A common question people who raise goats ask is how long does pasteurized goat milk last in the refrigerator or freezer.
Of course, the answer to this question is not quite as simple as throwing a number out there.
Many factors play into the shelf life of refrigerated foods as well as the shelf life of frozen foods.
Below you will find answers to the question how long does pasteurized goat milk last as well as some information on the best practices for pasteurizing goat milk to get the longest possible shelf life.
Pasteurizing Goat Milk At Home
In a nutshell, pasteurized goat milk can last as little as three days and as long as six months, depending on where you store it and how the milk was handled prior to storing it.
To get the longest shelf life out of pasteurized goat milk, it is important to follow a few basic rules.
These rules also apply to raw goat milk or for that matter any other type of milk that you might have on hand.
- Make sure all the supplies from the stainless steel bucket to the glass containers the goat milk goes into are clean and sterilized. Milk can buildup and that causes your new milk to go bad faster. Milk buildup is known as milk stone.
- Always rinse the milk out the containers it comes into contact with using cold water, then wash the containers and rinse them out with hot water.
- Filter the milk as soon as possible to remove dirt, hair, bugs and flecks of dirt that might get into the milk either while you are milking or while you are in route to your kitchen. This will help keep the milk tasting fresh.
- Chill the milk as soon as possible and keep it between 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. A mini fridge is the best place to keep your milk since the normal temperature in a regular refrigerator is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store the milk in glass jars.
- Sterilize the jars and any other milking equipment twice a month using two tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide by soaking and then load your equipment, including your milk. bucket, into a dishwasher and run it all through one full cycle.
Be sure to check out my blog post on how to pasteurize goat milk at home for more information including the correct temperature for pasteurizing goat milk.
How Long Does Pasteurized Goat Milk Last In The Refrigerator?
In a regular refrigerator, goat milk typically lasts three to five days, but it can last longer depending on the temperature of your refrigerator and of course how the milk was handled during the pasteurization process.
Many people who raise dairy goats have either a dedicated milk refrigerator that they keep colder or they use a mini-fridge, which can hold up to four gallons of milk depending on the size of mini-fridge you have.
The colder the milk stays, the longer it lasts.
For example, pasteurized goat milk kept between 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit typically lasts as long as two weeks.
However, it is not practical to keep a regular refrigerator this cold because it could make your other food, especially fresh food, too cold.
We always use up any goat milk within a three day time frame because in my experience, with an older refrigerator, the goat milk begins to develop an off-taste about the fourth day.
Any excess milk we won’t use up in that time frame automatically goes into half-gallon Ball jars and into the freezer.
How Long Does Pasteurized Goat Milk Last In The Freezer?
Pasteurized goat milk lasts six months in the freezer, however, this is in a chest freezer.
I have never tried to use an upright freezer, because when I first started freezing goat milk I was advised against it.
The reason I was told this was because of the difference in how the two types of freezers work.
I was told that putting the goat milk in the bottom of a chest freezer kept it frozen solid and prevented warm air from hitting it every time I opened the freezer.
This made sense to me and so it is what I have always done.
Now, if you would like to know learn more about freezing goat milk, then be sure to check out my blog post on how to start freezing goat milk.
I hope this has answered some of your basic questions about how long pasteurized goat milk lasts.
If you have any additional questions or comments, leave them in the comment section below.
Goat Milk And Goat Meat
Recipes, DIY and more! All related to goat milk and goat meat.
Goat Milk Butter Recipe
Making butter from goats milk is super easy and all you need is a kitchen blender! This goat milk butter recipe only takes a few minutes to make!
How To Pasteurize Goat Milk At Home
It's easy to learn how to pasteurize goat milk at home regardless of the actual method you choose to use to accomplish the task.
How To Use And Separate Goat Milk Heavy Cream
Learn how to use and separate goat milk heavy cream even if you do not have a cream separator. Heavy cream is used in a lot of recipes and can be frozen.
Goat Milk Storage Ideas
Are you looking for goat milk storage ideas? Then read on to learn the best practices for handling goat milk plus short and long term storage methods.
How To Start Freezing Goat Milk
Freezing goat milk is the best way to preserve it. Learn how long frozen goat milk lasts in the freezer, how long it lasts in the refrigerator and more!
How To Make Cajeta Goat Milk Caramel
Learn how easy it is to make cajeta goat milk caramel from fresh goat milk. Plus learn how to preserve it for winter use by canning it.
Easy Homemade Parmesan Cheese Recipe
Follow these easy step by step instructions to learn how to make this easy homemade parmesan cheese recipe right in your own kitchen!
How to Make Goat Milk Cottage Cheese on Your Homestead
Learn how to easily make delicious cottage cheese using goat milk on your homestead. A step-by-step guide for beginners!
Freezing Goats Meat
Freezing goats meat is as easy as freezing any other type of meat. If you raise goats or have a goat meat store close by this is an easy way to stock up.
Goat Milk Soap Recipes Round-Up
Are you looking for goat milk soap recipes? Look no further! Here you find a goat milk soap recipe for liquid soap, bar soap and even laundry soap.