Thanks for coming by to find out; does yogurt goes bad! It sure does, and we did the research to find out how to store it, how to tell if yogurt is bad, and more!
Yogurt is a dairy product made from fermented milk that is well-known around the world and used in a variety of dishes.
It’s very popular in making dressing and dipping sauce because of its creamy and smooth texture and variety of flavors, from savory to sweet to sour, depending on the type you’re eating.
Having yogurt on hand comes in handy, especially when you want to eat chips and fish sticks with a yogurt dipping sauce on the weekend.
What a delectable combination!
We all know yogurt is a fermented product, and you are probably wondering how long you can keep it, does yogurt go bad, and how to tell if it’s gone bad.
Relax, since we will be tackling down all about yogurt.
Here are some of the questions we usually get asked about yogurt:
Does yogurt go bad?
Even though I haven’t opened it yet, does it go bad?
Yes, especially if it’s past its expiration date or has been exposed to warm temperatures, which encourages the growth and reproduction of bad bacteria.
Like any other dairy product, yogurt can go bad despite the presence of cultured yeast and bacteria such as probiotics.
What more if you open it and leave it in your refrigerator for too long.
That would encourage harmful bacteria to reproduce, causing mold to thrive and spoil the food.
That is something we do not want to happen to your favorite dairy product because it would be a nasty experience.
But don’t worry; as long as you store your delectable dairy product properly and inspect it for any growing molds before eating it, it is safe to consume.
How long does yogurt last?
There is no set date or time limit for how long yogurt can last.
Its shelf life is measured from the day it is placed in storage until it spoils or deteriorates.
But why is there an expiration date if there is no way of knowing how long the yogurt will last?
The expiration date was included to comply with food safety regulations and to determine how long the store could keep and sell the product.
One of the few foods which could be consumed after its expiration date is yogurt, as long as it is not spoiled and stored correctly.
While yogurt can last longer than the expiration date, keeping unopened yogurt for more than two weeks is not recommended.
While opened, yogurt should be consumed within 7 to 14 days of opening or finished as soon as possible.
Remember that these are only suggestions, and they may spoil sooner than expected.
Some factors, such as being exposed to warm temperatures or being contaminated with bad bacteria, can cause the yogurt to spoil sooner than expected.
How to tell if yogurt has gone bad
You might be wondering what you should look out for to know if your yogurt is already spoiled.
The most obvious sign that the yogurt has gone bad is the presence of mold.
It is disgusting, and you should get rid of it right away!
Other foods in your fridge could be saved for mold contamination this way.
The change in texture is the second obvious sign that your yogurt is already bad.
It can be seen when there is a lot of water on the surface, and the consistency is chunky rather than smooth and creamy consistency.
You can also smell your yogurt to see if it’s already bad.
When something smells sour or stale, it’s probably already bad, especially if it’s close to or past its expiration date.
However, because our sense of smell differs significantly, this is not a foolproof method.
In addition, the smell of yogurt varies depending on the variety and additives it contains.
The final method for determining if the yogurt is already bad is to taste it.
When the other properties of bad yogurt are already apparent, it is not recommended.
Because tasting yogurt with noticeable molds on it would be a terrible idea.
Even if it appears and smells fine, it is best to discard it if the yogurt tastes sour and unpleasant.
It is better to throw it away to prevent food poisoning.
How to best store yogurt
The best way to keep your yogurt fresh and extend its shelf life is to store it in the refrigerator.
To prevent other bacteria from growing on it, the temperature must not exceed 40°F.
When yogurt is kept in a room or at a warm temperature, it spoils more quickly because the environment is ideal for bad bacteria and mold to grow and spoil the yogurt.
When purchasing, it’s best to pick your yogurt last before checking out.
So you’ll be able to limit its exposure to room temperature and reduce the risk of contamination this way.
When consuming a portion of yogurt, spoon the desired amount into a bowl and reseal the yogurt container before returning it to the refrigerator.
To avoid cross-contamination, make sure the spoon you used to scoop was clean.
This way you can expect that the shelf life of your yogurt will reach up to 7 to 14 days since the day you opened it.
Below are the step-by-step instructions on how to store your yogurt in the refrigerator:
- Place the yogurt in an airtight container. Feel free to keep it in its original packaging.
- Seal the container tightly with its lid.
- Store the dairy in the back of your refrigerator.
Pro tip: It’s recommended to scoop some yogurt into a bowl rather than consuming it straight out of the container as this can avoid bacterial contamination.
What does spoiled yogurt taste like?
While spoiled yogurt can usually be identified by its appearance, it’s also important to know how it tastes because it doesn’t always show up on the surface.
Spoiled yogurt has a sour or bad flavor, as opposed to its natural savory and creamy flavor.
If you have an overdue yogurt in your refrigerator and aren’t sure if it’s spoiled despite its appearance.
You could taste a small amount of yogurt.
If you observe a noticeable change in flavor from what you’re used to, it’s a sure sign that the yogurt has gone bad.
When something is spoiled, it usually has a strong sour and bitter flavor.
But don’t worry because as long as the yogurt does not contain molds or has not changed in appearance it is most likely good for consumption.
How to store yogurt
Since yogurt is a cultured product and is packed with good bacteria it makes it not versatile to store.
There are only two options for storing and preserving yogurt and it’s an important factor to think about because it will have a big impact on the yogurt’s quality.
Place it in the refrigerator
The optimal temperature to store your yogurt is not more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
To maintain the quality of the yogurt, you should never leave it out at room temperature.
It’s also crucial to keep the seal cover unless you’re going to use it to prevent infection from other bacteria or molds.
Unfortunately, not all yogurt packaging includes a resealable container, so you must consume it.
However, you can wrap the yogurt in plastic or aluminum foil to keep it from drying out and prevent further exposure.
Place it in the freezer
If you’ve purchased yogurt and know you won’t be able to finish it before it expires,
it is recommended that you freeze it because this will extend its shelf life beyond the expiration date.
However, this method is recommended for proper thawing.
In thawing, you could put it in the fridge for 2-3 days before consuming it.
If you want it to be faster you could put it in lukewarm water and consume it before it gets contaminated by bad bacteria.
Learn these 3 brilliant ways to freeze yogurt in this another nifty FAQ guide!
Can You Freeze Yogurt
Yes!
You can certainly freeze yogurt.
So, if you have a lot of yogurt, this is the best way to store them.
Freezing yogurt is a simple process that saves money and prevents food waste.
Directly putting the yogurt into the freezer straight with its container will do the trick, even for those small store-bought yogurt cups.
You could also freeze it by transferring it to a resealable container.
However, there will be unavoidable differences in taste and texture.
Because of the freezing process, yogurt will have a slightly more acidic taste when frozen and thawed, though the difference will not be significant enough to change the overall taste.
In terms of texture, frozen yogurt will become more runny and grainy, losing its creamy and smooth consistency.
Furthermore, you should be able to consume it without difficulty, especially if you plan to use it in smoothies.
The bottom line
We don’t know for sure until when your favorite yogurt could last.
Since it is a dairy product, it’s highly likely it can spoil over time, so eat your savory yogurt right away.
Luckily, there are some techniques to keep it from spoiling too soon, so you can eat it whenever you want.
However, it must meet certain conditions to last longer, even over its expiration date.
So, how would you like to keep your yogurt?
Do you want it to be kept in the fridge to keep its consistency and be consumed immediately, or do you want it to be frozen and used in a smoothie recipe?
