To start, What is Yogurt?
Milk is made up of casein and whey. Casein is what curdles and is used to make cheese and yogurt, while whey is the watery substance left when the milk curdles. So what is Greek yogurt? Greek yogurt is essentially the same as regular yogurt with the addition of one critical step—straining! At the very end of the process, the yogurt is strained to remove the excess watery whey, creating a thicker, more protein-dense product.
Homemade Yogurt Ingredients
Yogurt is a fermentation (just like kefir, kombucha, and kimchi), meaning it’s created by adding some bacteria (yogurt) to a sugar-containing substance (milk) and letting the bacteria eat up the sugar. So to make yogurt at home, you’ll just need 2 ingredients:
Yogurt: Use a good-quality yogurt with live or active cultures. (After this first batch, all following batches of yogurt can use what you made as a yogurt starter. You’ll never need to buy it again!) Milk: Whole-fat milk produces the best texture for homemade yogurt.
The result of fermentation is always acid, gas, or alcohol. Fermentation of milk gives us acid, making for the distinctively tart flavor of yogurt!
How to make Greek Yogurt
Step 1: Heat MilkHeat milk to 185°F (85°C). A basic cooking or candy thermometer is necessary there to ensure you hit the right temperature. This is important for creating a thick, nicely textured yogurt. Step 2: Cool MilkCool milk back down to lukewarm (about 100 to 110°F), then add in your yogurt. Step 3: Let SitPlace your mixture somewhere warm and let it sit for 4 to 8 hours, or until the yogurt is thick and tangy. My favorite method for making yogurt is to set it in the oven with the oven light on. After sitting in a warm environment for a few hours, your yogurt is ready to eat! If you want to turn this plain yogurt into Greek yogurt, we’ll take it one step further and strain it. Step 4: StrainSet a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth (or strong paper towels) over a large bowl. Pour in yogurt and place in the fridge. Check every few hours until yogurt reaches your desired thickness. Transfer your freshly made Greek yogurt to an airtight container when it has reached your desired thickness level!
Using Other Milks
Can you make Greek yogurt with skim milk? But my FAVORITE way to use Greek yogurt? In this quick and easy tzatziki sauce! Tzatziki is refreshing and creamy, and the perfect way to use your homemade Greek yogurt. It’s best to use milk with some fat in it to give your homemade yogurt a nice texture. I’d recommend doing a blend of skim and 2% if you are going to try for a low fat homemade yogurt. How do you make non-dairy Greek yogurt? Making non-dairy yogurt at home is another ball game and requires a different way to introduce live bacteria (in the form of probiotic supplements!) This recipe from Minimalist Baker is great for non-dairy yogurt seekers.
