Yogurt is a very versatile and tasty product that you can find in every supermarket. It’s not only eaten as breakfast or as a snack, but also for cooking and other dishes. You could even say that yogurt has become the new cheese. Sometimes you have bought too much yogurt or simply got some leftovers for whatever reason and you wonder how to preserve the rest.
Maybe you can freeze yogurt?
The answer is very simple: Yes, you can! But there are a few things that should be considered prior to freezing yogurt, otherwise, it can change the taste.
What Changes When Freezing Yogurt?
When you freeze yogurt, the taste and texture can be altered. This is partly due to the water content of the yogurt and partly to its general composition.
But it may not be that noticeable. Also, if you are planning to use the yogurt for cooking purposes, there should be no problems.
I think it can be still a good idea to freeze yogurt for later use. The convenience alone may be worth the change in taste and texture, since it can help you save time during busy mornings!
How to Freeze Yogurt the Right Way?
There are 5 different methods of freezing yogurt I want to share with you:
- Freeze it in its original package. – You can just freeze the sealed yogurt in the container you bought it. This an easy method to do, that needs no more utilities.
- Use an airtight container and put it in the freezer.
- Put it in freezer bags – It’s important to make sure you squeeze as much air as possible out of the bag.
- Use a home vacuum sealer – This is another good approach, but you need extra appliances, which not everyone has access to.
- Pour it into ice cube trays and then put them into freezer bags.
These were some easy ways to freeze your yogurt. Some of them are handier than others, depending on your kitchen setup or preferences.
Regardless of which method you used to avoid any unwanted changes when freezing yogurt, there are some things you should also keep in mind beforehand.
First, be aware to prepare everything with care so it will not speed bacteria growth up through other substances.
Second, leave some space in the container or bag, since yogurt expands slightly when frozen.
Can You Freeze All Kinds of Yogurts?
From my understanding, I think you can freeze all kinds of yogurt. However, note that the texture of the yogurt will be altered when it thaws out. For instance freezing skyr yogurt works very well, but the taste and texture also changes slightly.
Also, some yogurts may not freeze well because of their ingredients or additives. As there are so many variations, I’d recommend testing small batches for specific kinds of yogurts you plan to freeze.
How Long Can Yogurt be Frozen?
When it comes to how long you can store the frozen yogurt in the freezer, there is no specific answer. It depends on the ingredients and the type of yogurt. However, the longer you freeze it, the more flavor and texture is lost and the greater the risk that it will go bad.
To give you a number: As a general rule, you should assume that it won’t last over 2-4 months.
How to Thaw Yogurt?
The thawing process is also quite simple. Just put your frozen yogurt in the fridge and wait until it has fully defrosted, which should take a couple hours.
If you want to speed up the process, you can place the container on the counter at room temperature or in lukewarm water.
You can also theoretically do it in the microwave. However, be careful to not expose the yogurt to too high heat, because this can also lead to a loss of flavor and texture. In addition, this could kill the good bacteria in the yogurt.
One last note: I wouldn’t recommend refreezing thawed yogurt.
How Long Can You Keep the Thawed Yogurt?
After defrosting, you can keep it in the fridge for several days, maybe more. This also depends.
You should always double-check the yogurt with all your senses before you just eating it.
What Happens to the Good Bacteria in Yogurt When You Freeze It?
When you freeze yogurt, the bacteria in there will go into a dormant state, as many studies show.
Depending on the type of bacteria, state, there will be more or less loss after freezing.
If you want to use it as a starter yogurt for making your own, I’d try to be sure that there are enough bacteria in the yogurt you are going to freeze.
Conclusion
Freezing yogurt is a great way to have it ready anytime you want. It’s easy, safe and saves you money! The only problem with frozen yogurt is that it will alter the texture when it thaws out, but this will usually not affect its taste much.
I hope this article helps some people who don’t want to waste money on buying flavored yogurts, which are usually even more expensive than plain yogurt.
If you want to share your thoughts on this article, please leave a comment!
I’d also appreciate it if you could share my articles on social networks so everyone can benefit from them.
Thank you for reading.
Frequently asked questions about freezing yogurt
How does yogurt taste when it is bad?
If yogurt is bad, it will smell or taste sour. That’s because fermentation has gone out of control and the yogurt will contain too much lactic acid.
What is the shelf life of homemade yogurt?
Homemade yogurt has a shelf life of about 7-10 days in the fridge.
How long does it take for yogurt to freeze?
This question can’t be answered without providing further information, as it depends on various factors such as how cold your freezer is, how much you freeze in one container, which type of yogurt you want to freeze, and so on.
It should take a few hours for your yogurt to freeze.
Can you freeze Greek yogurt?
Yes, you can freeze Greek yogurt. However, the texture will be altered when it thaws out.
