How Long Does Almond Milk Last?
Opened almond milk lasts 7–10 days in the fridge, whether it was sold chilled or shelf-stable. Unopened shelf-stable cartons keep in the pantry until the printed date. Homemade almond milk lasts 3–4 days.
Almond Milk — opened
shelf life- Unopened, shelf-stable: 6–12 months in the pantry
- Homemade: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Almond milk is a blend of water and ground almonds, usually with added calcium, vitamins and stabilizers. It comes in two forms: refrigerated cartons, and shelf-stable cartons that are ultra-heat-treated and aseptically sealed. Once either type is opened, it is a low-acid, perishable liquid that must stay cold. Homemade almond milk has no heat treatment and keeps only a few days.
How to store almond milk
- Shake the carton before every pour, since almond solids and added calcium settle to the bottom.
- Once a shelf-stable carton is opened, treat it exactly like a refrigerated one: cap it, keep it on a fridge shelf and start counting the 7–10 days.
- Store unopened shelf-stable cartons in a cool cupboard, not above the stove or in a garage that gets hot.
- Strain homemade almond milk through a clean nut-milk bag into a sterilized jar, and make only as much as you will drink in 3 days.
How to tell if almond milk has gone bad
- A sour or musty smell instead of a mild, slightly sweet nutty one.
- A thick, slimy or clumpy texture that does not smooth out with shaking. Simple separation that remixes is normal.
- A bloated or tightly puffed carton, which indicates gas from microbial growth, even if unopened.
- A sour or bitter taste, or dark specks of mold around the spout.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Almond Milk shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opened | 7–10 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Unopened, shelf-stable | Not recommended | Not recommended | 6–12 months |
| Use the best-by date on the carton. Refrigerated cartons must stay in the fridge and follow their use-by date. | |||
| Homemade | 3–4 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does almond milk last after opening?
Opened almond milk lasts 7–10 days in the fridge, which matches the guidance printed on most cartons. It makes no difference whether it started out shelf-stable. After opening, the printed best-by date no longer applies.
Does almond milk need to be refrigerated?
It depends on how it was sold until you open it. Cartons from the refrigerated case must always stay cold. Shelf-stable cartons from the grocery aisle can be kept in the pantry unopened. After opening, every kind of almond milk needs refrigeration, and it should not be left out for more than 2 hours.
Can you freeze almond milk?
It is not recommended for drinking. Freezing is safe, but almond milk separates badly and thaws grainy and watery, and shaking does not fully fix it. If you want to avoid waste, freeze it in ice cube trays and use the cubes in smoothies or cooked oatmeal.
How long does homemade almond milk last?
Homemade almond milk lasts about 3–4 days in the fridge. It has not been pasteurized and contains no stabilizers or preservatives, so it sours quickly. Keep it in a clean, sealed glass jar at the back of the fridge, and discard it once it smells sour or turns slimy.
Can I drink almond milk that was left out overnight?
No, not once it has been opened. Opened almond milk is a perishable, low-acid food, so more than 2 hours at room temperature means it should be discarded. An unopened shelf-stable carton left on the counter is fine; an unopened refrigerated carton left out overnight is not.
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oat Milk Opened |
7–10 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Soy Milk Opened |
7–10 days | Not recommended | Not safe |
| Milk Opened |
1 week | 3 months | Not safe |
| Coconut Milk Unopened |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 2–5 years |
| Almonds Opened |
1 year | 1–2 years | 4–6 months |
| Almond Butter Opened |
3–6 months | 6 months | 1–2 months |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.