Greek yogurt is one of the foods I include in my diet because I am a health-conscious woman. I got a giant tub of greek yogurt at the local grocery because it was on sale. Since I live alone, the tub is a ton of supply for me. Can I freeze greek yogurt and get the same nutritional value as when I first bought it?
Greek yogurt is becoming increasingly popular in the market, owing to claims that it is healthier than regular yogurt.
Quick Answer
You can freeze Greek yogurt, and freezing it could even help extend its shelf life. However, the texture would change and it would no longer resemble commercially prepared frozen yogurt. It will separate, but with constant and thorough stirring, you will achieve a consistency similar to when you first purchased it. The nutritional value of frozen and then thawed Greek yogurt remains the same.
Can You Freeze Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt can be frozen, but its shelf life is dependent on how it is stored. Unopened Greek yogurt can be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks past its expiry date and frozen for 1-2 months.
When refrigerated, opened Greek yogurt can be refrigerated for up to a week and frozen for up to a month.
Your yogurt’s appearance and consistency may change if you freeze it. It becomes clumpy and has a different texture than ice cream.
Frozen yogurt does not change the taste of the yogurt; however, some people may find it very unpleasant to eat due to its strange texture.
You could stir or whip your thawed Greek yogurt to re-establish its texture. Others would suggest making it into a smoothie, which would taste exactly like the original.
If your Greek yogurt is properly frozen and stored, it will retain its quality, nutritional value, and active cultures. Some of the bacteria would die, but the majority would go dormant when the yogurt was frozen and reawaken when it was defrosted.
How to Freeze Greek Yogurt
When freezing Greek yogurt, it is not advisable to simply place the entire tub in the refrigerator. It is preferable if you do the following:
- To begin, you must use an airtight container to seal your yogurt in order to keep its quality and avoid absorbing any bad odors or bacteria from the freezer.
Separate the yogurt into individual bags. Because frozen items expand in their containers, doing so would free up more space for the yogurt. This is also more convenient, particularly if you only want to consume a certain amount of yogurt per day. - It is best to label your containers with the expiry date of the yogurt so you know how long you can use it.
- It is recommended that you defrost your yogurt in the refrigerator overnight when unfreezing it.
- It is recommended that you defrost your yogurt in the refrigerator overnight when unfreezing it.
- After thawing, make sure to thoroughly mix or whip the ingredients.
How To Use Up Extra/Leftover Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is a delicious and healthy food that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. But what do you do when you have extra Greek yogurt? Here are five delicious ways to use up your leftover Greek yogurt:
- Make a smoothie -Greek yogurt makes a great addition to smoothies. Just add it to a blender with some milk and fruit, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy drink in no time.
- Use it as a salad dressing – Greek yogurt can also be used as a salad dressing. Just whisk it together with some vinegar and oil, and you’ve got a delicious dressing for your greens.
- Make some dip – Greek yogurt can be used to make a variety of dips. Just add in some spices and herbs, and you’ll have a tasty dip that everyone will love.
- Bake with it – Greek yogurt can also be used in baking. Just substitute it for sour cream or yogurt in your favorite recipe, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy treat.
- Make a frozen yogurt – To make a simple frozen yogurt, just add Greek yogurt to a food processor with some fruit and honey. Process until smooth and pour into an ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions, and you’ll have a delicious and healthy frozen treat in no time!
So there you have it – five delicious ways to use up your leftover Greek yogurt. Next time you find yourself with extra yogurt, try one of these recipes and enjoy!
Greek Yogurt Recipes
Greek yogurt pancakes are a delicious and healthy way to start the day. Check out this super simple method:
Lunchtime cravings for Greek yogurt and pasta? Why not combine these two ingredients to make Greek yogurt pasta? More information can be found here:
Slice up some of your favorite vegetables or serve pita bread sticks with a flavorful Greek yogurt dip (Tzatziki):
Wrap Up
Yes, you can freeze Greek yogurt! Frozen Greek yogurt will last for 6-8 months in the freezer. Here are the steps to follow when freezing it: use an air-tight container or bag that is specifically made for freezing, leave plenty of space in the container/bag when filling it up because the frozen product expands while freezing which means no overflow, label your storage bag with today’s date or even better with what type of meal you are storing in there, make sure to stack them properly so they don’t get damaged, and finally put it in its proper place in your freezer once stored.
Let me know how was your experience freezing greek yogurt in the comment section below.
