20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (2024)

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Don’t let that milk go to waste! Save food and money with these recipes that use a lot of milk. Enjoy an easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert with these fresh milk recipes.

Remember you can always freeze leftover milk for later, but there are delicious ways to use a lot at once. Homemade Mac and Cheese is a great way to use up what’s left, as is making a batch of chocolate milk with our Homemade Chocolate Syrup. Milk is a great addition to this creamy soup you can make in the instant pot, Broccoli Cheese.

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It does a body good. It tastes great with a stack of Oreo cookies. And it’s a key ingredient in my favorite Chocolate Parfaits. Milk is a good thing and for good reason!

They say, “Don’t cry over spilled milk.”I say, “Don’t cry over milk close to its expiration date. Use it up!”

There can be times when you’ve got milk on hand that will expire before you can drink it or stir it into overnight oats. Perhaps you’re about to leave on a trip or your people have been under the weather and not up to their usual milk-drinking prowess. Or maybe you find a great deal at the store and want to snatch it up to reap savings.

Whatever the reason, know that your milk won’t go to waste when you’ve got these easy recipes that use a lot of milk.

Why It’s Important

Milk is one of the main ingredients in so many great recipes, from the classic favorite drinks of hot chocolate and pumpkin spice latte to the uber-trendy boba or bubble tea. It is used in homemade pudding, a big batch of pancakes, and even in fried chicken marinade.

Plenty of ways to enjoy milk, so little time!

Avoid food waste and save money when you make sure you use that gallon of milk. The best way is to keep track of your favorite things to make with it! Our list of recipes that use a lot of milk will get you started.

Whether it’s whole milk, nonfat, almond, or coconut milk, check out these great uses for extra milk and treat the whole family to some yummy new recipes.

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (2)

How to Know Your Milk is Fresh

Believe it or not, the “expiration date” or “best by” is not always the sign that your milk has gone bad. Fresh milk has a fresh, sweet smell. Milk that has started to spoil will have an off odor, flavor, or texture. So, the general rule is that it’s okay to use if it smells good, looks good, and tastes good.

Tips toKeep Milk Fresh

  • Be sure to keep milk fresh by storing it right away in the fridge, kept below 40 degrees F, in the coldest parts of the fridge. The fridge door is too warm for storing milk, so choose a space farther in.
  • Try not to open the fridge veryoften so that it can keep its cool.
  • Sealed cartons stay fresh longer than open ones. So, if you’re going to stock up, try to buy the smallest containers for your money.
  • Don’t allow the milk carton to sit at room temperature. Return it to the fridge as quickly as possible.
  • Don’t pour leftover milk back into the carton as this can cause cross-contamination.
20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (3)

Freeze Milk if You Can’t Use it Right Away

Remember you can freeze milk that you won’t be using right away. This is a great opportunity to build a freezer pantry so that you have basic ingredients on hand all the time.

  • Simply remove about an inch’s worth from the container to allow for expansion once frozen.
  • Secure the lid and place the container in the freezer. You can also pour the milk into ice cube trays so that you have smaller portions to add to soups or
  • About a day before you want to use the milk, remove it from the freezer and place it on a tray in the refrigerator.
  • Once thawed, shake the container well. The water and fat in milk separate so you want to mix them back together.
  • Use the milk as you would normally to drink or in recipes.

Turn Milk into Something Else

Yep, milk is the raw ingredient for so many dairy products that you can make yourself at home. Consider how to culture or churn milk into other milk-based ingredients:

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (4)

Recipes that Use a Lot of Milk

There are so many sweet and savory milk recipes, you might not have enough milk to try all the yummy recipes here!

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (5)

How to Make a White Sauce

This basic white sauce is the building block of great recipes like homemade mac and cheese or lasagna. It comes together quickly and easily on the stove in 15 minutes!

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Homemade Cream Of Celery Soup

Homemade Cream of Celery Soup is so much better than the canned variety. Make a bulk batch this week to have your casserole and eat more healthfully, too.

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Easy Homemade Broccoli Cauliflower Soup

Doesn’t Broccoli Cauliflower Soup sound delicious? This easy homemade version is full of vegetables and cheese for ultimate comfort in a bowl.

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Vegetable Cheddar Cheese Soup

This recipe for Cheddar Cheese Soup is creamy and comforting. Filled with bits of zucchini, broccoli, and carrots, it’s healthy comfort food.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (9)

Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

Enjoy your favorite cafe-style Broccoli Cheese Soup at home for less money. I’ll show you how easy it is with both stovetop and Instant Pot directions!

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (10)

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (11)

Alfredo Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese is a classic comfort food, particularly for these cold winter months. Try this version that has a garlicky, Alfredo twist.

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Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Ditch the boxed mac and cheese, you can make your own tastier and better version at home. Use this Stovetop Mac and Cheese and free yourself from mixes!

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Overnight Casserole

Overnight Casserole is one of the easiest you can assemble. No need to boil the noodles, just stir together all the ingredients and chill overnight. Top with bread crumbs and bake.

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Sausage Gravy and Biscuits

Homemade Sausage Gravy and Biscuits are a real treat! The spicy meat in white sauce is packed with flavor and perfectly complements the taste and texture of buttermilk biscuits. With just a handful of ingredients, you can mix them up in a flash.

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Overnight Egg Bake with Bacon and Cheddar

Breakfast comes together easily in this hearty egg casserole. Studded with bacon and cheddar cheese this egg bake is one you’ll want on repeat.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (17)

Strawberry Mango Smoothie with Banana

Make your own fruit smoothies to save money, eat more healthfully, and bring convenience to your own home. This strawberry banana smoothie recipe is easy and delicious.

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Oven French Toast

Enjoy French Toast any day of the week with this easy recipe for baking it in the oven. It’s simple, delicious, and freezer-friendly.

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Cream of Rice Pudding

Perfect for breakfast, snack, or dessert, this homemade cream of rice pudding is like a rice porridge that you can vary with all kinds of toppings.

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Banana Whole Wheat Pancakes

Want to enjoy pancakes without a lot of added sugar? This recipe for Banana Whole Wheat Pancakes is packed with flavor and nutrition.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (21)

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (22)

Easy Homemade Crepes

Enjoy homemade crepes, save money, and enjoy la belle vie. This easy recipe will get you hooked on making crepes yourself at home.

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Basic Pancakes

This simple pancake recipe is easily to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. There are several ways to make it freezer-friendly as well.

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Honey Whole Wheat English Muffin Bread

Homemade baked goods are significantly cheaper than store-bought varieties. Try this whole wheat bread that mimics an “English muffin” in texture and taste.

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Milk and Honey Cornbread

Bake up a batch of this Milk and Honey Cornbread. It’s lightly sweetened and delicious for breakfast or the bread basket.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (27)

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Enjoy the ice cream shop experience with this homemade Strawberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream made with just a few whole ingredients.

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Milk Nog or Eggless Egg Nog Recipe

Create an eggless egg nog with Milk Nog. Spicing up whole milk with cinnamon and nutmeg, sugar and vanilla delivers a refreshing real food drink at home.

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Stovetop Hot Cocoa

Homemade Hot Cocoa takes just five minutes and only five ingredients. Enjoy a hot cup of this easy, affordable hot chocolate any day!

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (30)

Iced Mocha Coffee

An iced mocha is a delightful cold beverage to enjoy as an afternoon pick-me-up. Give your wallet a boost as well by making it yourself at home.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (32)

Homemade Chocolate Pudding Recipe

Homemade chocolate pudding comes together in just a few minutes. Rich in chocolatey flavor, it makes a deliciously elegant dessert to serve to friends and family.

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Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie

Ditch the frozen pie crust and boxed pudding mixes. You can make aHomemade Chocolate Cream Pie without breaking the bank.

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Robert Redford Dessert in a Jar

This vintage dessert, originally called Better than Robert Redford gets a face lift. Make it in jars or small ramekins for an elegant presentation.

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Chocolate Parfaits

Chocolate Cream Pie gets morphed into a dessert in a jar, a Chocolate Parfait, to be exact. Perfect for your next game day dessert or holiday get-together.

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20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (37)

Tell us what you think!

We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

This post was originally published on October 18, 2014. It has been updated for content and clarity.

20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon - Good Cheap Eats (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with a lot of milk? ›

Ways to Use Up a Gallon of Milk
  1. 1 / 13. Homemade Mozzarella. Knowing how to make your own mozzarella is a dangerous thing. ...
  2. 2 / 13. Homemade Ricotta. ...
  3. 3 / 13. Paneer Cheese. ...
  4. 4 / 13. Homemade Yogurt Recipe. ...
  5. 5 / 13. A Quick & Easy Buttermilk Substitute. ...
  6. 6 / 13. Homemade Milk Liqueur. ...
  7. 7 / 13. Milk Kefir. ...
  8. 8 / 13. Strawberry Milk.
Nov 28, 2023

Can you make anything with gone off milk? ›

You can make a range of dishes with it to avoid throwing it out before it goes completely rancid. Paneer and cottage cheese can be made; the remaining liquid (whey) can be used in pancakes, chapatis, bread, and scones. You can use sour milk in replacement of buttermilk.

What can you make with an empty milk jug? ›

21 Creative Ways to Upcycle Your Milk Jugs and Cartons
  • WATERING JUG. keep your plants happy and well watered with this easy project.
  • KITCHEN COMPOST HOLDER. use empty jugs to upcycle food scraps into compost.
  • GARDENING MADE EASY. sow your seeds. ...
  • BIRD FEEDERS. functional. ...
  • SUPPLIES CADDY. ...
  • FUN GAMES. ...
  • PIGGY BANK. ...
  • ARTS AND CRAFTS.
Nov 16, 2016

What can you do with one gallon milk jugs? ›

IN THE GARDEN
  • Bug Attractor. A plastic jug can be used to lure and capture stinging yard pests like hornets and wasps. ...
  • Granular Container. ...
  • Outdoor Weights. ...
  • Outdoor Luminaries. ...
  • Holiday Lanterns. ...
  • Cookout Utensil Holder. ...
  • Bird Feeder. ...
  • Watering Can.
Jan 30, 2018

What can I do with 10 days old milk? ›

While it's always important to inspect your milk before drinking it, most milks are safe to drink several days after the printed date on the label. That said, the flavor may start to decline. To avoid food waste, older milk can be put to use in pancakes, baked goods, or soups.

Can I make butter from whole milk? ›

It's really easy to make your own. You will need a large container (churn, crock, jar, etc.), a cup of buttermilk (which acts as a starter), and a gallon of whole milk.

What else can milk be used for? ›

Use milk instead of water or juice in smoothies. Make overnight oats or chia seed pudding with milk. Thin-out creamy sauces with a bit of milk. Make a quiche or frittata by adding milk to the egg mixture.

How to make butter with milk? ›

Directions
  1. Take heavy raw cream off the top of your milk and put it in your kitchen aid bowl.
  2. Turn kitchen aid on medium high.
  3. Leave running until the cream goes through all its different stages and forms into butter.
  4. Take butter out of buttermilk and place in a bowl of cold water.
Aug 24, 2023

Does milk freeze OK? ›

Freezing milk is easy, helps avoid waste, allows a backup supply, and saves money. Thawed milk will be most nutritious if people freeze it at its freshest. However, as long as freezing happens on or before the best before date, it is fine to freeze milk and thaw it for later use.

Is Gone Off milk good for plants? ›

Any type of milk, including fresh, expired, evaporated, and powdered, can be used in a garden as long as it's diluted properly. Stick with reduced-fat (2 percent) or low-fat (1 percent) milk, rather than skim or whole options.

Can I use spoiled milk in pancakes? ›

As long as it's not mouldy or offensively smelly, spoiled milk works well in any recipe calling for sour milk or buttermilk. Just replace each tablespoon of baking powder in the recipe with a teaspoon of baking soda and proceed as directed.

What's clabbered milk? ›

Clabber is a type of soured milk. It is produced by allowing unpasteurized milk to turn sour (ferment) at a specific humidity and temperature. Over time, the milk thickens or curdles into a yogurt-like consistency with a strong, sour flavor.

What can milk be used to make? ›

Tips & Ideas to Share
  • Add milk to mashed potatoes for a creamy texture.
  • Use milk instead of water or juice in smoothies.
  • Make overnight oats or chia seed pudding with milk.
  • Thin-out creamy sauces with a bit of milk.
  • Make a quiche or frittata by adding milk to the egg mixture.

How much cream will a gallon of milk make? ›

1 gallon of milk will usually yield 1 to 1.5 pint of cream. The cream will churn to approx. 1/3 to ½ lb of butter. The above info is for our raw cow milk only.

How long can you leave a gallon of milk? ›

In the danger zone, bacteria can double in only 20 minutes, so if there's already a higher amount present, that number can become dangerous really fast. Like all other refrigerated food, it's best to stick to the two-hour rule. And when in doubt, throw it out.

What is the one gallon milk challenge? ›

Milk chugging, or the gallon challenge or milk challenge, is the "sport" of consuming a large amount of milk within a set period of time. Although procedures vary, the general requirements are that a person is given 60 minutes to drink one US gallon (3.8 L; 0.8 imp gal) of whole milk without vomiting.

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