Here's How Long Greek Yogurt Lasts After Opening (2024)

Arianna Endicott

·3 min read

While Greek yogurt can make for a great breakfast choice, it may prove difficult to consume all of it quickly once a larger container has been opened. Fortunately, storing it in the fridge prolongs the shelf life of the dairy product, keeping it safe to eat for a little longer. Eating expired or spoiled Greek yogurt can lead to a few adverse reactions, according to Houston Methodist Hospital. It won't settle well in your stomach, and it could cause you to feel nauseous or vomit. To prevent any ill effects, there is a cap on how long you can leave it in your fridge.

Per the USDA, opened yogurts can only last one to two weeks in the fridge after they've been opened — that amount of time accounts for proper temperatures while in storage — 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. Anything warmer than that will negatively impact the dairy product. So, if you plan to open a large container of your favorite brand of Greek yogurt, you'd better find plenty of ways to use it before it goes bad. And once it's started to spoil, you'll likely be able to tell by sight and smell.

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How To Tell If Greek Yogurt Is Still Good

Here's How Long Greek Yogurt Lasts After Opening (1)

If you're unsure how long your yogurt has been in the fridge, it's best to be safe rather than sorry and toss it out. However, if it's only been a few days and you just want to verify the quality, there are a few ways to tell if your yogurt is still safe to eat.

Before tasting anything, always give it a glance. Greek yogurt should stay consistent in color and smooth in its container. Any discoloration can indicate mold or yeast growing in the yogurt, so you'll want to toss it out. Changes in texture — like curdles or clumps — can also be a sign that the yogurt is no longer suitable for consumption.Additionally, you should always smell your yogurt before eating it. If it smells rancid or unpleasant, it's likely unsafe to eat.

As it sits in the fridge,watery stuff can accumulate on top of the yogurt. This is called whey, and it's totally normal to see small amounts when you open the container — you don't even need to pour it out. With Greek yogurt, much of the whey is strained out before it's packaged, producing less liquid. So, if you open the container and find that your Greek yogurt has a lot of liquid on top, you'll likely want to consider tossing it in the trash. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to use Greek yogurt before it goes to waste.

How To Use Up Leftover Greek Yogurt

Here's How Long Greek Yogurt Lasts After Opening (2)

If you're scrambling to find ways to use your leftover Greek yogurt, the good news is that it's pretty versatile. Beyond eating it in a bowl on its own, you can mix it with fruit, coconut shreds, and granola to create a breakfast parfait or smoothie bowl. Or, simply scoop some into the blender with frozen fruits to create a tasty smoothie.

A7-ounce portion of Greek yogurt containsaround 20 grams of protein, along with quite a few other vitamins and minerals like B12 and selenium. This can make it a great addition to the breakfast table since it might provide some energy to kickstart your workday.

Greek yogurt can also be used in baking. It can be used asa great baking powder substitute thanks to its acidic nature, which will help baked goods rise when paired with a leavening ingredient. That acidity gives it ataste and texture comparable to sour cream, meaning you can scoop some on top of your nachos as a substitute.No matter how you choose to use up your Greek yogurt, make sure to enjoy all of it in a timely manner to prevent spoilage.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

Here's How Long Greek Yogurt Lasts After Opening (2024)

FAQs

Here's How Long Greek Yogurt Lasts After Opening? ›

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it should be fine (as long as your fridge has consistently been at or below the standard 40 degrees Fahrenheit), since yogurt is usually safe to eat for one to two weeks.

Can you eat Greek yogurt 2 weeks after opening? ›

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it should be fine (as long as your fridge has consistently been at or below the standard 40 degrees Fahrenheit), since yogurt is usually safe to eat for one to two weeks.

How do you know if Greek yogurt has gone bad? ›

Inspect how it looks and smells.

Germs that cause food poisoning don't always cause off-flavors or smells, but if yogurt has a curdled texture or rancid smell, it's best to be safe and throw it out.

Can you eat yogurt more than 5 days after opening? ›

It is typically safe to eat yogurt past its sell-by-date as long as there are no indications of spoilage, like an off odor or mold growth,” Amidor says. “It is best to eat the yogurt within 7 to 14 days after it is opened in order to reduce the risk of mold or yeast growth.”

How long can Greek yogurt last without refrigeration? ›

According to U.S. Dairy, yogurt can sit out for up to two hours at room temperature before it must be stored. However, that time frame is cut in half as temperatures rise. If the temperature is 90℉ or above, yogurt can only sit out for one hour.

When should I throw out Greek yogurt? ›

Greek yogurt should stay consistent in color and smooth in its container. Any discoloration can indicate mold or yeast growing in the yogurt, so you'll want to toss it out. Changes in texture — like curdles or clumps — can also be a sign that the yogurt is no longer suitable for consumption.

Why does Greek yogurt get watery? ›

If you've ever peeled back the lid of a yogurt container to find a layer of what looks like water but is actually whey protein on top, you may have wondered why it's there. "A little bit of whey will naturally separate from the milk curds in yogurt," says Elizabeth Conover, brand director of Stonyfield Organic Yogurt.

Can I eat 2 month expired Greek yogurt? ›

While yogurt may still taste fine after the expiration date has passed, it's best to err on the side of caution and toss it. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends eating yogurt within one to two weeks of the purchase date (as long as it has been refrigerated).

Can I freeze Greek yogurt? ›

The answer is yes, you can freeze yogurt in individual portions. In fact, freezing yogurt in portion-sized containers or ice cube trays can be a convenient way to have ready-to-eat snacks or to use in recipes.

How long does Greek style yogurt last once opened? ›

With a relatively short shelf life of one to two weeks in the refrigerator once opened, yogurt is best consumed as soon as possible. While you can also freeze yogurt for future use, yogurt can spoil anytime, even before it technically expires.

Is Greek yogurt supposed to be sour? ›

While the tangy taste is a hallmark of Greek yogurt, not everyone enjoys its sharp, acidic bite. Thankfully, there are easy and delicious ways to mellow out that sourness. One easy trick is to mix Greek yogurt with a natural sweetener, like honey or maple syrup.

Why is my Greek yogurt grainy? ›

Q. Why is my yogurt is grainy or gritty? A. If the flavor is pleasant, but the texture is grainy or gritty, it often indicates that the milk was heated too quickly.

How can you tell if Greek yogurt has gone bad? ›

Spoiled yogurt usually has a thick layer of liquid on its surface. Don't eat yogurt that has lumps, chunks, or a gelatinous texture. If the yogurt has pink, gray, or fuzzy-looking patches on top, it might be mold—throw out the whole container to be safe.

How long does yogurt last once opened? ›

Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator (40 ºF) one to two weeks or frozen (0 ºF) for one to two months. Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta or Brie can be refrigerated one week but they don't freeze well.

How do you keep Greek yogurt from going bad? ›

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help to keep it fresh for up to 2 weeks. 2. Freeze Greek yogurt in a single serve containers.

Can I eat yogurt that expired 2 weeks ago? ›

While yogurt may still taste fine after the expiration date has passed, it's best to err on the side of caution and toss it. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service recommends eating yogurt within one to two weeks of the purchase date (as long as it has been refrigerated).

Is it safe to eat grainy yogurt? ›

No. I would eat it or throw it out but don't use it to make more yogurt. The grainy yogurt will make more grainy yogurt, depending on how much starter you use. It's best to use a new starter for your next batch.

Is slimy yogurt safe to eat? ›

It's still safe to eat, but the texture and shape are less desirable. On the other hand, if your slimy yogurt smells terrible, don't eat it. That rule applies to any yogurt you find in your refrigerator.

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