How long yogurt lasts in the fridge and freezer, and when to toss it
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 1-2 weeks
Keep yogurt in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and count the 1 to 2 weeks from the day you buy it.
Watch out Don't leave yogurt out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C).
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Freezer
Keeps for 1-2 months
Yogurt kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, and the 1 to 2 months is a guide for quality.
Yes, you can freeze yogurt. USDA FoodKeeper gives it 1 to 2 months in the freezer and 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge, counted from the day you buy it. Don't leave yogurt out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C). Yogurt with mold should be thrown out.
Buying yogurt this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Yes, you can freeze yogurt, and it keeps 1 to 2 months there, according to USDA FoodKeeper. In the fridge it lasts 1 to 2 weeks.
The two things to watch are mold and time spent out of the fridge.
How long does yogurt last?
Yogurt lasts 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer. The table also shows how long it can stay out.
| Where | How long |
|---|---|
| Fridge | 1 to 2 weeks from the day you buy it |
| Freezer | 1 to 2 months |
| Out of the fridge | No more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C) |
How long does yogurt last in the fridge?
Yogurt lasts 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. The time counts from the day you buy it, and cold food should stay at or below 40°F (4°C).
How long does yogurt last after opening?
USDA FoodKeeper gives yogurt one time, 1 to 2 weeks from the day you buy it, and no separate time for opened yogurt.
How long does Greek yogurt last after opening?
Greek yogurt follows the same 1 to 2 weeks from the day you buy it. FoodKeeper lists one set of times for yogurt and doesn’t split out Greek yogurt.
Can you eat yogurt past the expiration date?
Yes, yogurt past its expiration date should still be safe to eat if you’ve handled it properly, until it shows signs of spoilage. That’s the rule in the USDA’s guidance on food product dating.
The rule goes by spoilage, not by a count of days, so it sets no number of days after the date. An unopened cup follows the same rule. USDA FoodKeeper lists one time for yogurt, 1 to 2 weeks from the day you buy it, and doesn’t split out unopened cups.
Storage matters here. The USDA says spoilage can happen much faster when food isn’t stored or handled properly, and cold food belongs at or below 40°F (4°C).
Before you eat yogurt past its date, check it for an off odor, flavor, or texture. Spoilage bacteria cause those signs, and food that has them shouldn’t be eaten. Yogurt with mold should be thrown out too, whatever the date says.
Can you freeze yogurt?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt for 1 to 2 months, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe, so freezer times are about quality, not safety.
If you won’t finish yogurt within its 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge, the freezer gives you 1 to 2 months.
Can you freeze Greek yogurt?
Yes, Greek yogurt can go in the freezer for the same 1 to 2 months. FoodKeeper lists one set of times for yogurt and doesn’t split out Greek yogurt.
How long can yogurt sit out of the fridge?
Yogurt can sit out for no more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it’s above 90°F (32°C). Yogurt is a refrigerated food, so the USDA’s rule for perishable food applies to it, and that includes Greek yogurt.
Bacteria grow most rapidly between 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C), doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. The USDA calls this range the Danger Zone, and cold food belongs at or below 40°F (4°C).
Does yogurt go bad?
Yes, yogurt goes bad. It keeps 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge from the day you buy it, and molds can grow at refrigerator temperatures too.
How to tell if yogurt is bad
Mold is the sign the USDA names. Yogurt with mold should be thrown out, because foods with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface, and moldy foods may also have bacteria growing along with the mold.
That means removing the moldy spot doesn’t make the rest safe to eat.
How to tell if Greek yogurt is bad
Look for mold, the same as with other yogurt. Greek yogurt with mold should be thrown out too.
Frequently asked questions
Is yogurt still safe after 2 months in the freezer?
Yes, food kept constantly at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe. The 1 to 2 months is a guide for quality, because only quality suffers with long freezer storage.
Can you scrape the mold off yogurt?
No. Yogurt with mold should be thrown out, because foods with high moisture content can be contaminated below the surface.
Does the refrigerator stop mold from growing on yogurt?
No. Molds can grow at refrigerator temperatures too, so check yogurt for mold even when it has been kept cold.
What temperature should yogurt be kept at?
At or below 40°F (4°C), which is the USDA's temperature for cold food.
How long is yogurt good after the expiration date?
The rule goes by spoilage, not by a count of days. The USDA says yogurt past its date should still be safe if you've handled it properly, until spoilage is evident, such as an off odor, flavor, or texture.
Does yogurt expire?
Yogurt goes bad, and USDA FoodKeeper keeps it 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge from the day you buy it. When the date on the label passes, yogurt should still be safe if you've handled it properly, until spoilage is evident.
