Learn how to easily freeze half and half milk to save money! Follow these step by step instructions and never throw away half & half milk again!
Easy way to freeze half and half
Do you have Half and Half milk close to the expiration date but don’t want it go bad because of how expensive it was? Don’t worry, you can freeze it!
You know the situation. You buy Half & Half milk because you are craving homemade ice cream or creamy potato soup. You only need a cup but the store only has a quart of it. Even worse, it’s $5.79. So you ponder “Should I just buy a carton of ice cream already made?” or “Should I suck up the price and make my own?”. You decide to go against the grain and make your own. You take it home and make your ice cream.
You’re feeling good about yourself and keep telling yourself you’re going to use the rest of the Half & Half for something else and you won’t let that money go to waste. Then you open the refrigerator again and you see that Half & Half staring back at you for the 90th time. You know the expiration date is coming up in 4 days. You panic. You let the Half & Half down. It’s going to go waste. You wasted money! Ahhhh, the agony of defeat!
But now you won’t ever let that happen because I’m here to tell you how easy it is to freeze Half & Half milk.
Can you freeze half and half? Yes!
Yes, you can easily freeze leftover half and half. All you do is measure it out into freezer bags (I usually do 1 cup per bag because recipes call for that) and then freeze them. When you need that Half & Half for a recipe, defrost it and you have your milk. You’ll never have to throw away money again!
How to freeze half and half
Measure the amount you want to use in each freezer bag. I recommend 1/2 cup or 1 cup.
Pour the Half & Half into each freezer bag, closing the bag the best you can to remove all air.
I like to throw it on a cookie sheet so it stays flat when freezing. After it’s frozen I’ll remove it from the cookie sheet and then stack in my freezer. I find that freezing flat really helps with keeping the freezer more organized and allows me to store more.
Into the freezer it goes. When you need it, defrost it and continue to use how you regularly would.
Easy, right? Hope you liked this tip!
Looking for more freezing tips? Here’s how to freeze evaporated milk!
Suzette says
I searched, “can I freeze half-n-half” and would like to just get a one word response. Wishful thinking. I get hundreds of words to say the same thing. How about a simple, “yes” ?!?
Pamela says
There is text in bold that says “Can you freeze half and half? Yes!”. None the less, I hope you found this helpful.
Liz says
How entitled
Paul Seaha says
Nice it’s on sale at the grocery store this week I’m going to buy a shitload of it right now
Connie Ellis says
After freezing 1/2 & 1/2 can I use it in my coffee ? I know I ‘ll be able to cook with it but my coffee is what I really love it in ! ??
Pamela says
Hey Connie, you can, but make sure to give it a good stir or shake before using!
Ralph McWhorter says
That you for the Info. I usually make 3 different types of Custard Ice Cream, 2 quarts each, for Church Dinners. This time it delayed about 3 weeks.
I have 3 quarts of Half & half, and 3 quarts of Heavy Cream that I have to freeze.
Your info will save me quite a bit of money.
Thank you.
Pamela says
Hey Ralph, I’m so happy to have helped as I know how expensive Half & Half is! Enjoy!
Rachel says
Do you know how long the thawed half and half is good for/how quickly it should be used post-thawing? Thank you!
cral dogman says
Stare at your Half and Half… I love it!!
Marcella Rice says
I freeze half and half all the time without any issues.
Barbara says
Thank you “BrooklynFarmGirl.” I rarely buy Half and Half, so I was curious to research and find your website!
For 40 years, upon returning home from grocery stores, I’ve frozen whole milk into pint-sized and quart-sized mason jars because freezing sustains freshness and vitamins longer than refrigerators. I learned that technique after watching a documentary on milk delivery in Russia after their Revolution.
You are correct, that the technique of apportioning grocery foods and homemade foods into small units for the freezer is not only thrifty, but healthier than relying on refrigeration.
Bill Berry says
There is a catch to when you freeze Half & Half and/or Heavy Cream; the fat separates out so when you thaw it you will need to remix it in a blender or you will experience with Half & Half what you do when you use Heavy Cream in for example your coffee and the coffee cools; the fat separates and rises to the top. I’m not a fan of making ice “milk” cubes; it cools my coffee off too much. I like the putting your milk in freezer bags as well and laying it flat in a cookie tray; it thaws much faster when you need it; off topic, but I do the same with many of meats like hamburger, boneless chicken, vegetables; it just makes life easier in the freezer; you can either go with rows or go like pancakes.
Eliza says
I’ve frozen pints of half and half before, and there’s nothing wrong with doing so, however… half and half and cream do NOT tend to freeze perfectly. The issue is that, upon thawing, the liquid will have slightly separated. It’s perfectly fine to consume, but if pouring frozen+thawed half and half into your coffee, it will look as of it’s gone off due to the separation. I’ve yet to figure out a way to remix the separated stuff back together the way it originally was. Just so people know…
Pamela says
Hey Eliza, if you are baking with it or using it in a creamy sauce recipe you shouldn’t have to worry about seeing it separated. If it does separate, a good shake of it usually puts it back together. Also a reader above recommended freezing it in ice cube trays to throw in coffee – I love that idea!
Diane Roche says
If you freeze in ice trays. You can use in your coffee.
Ann Taylor says
what if you already stuck it in the freezer in its carton?
Pamela says
Hey Ann, that shouldn’t be a problem. I would defrost in the fridge for 24 hours before using.
Grandi says
A quart carton of Half-n-Half took 3 days to defrost in my fridge and it was still slushy. I had kept it in a chest freezer below zero. It also separated. I shook it well and stirred it well in the coffee and it was just fine.
Laurie says
Can you use frozen half and half in a pasta primavera recipe?
Pamela says
Yes you can. It’s great for using in sauces!
Kymberly says
I froze some half and half in glass containers, but once defrosted and in my coffee cup when I added the coffee it behaved as if it were curdled; small particles floating throughout the beverage. Is there a difference between sour and curdled milk? What can I do differently?
Jill says
I recently tried freezing half and half. It didn’t thaw right at all. It’s kind of separated, almost grainy looking. It tastes the same, just looks gross. Milk, on the other hand, I have frozen many times successfully.
Pamela says
Hey Jill, if you are baking with it or using it in a creamy recipe you shouldn’t have to worry about seeing it separated. If it does separate, a good shake of it usually puts it back together.
Deb says
I just want to use it for coffee by putting 1/2 & 1/2 in ice cube tray; putting in freezer bag once frozen.
Pop them out into coffee and stir really good…
Is that possible to do?
Deb says
sorry I didn’t read the comment above mine…got the answer…THANKS! 🙂
Marie says
Can you just freeze the half/half in the pint container or does have to be in a bagger?
Pamela says
Hey Marie, you can, but the milk will expand some, so I recommend only freezing in the container if it’s half empty. I wouldn’t freeze a full container or you might have a mess on your hands!
Marcella Rice says
I freeze a full container of half and half all the time and it never leaks!
Sue says
Agree. If I’m freezing anything in a carton, I open it a little bit to allow the air to escape and allow expansion
Kathie says
If I freeze half and half as you suggested in baggies – will it also be good for my coffee – or just for baking?
Thanks
Pamela says
You sure can! A easier way for coffee servings is to freeze it in ice cube trays and once frozen throw them in a freezer bag.
Susan says
I freeze buttermilk too! Wonderful tips, Pamela.
Charisa says
Ugh, why haven’t I thought of this?!? So smart! I use a few tablespoons for a pasta sauce that my husband loves and end up throwing the rest away. I’m thinking an old ice tray would be perfect for freezing and then popping them out into a freezer bag. Thanks for the idea!
Pamela says
Yup, that’s a great idea for having a few tablespoons on hand! Have fun Charisa!
Debra says
Really savvy idea. Never thought of that.
Abbe @ This is How I Cook says
I have some that needs to be frozen now! Your freezer really isn’t that neat, is it? And I love those Pin it kitties!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
SO HELPFUL! would this work for heavy cream too, do you think?
Pamela says
Yup, works the same way! 🙂
Toni Maybee says
can I use frozen half and half and whipping cream to make ice cream?
Pamela says
You can, just make sure to give it a shake after thawing.
asha Shiv says
Girl, this is amazing. I freeze my cream all the time. Sad to see it go waste.
Dee @ The Kitchen Snob says
What a great tip! I wonder if this would also work for buttermilk or heavy cream? I would think it would if it works for half & half.
Pamela says
Absolutely it works! I always freeze buttermilk to use in pancakes. 🙂
Connie Ellis says
Awesome , Pamela !! Never thought of it !! I have been buying dry buttermilk but it is not as good ; now I can go back to buying liquid and freezing it !!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Oh my goodness – this is such a fantastic idea Pamela!!! You cannot imagine how much half and half I’ve thrown out! Hey – I hope this works for buttermilk too!
cheri says
Hi Pamela, as usual you are a genius, I have thrown out so many things like this.
Suzanne says
I never thought of freezing it. I always have 2 quarts in my refrigerator and sometimes have to sprint to use before it expires. Going to freeze it love this!!
handmade by amalia says
I like the idea of freezing flat packs on a tray – a useful tip 🙂
Amalia
xo
t says
freeze it in ice cube trays, just add one to your coffee
Sherry says
Brilliant!
Bryn says
I tried this method, but the milk and fat separate, so my coffee is greasy. What should I do?
Sue says
I was thinking of thawing and then throwing it all in the blender to re-emulsify the cream??
C Wayne King says
so much for a hot cup of coffee
kristina says
smart! I need to try this I never use all the milk on time
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