• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Savor + Savvy logo

  • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Freezer Cooking & Make Ahead Meals
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
  • Tips
    • Substitutions
    • Air Fryer How-To
  • Printables
  • Shop
    • Our Printables
    • Things We Love
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Printables
  • Shop
×
Home » Tips

Can You Freeze Yogurt?

Published: Jul 24, 2023 by Ginny · This post may contain affiliate links.

Pin109
Share
Yum
Tweet
109 Shares

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!

Two images of yogurt being prepared for freezing and frozen yogurt cubes.
What happens when you freeze yogurt?
Contents hide
1 Can You Freeze Yogurt?
2 What Happens When You Freeze Yogurt?
3 How To Freeze Yogurt – 4 Ways
4 How To Thaw
5 How Long Does Thawed Yogurt Last?
6 How To Use Frozen Yogurt
7 F.A.Q.

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

Frozen yogurt in original container on wooden table.
Freezing yogurt in the original containers is quick and easy!

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

Yogurt in small freezer-safe container.
Use small containers for quick thawing

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

Placing yogurt on a baking sheet using an ice cream scoop.
Use an ice cream scoop to portion the yogurt on a lined baking sheet

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.

Portioned yogurt in freezer bag and yogurt in original container.
Portioned yogurt in a freezer bag

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

Pouring yogurt in an ice cube tray using two spoons.
Use two spoons to pour yogurt into 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.

Top view of bowl with frozen yogurt cubes.
No need to thaw frozen yogurt for smoothies!

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

Freezer bag with thawed yogurt and yogurt in original container.
The best way to thaw yogurt is in the fridge

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

top down view of fresh waffles, oats and berries sprinkled on the table.
Healthy Oatmeal Waffles

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.

How Long Does Yogurt Last In The Freezer?


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.

Can You Freeze Greek Yogurt?


Yes, Greek yogurt can be frozen just like any other type of yogurt and it will stay good for up to 2 months.

How Do I Fix Separated Thawed Yogurt?


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.

Does Yogurt Go Bad After Freezing?


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.

Is Freezing Yogurt Tasty?


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.

  • Free printable back to school 30-day and 10-day countdowns on purple background next to alarm clock and bulletin board.
    Free Printable Back To School Countdown
  • Back to school banner free printables on light blue background next to school supplies.
    Free Printable Back To School Banner
  • Top view of free staycation planning printables on pink background next to coffee and other items.
    Free Printable Staycation Planner
  • Free printable summer book report for kids on yellow background next to notebook and pencil.
    Free Printable Summer Book Report

Ginny
Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

savorandsavvy.com/about-me/
Can You Freeze Yogurt?Can You Freeze Yogurt?
« How Many Tablespoons In An Ounce?
How Long Are Mashed Potatoes Good For? »

About Ginny

Hi!

Ginny Collins is a passionate foodie and recipe creator of Savor and Savvy and Kitchenlaughter. Indoors she focuses on easy, quick recipes for busy families and kitchen basics. Outdoors, she focuses on backyard grilling and smoking to bring family and friends together. She is a lifelong learner who is always taking cooking classes on her travels overseas and stateside. Her work has been featured on MSN, Parade, Fox News, Yahoo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and many local news outlets. She lives in Florida where you will find her outside on the water in her kayak, riding her bike on trails, and planning her next overseas adventure.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Family Photo Hi! I'm Ginny and for over 30 years, I've been creating simple and easy recipes without sacrificing on taste for our family on the go. I can't wait to show you how to do the same for your family. Read More...

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Search

join our facebook community for printables.

As Featured In

graphic showing all of the publications that feature Savor and Savvy.

Popular Posts

bowl of teriyaki chicken over a bed of white rice, two chopsticks and sprinkled with sesame seeds

Honey Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This oven baked eggs recipe is an easy fix for rushed morning breakfasts! These eggs are baked in muffin pans and are ready in just 15 minutes.

How to Bake Eggs in Oven in Muffin Tin {15 Minutes Meal Prep}

How to Clean Stove Drip Pans Naturally

top down view of a desk with three printable pages on top.

Dot Grid Paper Printable for Bullet Journaling + Planners: U.S. Letter, 8×10, A4, A5, A6 and Pocket, Personal Sizes

Adorable pet care binder cover sheet with paw prints and a grey heat

Adorable Pet Care Binder FREE 12 Pages of Printable Worksheets

After cooking, the livers will be golden brown as shown on this air fryer tray

Air Fryer Chicken Livers

Medical binder printables on pink background next to decorative heart and stethoscope.

Medical Binder Printables (FREE Worksheets Included)

This easy cilantro lime rice recipe will feed your chipotle cravings, without having to leave home! This easy side dish is the perfect addition to a homemade burrito bowl or any other simple meal requiring an extra kick of flavor.

Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility Policy

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.