Greek yogurt is a versatile everyday cooking ingredient. Its thick and dense consistency fares well as a marinade, as a replacement for mayonnaise for deviled eggs and salads, and as a garnish for soups. It’s also a protein-packed ingredient for creamy dips, casseroles, and lots of other dishes.
USDA guidelines recommend using this refrigerated dairy product within one to two weeks of purchase. However, there are reasons to shorten this timeframe or to throw away your yogurt before the “Best If Used By/Before” or “Use-By” date printed on the packaging.
Read on to learn the telltale signs that the Greek yogurt in your fridge is passed its prime and tips on keeping it fresh for as long as possible.
Greek yogurt in a bowl with chia seeds and berries.
4 Signs Your Greek Yogurt Is Bad
Visual Appearance
When you open a yogurt tub, you will likely notice a layer of liquid on top. Don’t fret: It’s liquid whey, a byproduct from the process of fermenting milk to yogurt that gives the product its distinctive acidic flavor. Because Greek yogurt is denser than regular yogurt varieties, it typically has less liquid whey—so if there’s an unusually large amount of liquid in the container, the yogurt may be bad.
Another indication yogurt is ready for the compost bin is when the container is bloated. Unless you reside in high altitudes where all types of containers bulge from the air pressure, it is likely that the Greek yogurt is fermented and not safe to eat.
The most obvious sign of spoilage is visible mold growth. Scrapping away or scooping out the mold won’t help because the microscopic threads of the mold have contaminated and penetrated throughout the yogurt.
Texture
As noted earlier, Greek yogurt has a thick and dense consistency. But if you notice large chunks or lumps, if you have a hard time stirring the yogurt, or if the whey and yogurt don’t become a homogenous mixture, then it is likely the yogurt is ready for the garbage.
Smell
Fresh, plain Greek yogurt has a neutral scent, and those flavored with fruit give off a pleasant fruity aroma. If you notice any off odors or rancid and sour smells, you should toss it.
Taste
Spoiled Greek yogurt can have an unusually sour or stale flavor. If you want to do a taste test, try not to swallow the yogurt. Sampling potentially spoiled yogurt isn’t recommended, though.
Greek yogurt is easy to make.
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How to Keep Greek Yogurt Fresh for as Long as Possible
- Place the yogurt back in the refrigerator immediately after use. Dairy products like Greek yogurt don’t last long at room temperature because it encourages the growth of harmful bacteria. Throw away any yogurt that’s been at room temperature for more than two hours. To minimize contamination, place the tub in the fridge immediately after each use.
- Set your fridge at 40°F or below. The USDA suggests setting the refrigerator’s temperature 40°F or below. This temperature delays the growth of foodborne microorganisms and disease-causing bacteria.
- Place the yogurt in the coldest part of the fridge. While it may seem convenient to place the Greek yogurt on the racks of the fridge door, the food items placed there are most impacted by fluctuating temperatures. It is best to tuck perishables in the back of the fridge, where the temperature is the coldest.
- Use a clean spoon to portion your yogurt. It is best to avoid double dipping when you don’t plan to eat or use the entire yogurt tub in one sitting. If you need seconds, use a clean spoon to avoid cross-contamination and allow your yogurt to stay fresh longer.
- Keep the lid closed after each use. Make sure your Greek yogurt tub is sealed tightly after each use to reduce the yogurt’s interaction with the circulating air in the refrigerator. When you open the fridge door each time, air containing microorganisms enters. If the Greek yogurt is left uncovered, microorganisms can contaminate and spoil the yogurt faster.
