Made By Emily
Breakfast
How to Make the Best Greek Yogurt at Home
Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (fermentation time not included)
Total Time: 8-12 hours (includes fermentation)
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Greek
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Calories: 150
Ingredients
- 1 liter whole milk (4 cups)
- 125 grams unsweetened natural yogurt (½ cup)
Optional for serving:
- Jam or fruit for decoration
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat the whole milk over medium heat until it reaches about 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the temperature by dipping your pinky finger in; it should feel hot but not scalding.
- Take a small amount of the warm milk (about half a cup) and mix it with the unsweetened yogurt in a bowl until well combined. This helps to temper the yogurt.
- Gradually whisk the yogurt mixture back into the warm milk, stirring gently to combine without introducing too many air bubbles.
- Pour the mixture into a clean container or jar, close it tightly, and wrap it in a cloth to retain warmth. Let it sit in a warm, draft-free place overnight (approximately 8-12 hours) for fermentation.
- After the yogurt has fermented, you’ll notice it’s thickened slightly. To achieve a thicker Greek yogurt consistency, strain it: place a colander over a bowl, line it with a clean cotton cloth, and pour in the yogurt. Let it strain in the refrigerator for another 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Once it has reached your desired thickness, discard the whey (the liquid that drains out). Give the yogurt a good stir before serving. Enjoy it plain or with your choice of toppings like jam or fresh fruit.
Recipe Notes
- If your kitchen is cool, consider incubating the yogurt in the oven with the light on, which provides a slightly warmer environment for fermentation.
- Make sure all utensils and containers are sanitized before use to avoid introducing unwanted bacteria.
- Straining is optional; if you prefer a thinner yogurt, you can skip this step.
Nutrition Estimate
Approximate nutrition per serving (based on 1 cup serving):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fat: 8 g