🥣 Homemade Yogurt & Variations
Homemade yogurt is easy to make, budget-friendly, and healthier than most store-bought options. With just milk and a small amount of yogurt as a starter, you can create fresh, creamy yogurt at home—and customize it with sweet or savory flavors.
🥣 Homemade Yogurt (Basic Recipe)
Ingredients
- 4 cups (1 liter) milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt with live cultures (starter)
Instructions
- Heat milk: Warm milk to 180°F (82°C) until steaming (do not boil).
- Cool: Allow to cool to 110°F (43°C).
- Add starter: Whisk in 2 tbsp yogurt.
- Set: Pour into jars and keep warm for 6–10 hours (oven light on, towel wrap, or yogurt maker).
- Chill: Refrigerate for 4 hours to firm up.
Tip: A longer fermentation time makes thicker, tangier yogurt.
🥛 Thick Greek-Style Yogurt
After chilling, strain yogurt through cheesecloth for 2–4 hours for a creamy Greek texture.
⭐ Yogurt Variations
1. Vanilla Yogurt
Mix in after setting:
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp honey or sugar (optional)
2. Fruit Yogurt
Stir in:
- ½ cup mashed berries or chopped fruit
- 1–2 tbsp sweetener (optional)
3. Honey & Nut Yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp toasted almonds, pecans, or walnuts
4. Probiotic-Boosted Yogurt
Use 2 probiotic capsules instead of yogurt starter.
5. Low-Fat or Skim Yogurt
Use skim milk + 2 tbsp milk powder while heating for thickness.
6. Instant Pot Yogurt
- Heat milk to 180°F using Sauté
- Cool to 110°F
- Add starter
- Set to Yogurt mode for 8 hours, then refrigerate
7. Flavored Dessert Yogurt
Mix after setting:
- 1 tbsp cocoa + 1 tbsp sugar
or - 2 tbsp caramel sauce
or - Cinnamon + maple syrup
🍨 Savory Yogurt Variations (Dips & Dressings)
Garlic Herb Yogurt
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, pepper, dill/parsley
Cucumber Yogurt (Tzatziki Style)
- Grated cucumber, garlic, lemon, mint
Spicy Yogurt
- Paprika, chili flakes, black pepper, lime
🧊 Storage & Shelf Life
- Refrigerate up to 2 weeks
- Save 2 tbsp to use as starter for your next batch
💡 Great Uses
Breakfast bowls • Smoothies • Salads • Marinades • Dips • Sandwich spreads • Desserts
