It’s frustrating when you can’t finish your groceries before they spoil. But how can you tell if it’s acceptable to freeze certain food items?

When thinking of food that can be frozen, milk might not be the first item that springs to mind. However, nutritionists and health specialists actually advise freezing milk if you don’t plan to finish the entire carton before its expiration date.

According to Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian and nutritionist for Consumer Health Digest, freezing milk is an excellent way to minimize food waste and save money by buying in bulk when prices drop.

Before you freeze milk, it’s important to consider some health and safety guidelines. Here’s what you need to know about freezing and using milk safely.

Is Freezing Milk Safe?

“It is perfectly safe to drink milk that has been frozen,” states registered dietitian and recipe creator Micah Siva. However, the flavor and consistency may change slightly. If you’re particular about the taste, consider using the milk in recipes for pancakes, muffins, cakes, or oatmeal instead of drinking it straight or adding it to your coffee.

Nutritionally, experts indicate that frozen milk is “almost the same” as fresh milk, so there’s no need for concern over its quality,” adds Siva.

How to Thaw Frozen Milk?

Milk can typically be consumed until the “use by” date marked on the carton. However, once frozen, it can remain safe to drink for up to three months from the purchase date, as stated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

During this three-month window, you can safely enjoy the frozen milk—just remember a few essential steps.

Siva notes, “While freezing isn’t problematic, thawing can be.” To safely defrost milk, move it to the refrigerator overnight rather than leaving it out on the counter.

Freezing can cause the fat in milk to separate, so depending on the type of milk you’ve frozen, you may need to shake it up to mix the fat back in, Balls points out.