Prep

How long does evaporated and condensed milk last?

FoodKeeper gives evaporated and condensed milk 12 months unopened, as a guide to quality. Once opened, that's 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Throw away, without tasting, any can that's bulging, leaking, heavily rusted or deeply dented, or that spurts when opened.

How to store it

This has a shorter life than most cans, so keep it toward the front of the pantry. Once opened, move it to a covered container in the refrigerator.

USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best, and to avoid anywhere above or beside the stove, under the sink, or in a damp garage or basement. USDA says unused food may be refrigerated in the can, but a glass or plastic container keeps it tasting better.

What to look for

Throw it out if it smells sour, or has lumps that don't stir back in, or if the can is swollen.

Throw a can away, without tasting, if it's bulging or swollen, leaking, heavily rusted or deeply dented, or if it hisses loudly or spurts when opened. USDA says a small dent on a can that's otherwise in good shape should be safe; a deep dent is one you can lay your finger into. Surface rust you can rub off isn't serious, but rust inside means don't eat the food. Double-bag anything suspect and put it in an outdoor trash can.

Worth knowing

Neither of these is a replacement for baby formula. FoodKeeper's 12 months is shorter than the 2 to 5 years for canned vegetables, so don't put them on the same rotation.

USDA FoodKeeper says: “Canned items will be safe to eat well past the 'use-by' or 'best by' date as long as the can shows no dents, rust, or swelling.”

Similar foods

From preppantry.app. Checked 2 November 2026. Independent tool, not official advice.

How it works

FoodKeeper is USDA's food storage database. Its figures are guides to quality for food stored at cool room temperature, not safety cut-offs, and we show them as USDA gives them. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase. Opened times start when you open the pack.

Where FoodKeeper gives no figure, we say so instead of guessing. The date printed on a package is the manufacturer's, and it's about quality except on infant formula.

Common questions

How long does evaporated and condensed milk last unopened?

12 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper, as a guide to best quality. FoodKeeper counts this from the date of purchase.

How long does evaporated and condensed milk keep once opened?

FoodKeeper gives no figure for an opened pack in the pantry. 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Does evaporated and condensed milk go bad after the date on the package?

USDA says canned items will be safe well past the date as long as the can shows no dents, rust or swelling. Quality can drop with time, so use the oldest first.

What should I look for before using evaporated and condensed milk?

Throw it out if it smells sour, or has lumps that don't stir back in, or if the can is swollen.

Sources

Checked on 2 November 2026. This is an independent tool and not official advice. See sources and method.

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