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The easiest way to make Greek yogurt is by far in the Instant Pot. You’ll get healthy creamy delicious yogurt you can flavour to your liking, top with granola or whip into a dip.
Making Greek yogurt is a great skill even the kids can learn. It’s resourceful and rewarding, not to mention so very versatile! It will quickly earn a spot in your weekly repertoire of homemade favourites.
Fact: Yogurt is simply fermented milk. Tons of tiny, gut healing probiotics are added to the milk you buy when you ferment it. You can do this right in your own cozy kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy – Making Greek yogurt with an Instant Pot or any multi-cooker is very hands off. You pour the milk in, press a button and walk away. It will do its thing while you do all of yours!
Healthy – Homemade Greek yogurt is packed with probiotics because you’re fermenting the milk. Plus, you get to control the ingredients.
Inexpensive – Crazy savings – especially if you buy the milk 50% off! You can make half a gallon of Greek yogurt at home for about the same price as a single tub from the store. I just can’t pass that up!
Ingredients
Whole Milk – If whole milk is hard to come by, 2% milk will do. You can also use coconut or almond milk, but the yogurt will turn out runnier.
Starter Culture – Plain store-bought yogurt can be used as your starter culture, or yogurt from your last homemade batch. You can also purchase yogurt starter culture from health food stores, farm co-ops or online. Cultures for Health is a great source for this.
Equipment
Instant Pot or any multi-cooker
Strainer – if you like super thick yogurt
Funnel – helpful for transferring to jars
Thermometer – optional
How to Make Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot
1. Pour the milk into the Instant Pot, close the lid and press the yogurt button until it says BOIL.
2. Take the lid off and cover the boiled milk with a tea towel. Allow it to cool to at least 115°F. If you’d like to speed up this process, you could make an ice bath by filling your sink with ice water and sitting the pot of boiled milk in it until cooled.
3. Once the milk has cooled, add the starter culture to the milk and mix well. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to 8 – 24 hours using the Yogurt button. For easiest digestion I recommend the full 24 hours, but for the least sour, 8 hours is great.
4. When the timer goes off, your Greek yogurt is ready! Transfer it to a large mason jar or glass container to refrigerate. And don’t forget to enjoy a bowl topped with honey and hemp hearts!
5. This step is optional. If you like your Greek yogurt very thick, you may strain it with a strainer and/or cheesecloth over a bowl or pot. Collect the whey that drips from the yogurt.
Store your whey in the fridge and use if for cooking, gardening or as starter culture for other ferments.
The Easiest Way to Make Greek Yogurt: In the Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot or any multi-cooker
- Strainer – if you prefer very thick Greek yogurt
- Thermometer – optional but necessary if your Instant Pot does not have a Yogurt setting.
Ingredients
- 1 gallon (3.785 litres) of whole milk or 2% milk
- 1/4 cup of full fat plain yogurt or 1 packet of starter culture
Instructions
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot, close the lid and press the Yogurt button until it says BOIL.
- Take the lid off and cover the boiled milk with a tea towel. Allow it to cool to at least 115°F.
- Add the yogurt or starter culture to the milk and mix well. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to 8 – 24 hours using the Yogurt button.
- Transfer your Greek yogurt to a large mason jar or glass container to refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
- Optional – If you prefer extra thick yogurt, strain it over a bowl and collect the whey.
FAQs
Can I use almond milk to make Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot?
You can definitely use almond milk but the consistency will be much thinner and runnier. You may use coconut milk for a creamier yogurt, however, be sure to stir it before serving because it will probably separate.
Can I make Greek yogurt in my Instant Pot without a yogurt setting?
Yes, although it will take a few more steps. Boil the milk to 180°F by whisking it on the Sauté setting. Then use the Keep Warm setting every now and then while fermenting the milk. You want the temperature to stay within 100°F and 115°F. Wrap the pot with a towel and keep it in a warm place.
What should I do with the whey?
Whey should be refrigerated. It can be used for cooking, as garden fertilizer and starter culture for ferments.
How long will my Instant Pot Greek yogurt last?
Homemade Greek yogurt can last up to 14 days in the fridge. One of the reasons I love making Greek yogurt is because I can buy milk 50% off and extend its life by 2 weeks!
Want to go a step further? Make this easy cream cheese. On a fermentation kick? Try my Fermented Carrot Recipe or Homemade Sauerkraut. Or maybe you need to add mayo to your yogurt for a delicious dip!
Let me know in the comments how your yogurt turns out or if you have any questions or tips!
Where do you get milk for 50 per cent off?
Keep an eye out at any grocery store : )