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Cooking, Storing & Using Dairy Foods

Dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt and butter are kitchen staples. Proper storage, freezing and cooking techniques can help maintain freshness, reduce food waste and ensure you get the best results from your favorite dairy foods.

How to Store Dairy Foods

Best Refrigerator Storage Locations

Keep your refrigerator between 35°F and 40°F.
Store milk on the bottom shelf where temperatures stay coldest.
Store yogurt on an upper shelf and keep containers tightly covered.
Store cheese in its own drawer or designated area because it can absorb flavors from other foods.
Avoid storing milk or butter in the refrigerator door, where temperatures fluctuate more often.

Dairy Food	Best Refrigerator Location	Freezer Storage
Milk	Bottom Shelf	Up to 3 months
Cheese	Cheese drawer	Up to 6-9 months
Yogurt	Upper Shelf	Up to 2 months
Butter	Middle Shelf	Up to 6-9 months

Proper storage is one of the easiest ways to extend the life of dairy foods and maintain quality.

Dairy Food Safety Tips

To help keep dairy foods cold and fresh:

Purchase refrigerated dairy foods near the end of your shopping trip.
Put dairy products away as soon as you get home.
Don't leave perishable foods out for more than two hours, or one hour when temperatures exceed 90°F.
Store milk in its original container and keep it tightly closed to maintain freshness.
Avoid overpacking your refrigerator so cold air can circulate properly.

Can You Freeze Dairy Foods?

Many dairy foods can be frozen to extend their shelf life, although some may experience texture changes after thawing.

Freezing Milk

Milk can be frozen for up to three months. Leave room in the container for expansion and thaw in the refrigerator before use. Frozen milk may have a slightly different texture, but it remains safe for drinking and cooking.

Freezing Cheese

Most hard cheeses can be frozen for six to nine months. Some cheeses may become crumbly after thawing, while shredded cheeses generally freeze well. Allow cheese to thaw in the refrigerator for best results.

Freezing Yogurt & Butter

Yogurt can be frozen for up to two months, although texture changes may occur after thawing and some live and active cultures may be reduced. Salted butter can be frozen for up to nine months and unsalted butter for up to six months.

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Cooking With Dairy

Dairy foods can add flavor, texture and nutrition to many recipes. These simple tips can help you get the best results.

Milk Cooking Tips

Milk can add richness and creaminess to soups, oatmeal, hot chocolate, baked goods and egg dishes. Heat milk gently and slowly to prevent scorching or the formation of a protein film on the surface. Using milk instead of water in many recipes can improve both flavor and texture. Embed How to Brown Butter video?

Cheese Cooking Tips

Cheese performs best when heated gradually.

Use low to medium heat on the stovetop.
Stir frequently when making cheese sauces.
Add cheese toward the end of cooking when preparing soups or sauces.
Sprinkle cheese onto casseroles and baked dishes during the final minutes of baking for optimal melting.

Cooking cheese over high heat for extended periods can cause it to become tough, stringy or separate.

Yogurt Cooking Tips

Yogurt can be used as a substitute for ingredients such as sour cream or a portion of the oil in baked goods.

To maintain a smooth, creamy texture:

Avoid heating yogurt too quickly.
Fold yogurt into recipes gently.
Avoid over-stirring, which can cause it to thin or separate.

Greek yogurt can add protein, moisture and creaminess to dips, marinades, baked goods and other recipes.

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What can I substitute for buttermilk?

Can yogurt be substituted for oil in a recipe?

What do expiration dates really mean?

Manufacturers use a variety of expiration date labels to communicate information to retailers and consumers. It is important to note that the date stamped on a perishable food item is meant for best quality, but cannot be relied on as an indicator of food safety.

“Sell by” date: For retailers to determine how long to display the product for sale or when they should take it off the store shelves and for consumers to know the time limit to purchase or use the product at its best quality. However, it does not mean that the food is no longer safe to consume. For maximum quality, buy the product before this date.

“Use by” date: Intended for consumers, it’s the last date recommended for use of the product at its peak quality. Even if the date expires during home storage, the product should be safe, wholesome and of good quality if handled and stored properly.

“Best if used by” date: Recommended for best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date. For example, a product may be safe to eat beyond this date, but may not be of highest quality.