Yogurt is an excellent immune-boosting probiotic dairy product and if you’re like me, you can easily get carried away and buy too much. The freezer is an obvious go-to solution for long-term storage, but can you freeze yogurt, and will it have the same quality and nutrition? Let’s see!
Other than a healthy snack, yogurt is great for smoothies, sauces, marinades, and baked goods. I often buy more when it’s on sale or I make a large batch in the Instant Pot or the crockpot.
It makes sense you’d want to freeze the extra yogurt you have before it goes bad, and we’ll discuss everything you need to know. This includes the best ways to freeze yogurt, how to thaw it, and uses for frozen yogurt.
Can You Freeze Yogurt?
Yes, yogurt can be stored in the freezer and it stays good for 1-2 months. This works for all types of yogurt: nonfat, full fat, plain, flavored, Greek, skyr, and others.
Yogurt kept in the fridge at a temperature of 40°F or lower will last for 1-2 weeks, so freezing it is the only way to make it last longer.
It’s also possible to freeze other types of dairy such as cottage cheese, milk, and butter!
What Happens When You Freeze Yogurt?
I’m sure you’re probably wondering how freezing yogurt will affect its taste, texture, and nutritional qualities.
Research studies have shown live bacteria in frozen yogurt survive for at least a few weeks, and strains such as L. Bulgaricus, and S. Thermopilus, can survive for over a month.
One of the noticeable changes that occurs when yogurt is frozen is the texture change. It’s common for thawed yogurt to separate in layers and have a watery or grainy consistency.
Despite the texture changes, frozen yogurt is safe to eat for 1-2 months. If you don’t enjoy consuming it on its own, you can still use it for smoothies, cooking, and baking.
How To Freeze Yogurt – 4 Ways
Choose any of the methods below to store yogurt in the freezer based on what you plan to do with it. You’ll have up to 2 months at your disposal to consume it.
In The Original Container
This is the easiest approach but you might want to reconsider if you have larger tubs. It works best for single-serving containers so you don’t have to thaw more than you can use.
Yogurt will expand when frozen and this can break the container’s seal. To prevent freezer burn and odors, place the yogurt container in a freezer bag.
In A Freezer-Safe Container
Larger tubs of yogurt can be split into smaller freezer-safe containers. Simply spoon it into the containers and leave some headspace at the top to allow for expansion.
It’s perfectly fine to add fruit before freezing the yogurt. Just make sure you give it a good stir so everything is mixed evenly.
In Freezer Bags
Yogurt frozen in bags will take less space in the freezer so this is a good method if your freezer is already crowded.
Portion the yogurt using an ice cream scoop on a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap or parchment. Then, place it in the freezer for a few hours until it becomes solid.
Transfer the frozen yogurt scoops in freezer bags and you’ll be able to take out only as many servings as you need!
Tip: If you plan to use frozen yogurt for baking or cooking it’s a good idea to know how much your ice cream scoop can hold. This way you won’t need to measure the frozen yogurt before using it in your recipe.
In An Ice Cube Tray
I’m a true smoothie lover which is why I like freezing some of my extra yogurt in an ice cube tray.
To make the process easier, fill a spoon with yogurt and used another spoon to pour it into the ice cube tray. Place the tray in the freezer and once the yogurt is solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container.
Next time you’re craving a smoothie, add some frozen yogurt cubes in the blender with the rest of the ingredients and blend until creamy.
Note: Yogurt lasts 1-2 months in the freezer for all the methods described above. Don’t forget to label your freezer bags or containers. This way, it’ll be easy to know how much time you have to use it. Alternatively, use our free editable freezer labels that have plenty of space to write all relevant information!
How To Thaw
I only recommend one method to thaw yogurt: in the fridge. It will take some time, and you can let it thaw overnight if you want it usable the next day but it’s the safest way to do it.
Placing the bags or containers of frozen yogurt in warm water might lead to early spoilage and should be avoided.
Make sure you only thaw the yogurt you can use. Once thawed, it can’t be refrozen.
How Long Does Thawed Yogurt Last?
Thawed yogurt lasts for up to 3 days in the fridge. It’s a shorter time compared to fresh yogurt which stays good for 7-14 days in the fridge so make sure you only thaw what you need.
How To Use Frozen Yogurt
While it stays safe to eat for up to 2 months, the longer yogurt stays frozen the more its texture will alter.
If you enjoy it plain, freeze a reasonable amount so you can eat it at its best.
Despite the watery, or grainy texture, frozen yogurt is perfect for cooking, baking, smoothies, and overnight oats.
I love using it to make dipping sauces, a light and creamy cucumber salad, and homemade remoulade. Don’t forget yogurt is an excellent meat tenderizer so it’s a wonderful ingredient for marinades.
Baked goods and bread like naan bread, my favorite healthy pumpkin yogurt muffins, and waffles turn out well even if you use frozen and thawed yogurt.
For smoothies, there’s no need to thaw frozen yogurt since you’ll be blending all the ingredients. Overnight oats and overnight muesli are another use for thawed yogurt where the altered texture won’t matter.
F.A.Q.
Yogurt can be stored in the freezer for 1-2 months regardless if you freeze it in the original container, freezer bags, or an air-tight container.
The longer it stays frozen the more its texture will change, becoming thinner and grainier. Even if it’s not amazing on its own, it will still work for baked goods, oats, bread, dipping sauces, marinades, and other applications where its texture is not important.
Yes, Greek yogurt can be frozen just like any other type of yogurt and it will stay good for up to 2 months.
Blend the thawed yogurt in a blender for 30-60 seconds until it regains its creamy texture. A food processor will also work for this purpose.
Freezing yogurt will lengthen its shelf life, but it can still go bad. Signs of spoilage include mold, curdling, a strong sour smell, or a rancid odor.
The most important change that occurs when freezing yogurt is its texture. Over time it will become more watery and grainy once thawed. The taste will still be good, although frozen yogurt can become more tart compared to fresh yogurt.
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