Can You Freeze Buttermilk?
Written by Jordan Morley · Reviewed against USDA FoodKeeper · Last updated 28 October 2026
Yes, you can freeze buttermilk. Best quality within 3 months; it stays safe beyond that at a constant -18°C.
What freezing does to buttermilk
Milk freezes safely, and it is one of the few fridge staples worth freezing to cut waste: at -18°C the bacteria stop multiplying. The fat can separate when it thaws and the texture may be slightly grainy, but a good shake or a blitz with a stick blender fixes most of it, and it is fine for tea, cereal, cooking and baking. FoodKeeper gives buttermilk a best-quality freezer window of 3 months. For comparison, the same database gives butter 6–9 months, double cream 3–4 months, yoghurt 1–2 months.
You can also check the calorie content of buttermilk alongside its safety information.
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Buttermilk next to similar foods
| Food | Freezer window |
|---|---|
| Buttermilk | 3 months |
| Milk | 3 months |
| Double Cream | 3–4 months |
| Single Cream | 3–4 months |
| Whipping Cream | 3–4 months |
Of the 12 dairy foods in the freezing guide, buttermilk has a best-quality window that is longer than 2, equal to 1 and shorter than 8.
Buttermilk: the other answers on this site
| Question | Short answer (links to the full page) |
|---|---|
| In the fridge | 1–2 weeks in the fridge |
Common questions
How long can you freeze buttermilk?
For best quality, up to 3 months (USDA FoodKeeper). It stays safe beyond that, because bacteria cannot grow at a constant -18°C; the time limit is about taste and texture, not safety. Label the pack with the date so you can use the oldest first.
How should I freeze buttermilk?
Pour a little out of the container first (milk expands about 9% as it freezes), or freeze it in a freezer-safe container leaving a gap at the top. Freeze it before the use-by date, not after. Smaller portions defrost faster.
How do I defrost buttermilk?
In the fridge, overnight, then shake or stir well. Once thawed, use it within 24 hours.
Can you refreeze buttermilk?
Do not refreeze defrosted milk.
Fridge or freezer for buttermilk?
The fridge window for buttermilk is 1–2 weeks (USDA FoodKeeper). If you are not going to finish it inside that window, freeze it while it is still fresh, ideally in the first day or two, since freezing only pauses the clock and anything frozen late goes in with less life left.
Related answers
Primary source: USDA FoodKeeper.
General information only, not medical advice: see the medical disclaimer. Feeling unwell after eating something? Contact NHS 111 or your GP.