As you may know, Greek yoghurt is one of those products that are cheaper to buy in bulk, but if you don’t plan on using it every day, it can easily go to waste due to its limited shelf life. So, can you keep it for longer?
Can You Freeze Greek Yoghurt?
Yes, you can freeze Greek yoghurt for up to 2 months. It’s possible to freeze yoghurt in the tub it comes in, but you must ensure it’s well-wrapped. However, freezing Greek Yoghurt in portions is far more efficient.
Do Does Greek Yoghurt freeze well? Sometimes
Can you refreeze Greek Yoghurt? No
How to Freeze Greek Yoghurt
There’s nothing too complicated about freezing Greek yoghurt. But if you attempt to freeze it, you need to be prepared because it changes texture when it’s in the freezer.
As you might be aware, yoghurt separates when frozen, so you will need to stir it well after defrosting, and you might even notice a slight discolouration. Below are the steps you need to take to freeze Greek yoghurt.
- Split Into Portions: Unless you intend to use your Greek yoghurt all in one go when you have defrosted it, split it into portion sizes before you freeze it. The best way to do this is to place the required amount into individual freezer-safe bags.
- Seal Well: When your Greek yoghurt is in each bag, press as much air as possible before sealing it. This will help to protect it from freezer burn.
- Label and Freeze: Make a note on the front of the bag when you purchased the yoghurt. You should also write its use-by date, 2 months from your purchase date.
3 Tips for Freezing Greek Yoghurt
Now you know how to freeze it, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing Greek yoghurt to have the best results:
Freeze ASAP
You should freeze Greek yoghurt as soon as you can after purchasing it. Leaving your yoghurt for too long in the fridge before freezing will begin to lose its desired taste. If you’re buying in bulk, separate it into portion sizes as soon as you get home and transfer the bags straight into the freezer.
Expect Textural Changes
Although your Greek yoghurt won’t have the most appealing texture once defrosted, the taste shouldn’t be affected. As such, frozen Greek yoghurt is the perfect addition to a range of baked dishes and nutritious smoothies. You might prefer not to eat it directly from the bag,
It Won’t Become Ice Cream
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that frozen Greek yoghurt will magically become ice cream after being in the freezer for a while. While you can make ice cream with Greek Yoghurt, it requires several ingredients.
How Long Can You Freeze Greek Yoghurt?
You can freeze Greek yoghurt for around 2 months.
If you plan to use your Greek yoghurt all in one go after thawing it, you can place it straight in the freezer when you get home from the supermarket.
However, suppose you plan to add Greek yoghurt to various recipes. In that case, it’s a good idea to separate it before you freeze it, as we definitely wouldn’t recommend refreezing yoghurt that has already been defrosted.
Once opened, Greek yoghurt will last for around a week or so in the fridge. You should still try to keep it as sealed as possible.
How Do You Defrost Greek Yoghurt?
If you plan to use your Greek yoghurt in smoothies and certain recipes, you don’t have to defrost it. You can remove the yoghurt from the freezer and add it to the recipe.
However, if you prefer to defrost Greek Yoghurt before using it, you must allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight. You should never defrost yoghurt or any other dairy at room temperature.
Once it has thawed, you will then need to stir it to bring back its desired consistency. While its texture won’t be perfect, the taste won’t be affected.
Can You Refreeze Greek Yoghurt?
We wouldn’t recommend refreezing Greek yoghurt.
This is because it separates once frozen, and it is difficult to achieve the required texture and consistency once frozen and thawed.
Freezing it again will only worsen the texture, so it’s not a good idea.
As we’ve mentioned, it’s a much better idea to freeze Greek yoghurt in individual portion sizes, so you only have to take out what you need from the freezer at any given time.
Does Greek Yoghurt Freeze Well?
While frozen Greek yoghurt can be added to smoothies and other recipes, it separates in the freezer, which means it doesn’t freeze overly well.
You certainly won’t be able to enjoy that smooth and creamy texture of fresh Greek yoghurt, so providing you manage your expectations, you shouldn’t encounter any issues when it comes to freezing Greek yoghurt.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing Greek yoghurt or yoghurt in general, then these may help:
When freezing yoghurt, there is a chance that some of the probiotics are killed off. However, only a small number will be killed. The rest will become dormant (and frozen). As the yoghurt thaws, the beneficial bacteria will react and awaken.
Yes, it is possible to freeze most types of yoghurt but, in all cases, you’ll find it splits a little once thawed so it is best used in sauces, dishes and smoothies to hide this textural change.
Sources
We have verified the information on this page using the following resources:
