Can Greek yogurt be frozen?

Breakfast is a crucial part of our day. Eating ready meals or just cornflakes can fill you up for a while, but it’s not the healthiest option.

So what else can you eat for a healthy breakfast that will keep you full for the day? The easiest option is yogurt, but more specifically, Greek yogurt!

There are multiple ways to use Greek yogurt in your meals. For example, you can eat it with a salad or even add it to your smoothie. But how can you keep it for long-term use?

Can you freeze Greek yogurt? You can freeze Greek yogurt for 2-3 weeks without any changes in its texture. Afterward, it can become grainy.

In this guide we will talk about the best ways to freeze Greek yogurt to keep it fresh. Read below to find out more.

What is Greek yogurt?

So what makes Greek yogurt different from other regular yogurts, and why is it so popular?

You may have bought a Greek yogurt thinking that it is the same as a regular yogurt. But once you have opened it, you will see that it is nothing like your regular yogurt.

Greek yogurt originates from Greece. It is known that Kostas Mastoras was the first to make and sell Greek yogurt in the United States more than 20 years ago.

Greek yogurt differs from regular yogurt in its texture. Its texture is thicker and creamier due to the method used to make it.

Like other yogurts, Greek yogurt is similar in composition to milk and is fermented. But to make Greek yogurt, the whey is strained out after fermentation, giving the yogurt a solid, velvety texture.

Apart from this, Greek yogurt is also strained, unlike other yogurts.

In addition to the difference in its preparation, it is rich in protein and contains other nutrients such as zinc, calcium, etc. It provides multiple other health benefits such as boosting metabolism, increasing bone strength, etc.

Is it possible to freeze Greek yogurt?

If you want Greek yogurt to last longer, you can freeze it.

Freezing Greek yogurt is fine as long as you consume it within 3 months. When Greek yogurt freezes, it can lose its consistency and become grainy. However, you can avoid it in multiple ways, which we will discuss later.

Once thawed, the frozen Greek yogurt can be incorporated into a variety of dishes, or our personal favorite, smoothies!

Freezing Greek yogurt does not make it lose its health benefits. Once frozen yogurt is thawed, it is still as healthy as before.

One problem with frozen yogurt is the potential for freezer burn. Freezer burn occurs when the moisture in the yogurt evaporates. You will notice this when the yogurt is completely frozen and ice forms on top.

When this occurs, you may not want to eat Greek yogurt, as it would taste extremely bland. However, if you don’t care much about the taste, you can safely consume it.

How long can Greek yogurt be frozen?

Normally, frozen yogurt lasts about 2 months. However, if you want to store opened Greek yogurt in the fridge, it will only keep for 2-3 weeks.

What happens when Greek yogurt is frozen?

The decision to freeze Greek yogurt is up to you. So before moving on to the methods of freezing Greek yogurt, let’s first understand what happens when we freeze Greek yogurt.

1. Grainy texture

Yogurt is made by heating milk over low heat, allowing it to form a solid.

But when yogurt is frozen, the structure collapses, making the yogurt grainy. This is a bit disappointing for people who like their yogurt smooth and creamy.

The texture of the yogurt will become grainy. However, this depends on the brand you choose.

2. Sweeter taste

Refrigeration of Greek yogurt makes it slightly acidic. You will notice that the taste is somewhat sweeter. However, the taste will not change much.

If you want to keep the original flavor, there is a trick for that too. You just have to mix or blend the yogurt liquid to restore its original flavor.

3. Thinner consistency

Once refrigerated, Greek yogurt loses its thick texture. This occurs when you freeze yogurt and then thaw it.

The consistency of yogurt changes due to the separation of fat and water. This makes the yogurt thinner and waterier. To get a thicker texture, you can mix or beat it all together.

The Best Ways to Freeze Greek Yogurt

If you’re still thinking about freezing Greek yogurt, here are some of the methods you can use.

1. Use an airtight container

The easiest method to refrigerate Greek yogurt is to use an airtight container. Make sure the container is tightly closed so that it does not come into contact with air.

Allowing Greek yogurt to come into contact with air will accelerate bacterial growth, absorbing the flavor and affecting how it tastes.

2. Use a tray

It may seem like a bad option, but it works well when you want to store Greek yogurt for more than a month.

Follow these steps to freeze yogurt using a tray:

1. First, you’ll need a tray, parchment paper, and a cookie sheet. Place the parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
2. Scoop the yogurt onto the paper, using scoops or a spoon. When placing the yogurt, be sure to leave space between each serving.
3. Once this is done, place the tray in the freezer. Be sure to keep it on a flat surface so the yogurt doesn’t spill.
4. Leave it in the freezer for a few hours or overnight.
5. When you know the yogurt is frozen, transfer it to an airtight container and let it freeze again. This will allow you to store the yogurt for more than 3 months in individual servings.

3. Use ice cube trays

This is the best way to freeze Greek yogurt if you want to incorporate it into your smoothie. All you have to do is transfer the yogurt portion to the ice cube tray.

Let it freeze for a few hours and once frozen you can add it directly to your smoothie or transfer it to a freezer-safe bag.

However, it’s best to cover the ice cube tray with saran paper or even transfer the ice cubes to an airtight freezer-safe container so they last longer and don’t get freezer burn.

4. Freeze the original container

If you have unopened Greek yogurt, you don’t have to worry about moving it. You just have to place the container as it is in the freezer.

If you have opened the yogurt, be sure to transfer it to another container and make sure it is completely closed.

5. Use popsicle molds

You can make your own homemade popsicles with Greek yogurt. All you have to do is pour the yogurt into small plastic cups and freeze it for about 4 hours.

6. Use clay pots

This is a traditional method used to make and store yogurt. Clay pots have small pores on their surface that allow moisture in, which in turn keeps the pot cool.

This allows the yogurt to reach a cool temperature, necessary for storage.

You can add the yogurt to the clay container and let it freeze for a few days. This will not only help you stock up on Greek yogurt, but it will also help you stay in favor.

Additional Tips for Freezing Greek Yogurt

If you read the directions on the Greek yogurt container, it says, “Do not freeze.” This is because once the yogurt is frozen, it loses its structure.

However, if you still want to do it, there are ways to ensure that your Greek yogurt tastes the same even when it’s frozen.

Be sure to follow the tips below to preserve the flavor and texture of your Greek yogurt.

1. Divide the yogurt into portions - Be sure to divide the Greek yogurt into small portions and place in an airtight container. By dividing the yogurt into small portions, you won’t have to defrost it all at once and risk wasting some of it.
2. Don’t dip your spoon - Once you’ve frozen the yogurt, make sure you don’t use a spoon to check if it’s okay or not. It can mess up the texture and consistency of your frozen yogurt.
3. Know your recipe - If you want to eat plain Greek yogurt without any other side dish, this is not a good idea. This is because frozen Greek yogurt can have a different taste and texture than fresh yogurt. However, if you incorporate the frozen Greek yogurt into your smoothie, it will work just fine.
4. Keep the fridge closed - Make sure you don’t open and close the freezer door frequently, as this can affect whether the Greek yogurt freezes completely or stays at a constant temperature. Sometimes this can alter the taste of the Greek yogurt, or it can even spoil.
5. Thaw Greek Yogurt Overnight - If you want to use frozen yogurt the next day, be sure to thaw it by keeping it in the fridge overnight. This will allow the Greek yogurt to thaw at a stable temperature. Make sure you don’t thaw frozen yogurt by keeping it out of the fridge. If you do, there is a greater chance that it will go bad.
6. Strain it through a coffee filter - If you want to preserve the thickness of the Greek yogurt, strain it through a coffee filter and then put it through the blender or food processor. This will make the Greek yogurt thick and creamy again.

Note : Once Greek yogurt is thawed, you cannot refreeze it. Refreezing thawed Greek yogurt allows bacteria to grow, making it unsafe to eat.

Related questions

How do you store Greek yogurt?

Aside from freezing, if you want to keep your Greek yogurt fresh, there are more tips to follow to get the best results. Among them are:

1. Avoid Cross Contamination - Our mothers always advised us to grab our food in a bowl and then eat it instead of eating it straight out of the packet or container! Well, the same applies in the case of Greek yogurt. Whenever you eat Greek yogurt, take a clean wooden spoon and spoon some into a bowl. Do not eat straight from the container, as this can lead to bacterial contamination and ruin your yogurt.
2. Don’t mix fresh with old Greek yogurt - Even if you have plenty of Greek yogurt, it’s not a good idea to mix fresh with old. This can also increase the risk of contamination and ruin your fresh Greek yogurt.
3. Freeze yogurt immediately - Do not wait more than five days to freeze Greek yogurt. Instead, you must refrigerate the Greek yogurt within three days.

How do you know if Greek yogurt has gone bad?

Well, not even freezing or storing your Greek yogurt can prevent it from going bad over time. Therefore, it is best to determine if your Greek yogurt is safe to consume or not.

Here are some signs to check for:

• Mold - Mold is the biggest indicator that your Greek yogurt has gone bad. So throw it away immediately.
• Too much liquid on the surface – A certain amount of liquid in Greek yogurt is healthy. But if you see that the entire top layer is just liquid, you shouldn’t consume it.

Final thoughts

Although there is a cost for freezing yogurt, it is worth considering for future use.

By freezing, you keep the yogurt available for multiple recipes and increase its shelf life. And it’s always nice to have something extra when you’re feeling too tired to run errands!

Freezing Greek yogurt can have certain drawbacks, such as losing its texture or flavor. However, there are ways to preserve and bring back the flavor that we have mentioned above!

Now that you know about Greek yogurt and the many ways to freeze it, go ahead and try it in your favorite recipes and smoothies.