How long is yogurt good after the expiration date?
Unopened yogurt keeps for one to two weeks past its printed date if refrigerated the whole time, and five to seven days once opened, per the USDA. Here is how to tell if yours has gone bad.
Unopened yogurt is usually safe for one to two weeks past its printed date if it has stayed refrigerated at 40°F or below the entire time, according to the USDA. Once you open the container, plan to eat it within five to seven days for the best quality and safety.
That window assumes the yogurt was never left out too long and the fridge stayed cold. If either of those things is in question, the date on the lid stops mattering much, and you should lean on the signs below instead.
How long does yogurt last after the expiration date?
Most dates printed on yogurt tubs are "sell by" or "best by" dates, not safety cutoffs. The USDA treats them as quality markers, and yogurt that has been refrigerated the whole time is usually still fine to eat for a while past that date. Opening the container changes the math, since air and repeated spoon dips introduce bacteria that were not there before.
| Yogurt condition | How long it keeps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unopened, refrigerated continuously | 1 to 2 weeks past the printed date | Keep the fridge at 40°F or below |
| Opened | 5 to 7 days from the day you open it | Reseal tightly, use a clean spoon each time |
| Left out at room temperature | Discard after 2 hours | 1 hour if the room is above 90°F |
| Frozen at 0°F | 1 to 2 months for best quality | Texture gets watery and grainy after thawing, but it is still safe |
If your yogurt has already sat open in the fridge for more than a week, or you are not sure how long it has been unrefrigerated, it is not worth the gamble. Toss it and start fresh.
How to tell if it has gone bad
Your senses are more reliable than the calendar here. Look for these signs:
- Mold, which can show up as fuzzy spots in white, green, black, or pink. If you see any, throw out the whole container instead of scooping out just the moldy spot.
- A sour, yeasty, or otherwise off smell that goes beyond yogurt's normal tang.
- A puffed or domed lid, or a hiss of gas when you open it.
- Thick clumps, unusual sliminess, or a change in color.
A thin layer of clear or yellowish liquid on top is normal. That is whey separating out, and you can just stir it back in. It is not a spoilage sign on its own.
Some spoilage does not show up in the smell, taste, or texture at all, though. Bacteria that make you sick are not always the same bacteria that make food smell bad, so a container that looks and smells fine can still be unsafe if it sat out too long or stayed in the fridge well past its window. That is why time and temperature matter even when everything else seems normal.
How to store it so it lasts
Keep it on a middle or back shelf in the fridge, not in the door. Door shelves see the biggest temperature swings every time the fridge opens, and yogurt does best at a steady 40°F or below. Reseal the container tightly after each use, and always dip in with a clean spoon rather than one that has already touched your mouth. If you buy yogurt in a large tub, consider portioning some into a smaller container so you are not opening the whole thing repeatedly over two weeks.
It also helps to know when you opened something. If you are trying to keep track of dates across a fridge full of half-used containers, an app like Well Stockd can log when you opened the yogurt and remind you before that window closes, instead of you having to remember or guess.
For a broader rundown of storage windows across your fridge and freezer, see our guide to how long food lasts.
Can you freeze yogurt?
Yes. Yogurt freezes safely for one to two months at 0°F. The catch is texture, not safety: freezing breaks down the proteins that give yogurt its smooth consistency, so it usually comes out watery or grainy after thawing. It still works fine in smoothies, baked goods, or pancake batter where texture does not matter as much. If you plan to eat it plain, stir it well after thawing and expect a looser consistency than you started with.
When in doubt
The USDA's standing advice applies here as much as anywhere: when in doubt, throw it out. If yogurt has been sitting at room temperature for more than two hours, if you cannot remember when you opened it, or if anything about the smell or texture gives you pause, it is not worth risking it to save one tub of yogurt. This matters even more for anyone pregnant, elderly, very young, or immunocompromised, since foodborne illness hits those groups harder.
Yogurt is not the only fridge staple where the printed date and the real safety window do not quite match up. If you are also wondering about how long cooked rice lasts in the fridge or how long raw chicken lasts in the fridge, those follow their own rules, and it is worth knowing both before you plan your next grocery run.
Frequently asked questions
Is yogurt still good a week after the expiration date? Usually, yes, if it has been unopened and refrigerated at 40°F or below the entire time. The USDA's general guidance puts unopened yogurt at one to two weeks past its printed date. Check for mold, off smells, or texture changes before eating it, since those signs matter more than the date itself.
Can you eat yogurt with liquid on top? Yes. That thin, watery layer is whey, a normal part of yogurt that separates during storage. Stir it back in and eat as usual. It is only a concern if it comes with an off smell, mold, or a much thicker, curdled texture.
Does Greek yogurt last as long as regular yogurt? The USDA does not publish a separate number for Greek yogurt, so the same refrigerator and opened-container windows apply to both. Greek yogurt is strained and has less liquid, so it can hold its texture a bit longer after opening, but stick to the same five to seven day rule and the same sensory checks.
Updated July 2026.
Sources: Ask USDA - FSIS: How long can you keep dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese in the refrigerator?, FoodSafety.gov: FoodKeeper App