Many people wonder if yogurt goes bad if not refrigerated.
Refrigerating yogurt is actually very important for its freshness, helping to prolong both its taste and shelf life.
But does yogurt go bad if not refrigerated?
Yes, it does. Refrigerating the yogurt will keep it safe to eat for a longer period of time.
Refrigeration slows down bacteria growth, helping to keep the yogurt fresh for much longer.
In addition, refrigerated yogurt will taste much better since it won’t spoil. Refrigerating yogurt will prevent it from becoming sour.
Refrigerating for at least three hours before serving the yogurt, or overnight if possible, it’s best to keep the yogurt tasting fresh and delicious.
This is the main reason why refrigerating yogurt is very important. So remember to always store it in the refrigerator as soon as possible after opening the container.
Refrigerating yogurt will keep it fresh and tasting great for up to three weeks after it’s opened.
How long can yogurt remain unrefrigerated?
Yogurt should not be left out more than two hours unrefrigerated.
Refrigerating it will allow for 6-7 days of storage. Avoid eating yogurt that has been sitting out for more than two hours.
This is because it may not be safe to eat after that time. Refrigeration will help it last longer.
Thus, refrigerate the yogurt once you get home from the store.
How do you store yogurt without a refrigerator?
Refrigerating yogurt is a well-understood process, but what happens when you don’t put it in the fridge?
How do you store yogurt without a refrigerator?
Do not expose your yogurt to intense heat or cold.
For example, don’t leave it outside on a hot day or the heat of your car’s dashboard on a summer afternoon.
Yogurt is more than just milk with active bacterial cultures, it also contains acids and enzymes which can spoil rather quickly.
Yogurt should be stored at room temperature, but not for an extended period of time.
Refrigerated yogurt (after opening) will last up to two weeks, while unrefrigerated yogurt (opened or unopened) will last about one week.
But I do not recommend storing yogurt at room temperature for one week. Without a refrigerator, you will not be sure of its quality.
If you do not have access to a refrigerator, it is better to eat or use the yogurt right after you bought it from a grocery store.
This is to ensure quality and safety.
Why does yogurt need to be refrigerated?
Yogurt needs to be refrigerated because the refrigeration inhibits bacterial growth and slows down the chemical reactions that lead to yogurt spoiling, so refrigerating yogurt slows down the spoiling process.
However, refrigeration could also potentially change the texture of yogurt, thickening it.
So next time you see your yogurt start to thicken, it will be okay and there is nothing to worry about as long as it is stored correctly.
Does yogurt always need to be refrigerated?
Not all yogurt tastes better when it is refrigerated, but most yogurt does.
To answer this question, yogurt is typically put into two categories: thick and drinkable.
Yogurts that are made to be poured and drank do not need to be refrigerated, such as Lactaid.
Yogurts that are intended to be eaten with a spoon are typically kept in the refrigerator.
How long can yogurt sit in the lunchbox?
Yogurt can sit in the lunchbox for about a day. Refrigerating it after lunch will extend its life until lunchtime the next day.
However, if lunchtime rolls around and the yogurt is not refrigerated, it will start to spoil within a day.
Typically, after a day of being left out, yogurt will only have about two days until it goes bad.
Can yogurt be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt.
Freezing yogurt is the same as freezing other foods, like ice cream or pudding.
The texture of frozen yogurt will change slightly though.
After defrosting yogurt, it will be thinner than when it was originally frozen, so thickening the yogurt may help compensate for the change in texture.
Freezing yogurt is a good way to save some food and keep it longer than usual.
How can you tell if yogurt is spoiled?
Yogurt will typically not look spoiled, so the best way to tell if yogurt is spoilage is by smelling it.
If you have yogurt that you think is spoiled, do the following:
- If the yogurt smells bad or sour, then it should not be used and should be thrown out.
- If the yogurt smells fine, take a small taste.
- If it tastes sour or weird, throw it out.
- If it smells and tastes fine, then you can assume that the yogurt is still safe to eat.
If you found some of these signs, then there is a high chance that your yogurt might be spoiled and unsafe to eat.
When should yogurt be thrown out?
Yogurt typically has a one-week shelf life, but should be thrown out if any of the following occur:
- It is past its expiration date.
- If it has stayed out for more than a day.
- If the container is bulging or swollen.
- If the container has been opened but not finished in three days.
- If it smells sour or bad.
- If it tastes sour or bad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, yogurt should be refrigerated to slow down the spoiling process, but not all yogurt tastes better when it is refrigerated.
Before you refrigerate yogurt, make sure that you know the storage requirement.
This is to make sure that you do the right thing to extend the shelf life of your yogurt.
Lastly, it is important to check the overall quality of the yogurt every now and then to ensure its freshness and safety for consumption.
If you find some of the signs of spoilage mentioned in this post, then it is better to discard the yogurt than eat it.
I hope this helps you make better decisions in keeping your yogurt fresh and safe.
