Can you freeze yogurt? Absolutely! Whether it’s Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or yogurt cups, here are 5 methods for freezing yogurt, plus how to thaw and use yogurt after freezing.
One of the best ways to save on groceries is to keep track of grocery prices in your area. When something hits its “rock bottom price,” buy extras.
This concept works great for pantry staples and frozen foods, but what about perishable items like fruit, vegetables, and yogurt?
Or what if you bought yogurt for the meal plan, and ended up not using it?
If you’re wondering, can you freeze yogurt? Good news – you can! Let me show you how easy it is to take advantage of those rock-bottom prices, plus plenty of ways to use the yogurt that you freeze.
CAN YOU FREEZE YOGURT?
Can you freeze yogurt? Obviously, the answer is yes, but there are a couple of things to consider before you buy all the yogurt tubs and stick them in your freezer.
You can freeze Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, fat-free yogurt, organic yogurt, yogurt cups, squeeze tubes of yogurt…even plain or flavored or swirled with fruit – you can absolutely freeze all types of yogurt.
If you find a great deal on whole milk, you can stock up, make homemade yogurt or Greek-style yogurt, and freeze that too!
Yogurt can be frozen for up to two months. Technically, it’s safe to eat for quite a while after that, but freezer burn can set in, with taste and textural changes after the two-month mark. If you plan on eating the yogurt with a spoon, aim to consume your yogurt within 30 days.
Read on for how to freeze yogurt, the best way to thaw yogurt, and how to use yogurt after it has been frozen.
BEFORE YOU FREEZE YOGURT
The texture of yogurt after it has been frozen and thawed will be different than a freshly opened tub of yogurt. After thawing, frozen yogurt will be less smooth and a bit grainier. This is less noticeable when you freeze it in smaller portions. It can be lessened even more if you stir the yogurt before you freeze it.
If you plan on using the yogurt to make smoothies or for baking, there’s no need to strain or stir it before you freeze. However, I’d recommend freezing in portions that you would typically use in smoothies or baked foods (i.e. ¼ cup or ½ cup) to make it easier to pull just what you need out of the freezer.
FIVE METHODS FOR FREEZING YOGURT
There are several methods for freezing yogurt. You’ll want to choose a method that lines up with how you’ll eat the yogurt after it’s thawed.
FREEZE YOGURT IN ITS ORIGINAL PACKAGE
Can I freeze yogurt in its original package? All types of yogurt can go straight from your grocery bag to the freezer without having to do any additional work. However, freezing a Costco-sized tub of yogurt takes up a lot of freezer space and it’s not ideal for pulling out single servings.
This method works best with plain, small, single-size yogurts.
Remember that yogurt will expand as it freezes. I suggest putting individual containers of yogurt in a freezer bag, just in case a seal breaks.
HOW TO FREEZE YOGURT IN A REUSABLE CONTAINER
This method is best for dividing bulk portions of yogurt into smaller freezer-safe and airtight containers (like this 12-pack from Amazon). You can portion out exactly how much you want. Make sure to leave a little room for the yogurt to expand as it freezes.
This method is also best for “fruit at the bottom” yogurts, or when the fruit is layered into the yogurt. Stirring the yogurt to distribute the fruit before freezing means the yogurt will freeze evenly and the flavors will be evenly distributed when the yogurt is thawed.
FREEZING YOGURT IN AN ICE CUBE TRAY
Freezing yogurt in ice cube trays is a great option if you plan on making smoothies with your yogurt cubes. Simply scoop the yogurt into each section in the ice cube tray and gently tap the tray to remove any air bubbles. Settle the yogurt so it freezes evenly. (You can also use this silicone mold that comes with a lid.)
Place the ice cube tray in the freezer for several hours until the yogurt is solid. Remove the frozen yogurt cubes from the tray and transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag.
FREEZE YOGURT IN REUSABLE SILICONE SLEEVES OR SINGLE-USE PLASTIC TUBES
This method is excellent if your family likes Go-Gurts, as it’s a treat with a lot less sugar and additives than the store-bought version. You can purchase a set of reusable silicone sleeves (like this set where the lid is attached to the tube). Then fill them with yogurt (leaving just a smidge of room for expansion) and freeze them for a fun snack later.
If your kids are particular about containers, these single-use plastic tubes are see-through and the set also includes a funnel.
FREEZING GREEK YOGURT IN SCOOPS
Can you freeze Greek yogurt in scoops? Oh yes! This is my preferred method to freeze yogurt since I tend to buy bigger tubs of Greek yogurt. It doesn’t require any tools or gadgets that I don’t already have.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then using an ice cream scoop (like this set that has a trigger to release the scoop), portion the yogurt onto the parchment paper, leaving an inch or two between each scoop. Freeze the yogurt for 6-8 hours and then remove the frozen yogurt scoops to a freezer container or resealable bag for longer storage.
You can even use a particular measuring cup – say a ¼ cup – so you know precisely how much yogurt is in each portion. Label your freezer container with this measurement, and you’ll save time later if you bake with the yogurt because it’ll be one less thing to measure.
HOW TO THAW FROZEN YOGURT
The best method to thaw yogurt from the freezer is to put it in a shallow bowl in the refrigerator the night before you plan to use it. The bowl will collect any moisture from ice crystals as the yogurt thaws, and the fridge will keep the yogurt cool. Thawing at room temperature is not advised.
FREEZING YOGURT VS. FROZEN YOGURT VS. FREEZE-DRIED YOGURT
Although these might sound interchangeable, freezing yogurt is not the same as frozen yogurt or freeze-dried yogurt.
- Frozen yogurt is a dessert similar to ice cream, except its main ingredient is yogurt in place of milk and/or cream.
- Freeze-dried yogurt is when all the moisture has been removed from the yogurt. Think the yogurt melts you see toddlers eating with their hands.
- Freezing yogurt is the method we’ve talked about in this post.
FREEZING YOGURT FAQS
How long does yogurt last in the freezer?
Regardless of which method you choose to freeze yogurt – in its own container, a new reusable container, an ice cube tray, in single-serving sleeves, or in scoops – you can keep yogurt in the freezer for up to two months.
If you plan to eat the yogurt with a spoon, aim for no more than 30 days in the freezer.
Can you freeze Greek yogurt?
We’ve tested the methods above with both regular and Greek yogurt, and they all work great. I thought Greek yogurt froze better than regular yogurt because it’s thicker and contains less liquid.
What happens when you freeze yogurt?
Yogurt is a dairy product, and like most dairy products, the solids will separate a bit after thawing. Yogurt may also taste a bit more tart after it’s been frozen.
Thawed yogurt can also have a grainy or watery texture once it’s thawed. You can avoid some of this by stirring the yogurt before you freeze it, freezing it in smaller batches, and choosing to freeze Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt.
Even if the creamy texture is different, it’s fine to eat yogurt after freezing and thawing. If you aren’t a fan of the texture, just use it in baking recipes or a smoothie!
Does freezing yogurt destroy healthy live bacteria and probiotics?
No, the health benefits of good bacteria in yogurt are not destroyed in the freezing process. They are, however, destroyed when yogurt is heated.
Can you freeze cream like you freeze yogurt?
Cream starts as a liquid, so not all of these methods for freezing yogurt will transfer over to freeze cream, but you can freeze small amounts of extra cream in silicone molds or ice cube trays or freeze it in its original packaging if you have a plan to use the whole thing once thawed.
Can you freeze yogurt that’s past its expiration date?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt that has expired as long as it has not gone bad, but be sure to consume it immediately after thawing.
WAYS TO USE FROZEN YOGURT
If I’m not eating the yogurt by the spoon, smoothies and baked goods are my go-to for using yogurt after freezing. Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothies and Simple Green Smoothies are family favorites and neither require the yogurt to be thawed beforehand. Just pop the yogurt ice cubes into the blender and hit blend.
Baked recipes don’t need the texture of yogurt to be perfect, so they’re perfect for using frozen yogurt. Applesauce Muffins and Leftover Oatmeal Chocolate Cake are two of our family favorites. Pancakes and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins are also good options. Just give the yogurt a quick stir before using it and you’re good to go.
I love using thawed yogurt in main dishes, like the sauce in Chicken and Spinach Enchiladas, or the base of Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.
Thawed yogurt can also be used in salad dressings, side dishes, dips, and marinades. It can also be stirred and re-frozen into honey yogurt popsicles!
MORE FREEZING TUTORIALS
- Can You Freeze Tomato Paste?
- How to Freeze Bacon
- Freeze Eggs
- Can You Freeze Cauliflower Rice?
- Freeze Pizza Dough
- How to Freeze Raspberries
Dan
If you agitate the yogurt a handful of times throughout the freezing period it will not split & turn grainie.
Tiffany
Thanks for the tip Dan!
Susan
I’ve just started making my own yogurt and have discovered that sheep’s milk yogurt is the best starter. I use what I need and then freeze the rest in an ice cube tray to ideas starter for subsequent batches. And when I run out of those, I’ll just freeze some of my homemade yogurt for the next couple of batches.
Patti Randazzo
I use fat free Greek yogurt along with a variety of frozen fruit and banana in my smoothie for breakfast. I add ice cubes to make even collider. I thought about freezing the yogurt in place of the ice cubes but now I’m concerned about it being grainy. Should I be worried about that.?
Tiffany
If you’re going to blend the yogurt anyway, you’ll be fine to freeze the yogurt. It’s more of a concern if you were going to eat it plain.
Ally
love this article!
can i freeze my home-made strained (essentially greek i suppose) yoghurt in little ice cubes to use a starter for my next batch of home-made yoghurt? hve you had much success with this method and how long were you able to keep these frozen gems that would allow success with future homemade yoghurt? I read that some people freeze but only up to 1 week (but sometimes i can’t have time to make yoghurt every week due to work or may be on yoghurt overload so needing a yoghurt hiatus haha!) thanks!!
Kati_D
I’ve used homemade frozen yogurt that’s been frozen for 4 months (because I ruined my more recent starter). It worked fine! Those little bacteria are strong!
Momma Misty
So there was a major glitch that I took advantage of and I now have 28 containers of yogurt in my fridge …. They are 32oz each …. My kids eat yogurt CONSTANTLY but I was concerned a few of them possibly going bad … Had NO IDEA you could freeze yogurt never really thought about it !!! Im REALLY happy I came across this article ❗❗❗❗
My question is would it be that big of a deal to just freeze it in its unopened container?? Or would an ice tray be a decent idea?? Would they pop out alright??
Tiffany
Hi Momma Misty! It’s probably no big deal to freeze unopened, although the container might expand a little in the freezing process. Make sure you thaw in a bowl or something though, in case that peel-away seal breaks in the freezing process. You don’t want yogurt leaking all over the fridge! And ice cube trays work too!
Aixa M Skelton
I use plain greek yogurt as a moisturizing mask for my face.Was wasting a lot of it but now I can freeze it for use as needed.
Thanks
Aixa
Tiffany
You’re very welcome!
Sarah
So the texture changes when you freeze it, but what about the consistency? If I freeze Greek yogurt, will it still be the same thickness after thawing?
Tiffany
It will be a little thinner Sarah.
Ashley
I freeze mine in their single serving containers and when I’m ready to make a smoothie, I set the container in hot water to loosen the yogurt then chop up and put in the blender. Keeps my smoothie frozen longer when you use more than just ice as your frozen component 😊
Sandra
That’s a perfect idea!
Lucy
If you have frozen your yogurt, thaw it in the refrigerator for a few days and then use an immersion blender in the carton. it will take a while – don’t give up – but you will end up with yogurt that is far creamier than the original. it’s amazing.
Tiffany
Thanks for the tip Lucy!
Stefanie
I don’t eat yogurt by itself which means if a recipe calls for it I end up wasting some as even the smallest container is more than a recipe calls for sometimes so I tend to steer away from recipes with yogurt in them. Now that I know I can freeze it, I’ll definitely be making them more often!
I use it in curry sauces and smoothies.
Paula
I purchase the 100g flavored Kirkland signature yogurt and put all of them in the freezer both at work and at home. When I go into work in the morning I take a couple out of the freezer and place in the refrigerator to let them thaw out slightly. It is just like having ice cream.
I got half of the office hooked on doing this. A much healthier snack than the Tim Tams that someone keeps bringing in to share…..
Tiffany
I need to try this!
Dora
I am thinking of using an ice cube tray.
Gonna give homemade yogurt a try, and not sure how long it will last, or how quick it will go.
Planning on using fresh for regular eating, and the frozen with over night oats for the most part. I figure I can take out what I need and make a batch. Using it for smoothies sounds good too.
Thanks.
Tiffany
Those are great (and smart) plans Dora!!
Swan
I throw extra yogurt into an ice cream maker for yummy homemade frozen yogurt. Flavor the yogurt however you would flavor your regular homemade ice cream. Try vanilla and sweetener of choice for vanilla, strawberry purée and sweetener for strawberry, whatever you like!
Daryl
I tried that but it was hard as a rock. What did I do wrong?
Linda
I have never tried freezing my fresh veggies, but I was tired of throwing money in the trash. To relieve my frustration I started chopping all of my fresh veggies then placing them in canning jars. I keep them on the second shelf in my refrigerator (I live in a 5th wheel so space is limited) which seems to be the perfect temp for them. Having my peppers and onions pre-chopped it cuts down on my cooking time in the kitchen. Here’s another way to use canning jars. If you buy lettuce or salad by the bag, you can put the leftover salad in the jar. I no longer end up throwing any rotten food in the garbage. Yep, makes me one happy camper.
Tiffany
Great ideas Linda!
J. Chester
Re: Freezing.
I buy frozen onions and mixed bell peppers.
but like freezing your own onions you can freeze bell peppers you plan to cook with.
It reduces science projects lurking in your fridge.
Linda
Can you tell me if you can freeze those little yogurts? Any brand, it doesn’t matter. My husband and I like the yogurts that comes with a topping. Sometimes they are on sale at a great savings to me. We are living in a 5th wheel trailer and the refrigerator is extremely small to store the yogurt.
Tiffany
Yes you can! The texture might be a bit grainy if you want to eat it as-is, but you can definitely freeze. I’d try one, and then thaw to see if he likes the texture after thawing.
Brenda
I want to freeze my store bought strawberry banana yogurt as a snack for my grandkids. Almost every article I’ve read, says the same thing about the texture. This article – the recipe & scooping is confusing to me. First, the scooping shown in the picture. I don’t understand how the yogurt stays in a “cookie dough” type of ball? As far as the textures goes, did I miss anything about adding anything so the texture isn’t grainy? Thank you in advance
Tiffany
Hi Brenda! I’m probably using a different yogurt than you. I only buy full fat, whole milk Greek yogurt. This is very thick, and while the balls don’t keep at room temperature for long, they stay long enough for me to finish scooping the pan and get it in the freezer. As far as I know, there’s nothing you can add to change the texture of the yogurt, BUT if you blend it, it should be creamy. I’d add a little fruit though, to help it along.
Melissa
Did you know yogurt stays good for a very long time after the sell by date?
Tiffany
Yes I did, and that’s true in most cases! But freezing it is a great way to make it last even longer. 🙂
Debbie
Approximately how long is it good past the best by date?
Tiffany
Use the smell test Debbie!
Joelle
Great idea. I’m hoping to start making yogurt from raw milk and I don’t think it will keep as long so freezing may be a great option. Unrelated but a shout out to great deals I scored a 50lb bag of organic rolled oats for .75/lb. I looked up rolled oats at walmart and for regular, not organic, they were over a dollar a pound. Pretty pleased with my deal!
Tiffany
Great score there Joelle!! Where did you get it from? I need some oats too. 😉
Joelle
I found the rolled oats at Natural Grocers but they were on the clearance rack so were not the regular price. I don’t shop there often but usually find a few really good deals when I stop in. Yesterday it was specialty chocolate bars and ginger beer (a christmas stocking tradition at my house) for at least half price.
Janice
Our sprouts does 50 cent oats a few times a year.
Tiffany
Ooh – thanks Janice!
Charlotte
I’ve been freezing tomato paste (and fresh basil frozen in ice cube trays) for a while now. Never thought of freezing yogurt but will also start that as I always make my own and don’t always use it up when I should. On a not exactly related topic, our local store recently had 3# bags of Vidalia onions on sale with reward card they were $.99 a bag. I bought 4 and now have 4 bags of chopped onions in the freezer. Such a convenience to have them already chopped. I peeled and my husband, God bless him chopped all 12 pounds.
Tiffany
Can I borrow your husband for a day? LOL!!
Marthea
What happens to the friendly bacteria in the yogurt when you freeze it ?
If it does not survive there is little point in freezing it.
Cheers Marthea
Tiffany
Hi Marthea! The research I’ve found shows that the beneficial bacteria is not damaged during freezing. It might go dormant, but it won’t die!
Deb
Will frozen yogurt still work for using as yogurt starter culture, or does the yogurt have to be fresh for that? Thanks
Karen @ Team Crumbs
Hi Deb!
Yes, it can be frozen and still work as a starter. You can thaw it gradually in the refrigerator. Remember that the longer you freeze it, the less potent it will be. 🙂 Thanks for your question! 🙂
Donna
I was wondering if different types of yogurt will freeze differently? You mention here that you can make yogurt balls with your scoop to freeze, which is awesome. But most of the yogurt we have to get in our household comes from the Utah WIC program, and it’s all so creamy and liquidy that I’m sure it will just pour flat into disks instead, so how much of a difference would that make?
Kyare - Team Crumbs
Donna, yes they will freeze differently but you can always put some yogurt in a big Tupperware then freeze that for a couple hours. It should be firm enough to scoop onto a cookie sheet.