How Long Is Evaporated Milk Good For After It's Been Opened?

Ingredients that spend most of their time languishing in your pantry before use are generally assumed to be longer-lasting than refrigerated items. While this is typically true, some products need to be scrutinized more than others — especially after they have been opened. Just as tahini's shelf life decreases once it is opened, how long a pantry staple like evaporated milk stays good after opening is quite different than how long it will last untouched.

Before it gets used in a rich dessert recipe or a creamy version of Guy Fieri's must-have Thanksgiving casserole, evaporated milk can sit in the pantry for 12 to 18 months. However, once that seal has been cracked, the shelf life drops dramatically. Even if you follow the appropriate steps of sealing it and putting it in the fridge, evaporated milk only lasts for three to five days after exposure to open air.

That doesn't give you much time to use up this versatile ingredient. So, before it gets opened, consider how much your recipe calls for and think about how to use the rest within a couple of days. A wealth of sweet and savory fare can benefit from this pantry staple, including cakes, pies, mac-n-cheese, and clam chowder that can put evaporated milk like the classic Carnation brand to good use. However, after the seal is broken, you will want to put one of these dishes together fast before you notice any signs your dairy product has gone south.

Because evaporated milk is unsweetened (unlike its condensed milk counterpart) it doesn't have the benefit of sugars keeping bacteria at bay and will spoil quickly after it has been opened. Thankfully, this neutral quality gives it more versatility when coming up with uses for leftover evaporated milk. Just double-check that it is still good if it's been five days since it was first opened.

When evaporated milk starts to turn, the first thing you will probably notice is a sour smell emanating from its container. That may be accompanied by the product congealing and a slight discoloration. The dead giveaway that evaporated milk is past its prime is a sour taste. While it isn't likely to make you incredibly ill, it can upset your stomach, and the spoiled taste certainly won't be a welcome element in your dish.

If you don't think you can finish it off before its short three to five-day window, the freezer is always an option to extend its serviceability. Just like when freezing opened tomato sauce to extend its shelf life, it is crucial to empty the contents into a freezer-safe storage container so the can doesn't expand in the icebox and the product doesn't take on the taste of metal. Evaporated milk will last in the freezer for about three to four months, which should give you ample time to conjure up another recipe to utilize it.