How Long Can Yogurt Sit Out – Easy Guide for you today that will run you through in detail what is a bad yogurt and how to keep your yogurt fresh and safe for consumption.
Yogurt is not unlike many other dairy products. It needs refrigeration or it can go bad. But how long can you leave the yogurt out without it going bad?
Well, really you should use the 2-hour rule with yogurt just like you would with milk. If you leave the yogurt out of the refrigerator for longer than this, bacteria will start to grow, and it can make you sick.
This is not all though, we will give you a full guide on how to know that your yogurt is okay, or if it should go in the trash.
We will even tell you how to tell if yogurt is bad
Tips On Keeping Yogurt Fresh
Here’s the deal, yogurt should always be stored below 40F, if you store it correctly it could last up to 14 days. For longer than this, there will start to be a mold accumulation, as well as bacteria, and the yogurt will spoil.
If you leave it out of the fridge for under 2 hours, you can put it back in, and it should be fine, but this will shorten its overall lifespan.
But there’s a catch… Bacteria will also grow more with yogurts that have sugar and fruit in them.
That’s not all, there are many yogurts out there that we love. Greek yogurt is one of the most popular, and it is no different. Even with Greek yogurt, we recommend sticking to the 2-hour rule to be safe.
So if you are asking how long can Greek yogurt sit out:
…Then the answer will still be 2 hours. So be very careful if you left the yogurt out and you are about to make a smoothie or just have it with some fruit.
You may also ask how long can yogurt sit out unopened, thinking perhaps it will last longer if it is not opened. This is not the case. Yogurt, of any kind, cannot be unrefrigerated for more than 2 hours! Even if it is unopened!
This may sound strange, but for those asking how long can yogurt sit out before it goes bad, or how long can Greek yogurt sit out at room temperature, the answer is always the same… 2 HOURS!
Why does this matter? Unopened, or opened, room temperature or slightly warmer, dessert yogurt or Greek, none of it changes the fact that after 2 hours it will begin to grow bacteria.
Is All Yogurt The Same?
Every yogurt is the same. We have previously looked at milk and how long they can sit out for, and the answer was always 2 hours, the same stands for yogurts.
In fact, we recommend that for any dairy products, you apply the 2-hour rule. Dairy products are very prone to bacteria build-up when unrefrigerated and so you should always practice caution when dealing with these products.
Coconut Yogurt
If you wonder how long can coconut yogurt sit out then the answer is 2-hours as you may expect. Coconut yogurt is no different from any other yogurt, even though it has different components.
Thus, whether your coconut milk is fresh, unopened, or just opened, it should go back in the fridge immediately and if it is out for more than 2-hours, throw it away!
Almond Milk Yogurt
If you are wondering how long can almond milk yogurt sit out, the answer is also 2-hours. It needs to be refrigerated as soon as you bring it home from the store, and should not be left out at room temperature or higher for any more than 2 hours.
Like any other yogurt, if it is left out for too long bacteria will start to grow, it will taste funky, and if you ingest it you will get sick.
Can Yogurt Make You Sick If It Is Out Of The Fridge Too Long?
What’s the real story, does yogurt go bad when not refrigerated?
Well, yes, but not immediately. Bacteria will not start to build up immediately when yogurt is unrefrigerated, but it will start after 2-hours
It won’t kill you if you eat yogurt that has sat out for more than 2-hours, however you may start to experience symptoms of unrefrigerated yogurt food poisoning. These can be symptoms such as diarrhea, cramps, and vomiting.
You may not get these symptoms straight away, but they may manifest after a few hours. It may even start with discomfort in the abdomen and difficulty breathing.
How To Tell If Yogurt Is Bad
So, how to tell if yogurt is bad? Well, one way is with the whey. This is a slight liquid lid on the top of the yogurt. It is jam-packed with nutrients, and before you eat the yogurt, you should mix it in.
If the yogurt is going bad, there will be a pool and an increase in the amount of liquid. You may also find it has a curdled texture.
Even if you do not notice this, then you will find mold, fungus, and a bad smell. The smell will likely be one of the first tell-tale signs that it has gone bad.
To Conclude
So, how long can yogurt sit out? 2-hours, any longer and it should be thrown, but always be on the lookout for signs it is going bad.
Always smell, and carefully inspect the yogurt, if you even have a shred of doubt, throw it away, better to be safe than sorry!
Additionally, she spent a few years working for Smoothie King, where she gained extensive knowledge about making smoothies.
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