The Best Powdered Milk and the Best Shelf Stable Milk for Your Apocalypse Bunker

If you are like me, then the best shelf stable milk rarely crosses your mind, and the best powdered milk even less so. Yes, I have put powdered milk in bread before (and maybe coffee?), but have I often sat down and stirred myself up a nice big cuppa instant milk? No, never, not once. But since it is February, and in February you tell the truth, we figured it was about time to change all that and y’all, I have never in my short milk-less adulthood tried more milk in one sitting.

So, what is powdered milk anyway—and why would you buy it? Basically, it’s milk that’s been pasteurized and then dried via evaporation, leaving behind a mix of milk protein and milk sugar, or lactose. Naturally, it has a much longer shelf life than regular milk—the USDA suggests that powdered milk can be store indefinitely, and that’s made it a favorite staple for survivalist types. As for shelf stable milk in liquid form, it’s milk that’s undergone Ultra High Temperature (UHT) pasteurization, which makes it last longer.

For our ranking of the best powdered milk and the best shelf stable milk, we taste tested all the products and judged them based on their faithfulness to regular ol’ milk. And let me tell ya—there are some pretty solid options out there! If the state of the world has you contemplating a dry goods horde, this is the milk to buy. (Looking for nondairy milk? There are shelf stable options on our lists of the best soy milk and the best almond milk.)

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Best Nonfat Powdered Milk

Carnation Nonfat Milk Powder

Walmart

I don’t know who the audience is for this, but if you are itchin’ for some nonfat milk powder, Carnation is your guy. Of the Nonfat milk powders we tried, this was the best powdered milk because it doesn’t taste off like other nonfat milk powders. It’s a little watery once it’s reconstituted, but that’s par for the course when it comes to nonfat powdered milk. It has a pleasant cereal milk-like aroma and is much less rich than the full-fat powdered milk we tried. Despite the slightly drying effect it had once it settled on my tongue, drinking it wasn’t a bad experience if you’re in the market for the best powdered milk. If this stuff is your jam, please sound off in the comments—I am so curious about your life.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

Best Individual Shelf Stable Low Fat Milk

Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk

Walmart

You’ll find Horizon Organic in the refrigerated section at your local grocery store, but the brand also packages some tasty low fat milk in convenient little sippy boxes that don’t require refrigeration. This shelf stable milk is thick and sweet, and has a bit of a cheesy and buttery smell and aftertaste to it. It’s way richer than the nonfat powder milk, but not quite as rich as some of the whole milk we tasted (more on that in a moment). Overall, a solid choice that tastes like milk.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Powdered Milk

Great Value Powdered Whole Milk

Walmart

Great Value powdered whole milk surprised us. It came out much thicker than the nonfat powders we tried (the instructions have a higher ratio of milk powder to water than other options), and the higher fat content resulted in a richer and creamier dairy experience. You can see the powder stick a bit on the sides of the glass after you take a sip, but that could be user error since they do say to let it sit for a while after mixing to let all the milk particles dissolve, but you know what? Time is money, money is milk, milk is knowledge, knowledge is power, power is just powder spelled wrong, and this powdered milk is honestly pretty tasty, a fact that none of us saw coming. This milk tastes a bit like unsweetened homemade whipped cream. Overall, it’s the best powdered milk we tasted.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Individual Shelf Stable Whole Milk

Horizon Whole Milk

Walmart

Horizon Organic Whole Milk—which also comes in a little single-serve Tetrapak—is was more savory and less sweet than the low fat option. That said, it’s also creamier than the low fat version, which makes sense since more fat gives it a richer consistency.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Shelf Stable Low Fat Milk

Parmalat Low-Fat Milk

Instacart

When it comes to low fat milk, this is the best shelf stable milk we tried. It is slightly thicker than the Horizon Low Fat milk but is a bit more neutral tasting. It still has a slight cheesy aftertaste and a slight Fruity Pebbles-esque smell to it, but other than that, it truly just tastes like milk. Shocker, I know, seeing as it is milk, but I feel like it needs to be said: This milk? It tastes like milk.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Shelf Stable Milk

Parmalat Whole Milk

Instacart

Truly no notes. This whole milk tastes like whole milk. If you want the best shelf stable whole milk, get this. Nothin’ to see here, just the best shelf stable milk you can buy. Rich, creamy, flavorful, and delicious.

Credit: Merc / Instacart

Rating:

10/10

Sporks