Since sharing instructions on how to freeze milk, I’ve received a lot of questions about freezing other pantry essentials. The most recent being: “Laura, can you freeze yogurt?”.
I have good news for you, the first is yes, you can freeze yogurt. This post will cover a few methods and answer some questions about the texture changes and more.
Today, I’m showing you a few different ways to freeze yogurt, but if you’re mainly here for lunch packing hacks like this one, then you’ve got to grab a copy of 101 Packed Lunches with the bonus Pack Meal Like a Pro guide! In it, you’ll find all the lunch recipes you could ever need plus every tip and trick I have for packing lunch items – from yogurt to grilled sandwiches.
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How to Freeze Yogurt
There are several ways to freeze yogurt, and the best method will depend on how you’re planning on using the yogurt after it’s thawed.
Freezing Yogurt the Package
You can freeze yogurt directly in the container you purchased from the store -or in an air-tight container if you purchased a big tub and want to divide it up.
If you just bought one of those packs with multiple small yogurts, you can put them straight into the freezer with no problem.
This is by far the easiest method and my personal favorite. I like to get the single-serve packages and pop a few in the freezer for another day. That said, you can also put a larger tub of yogurt straight into the freezer.
In tubes: If your kids love go-gurts, you can start making your own by freezing your favorite yogurt in these tubes. It won’t affect the texture and your kids can enjoy this fun snack, with a lot less sugar than the store-bought version.
How to Freeze Yogurt in an Ice Cube Tray
If you’re planning on using your frozen yogurt in smoothies or in pre-made smoothie packs, you can freeze it in an ice cube tray.
After the cubes are solid, they can be enjoyed as is or in a smoothie. Simply add a few cubes to the blender with the rest of your smoothie pack!
- Fill
Scoop the yogurt into each cup in the ice cube tray. Tap the tray to settle the yogurt. - Freeze
Place the ice cube tray in the freezer, until the yogurt is solid. - Store
Remove the frozen yogurt from the tray and transfer them into a zip bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
This method is more time-consuming but also very useful. Want to watch how it’s done? I walk you through several yogurt freezing methods in this quick video.
How long does yogurt last in the freezer?
Whether you freeze yogurt in its own container, an air-tight container, an ice-cube tray, or in a zip bag, you can keep yogurt in the freezer for up to two months.
After a while, the yogurt will change the texture, get freezer burn, and I’d say it’s just not that great. However, you can use that frosty yogurt in recipes like my Blueberry Coffee Cake recipe or add it to oatmeal for extra protein.
For optimal texture for spoon consumption, use within 30-days.
Tip: Using a sharpie, mark the freeze date on the package.
Can you Freeze Greek yogurt?
The recommendations above were tested with both regular and Greek yogurt. I love Greek yogurt for it’s protein and that amazing thick, creamy texture – this is definitely my favorite version of yogurt. And guess what?!
You can also freeze Greek yogurt using any of the methods listed above. It can stay fresh for up to two months in the freezer.
Freezing won’t affect any of the nutritional benefits of Greek yogurt, so you can go ahead and put some packs in the freezer without worry.
What Happens When You Freeze It?
Like frozen milk, the yogurt will separate a bit after thawing. Thawed yogurt can also become watery or grainy. Be sure to mix well before you plan on eating it to try to get it as smooth as possible.
While the yogurt might not look exactly the same, you can rest assured it is fine to eat after freezing and thawing it.
If you are concerned about texture, simply use it in baking recipes or your next yogurt smoothie!
Important: you can freeze yogurt up to two months past its expiration date but it must be consumed immediately after thawing.
How to Thaw Yogurt
The best way to thaw yogurt is to put it in the fridge the night before you plan to use it. This will be sure it never gets too warm or has the chance to go bad.
If you forget to thaw it the night before, you can also thaw yogurt on the counter, just be sure that you eat it or put it back in the fridge within two hours so that it doesn’t spoil.
How to Prevent Separation when Thawing Yogurt
Thawed yogurt will inevitably have a different texture since freezing adds moisture to it. To give it a smoother texture after it’s defrosted, you can insert a single whisk from a hand blender in the container and mix it at the lowest speed. This should help reconstitute it close to the original texture.
Corinne Mergaert says
I freeze the large containers of Olympic krema yogurt and it always thaws out runny and lumpy. Can I beat it to make it creamy and thicker?
Laura Fuentes says
I always recommend freezing the large containers in smaller portions because this very reason, when it thaws it separates. To reconstitute it (won’t be the same as before but better) you can stick a single whisk from a hand mixer on low speed and mix it that way.
Ashley says
Hello, thanks for this info! How soon after thawing does the yogurt need to be eaten? We have an extra Costco-sized container of Greek Yogurt and I’m trying to decide if I should freeze it in its original container or if I need to put it in smaller batches so that we aren’t thawing it all and not able to consume it fast enough.
Thanks!
MOMables-Laura says
It depends on how close to the expiration date the yogurt was frozen. If it was days/weeks before, the yogurt should be good for that time frame. It can also help to label the container with the freeze date, so you know how many days you have until it expires. E.g if you freeze yogurt that is good for another week, once it’s defrosted you have roughly 6-7 days before it goes bad.
Jk Rogers says
Hello, My husband bought a 32oz greek vanilla yogurt that will expire in a day lol I haven’t opened it yet and want to freeze it for smoothies (not yet sure what kind I’ll make). Should I freeze in containers? If so, what size? There are so many different recipes to choose from.. Thanks in advance!
malou says
What about the live bacteria that is so great for your gut? Do they die in when you freeze them or do they survive and start living again after thawing?
And vegan yogurt? Does it work the same for that kind too?
best regards!
MOMables-Laura says
Live bacteria helps your microbiome for better digestion and absorption of nutrients from foods. Yes, they will survive when frozen, although they go into “hibernation” mode but will “awake” once thawed. This works for vegan yogurt as well.
Laura says
Hi, I’m making homemade yogurt and have a huge tub of commercial yogurt that I used as my starter. Can I safely freeze the remaining yogurt and use it for future batches?
MOMables-Laura says
Yes, you can freeze it directly in the container or divide it into several air-tight containers and freeze.
Jackie says
Can you freeze satsiki
MOMables - Laura says
Yes, you can. Except the texture might change when thawed out.
Judy Vallas says
I was wondering whether the beneficial qualities survive when you make froyo (frozen yogurt) from homemade yogurt. So it wouldn’t be thawed before it’s eaten – you’d eat it frozen. Thanks!
MOMables-Laura says
Yes, the bacteria remain dormant and will survive while frozen
April says
How long does it take to thaw? If I plan to freeze an individual 5 oz yogurt and put in a bag with ice packs for my son’s afternoon snack, will it be thawed and ready to eat? It would be about 6 hours.
MOMables-Laura says
Hi April, the yogurt will need to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Vijaya says
You can drain yogurt hanging in cheese cloth. Thick yogurt freeze as balls. Also freeze whey in small containers. To use thaw yogurt ball and whet – mix together- to use making raita with cucumber, carrots or even parboiled green beans with a pinch of sugar, chili powder, coriander leaves and powdered cumin. , smoothie or sweet desert with sugar, nutmeg add fruits if you with
David tscheekar says
Does anyone know if you can put yogurt into a FoodSaver bag with all the air evacuated?
Lewis Britton says
No you shouldn’t vacuum seal yogurt. The live bacteria need air.
Sharon says
Will the bacteria still need air when it is frozen? Doesn’t that cease when it is frozen?
MOMables-Laura says
Hi Sharon, bacteria go into “hibernation” mode when frozen, but once the yogurt thaws they become active once again. No need to worry about giving them air.
Kathy says
Well the yogurt after you freeze it taste similar to the yogurt say you would pay for at a place like Yogurtland
MOMables - Laura says
Unfortunately, freezing a yogurt does not give you “frozen yogurt” it only freezes the yogurt to be consumed later after thawing.
Maria Fiorelli says
Can I freeze dairy free yogurt and retain the live cultures?
MOMables-Laura says
Yes, but it might alter the texture of the yogurt.
Lucy says
Does the yogurt not expand in the freezer like milk? Do you need to take a bit out of the pre brought pots before you freeze them or can you really just put the pots or squeeze pouches straight in?
MOMables-Laura says
You can freeze it directly in its container.
Maria Rashleigh says
Can you freeze fruit yogurt and flavoured yogurts and Greek yogurt with honey in a separate compartment, please
Thank you
MOMables-Laura says
Hi Maria, yes you can freeze any flavored yogurt in its container or a freezer-safe container.
G R says
You can freeze yogurt any time! Just put it in the blender after it thaws! Good as new.
Dawn Sparkes says
Thankyou ,I will try your method,never done this before.