How long does yogurt last?

Checked 25 Oct 20267 official publishers, 8 sources

Yogurt: 1-2 weeks in the fridge and 1-2 months in the freezer for best quality.

Official stance

“Avoid Choose these instead ... Raw (unpasteurized) milk, yogurt, and ice cream Pasteurized milk, yogurt, and ice cream” CDC

Storage times for yogurt by state and place
State	Counter / pantry	Fridge 40 °F	Freezer 0 °F
Yogurt	2 hours max CDC	1-2 weeks FoodKeeper Extension Extension Sources disagree: 14 days Extension	1-2 months best quality FoodKeeper Extension Extension Extension

Times assume continuous refrigeration at 40 °F or below. When in doubt, throw it out. Freezer times are for quality: “Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.” FDA

Sources compared

Source	State	Counter / pantry	Fridge	Freezer
USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper) 2018	Yogurt	-	1-2 weeks	1-2 months
Nebraska Extension	Yogurt	Not recommended	1-2 weeks	1-2 months
Utah State University Extension	Yogurt	-	14 days	-
University of Illinois Extension	Yogurt	-	-	1-2 months
NDSU Extension	Yogurt	-	1-2 weeks	1-2 months
CDC 2025	Yogurt	2 hours	-	-

A dash means that source gives no time for that place.

Handling and freezing notes

“Yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk Keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks of the date stamped on the package.” Extension
“Keep covered and refrigerated. Follow the "use by" date on the package, or up to two weeks after the "sell by" date.” Extension
“Yogurt may separate when frozen.” Extension

What the sources say

FoodKeeper gives yogurt 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge from the date of purchase, and the Nebraska Extension chart gives the same 1 to 2 weeks.¹²

Utah State University Extension lists 14 days for yogurt kept in its original container at 38 to 40 °F.³

For the freezer, FoodKeeper, the Nebraska chart and the University of Illinois Extension all list 1 to 2 months for yogurt.¹²⁴

Nebraska describes its freezer column as storage times for quality only, and Illinois gives its yogurt time as the recommended storage time for top quality at 0 °F.²⁴

At room temperature, in a pantry or cupboard, the Nebraska chart marks yogurt as not safe.²

The University of Wisconsin-Extension counts from the package instead, advising to keep yogurt refrigerated and use it within 3 weeks of the date stamped on it.⁷

The NDSU Extension food storage guide repeats the 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge and 1 to 2 months in the freezer, and adds that yogurt may separate when frozen.⁵

For package dates, NDSU says to follow the use by date on the package, or keep yogurt up to two weeks after the sell by date, covered and refrigerated.⁵

On its Listeria prevention page, CDC advises people at higher risk to avoid yogurt made from raw, unpasteurized milk and to choose pasteurized yogurt instead.⁸

Rules that apply here

The 2-hour rule Freezing and refreezing Fridge and freezer temperature Best-by and use-by dates

Milk Sour cream Buttermilk Cottage cheese

Sources

USDA FoodKeeper data v128, product 33: Yogurt. USDA FSIS (FoodKeeper). Dated 2018-09-06. Checked 2026-10-24. Yogurt. DOP_Refrigerate: 1-2 Weeks; Freeze: 1-2 Months
Home Food Storage | UNL Food | Nebraska. Nebraska Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Yogurt Not safe 1 to 2 weeks 1 to 2 months
Food Storage in Home | USU. Utah State University Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Yogurt original container 38-40°F refrigerator 14 days
Freezer Storage | Food Safety | Illinois Extension | Illinois. University of Illinois Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Yogurt 1 to 2 months
1 • FN579 • Food Storage GuideNDSU Extension. NDSU Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-25. Yogurt 1 to 2 weeks 1 to 2 monthsKeep covered and refrigerated. Follow the "use by" date on the package, or up to two weeks after the "sell by" date.Yogurt may separate when frozen.
Preventing Food Poisoning | Food Safety | CDC. CDC. Dated 2025-11-24. Checked 2026-10-24. Never leave perishable food out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if exposed to temperatures above 90°F).
Safe and Healthy: Food Product Dating. University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk Keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks of the date stamped on the package.
Preventing Listeria Infection | Listeria Infection | CDC. CDC. No date on the page. Checked 2026-10-24. Avoid Choose these instead ... Raw (unpasteurized) milk, yogurt, and ice cream Pasteurized milk, yogurt, and ice cream
REFRIGERATOR & FREEZER STORAGE CHART. FDA. Dated 2018-03-01. Checked 2026-10-24. Because freezing 0° F (-18° C) keeps food safe indefinitely, the following recommended storage times are for quality only.