If you're anything like me, you're a major fan of greek yogurt. But, sometimes life happens and it's tough to get through a container before the expiration date. So, you want to know: can you freek yogurt? Yes, it's possible to freeze the leftovers. You just need to know how to freeze them and what to freeze them for.
Can greek yogurt be frozen? Yes. But, it will separate into a grainy texture when it thaws, meaning it won't be the same creamy yogurt it once was. That said, defrosted greek yogurt works well in dishes where texture isn't crucial. This includes smoothies, cooked and baked goods.
While that sounds straightforward, there are a few things you should know about freezing greek yogurt for each of the purposes above. Read on for all the details you need to successfully freeze, thaw and eat leftover greek yogurt.
Jump to:
- How to freeze greek yogurt for smoothies
- How to freeze greek yogurt for cooking and baking
- Can you freeze greek yogurt and eat it frozen?
- How long does greek yogurt take to freeze?
- How long can you freeze greek yogurt?
- How to defrost greek yogurt
- How to use frozen greek yogurt?
- Recipes with greek yogurt
- Learn more about yogurt
How to freeze greek yogurt for smoothies
Freezing yogurt is quick and easy. If you're freezing greek yogurt for smoothies, the most common method is to use an ice cube tray.
Here's What You'll Need:
- A silicone ice cube tray. The best trays are dishwasher safe, made from silicone, and stackable so you can make a few batches. I like the LĒVO Herb Block Tray from Amazon.
- A freezer
Instructions:
- Spoon greek yogurt into ice cube tray.
- Place the tray in the freezer. Freeze for 2-3 hours or until yogurt cubes are completely frozen.
- Transfer to airtight container or freezer bag. This frees up your ice cube tray for other purposes. Plus, these storage methods better protect your yogurt from freezer burn.
Tip: To freeze larger portions, use a muffin tin.
How to freeze greek yogurt for cooking and baking
If you're going to use greek yogurt for cooking or baking, the most common method is to freeze appropriate portions in airtight containers.
This requires planning ahead. But, it will avoid food waste and repeated freezing. While you can refreeze thawed greek yogurt, it will further deteriorate the texture and taste. So, it's not your ideal solution.
Here's What You'll Need:
- Airtight containers: I use glasslock containers because they're microwave, oven and freezer safe. I also like that they're made from tempered glass rather than plastic, which eases any worries about chemicals seeping into the stored food.
- A freezer
Instructions:
- Recipe plan. Know what recipes you'll be using greek yogurt in and make note of the quantities of greek yogurt needed.
- Portion greek yogurt into airtight containers. Measure out the greek yogurt needed for each recipe and place in individual containers.
- Place in freezer.
Tip: Label each container with the amount of greek yogurt or recipe it will be used in.
Can you freeze the yogurt in the original container?
You can. But, here's why it's not the best method.
- Yogurt expands in the freezer, so the seal on the container can potentially break.
- The plastic containers do not protect against freezer burn like airtight container or freezer bags.
- This method works okay with single-serve portions. But, with larger containers, it's better to freeze in portions to avoid thawing and refreezing the remaining greek yogurt.
Can you freeze greek yogurt and eat it frozen?
You may be wondering: can I freeze greek yogurt and eat it like frozen yogurt? Sure. But, freezing it will make it rock solid. So, you won't be able to enjoy it in the same way as a creamy scoop of ice cream. I recommend looking up a recipe for frozen yogurt (like this one) and doing it properly so you actually enjoy it.
How long does greek yogurt take to freeze?
That depends on the amount of greek yogurt you're freezing and the container it's being frozen in. Most quantities will be frozen within 4 hours. But, smaller portions can be done in as little as 2 hours and larger portions may require overnight freezing.
How long can you freeze greek yogurt?
Interestingly, some yogurt containers say that you can't freeze their yogurt. This isn't true.
All yogurt—whether full-fat, nonfat, Icelandic, or greek - can be frozen for up to two months. While it's safe to eat frozen greek yogurt beyond this point, the texture and taste will be less than desirable.
How to defrost greek yogurt
Regardless of what method you use to freeze greek yogurt, there's only one proper way to defrost it - in the fridge. Even better if you can leave it overnight.
Thawed yogurt will be seperated and slightly watery. Be sure to thoroughly stir the defrosted yogurt before using it. If you have time and a food processor, you can process it to bring back some of the original texture.
How to use frozen greek yogurt?
Now that you know everything about freezing greek yogurt, it's time to start using it.
What can frozen greek yogurt be used for?
I’ll share some of my favourite recipes using greek yogurt below. But to make you the master of your own kitchen, I want to share a few ideas on how you can consider using frozen greek yogurt.
The key is to use the defrosted yogurt in recipes where texture isn't important (aka: the dishes don't need to be super smooth).
- Smoothies (check out my faves here)
- Marinades (yogurt helps tenderize meat)
- Salad dressings
- Dips and spreads
- Baked goods, like muffins and cakes (like my pumpkin spice protein muffins or protein mousse!)
- Pancakes and waffles
Recipes with greek yogurt
Check out some of my favourite recipes using greek yogurt below:
Learn more about yogurt
If you share my love for yogurt and want to learn more, check out some of my other articles below.
So. Can you freeze greek yoghurt? The answer is yes. Just be sure to freeze in portions, thaw in the fridge, and use in recipes where texture doesn't matter.
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