Can You Eat Yogurt After The Expiration Date?

Do you ever stare at those cups of yogurt sitting in your fridge, wondering how you’re going to eat them all before the expiration date? The real question is, can you eat yogurt past the expiration date? The simple answer is yes, you can. Yogurt is full of those active bacteria that make our bodies healthy, so it can outlast those measly expiration dates stamped on the package by a bit. But, there are a couple things to know before you dive on in.

I am a notorious yogurt buyer, and I tend to buy more than I think I’ll eat in a week. So inevitably I always have a couple cartons in the fridge, staring at me all week, warning me that the expiration date is coming up. I used to throw it out the day after it expired (or a few days after when I actually remembered to do so). What a waste that was! I could have saved myself many trips to the store and countless dollars if I had only known that yogurt could be consumed after the date printed on the package.

Now it’s your turn to get your knowledge on, and learn about how long yogurt can last, how to store it so it lasts, and when it’s for sure time to throw it out.

You CAN eat yogurt after the expiration date

Yes, you can eat yogurt after the expiration date. In fact, it will last from one to three weeks after the best by date on the carton, according to Eat by Date. The true key to getting away with eating yogurt late is knowing which types last how long, how to store them, and when to know that it’s for sure time to get rid of the stuff. So, read on.

It depends on the kind of yogurt

Frozen yogurt, low-fat yogurt, Greek yogurt... the list goes on and on with the different types that are out there. Depending on the kind of yogurt you buy, you could get another couple months out of it after the expiration date. According to Eat by Date, here are the main stats to live by:

Frozen Yogurt

In the freezer, it can last up to two to three months.

Drinkable Yogurt

In the fridge, 10 days. In the freezer, one to two months.

Greek Yogurt

In the fridge, one to two weeks. In the freezer, one to two months.

Low-Fat Yogurt

In the fridge, one to two weeks. In the freezer, one to two months.

Yogurt with Fruit

In the fridge, seven to 10 days. In the freezer, one to two months.

Regular Yogurt

In the fridge, two to three weeks. In the freezer, one to two months.

Yogurt That's Been Opened

No problem. If it’s been opened, limit it to one week in the fridge, or one month in the freezer as long as it’s tightly covered.

How do I know if yogurt has gone bad?

The best way is to use your nose and your eyes. If there’s an increased amount of liquid or any liquid in containers that don’t usually have it, then it’s gone bad. Of course if you see mold, that is a surefire sign to toss your yogurt out. Finally, take a whiff if there’s no liquid or mold. If it smells sour, it’s time to get rid of it.

Happy yogurt-eating and saving some dough.

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