Are you a yogurt lover who loves to stock up the varieties of yogurt?
Do you often quest to separate yogurt containers in your fridge from the unexpired ones?
Do you have a pile of yogurt containers that have passed their expiration date?
Are you left with many containers of yogurt in your fridge and wondering how long yogurt is good for?
If the answer to any of the above questions is ‘yes,’ you landed on the right page. Yogurt is one of the delectable delights which everyone loves to splurge on for its varied health benefits. Unlike other foods that are not safe to consume after their expiration, yogurt is safe to drink even after its expiration. The best part is, yogurt is a versatile food that can also be used beyond your breakfast bowls.
How long is yogurt good for?
You can safely consume yogurt after 15 days of expiration. With different types of yogurt available in the market as frozen, Greek, and others, the expiry of the yogurt varies. While frozen yogurt is durable for up to 2-3 months when stored in the freezer, drinkable yogurt can last up to 1-2 months in the freezer and ten days in the fridge. Low-fat or Greek Yogurt can last 1-2 months in the freezer and up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Factors Affecting Yogurt’s Shelf Life
The shelf life of yogurt depends on several factors, including the type of yogurt, packaging, storage conditions, and the presence of preservatives and additives.
1. Type of Yogurt
There are different types of yogurt, and each has its unique shelf life:
- Traditional yogurt: This is the most common type of yogurt and typically has a shorter shelf life than Greek yogurt.
- Greek yogurt: It has a thicker consistency and a longer shelf life than traditional yogurt due to the straining process that removes excess liquid.
- Plant-based yogurt: These yogurts are made from plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or coconut milk and have varying shelf lives depending on the ingredients used.
2. Packaging and Storage Conditions
Proper storage is crucial in extending the shelf life of yogurt:
- Sealed containers: Unopened yogurt containers can keep the yogurt fresh for longer periods, while opened containers have a shorter shelf life.
- Refrigeration: Yogurt should always be stored in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Freezing: Freezing yogurt can further extend its shelf life, but it may change the texture and taste.
3. Presence of Preservatives and Additives
Yogurt containing preservatives and additives may have a longer shelf life than all-natural yogurt.
How do you know if yogurt has gone bad?
Following are the symptoms which reflect that yogurt has gone bad:
- Foul/raunchy/sour smell
- Watery consistency where the yogurt separates
- Change in appearance and texture
- Growth of molds
Expiration Dates and Best-By Dates
Expiration dates and best-by dates indicate when the yogurt is expected to remain at its peak quality. However, these dates are not always accurate, and yogurt may still be good beyond the date if stored properly.
Shelf Life of Different Types of Yogurt
The shelf life of yogurt varies depending on whether it’s unopened, opened, or homemade:
1. Unopened Yogurt
- Traditional yogurt: 2-3 weeks past the expiration date
- Greek yogurt: 3-4 weeks past the expiration date
- Plant-based yogurt: 1-2 weeks past the expiration date
2. Opened Yogurt
- Traditional yogurt: 5-7 days after opening
- Greek yogurt: 7-10 days after opening
- Plant-based yogurt: 5-7 days after opening
How to Quickly Consume Yogurt Close to Expiration?
Besides eating, Yogurt can be used in several ways to derive incredible benefits. If you have lot of yogurt stocked up from last sale, here are the ways you can easily put that in use and make the most out of it:
1. Treating Sunburn
Add a few drops of chamomile essential oil in yogurt and apply it over the affected area. It delivers an immediate cooling effect, and the antibacterial properties of yogurt protect your skin.
2. Soothe yeast infection
Lactobacillus acidophilus present in yogurt, when mixed with sugar, creates the hydrogen peroxide to kill the yeast infection.
3. Shine your brass pieces
Brass pieces that are kept for a long turn tarnish with time. Yogurt is the best way to bring back its shine and get rid of rust and corrosion. Rub yogurt against the brass surface and rinse it off once dry. Use a soft cloth to buff the piece.
4. Ease pet’s stomach
The good bacteria present in yogurt help in easing the stomach pain of your pet. You can add two tablespoons of yogurt in their diet for pets weighing up to 14 pounds and one tablespoon for medium-sized pets to relieve their gas troubles.
5. Natural Acne Fighter
Suffering from inflamed pimples? The anti-inflammatory properties of yogurt help in healing it faster. Add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric to the yogurt and apply it gently over the acne-prone area.
6. Hair conditioning
Tired of frizzy hair? Yogurt is the best conditioner for your frizzy hair. Add some cocoa powder and honey to the yogurt, and your hair mask is ready.
7. Natural Hair dye
Add to a tablespoon of lemon juice in one cup of yogurt. Apply this on your hair for 30 minutes to highlight your hair with golden brown color naturally. Say goodbye to the harsh bleach and stay trendy with this easy yogurt hack.
8. Turn your feet softer
Make a scrub using crushed walnut and yogurt. Scrub your feet gently using this scrub and rinse. The walnut removes the dead skin while yogurt moisturizes them, leaving them soft and supple.
9. Work as a skin toner
Yogurt is effective in reducing pigmentation and helps in appearing in your skin even. Take a teaspoon of lemon and mix it with yogurt. Now apply a thin layer of this mixture to the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse off the face.
These genius ways are perfect to use the yogurt around the house in a hassle-free way. Hence, yogurt is not just an indispensable part of your healthy diet but also your daily beauty regime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you eat expired yogurt?
If you eat expired yogurt, it can lead to foodborne illness, including food poisoning, if the yogurt is spoiled. As live cultures present in yogurt act as preservatives, yogurt is safe to consume even after expiration up to 10 days. But if the yogurt has gone bad, you should not eat it.
Can I eat yogurt expired one month ago?
Yogurt is safe to eat for 15 days after its expiration if kept in the fridge. However, in the freezer, the yogurt can easily last for two months. Hence, the storage condition determines if the yogurt is safe to consume after one month or not. Check can you freeze yogurt to get more information on this
Does yogurt go bad in the fridge?
Yogurt’s taste is remarkably affected by how long it has been on the shelf. If you’ve kept an opened container of yogurt in your fridge for more than 15 days, don’t be surprised if it tastes sour and “off.” It is important to check if yogurt has turned bad.
