That dreaded moment when you go to the fridge and the milk has expired….
Whatever you do, do not throw it away – it still has plenty of use if you know what to do with it!
How expired, is too expired? Open milk normally expires around 3 days after the written expiration date, and closed milk can normally even go 7 days before it turns sour! If your milk smells unpleasant it can be used, if it tastes acidic or sour, or has lumps, rather don’t use it for consumption.
Instead of pouring it down the drain, check out these amazing uses for expired milk:
1. Marinating meat: Expired milk can tenderise and flavour meat. Create a marinade by mixing expired milk with herbs, spices, and a bit of acid like lemon juice or vinegar. Let the meat soak in the mixture for a few hours or refrigerate overnight. The milk’s enzymes can help break down proteins, resulting in a tender and flavourful dish.
2. Making cheese: You can use expired milk to make certain types of cheese, such as paneer or cottage cheese. Heat the expired milk gently, then add in acid like lemon juice or vinegar to separate the curds from the whey. Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth to separate the curds, then press and shape these curds into cheese.
3. Homemade yoghurt: Expired milk can be used to make homemade yoghurt. Heat the milk to 82˚C to kill off any harmful bacteria, then cool to around 43˚C. Mix in a small amount of plain yoghurt with live cultures as a starter, then let the mixture ferment at a warm temperature for several hours until it thickens into yoghurt.
4. Conditioning leather: Use expired milk to condition and clean leather items like shoes, bags or even furniture. Dampen a soft cloth with expired milk and gently rub it onto the leather surface. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then wipe off the excess milk with a clean cloth. The milk will help moisturize and soften the leather, restoring its appearance and extending its lifespan.
5. Creating natural fertiliser: Diluted expired milk can be used as a natural fertiliser for plants, particularly those that prefer acidic soil such as roses, azaleas and rhododendrons. Mix one part of expired milk with two parts of water and use it to water your plants. The milk’s nutrients can enrich the soil and promote healthy plant growth. Just be sure not to overdo it, as too much milk can attract pests and cause unpleasant odours. A good rule of thumb is for each plant, only use enough of the milk and water mixture to moisten the soil around the roots.
Milk has many uses and comes in handy for many different aspects of our lives, even when it is past its expiry date!
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