unopened. After opening for drinking or cooking use, then it should be refrigerated at a cool level for next 3 days. Always check the lip of the carton which you opened recently for mold formation. By the way, buttermilk is a spoiled product already. So, you may not be able to figure out by tasting its ferment taste. It is better to check the container inside and its opening for molds. If any suspicious mold formation found then discard immediately.

Depending upon the storage method, a buttermilk carton can last in a fridge for at least a month and could last for 1 or 2 weeks if opened.

In case you want to elevate the shelf life of the buttermilk in the fridge, then you should thaw the carton and then freeze it for maximum 3 months. However, the quality of the buttermilk may deprive a little than the fresh one after freezing.

Commonly, homemade buttermilk should be kept in the fridge only for 2 or 3 days. It should be kept in an airtight container so that air could not pass it and bacteria formation can refrain. There are no artificial preservatives added in the homemade buttermilk because of which natural lactic acid may accumulate the formation of bacteria in speed. Buttermilk which is found watery and consistency of the butter is not smooth or thick as it was when opened for the first time, then it may be spoiled in the fridge and should be discarded immediately because a spoiled buttermilk may lead to a stomach infection.

A week after refrigeration, you should take a sip of the buttermilk. Before that, transfer the content into a transparent glass to see the color of the buttermilk. If it is still slightly creamy and off-white in color then take a sip. If the color of the buttermilk turns pale yellow and water that has come up is not mixing with the buttery content, then you must discard.

Buttermilk is sure in taste already and has an acidic reaction. It is widely used in making baked food items as well as used for drinking purposes. Buttermilk is the product which contains acidic sour taste and helps in digesting food properly. Tip The fewer temperature fluctuations, the better for your buttermilk. Pouring buttermilk into a glass jug.

Frozen buttermilk cubes. Tip If cubes are too small for freezing, use a muffin tin instead. Warning Every now and then your buttermilk will go bad much sooner than it should , even before the date on the label.

Pile of pancakes made with buttermilk. Buttermilk in jug top down view. Buttermilk in a plastic container. Pouring buttermilk into an ice cube tray. Is Buttermilk Supposed to Be Chunky? About The Author. After writing more than articles on food storage, shelf life, and spoilage, he's learned a thing or two on the topic.