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    Home » Eat Like A Greek » How To Make Greek Yogurt

    How To Make Greek Yogurt

    Last updated October 22, 2021. Originally posted August 11, 2021 By Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves. 18 Comments.

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    Learn how to make Greek yogurt with only two ingredients! You can enjoy perfect fresh greek yogurt simply and economically in a few hours!

    A ceramic bowl with yogurt  and a spoon on a cloth napkin, fig halves above it and a detail of another bowl.

    What is Greek yogurt?

    Greek yogurt has been strained to remove most of its whey, resulting in a thicker consistency than regular unstrained yogurt while still preserving the distinctive sour taste of yogurt. The yogurt is strained at the very end to remove the excess watery whey, creating a thicker, protein-dense product. Thus, it is also called “strained yogurt.”

    Two ceramic bowls with homemade greek yogurt, a spoon on a cloth napkin, fig halves, walnuts, a honey dipper and a jar with honey. and a detail of another bowl.

    Why make it at home?

    Homemade greek yogurt tastes better and has a velvety beautiful texture. It is more economical than store-bought. You will also get lots of compliments!

    This is what you need

    Ingredients for homemade greek yogurt. A cheese cloth, a milk thermometer, a small bowl with yogurt and a sauce pan with milk on a butcher block.

    You only need two ingredients and some basic kitchen necessities to make delicious, authentic Greek Yogurt right at home.

    How to make it

    A sauce pan on the stove full with milk and a milk thermometer.
    Put the milk in a pot with a thick bottom and place it on low to medium heat. Simmer milk for 18-20 minutes until milk temperature reaches 185° F / 85° C.
    Remove from the heat.
    A sauce pan on a butcher block full with milk and a milk thermometer.
    Let the milk cool for 22-24 minutes until the milk temperature reaches 113°F / 45°C.
    Milk being poured in a sauce pan.
    Using a glass or bowl, add a full tablespoon of yogurt and half a cup of the warmed milk. Mix well with a whisk and add it to the pot with the rest of the milk. Mix well.
    A red sauce pan with a towel wrapped around it in a microwave oven.
    Now the yogurt needs to thicken in a warm environment. So I place it in my microwave oven with the light on under it. I find it is warm enough. Leave the pot in the warm oven for 6-8 hours.
    *Alternatively, warm your oven to 113° F / 45° C (see Tips and Tricks below and Recipe notes).
    Line a mesh sieve with the cheesecloth. Place the mesh sieve over the tallest bowl or pot you have to allow the liquids to gather on the bottom without touching the strainer and cheesecloth.
    Pour the yogurt into the cloth. Tie the cloth loosely around yogurt and place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
    The yogurt is ready!
    Two ceramic bowls with yogurt, a spoon on a cloth napkin, fig halves, walnuts, a honey dipper and a jar with honey. and a detail of another bowl.
    • Don't throw out the liquid that is drained out of the yogurt. It is whey and is a great protein. Can be added to smoothies, soups and stews even oatmeal.
    • I use my microwave oven above my stove to keep the milk warm enough for fermentation. The light under it is provides enough warmth (I prove my bread in there as well).
    • *You can also warm the oven to 113° F / 45°C, and let the yogurt rest in there. You might need less hours if you chose this method, check after 3-4 hours if yogurt has your desired thickness.

    How to enjoy greek yogurt

    There are so many possibilities!

    Greeks love yogurt served as a dessert with honey and walnuts. It is so good! Tavernas often serve it to their customers as a thank you at the end of the meal.

    Portokalopita - Greek orange phyllo cake is easy to make with oranges, phyllo sheets, yogurt, and star anise; it is an irresistible treat.

    A bowl with yogurt, a honey dipper dripping honey, a spoon on a cloth napkin, fig halves, walnuts, and a detail of another bowl.

    Make tzatziki dip! It's an ideal addition to souvlaki, eggplant & zucchini fritters, or crudités.

    We love yogurt in place of sour cream. Daryl can't have chili without a generous dollop of our homemade yogurt. Yogurt is a great way to cool down the heat of curries and other spicy dishes.

    Use yogurt in a marinade. Add a cup of yogurt to a mixing bowl and add seasonings like freshly ground pepper, dry oregano, thyme, pepper flakes, za'atar, crushed garlic, and some olive oil. Add chicken pieces, cover them well with the yogurt mixture and let them marinate for a few hours. Yogurt is a natural meat tenderizer. Grill the chicken and serve with a tomato salad and cut up pita bread. It will be the juiciest chicken ever!

    Make cauliflower fritters with Greek yogurt & parmesan. They are ready in 20 minutes!

    A bowl with yogurt, honey and walnuts, a spoon on a cloth napkin, fig halves, another bowl with yogurt and a jar with honey.

    Check out my Greek pantry staples 

    Cooked this? Rate this recipe! You can also leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!

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    A ceramic bowl with yogurt on a cloth napkin, fig halves above it and a corner with another bowl with yogurt and a spoon.

    How To Make Greek Yogurt

    by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
    Make perfect creamy greek yogurt with only two ingredients.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 22 mins
    Resting time 6 hrs
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine Greek
    Servings 4
    Calories 155 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large pot
    • a cheese cloth
    • A milk thermometer
    • a mesh sieve

    Ingredients
      

    • 1000 ml organic grass-fed whole milk about 4 cups
    • 1 tablespoon greek yogurt full fat

    Instructions
     

    • Place milk in a pot with a thick bottom and place it on low to medium heat. Simmer milk for 18-20 minutes until milk temperature reaches 185° F / 85° C.
      Remove from the heat.
    • Let the milk cool for 22-24 minutes until the milk temperature reaches 113°F / 45°C.
    • Using a glass or bowl, add a full tablespoon of yogurt and half a cup of the warmed milk. Mix well with a whisk and add it to the pot with the rest of the milk. Mix well.
    • Now the milk needs to ferment and thicken in a warm environment.
      Method A: Place milk in the microwave oven with the light on under it. Leave the pot in the microwave oven for 6-8 hours.
      Method B: Warm the oven to 113° F / 45° C and let milk rest in there. Check thickness after 3-4 hours.
    • Line a mesh sieve with the cheesecloth. Place the mesh sieve over the tallest bowl or pot you own to allow the liquids to gather on the bottom without touching the strainer and cheesecloth.
      Pour the yogurt into the cloth. Tie the cloth loosely around yogurt and place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
      The yogurt is ready!

    Notes

    • Get a good full-fat yogurt with live active cultures, such as Fage. Thin a tablespoon first with some of the warm milk, then stir that into the pot.
    • You can also buy freeze-dried starter cultures, which look like powder and can be stirred right into the milk. Cultures for Health sell basic yogurt cultures and specific ones tailored for Greek yogurt.
    • Save a few tablespoons of your yogurt batch to use on your next one as a starter. 
     
    Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 109mgPotassium: 335mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 405IUCalcium: 287mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thegreekfoodie__ or tag #thegreekfoodie__
    How To Make Greek Yogurt
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    Hi there!

    I am Jenny, a Greek expat living in the greater New York City area. I like to say I am a beauty art director turned foodie, aka the Greek foodie. Born and raised in Greece, my fondness for good food goes hand in hand with my heritage. My absolute favorite thing to do is cook delicious food to enjoy with family and friends.... Find out more about me here…

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