Yes, you can freeze yogurt. The USDA FoodKeeper lists 1 to 2 months in the freezer for best quality, and frozen yogurt is safe to eat, but the texture changes: thawed yogurt is usually grainier and more watery than fresh.
That makes frozen yogurt perfect for smoothies, baking, marinades and frozen snacks, and less ideal for eating straight from the cup. Here is how to freeze regular yogurt, Greek yogurt and yogurt tubes, how to thaw them, and what to do with each.
What Happens When You Freeze Yogurt
Yogurt is a gel of milk proteins holding a lot of water. When it freezes, that water forms ice crystals that push the protein network apart. When it thaws, some of the liquid (whey) separates out and the yogurt turns grainy. North Dakota State University Extension notes that cultured products such as yogurt and sour cream lose their smooth texture when frozen and may separate, but remain fine for cooking.
The yogurt is not spoiled. It is simply better used where texture does not matter:
| Use | Thawed yogurt works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smoothies | Yes | Blend frozen cubes directly, no thawing needed |
| Baking (muffins, quick breads, cakes) | Yes | Stir well first; texture change disappears in the batter |
| Marinades | Yes | Works the same as fresh |
| Soups, curries and sauces | Yes | Stir in at the end over low heat |
| Frozen snacks and bark | Yes | Eaten frozen, so texture never changes |
| Eating plain from the cup | Sometimes | Whisk vigorously; still less creamy than fresh |
| Tzatziki and dips | Not ideal | Watery texture shows |
Pro tip: Before freezing, check the date. Yogurt freezes in the condition it is in, so freeze it while it still has a week or so of fridge life left, not on the day it expires.
How Long Does Yogurt Last?
According to the USDA FoodKeeper, yogurt keeps 1 to 2 weeks in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) and 1 to 2 months in the freezer at 0°F (-18°C). The freezer time is a quality guideline: food held at a constant 0°F stays safe indefinitely, but frozen yogurt picks up off-flavors and ice crystals over longer storage.
| Yogurt type | Refrigerator, 40°F (4°C) | Freezer, 0°F (-18°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular yogurt, cups or tubs | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Greek yogurt | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Yogurt tubes | 1 to 2 weeks | 1 to 2 months |
| Frozen yogurt bark (homemade) | Not applicable | 1 to 2 months |
| Smoothie packs with yogurt cubes | Not applicable | 1 to 2 months |
Refrigerator and freezer times are from the USDA FoodKeeper for yogurt. The FoodKeeper does not list separate times for Greek yogurt or tubes, so the same range applies.
Always keep yogurt refrigerated. Like other perishable foods, it should not sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How to Freeze Regular and Greek Yogurt
Unopened Cups
Single-serve cups can go into the freezer as they are. The sealed lid protects the yogurt, and the cup has a little headspace for expansion. For extra protection against freezer odors, put the cups in a freezer bag.
Opened Tubs
Large tubs are hard to use once frozen because you have to thaw the whole thing. Portion them instead:
- Stir the yogurt so any liquid on top is mixed back in.
- Portion it. Spoon it into ice cube trays (about 2 tablespoons per cube), silicone muffin molds (about ½ cup each), or small containers.
- Freeze until solid, usually 3 to 4 hours for cubes.
- Transfer to a freezer bag, press out the air, seal, and label with the type and date.
Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is strained, so it is thicker than regular yogurt, but it still separates after thawing. Freeze it the same way, in cubes or ½-cup portions. After thawing, stir it hard with a fork or whisk to bring back as much creaminess as possible, and pour off any whey that will not mix back in if you want it thicker.
Thawed Greek yogurt is especially useful in baking and in marinades for chicken, where its tang and thickness both help.
Can You Freeze Yogurt Tubes?
Yes. Yogurt tubes are among the easiest dairy products to freeze, and many families buy them specifically to freeze as a snack. Put the box straight into the freezer, or lay the tubes flat in a freezer bag.
- Eat them frozen: let a tube sit at room temperature for a few minutes, then squeeze it up like an ice pop. Because it is eaten frozen, the texture change does not matter.
- Pack them in lunches: a frozen tube works as a small ice pack and is usually soft enough to eat by lunchtime. Keep the lunch in an insulated bag with another cold source so the whole lunch stays cold.
- Use them in 1 to 2 months, the same as other yogurt.
How to Thaw Frozen Yogurt
Thaw yogurt in the refrigerator, never on the counter. A single cup or a few cubes thaw overnight; a ½-cup portion takes several hours.
After thawing:
- Stir or whisk it to reincorporate the separated whey.
- Use it within a couple of days, keeping it refrigerated.
- Do not refreeze thawed yogurt; the texture gets worse with each cycle.
For smoothies, skip thawing entirely and blend the cubes frozen. They chill and thicken the smoothie at the same time.
Frozen Yogurt Bark and Other Snacks
Frozen yogurt bark is the best use of yogurt that is about to expire, and it is eaten frozen, so the texture stays creamy.
Basic frozen yogurt bark:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread 2 cups of Greek or regular yogurt about ¼ inch thick. Stir in a tablespoon or two of honey or maple syrup first if the yogurt is plain.
- Scatter toppings over the surface: berries, sliced banana, chopped nuts, a few chocolate chips, granola or shredded coconut.
- Freeze until firm, 2 to 3 hours.
- Break into pieces, store in a freezer bag or container with parchment between layers, and eat within 1 to 2 months.
Other easy frozen yogurt snacks:
- Yogurt pops: blend yogurt with fruit, pour into ice pop molds and freeze.
- Yogurt-dipped berries: dip blueberries or strawberries in yogurt, freeze on a tray, then bag them.
- Smoothie packs: combine yogurt cubes with frozen fruit and spinach in a bag, ready to blend. Our guide to freezing fruit covers how to prep the fruit.
Pro tip: Write "eat frozen" or "for baking" on each bag. It saves you from thawing a bag of cubes and then being disappointed by the texture.
Freezing Yogurt vs. Other Dairy
Yogurt sits in the middle of the dairy freezing scale. Butter freezes almost perfectly, milk freezes well with some separation, and cultured, creamy products like yogurt, sour cream and cream cheese change texture the most. If you want the full picture, see our guide to freezing butter and dairy, our article on whether you can freeze milk, and the details on freezing cream cheese.
FAQ
Can you freeze Greek yogurt?
Yes. Greek yogurt freezes for 1 to 2 months like regular yogurt. It separates a little after thawing, so whisk it well and use it in smoothies, baking, dips that will be cooked, or marinades.
Does freezing yogurt kill the probiotics?
Freezing does not make yogurt unsafe, but it can affect live cultures, and how many survive depends on the product. If live cultures are the main reason you eat yogurt, eat it fresh and freeze only what you would otherwise throw away.
Can you eat frozen yogurt tubes?
Yes. Tubes are designed to be easy to freeze and eat as a frozen snack. Let them soften for a few minutes at room temperature, then squeeze.
How do you thaw yogurt quickly?
The safe way is in the refrigerator, which takes several hours or overnight. If you need it right away, use frozen cubes directly in smoothies or stir them into hot oatmeal or a sauce instead of thawing.
How long does yogurt last in the freezer?
The USDA FoodKeeper recommends 1 to 2 months for best quality. After that it stays safe at 0°F (-18°C) but becomes icier and may taste stale.
The Bottom Line
Freezing yogurt is a simple way to rescue a tub before it expires. Portion it into cubes or small containers, use it within 1 to 2 months, and save it for smoothies, baking, marinades and frozen snacks rather than eating it plain. Yogurt tubes and frozen yogurt bark are the exceptions: they are meant to be eaten frozen, so they taste just as good as fresh.
The hard part is noticing yogurt before it is too late. Tracking your fridge and freezer in Freezer Inventory Tracker means you get a reminder while the yogurt is still fresh enough to freeze, and you can see at a glance how many cubes are left before your next smoothie. For more items that need special handling, our list of what not to freeze is a useful companion.