Greek yogurt seems to be one step ahead of plain yogurt in terms of protein content, low sugar and low sodium. But can you freeze Greek yogurt as easily as plain yogurt? Yes, you can safely preserve Greek yogurt by keeping it in the freezer for a few months. So if you love the taste of Greek yogurt or are consuming low-fat varieties of it for a healthier option and find a terrific sale, don’t hesitate to buy a couple. Freezing Greek yogurt is a viable option. However, it can come with a few changes.
When you freeze Greek yogurt you must know that its texture and taste may change. Not unlike plain yogurt, when you freeze Greek yogurt, some of the bacteria cultures within the yogurt die. However, there are countless bacteria that merely become dormant when frozen and reactivate as soon as thawed. This signifies that freezing Greek yogurt does not sabotage its many nutritional benefits.
When Greek yogurt is frozen and then thawed, it separates a little so that the yogurt may appear to form some clumps. You may have to mix or whip the yogurt to get it back to its usual creamy consistency. Freezing the yogurt can also change its taste a little. Freezing affects different brands of Greek yogurt differently, so one brand may taste better frozen than the other. For this reason, you should do a little test by freezing some Greek yogurt for a day, thawing it overnight and checking to see by the next day if the taste is alright. Once you find a brand of Greek yogurt that tastes just fine frozen, feel free to freeze more.
If you’ve bought a large container of Greek yogurt and want to freeze it, you may want to split it up into serving size quantities and put it in separate airtight containers. This is so you don’t end up thawing and refreezing the yogurt again and again which can badly affect its quality. Another helpful tip is to label your containers with a ‘use by’ date so that you never forget to use the yogurt before it perishes. To thaw it, leave it overnight in the fridge or give it a couple of seconds in the microwave if you are in a hurry. However, the best way is to leave it in the fridge overnight.
If you are in the habit of making smoothies, here’s a really cool way you can save time. Scoop Greek yogurt into an ice cube tray and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once the yogurt cubes have frozen solid, pry them out and put them in any airtight container. You can even freeze berries with the yogurt. Whenever you feel like making a smoothie, just pop out a couple of cubes and put them in the blender and you’re good to go.
Another way to freeze Greek yogurt is by making your own popsicles. Yes, get yourself a set of ice pop molds and fill them up with Greek yogurt. If you want to make your own flavor just pour up the yogurt in a bowl, add shopped fruits, and a touch of your favorite juice. Fill up the ice pop molds, freeze them, and a few hours later you will have an awesome dessert to enjoy!
Can Greek yogurt be frozen after it has been thawed?
If you freeze Greek yogurt and thaw it, you should not freeze it again. It is not recommended to refreeze foods.
Can I freeze Greek yogurt for more than a year?
Having it in the freezer for whole year is not a recommended . You should only keep it a few months. However, some people have had Greek yogurt in the freezer for up to six months without any problems.
Can you freeze Greek yogurt to make frozen yogurt?
Freezing Greek yogurt can make it bland and clumpy once thawed. But whipping some sugar or sweetener into it can make it as delicious and creamy as frozen yogurt. So sprinkle your choice of fruit over your frozen Greek yogurt and enjoy!