Freezing Yogurt

[ElsieD]

I usually buy my yogurt from Costco and it comes in single serving sizes. The problem is, there are more portions in the pack than I can normally eat before the best before date. I would like to know if I can freeze it, then thaw it overnight in the fridge for eating in the morning. In searching the internet, I came across conflicting information or opinions given without any reason for said opinion. So, my questions are, can I do this? What effect, if any, will it have on taste and texture? Can it be frozen beyond it's best before date? The brand I usually buy is Liberte and it is Greek yogurt with fruit on the bottom. Thanks in advance.

[heidih]

Eons ago, before freezer packs, I used to freeze my fruit at the bottom yogurt and take it in my lunchbag. I don't recall any problems.

[Chris Hennes]

Yogurt has a "best by" date? It's a wonder I'm not dead yet, I'm sure I've kept yogurt around far longer than the package recommendation! How long does it say it keeps?

[liuzhou]

I make my own yogurt and it is more convenient in some ways to make too much, which is not obviously convenient in other ways. If I just keep it too long in the fridge it develops the dreaded pink mould and has to be binned.

 

So, I freeze half of each batch. No problems. I guess the longest I have left it before defrosting is about a month. Can't say if it lasts longer or not.

Edited March 16, 2014 by liuzhou (log)

[Sandia]

Yes definitely! I do it all the time but you just have to be careful on the time you keep it there; sometimes the yogurt won't be as smooth and creamy as before.

[andiesenji]

To the "use by" or "best by" dates for yogurt, you can add at least a couple of weeks, or even longer.

[BeeZee]

if the yogurt has been stored properly (at the store, at home)...I regularly eat yogurt 2 weeks past the "best by" date and notice no difference in the flavor.

[Shel_B]

Does freezing yogurt in any way alter the taste or texture when defrosted?  Also, does freezing alter the yogurt's cooking properties, such as when baked into a bread?

[heidih]

Does freezing yogurt in any way alter the taste or texture when defrosted?  Also, does freezing alter the yogurt's cooking properties, such as when baked into a bread?

As noted earlier it won;t be as smooth or creamy. 

Edited April 24, 2014 by heidih (log)

[andiesenji]

Sometimes yogurt becomes "grainy" after being frozen.  I notice this most with "low-fat" yogurt. 

As I make my own and almost always use full-fat milk, it does not seen as pronounced.