Greek yogurt is a wonderful dessert. However, sometimes you can’t finish a whole pack at once. So, can you store it? How long does Greek yogurt last?
The answer depends mostly on how you store it. The dairy product can remain good for two to three days if kept at room temperature. If you store it in the freeze, your food can be edible for up to two months.
This article will explain more about the lifespan of this milk product. We also share some tips on storing the food properly. Let’s follow our post!
How Long Does Greek Yogurt Last?
It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact lifespan of Greek yogurt and yogurt in general. There are a couple of factors involved here.
Type
The first factor is the type of the product. Some of the most popular types you often see are Greek, plain, flavored, and Icelandic.
A flavored dairy may last longer since it generally contains ingredients that extend the shelf life of the dairy. The Greek variant has less flavor than the regular version. It appears to be healthy yet less long-lasting.
Ingredients
You must be aware of the ingredients and whether or not the food has preservatives. Chemical additives can prevent or delay spoiling produced by chemical alterations such as oxidation and mold development.
As a result, the one having more preservatives can remain longer.
Storing method
The third issue which you seem to have little knowledge or influence is the storage method before it arrives at the retailer.
Your milk product may degrade sooner if mishandled before reaching the store’s refrigerator. The most important thing to do is verify the date on the package. It’s generally a sell-by date.
The date indicates how long the retailer will keep the item on the racks. The dairy product may keep its freshness for a few days longer. It can last up to one week after the expiration date when it comes to yogurt.
After buying, you can preserve the dairy products by keeping them under a cold temperature.
Assuming that the yogurt stays at a cool temperature at the supermarket, it can last for two to three days at room temperature at your home.
If you store it in the refrigerator, it can last for two weeks. The best way of preservation is the freezer, where your dairy dishes can remain edible for two months.
After checking all the factors related to the lifespan of your food, let’s sum up. We compare Greek yogurt with regular ones. Hence, you can have a deeper understanding of how the former works.
| Type of yogurt | At room temperature | In the fridge | In the freezer |
| Greek | 2 – 3 days | 1 – 2 weeks | 1 – 2 months |
| Regular | 2 – 3 days | 2 – 3 weeks | 1- 2 months |
Does Yogurt Go Bad?
When eating dairy products, particularly leftover or outdated products, you should be aware of several appearance signals that imply the food has gone bad.
Water content
A thin coating of water on the surface of the food is acceptable. The food’s vitamins are present in this liquid. As a result, all you have to do now is stir it and eat your delicious milk.
However, if there is too much water, it can turn yellow or muddy brown, which indicates spoiling. As a result, you should quit eating it.
Texture change
The texture of the food is consistently creamy and smooth. If the consistency of yours gets lumpy, throw it away.
The curdling texture is yet another symptom of rotten food if you notice an extra lump forming on the bottom or the top of the packaging.
Smell
The next step is to smell the food to see if it’s terrible or not. If you sense a strange or rotten odor coming from the dairy, your food is not edible anymore.
Mold
Mold might be green, white, or even other hues. As a result, if you find this signal on the top of your food, simply throw it. You may have stored your food improperly, resulting in mold growth.
Taste
The taste should be the last test to take. If your food tastes excessively bitter or sour, it’s time to throw it out.
How To Store Greek Yogurt?
To extend the shelf life of the dairy product, preserve it appropriately and defrost it correctly. Please follow these tips, and you can store your food for months.
Store in the fridge
The temperature of your fridge should be around 40°F or lower to keep dairy in good condition.
Furthermore, you must place your food in the fridge as soon as you buy it. This tip ensures that the room temperature doesn’t ruin the milk quality.
When you’re ready to use the dairy, simply open the pack. Alternatively, leave it unopened in the fridge. It can last for up to 14 days there.
It would be best to seal the dairy airtight after eating it. Hence, you can prevent the spread of harmful bacteria that can ruin the food’s contents.
Luckily, the foil seal that comes with dairy packets is resealable. After eating, you can put the leftover in its pack back in the refrigerator.
Furthermore, you may wrap them in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and preserve them in the refrigerator. This tip keeps the dairy from drying or absorbing unpleasant odors from the fridge.
If you want to keep your food as fresh as possible, place it in a sealed container. Before putting it in the fridge, remember to note the expiry date.
Store in the freeze
Freezing is the most effective technique to store foods, and this approach works well with yogurt.
If you have a lot of yogurt packs that you don’t need right now, put all of them in the freezer. They can last for one to two months without losing their quality.
Using the freezer is simple. The more challenging part comes when you thaw the frozen food.
Start by putting the frozen dairy in the refrigerator’s cooler for several hours. This way of defrosting helps your dairy preserve its fresh flavor before it reaches your mouth.
Keep the frozen food safe to eat in the fridge for three to four days.
If you want to defrost it faster, immerse it in lukewarm water or put it in a microwave for a few minutes. Remember to eat it right away before the harmful bacteria destroy the dairy.
Although the texture of your food may break down slightly when frozen and then thawed, you may stir it well without compromising the creamy flavor.
You can learn more tips about freezing and thawing the dairy product from this video.
What If You Eat Spoiled Yogurt?
As aforementioned, as the dairy spoils, it shows the signals in various ways.
However, if you are unaware of them and use low-quality products, you may have symptoms like stomach pains, nausea, or diarrhea for a few hours or up to one day.
Furthermore, if the dairy you eat comes from raw milk, which contains harmful bacteria, your situation may become more serious. You can suffer from food poisoning.
Usually, these symptoms may last a few days. However, if you have severe food poisoning, they may stay longer. As a result, you should be cautious before eating any spoiled dairy products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Greek yogurt’s expiry date and storage method. Let’s check!
1. Does yogurt go bad?
It certainly does. The product comes from fermented milk. Like any other milk product, it can degrade with time, although it includes healthy bacteria that are good for human health and improve digestion.
2. How long does yogurt last after it has passed its expiration date?
Often, you can still eat the dairy one more week from the expiration date on the package. If you have kept it for longer, the quality has degraded. It would be best to throw it away.
3. What should I do with the remaining yogurt before it spoils?
You may pair the leftover with sweet cakes, particularly chocolate or coffee cakes that complement the dairy product. You may also combine it with some ice, strawberries, bananas, or other fruits to enjoy a delicious and healthful drink.
4. Can you freeze dairy products?
Yes, you can. However, it may separate once defrosted. Stirring thoroughly will assist a little in regaining some texture, but your food can’t be exactly the same as before.
Conclusion
Greek yogurt will expire because it is a dairy product. However, it can last longer if you preserve it properly. Leaving it in inappropriate settings, on the other hand, will cause it to rot sooner.
