Buttermilk freezes surprisingly well, and you can store it in the freezer and use it later in many recipes without wasting a drop. In the freezer, buttermilk can last about 3 to 6 months if you store it in an airtight container or freezer bag and leave some space for it to expand as it freezes.
When you are ready to use it, remember to thaw it in the refrigerator and shake or stir well before incorporating it into your baking or cooking.
But freezing your buttermilk might not always be the best option.
Buttermilk tends to lose its texture when it is frozen for long. So, in some cases, it might be better to store it in the fridge.
Here’s what we are breaking down:
- Can you freeze your buttermilk?
- When should you freeze your buttermilk?
- How do you freeze your buttermilk for best results?
- What about buttermilk products ( buttermilk pie, biscuits, and pancake batter)?
- What you can make with fresh or frozen buttermilk
- What if you have a lot of buttermilk to freeze?
Can You Freeze Buttermilk?
The answer is yes! You can freeze buttermilk for up to 3-4 months. To keep its tangy flavor and usefulness in cooking and baking, store it in an airtight container or freezer bag and leave some space for it to expand as it freezes.
- The texture may change slightly once thawed, so give it a good shake or whisk and it’s ready to use.
- Buttermilk will not have ideal drinking quality, but it will be safe to consume after freezing, whether for drinking or cooking.
Should you freeze buttermilk in the carton?
It’s not recommended to freeze buttermilk directly in the carton.
- Liquid expands when frozen, so the carton may split or leak.
- Always transfer the buttermilk to a freezer-safe container first.
When Should You Freeze Your Buttermilk?
When you freeze buttermilk, it loses its texture: the homogenization it has undergone becomes undone during freezing, which causes it to separate during thawing.
- If you want to drink the buttermilk after freezing, for example, you must shake it up every time, and you still might notice the separation even after shaking.
- If you plan to cook with frozen buttermilk (by making pancakes or waffles, say), then this separation will not be noticeable, it will be fine for cooking.
In the short term, it is better to store your buttermilk in the refrigerator
If you intend to use your buttermilk within 2-3 weeks, it is better to store it in the fridge. When stored in the fridge, buttermilk might get a bit sourer and thicker with time, but it’ll last weeks without losing texture or quality.
- Unopened buttermilk typically lasts 2-3 weeks past the sell-by date if stored properly.
- Opened buttermilk is best used within 1-2 weeks after opening.
How to Freeze Buttermilk: Step-by-Step
Here’s a step-by-step process for freezing your buttermilk in a way that is best for later cooking.
- Portion the buttermilk: Use ice cube trays, silicone molds, freezer-safe bags, or airtight containers, and measure out portions like 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup so it’s easy to grab what you need later.
- Label and date the container or bag.
- Freeze flat if using bags—it saves space.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.
Pro Tip
Always give it a sniff and check the texture. Buttermilk naturally smells tangy but should never smell sour or spoiled.
Freezing Buttermilk-Based Foods
You can absolutely freeze buttermilk-based foods like buttermilk pie, buttermilk biscuits, and even buttermilk pancake batter. Follow these instructions
1. Buttermilk Pie
- Bake and cool completely.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap + aluminum foil.
- Freeze whole or in slices for 2-3 months.
- Thaw in the fridge and warm up if desired.
2. Buttermilk Biscuits
You can either freeze buttermilk biscuits before baking or after baking:
Before baking:
- Shape biscuits, flash freeze them on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag.
- Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
After baking:
- Cool completely.
- Wrap and freeze.
- Reheat in the oven.
3. Buttermilk Pancake Batter
- Portion batter into freezer bags or containers.
- Freeze for 1-2 months.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before cooking.
What Can You Make with Frozen Buttermilk?
Once thawed, frozen buttermilk works perfectly in:
- Baking (cakes, muffins, biscuits, pancakes)
- Marinades (fried chicken!)
- Sauces, gravies, and dressings
While it may not be ideal for drinking straight due to slight separation, it’s fantastic in all your favorite recipes.
What Can You Make with Buttermilk?
Here are some popular Buttermilk Recipes that are easy to make:
✅Buttermilk ✅Pancakes & Waffles ✅Buttermilk
✅Biscuits ✅Cornbread ✅Red Velvet Cake
✅Lemon Cake ✅Muffins ✅ Buttermilk Pie
✅Fried Chicken (as a marinade) ✅Ranch Dressing
✅Mashed Potatoes ✅Coleslaw ✅Creamy Gravies
✅Quick Breads (banana bread, zucchini bread)
How Much Buttermilk Are You Freezing?
For a small kitchen, you can rely on traditional refrigerators to freeze your buttermilk. But not every kind of refrigerator is capable of freezing large amounts of buttermilk.
To freeze your buttermilk for commercial use, you need a commercial refrigerator with enough capacity that is capable of sustaining the ideal temperature for buttermilk to freeze consistently and thoroughly.
This is where Wilprep’s Kitchen comes in
Wilprep’s commercial refrigerators are specially designed to handle large amounts of fragile and volatile products like buttermilk while handling the heavy and frequent demands of a commercial kitchen.
Wilprep’s solid door refrigerators are capable of sustaining a temperature range of -11 to 14°F, letting you properly store meat, seafood, desserts, and more frozen foods for your business.
This commercial Solid Door Reach-In Freezer is made primarily for commercial kitchens and large private kitchens.
To display your cheesecakes, you can look through these display refrigerators and open-air merchandisers.
Whether you're making fluffy pancakes, crispy fried chicken, or a rich buttermilk pie, frozen buttermilk will get the job done.
