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How Long Can Yogurt Be Out Of The Fridge Without Going Bad?
You should not leave yogurt out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours. At room temperature, bacteria can grow rapidly in yogurt, increasing the risk of food poisoning. On the other hand, yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, as long as it has been handled and stored properly.
Once the yogurt has set, you can allow it to cool down to room temperature and keep it out of the refrigerator for at least one day. As the chart below shows, you should never let yogurt sit out at room temperature for more than two hours. Now, if the temperature in your house is over 90 degrees F, yogurt may only stay outside for up to an hour. If the temperature of the room is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you should consume refrigerated yogurt within an hour after keeping it at that temperature.
Now, you know you absolutely must consume yogurt left outside of your refrigerator within two hours, or refrigerate it. If by chance you do leave your yogurt out, remember to put it back in the fridge within at least two hours after taking it out. Refrigerate at least three hours before serving yogurt, or overnight if you can, this is best to ensure that the yogurt tastes fresh and tasty. If you are making yogurt from scratch, be sure to refrigerate within two hours of setting it up and becoming firm.
Remember to always put yogurt into the fridge immediately after opening the container. If you are packing yogurt to go, make sure you add an ice pack or use a baggie or an insulated container so that it is secure for longer than two hours. If you make a habit of eating yogurt that has not been refrigerated for more than two hours, be sure to check for a few signs before eating. As long as yogurt has not been sitting outside for longer than 2 hours, and shows no signs of spoilage, you are fine eating yogurt without refrigeration.
Yes, refrigerated yogurt is safe to eat as long as it is left out for less than 24 hours. Refrigerated plain yogurt may also preserve food safely for up to 2 weeks past its indicated shelf life. Refrigerated yogurt (after it is opened) lasts up to two weeks, whereas unrefrigerated yogurt (opened or not) will last around a week. A refrigerated yogurt purchased from the store can be kept safely at room temperature for up to two hours, provided that room temperature is at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
That is about as long as yogurt can stay out of the refrigerator, at room temperature, before bacteria within it run amok. Unopened, or opened, at room temperature, or a little warmer, dessert yogurt, or Greek, none of it changes the fact that it starts growing bacteria in 2 hours.
Yogurt is packed with beneficial bacteria, but just like any perishable food, when left too long, it will rapidly begin to grow harmful bacteria. Like any other yogurt, if almond milk yogurt is left out too long, the bacteria will start to grow, it will have an off-tasting flavor, and you will be ill if you eat it.
It needs to be refrigerated immediately after bringing it home from the store, and it should never be left at room temperature or above 2 hours. Yes, Greek yogurt needs to be refrigerated if you want to make sure that it is safe to eat, because when it is left out, it starts going bad just after about two hours. Because, as we explained above, the USDA says no perishable should ever be left out longer than two hours, Greek yogurt certainly cannot be left out overnight.
The USDA says that yogurt sitting outside at temperatures of 40 degrees to 90 degrees technically could be left outside for no longer than 2 hours and would still be safe to eat. Greek yogurt, according to the USDA, may only be allowed to sit out for two hours before it is unsafe to eat, as bacteria are particularly fast growing at room temperature. To keep yogurt from going bad fast, and protect you from being exposed to spoiled foods, it is important to keep in mind the length of time yogurt can stay at room temperature.
Longer incubation times will result in a thicker yogurt, but they will also make the yogurt more acidic, and yogurt will become grainy if you wait too long. Leaving yogurt out in the cold too long can grow bacteria and turn it acidic. If the yogurt is left unrefrigerated, it decreases the amount of beneficial bacteria, while increasing harmful bacteria.
If the yogurt is left unrefrigerated for longer than recommended, the bacteria actually begin to multiply, so much so that they could make you sick, and could even cause you food poisoning. If yogurt is left outside the fridge longer than the 2 hour rule, bacteria starts to grow and it can make you sick. Bacterial growth and increased acidity are caused by leaving yogurt out of the fridge for a longer period.
Yogurt needs refrigeration because refrigeration inhibits the bacterial growth and slows down chemical reactions that cause yogurt to spoil, thus refrigerated yogurts slow down the spoilage process. This is one of the reasons that unrefrigerated yogurts can go for a pretty long time without spoiling, while yogurt kept refrigerated can go for longer — often months. While this is a good rule to follow, there might still be times where you are not entirely sure whether your yogurt is safe to eat, even when properly stored in the fridge.
In that situation, your yogurt may remain fresh for up to two hours, once it has been fully chilled by at least two ice packs. Put plain yogurt in the freezer, and shelf life will be as good as one month, provided that yogurt is covered tightly. While the already mentioned two hours might be too strict for some, leaving Greek yogurt overnight is simply way too long, so simply toss it out right now.
Is yogurt OK to eat if left out overnight?
As soon as you bring the yogurt home from the store, you should keep it refrigerated. Also, if the temperature in your home is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, do not leave your yogurt at room temperature for more than two hours. Bacteria can start to grow on items that have been left unrefrigerated for a long time.
How long can yogurt sit in a lunchbox?
Using ice packs or gel packs inside your insulated bag or box is the best way to ensure the safety of perishable foods inside. Make sure to have at least two cold sources in your lunch to keep them cool. If you are planning on leaving perishable foods out at room temperature for a period of more than 2 hours, then you might be able to eat them before they become unsafe to consume.
How do you know if yogurt has gone bad?
Generally, expired yogurt will show symptoms that your senses might feel. The yogurt has expired if a rancid smell, unappealing odor, and visible mold growth appear in it. Yogurt will release gases as it deteriorates, causing the container to bloat. Keep an eye out for anything unusual.