Can I freeze rice milk? - The step by step guide

Rice milk is a great alternative to milk that removes the dairy factor from it. It tastes great and is also easy to prepare. What can you do with rice milk? Tons of stuff!

Rice milk is widely used in Asian cultures, but it can be made or used anywhere and is totally worth it.

The question is how you can best preserve rice milk if you have a large amount of it. Can you freeze rice milk and keep it so it doesn’t spoil?

The good news is that you can freeze rice milk. You can freeze it in a large container or separate it into bottles and jars that seal well and freeze it that way. Freezing works great to extend the shelf life of rice milk.

It’s a grain-based milk, so it has very different qualities to typical dairy milk, but it can be used just the same, just as you could use almond or coconut milk as a substitute for milk. dairy milk.

We’ve put together a guide to walk you through the process of freezing rice milk, adding tips and some basic information about rice milk so you can fully understand what you’re working with as you go through the process.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about rice milk and the freezing process.

Guide to freezing rice milk

Freezing rice milk is a relatively simple process. Let’s dig a little deeper into rice milk before we get to the technical steps of the process.

What is rice milk?

You’ve heard of almond milk and coconut milk, and of course you’re already familiar with everyday dairy milk, but there’s another option you should be familiar with: rice milk.

Rice milk is a cereal-based milk that is made from brown rice.  It can be made with other types of rice, but brown rice is the most common. Rice milk does not usually need sweeteners, as the process sweetens it naturally.

Because rice is a grain, it contains naturally occurring carbohydrates that are converted to sugars during the milk-making process. Also, rice milk may not contain calcium, but it is quite common for calcium to be added to rice milk so that it also provides that quality to people.

Uses of rice milk

Rice milk can be used as a milk substitute, just like any other type of dairy alternative. Rice milk is quite sweet for milk, so keep that in mind when using it as a substitute.

If you have any type of lactose or nut allergy, rice milk is a valuable option. Rice milk is the one that produces fewer allergic reactions than any other milk option.

Remember that vitamin D and calcium are not part of rice milk naturally, but many companies enrich their rice milk with them, and if you make it at home, you could also enrich your rice milk with these nutrients if you you want.

Rice milk tastes as comparable to cow’s milk as most other types of dairy alternatives.

Rice milk has many uses. Here are some examples:

• cow’s milk substitute
• Cereals
• To bake
• sweetener for coffee
• milk to drink
• soups
• stews
• Desserts

Here are the things to keep in mind that could affect your food when using rice milk. Although it is comparable to cow’s milk, it is not the same, so you should understand the variations before attempting to fully replace cow’s milk.

• Thin milk that may require a thickening agent when used in some recipes
• Sweet milk that is not ideal for salty recipes 
• Contains natural sugars due to the carbohydrates in the grain
• Does not naturally contain vitamin D or calcium and is relatively low in protein

The uses of rice milk far outweigh the potential cons associated with rice milk, but we believe it is important that you are fully informed when working with a specific product.

How rice milk is made

We want to spend a little time talking about how rice milk is made to make sure you fully understand what you’re working with.

To make rice milk you will need cooked brown rice, water, and dates or another sweetener of your choice. Adding a sweetener or using the dates is optional, as the rice milk adds its own sweet flavor.

Many people who make their own rice milk also use cheesecloth or a strainer to strain out excess liquid.

This is just a basic walk through of the process. 

1. Beat the cooked rice, dates and water until blended and smooth.
2. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth. This step is optional and depends exclusively on your preferences.
3. Store the rice milk in the fridge or freezer.

As you can see, rice milk is incredibly easy to make. Don’t bother buying it at the store, as you’ll overspend on something that’s super easy to make on your own for a lot less money.

freeze rice milk

The best thing about making your own rice milk is that you can make a large batch and freeze it to last a while. There are no difficult steps to freeze or to use the milk after freezing.

Rice milk is usually sold at room temperature. This is fine at first, but once opened it should be kept in the fridge. The same goes for homemade rice milk: you should keep it in the fridge.

Remember that there was a time when milk was delivered to your home instead of buying it in a plastic jug or carton at the local supermarket. It’s perfectly acceptable for milk of any kind to freeze, and that goes for rice milk too!

It is very easy to freeze rice milk. Here are the instructions to do it. 

1. Pour the rice milk into a freezer-safe container. It is recommended that you use a glass or plastic one that seals well. Be sure to leave room in the container, as freezing could cause the milk to expand.
2. Put the milk in the freezer for up to 3 months to maintain its freshness and flavor. The milk will not spoil in the freezer. If you freeze it for 4 months, it will still be good, but the flavor may be slightly different as the milk can absorb flavors from the environment.

If you store the rice milk in the fridge, it should keep well for up to 5 days.

How to use rice milk after freezing it

If you freeze rice milk, you should be aware that it requires thawing time before you can use it. When you take it out of the freezer, it will be frozen solid.

We recommend that you let the rice milk thaw in the fridge for 2-3 days before using it. Thus, you can expect the rice milk to last for about 5 days once fully thawed.

If you need the rice milk urgently, you can try immersing the container in hot water, changing the hot water every 30 minutes until the milk thaws enough to use. Once the milk is thawed, you can proceed to use it normally. Store it in the fridge when you are not using it.

Related questions

We hope you have found this guide useful and informative on all aspects of rice milk, especially when it comes to freezing it.

We have compiled a question and answer section to provide you with some additional information that may be useful to you. We invite you to take a few minutes and consult it.

Is rice milk healthy?

Rice milk does not contain natural vitamin D or calcium, but most rice milks are now fortified with these minerals to provide vital nutrients for your body. However, rice milk is one of the simplest forms of milk and the least likely to cause allergy-related problems.

Also, rice milk is a great alternative for those who follow a vegan lifestyle. Rice milk may not be ideal for those who are prone to high blood sugar levels or have been diagnosed with diabetes, as it contains naturally occurring sugars from grains.

Can you drink too much rice milk?

Rice milk can be used or drunk just like dairy milk. It is recommended to limit or reduce the amount of rice milk used for infants and children, as the composition of the substance could cause them to overdose if used in excess. A considerable amount is needed for this to be a possibility.

Does rice milk go bad?

It is recommended that, once the rice milk is opened or if you make it fresh, you treat it as if it has an expiration date of about 7 days.