Whenever you feel hungry for a snack, yogurt is something to always return to. They will fill you up for a while till it is mealtime.
But visiting the store every time you crave some yogurt or condensed milk is inconvenient. It is much easier to keep your home stocked.
But, can you freeze yogurt?
Yes, Yogurt can be stored for about 2 months in the freezer. When it thaws, the texture might change a little. Expect a little grainy or liquidy texture. That’s not something to worry about. Stir it well for half a minute, and you are ready!
How to Freeze Yogurt the right way?
There are different ways of storing yogurt in the freezer. Follow any of them, and you should be able to enjoy yogurt before it goes bad.
1. Original Package
This is probably the most simple way to freeze yogurt. Simply toss the original package into the freezer. This is mostly recommended for single-serving packs. This means you can thaw them anytime you want. But even with large containers, this might work.
Remember, yogurt is made from milk and it expands when kept in the freezer. So, the seal might break. Freezer burns or smells are legitimate concerns. To counter these, consider placing the individual containers in the freezer bag before freezing them.
2. Freezer-Safe Container
You can also spoon yogurt and keep them in small freezer-safe packs. This lets you portion it as per your preference. With freezer-safe containers, you can leave room for the yogurt to expand later.
This method works best if you have yogurt with pieces or layers of fruit. You can stir the fruit and the yogurt evenly before freezing them. The fruit will be evenly distributed once the yogurt is thawed.
Also Read: Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
3. Ice Cube Tray
This is similar to the previous technique, except with ice trays. Spoon yogurts into small portions and stuff them into ice cube trays before freezing. Allow it to freeze for a couple of hours or, better even, overnight. Then move the cubes to a freezer bag.
This is a good way to go if you plan to make smoothies. You can toss a few into the blender and get creamy smoothies instantly!
4. In Scoops
This is again quite similar to the previous methods, except without much hassle. This works best if you have large tubs of yogurt lying around. Line baking sheets with some parchment paper. Use an ice cream scoop to take portions of it and place them on the parchment paper.
Freeze the yogurt scoops for a few hours or, better even, overnight. Then move them into a freezer bag to store them for longer. You can choose the scoop size as per your liking. This is the best way to avoid wasting excess yogurt.
Can You Freeze Yogurt : 5 Freezing Tips
The first and foremost thing to remember with frozen yogurt is that 2 months is the limit. Next in line is always labelling the containers to remember how long they will last. Here are a few more tips for storing and thawing yogurt well:
- Try to avoid letting yogurt sit on the countertop for a long. This keeps it within a safe temperature range. It also ensures bacteria do not start growing on the yogurt.
- Place the frozen yogurt in the fridge for at least 2 hours, if not overnight, to thaw it.
- Yogurt made out of raw milk is best not thawed on the countertop. This kind of yogurt can have E. coli, which leads to diseases, some even fatal.
- Always check the yogurt expiry date and consume it as soon as possible. It is a dairy product, after all.
- Discard yogurt that smells or exhibits microbe growth, black mold, or slime.
Equipment Needed for Freezing Yogurt
You will not need high-quality ingredients with yogurt freezing. Chances are you already have the necessary things to freeze yogurt.
Here’s what you need:
- Ice cream scoop
- Ice cube tray
- Freezer-safe plastic containers
- Parchment paper
Also Read: Can You Freeze Potato Salad?
How to Defrost Frozen Yogurt?
There are a few recommended ways to defrost yogurt. Avoid leaving it on the countertop, no matter which method you choose. Here are a few defrosting methods that work great:
Fridge
This is one of the most common ways of thawing yogurt. Simply toss it into the fridge and let it sit for at least 2 hours. It is best to store it overnight.
Lukewarm Water
Pouring lukewarm water into a bowl and keeping the frozen yogurt in it is a good idea. Place the ziploc freezer bag or container with the yogurt portions in the water. This helps speed up the defrosting process. This will take 2 to 3 hours. Avoid using boiling water or even hot water. Lukewarm water is the way to go.
Stovetop
This is one of the best ways to thaw yogurt. Take out the yogurt from the ice cube trays or containers, and warm it up. To warm it up, use a small saucepan on medium heat. This can also thicken the yogurt and make it creamier.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can you freeze store-bought yogurt?
Ans. Yes, you can. You can freeze the yogurt from the store in its original packing. Transferring it into an airtight container will also work wonders. If you have multiple small packs, toss them right into the freezer.
Q2. Can you freeze yogurt and eat like ice cream?
Ans. Yes, you can freeze yogurt and eat it just like ice cream. If you are looking for healthy alternatives to ice cream, yogurt is great. It has the same flavor and texture and has lower calories and fat.
Q3. How long does yogurt last in the fridge?
Ans. As per USDA, you should consume yogurt within a week or two of purchasing. This is assuming you are refrigerating the yogurt right away after buying it. After this time frame, there is no saying whether the yogurt is okay in the fridge.
Q4. Why does frozen yogurt taste different than ice cream?
Ans. Because of the cultured milk content, your frozen yogurt will usually taste tangy. Many companies add sugar to balance out the tangy flavor. Ice creams have a softer and fluffier texture from the air that folds into them during churning.
Q5. How can you tell if yogurt is spoiled?
Ans. Mold or yeast growth is one of the most significant tell-tale signs of spoilage. This can be blue, green, gray, or white. Another sign is excessive curdling or clumping. Ideally, yogurt should be smooth.
The Bottom Line
Follow the proper methods of yogurt freezing, and you can enjoy it for weeks. Yogurt is one of the few things that you can snack on whenever you are hungry. It is not particularly unhealthy, and it tastes great.
