How to Make Your Own Homemade Greek Yogurt- Recipes & what to Cook with Tips

Many companies have come up with different types of Greek yogurt based on ingredients and level of consistency. To steer clear of some of the ingredients which might not sit well with most people such as sweeteners, it is possible to make your own home made Greek yogurt to your liking and taste. Read on, for how to make your own homemade Greek yogurt & recipes available for thicker creamier yogurt.

How to make your own Homemade Greek yogurt

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How to make your own Homemade Greek yogurt
Homemade Greek Yogurt Recipes
Cooking with Greek yogurt at Home
Tip: What things to make with Greek Yogurt at Home.

Why make your own Greek Yogurt at Home? What are the benefits?

The production of Greek yogurt and use of the brand ‘Greek’ is not regulated. It is no surprise if you found normal yogurt in the name of Greek yogurt, with all the sweeteners and fat content. Being able to make your own yogurt at home is so satisfying that you would be peacefully enjoying this delicacy knowing that you made it to your taste and liking.

The fact that Greek yogurt sold at stores is quite expensive, and it is not organic is reason enough to try and make your own homemade Greek yogurt.

How many calories in homemade Greek yogurt.?

Greek yogurt has been praised for its health benefits, non fat, and low calorie. Compared to regular non fat plain yogurt, there is a big difference on the nutritional value of both dairies. Though most experts agree that Greek yogurt has a nutritional edge, both types’ help you lose weight by keeping you full on fewer calories. The key is sticking to plain, nonfat, or low-fat varieties. Here is a comparison between Greek yogurts (plain, nonfat) with regular yogurt (plain, nonfat)

Greek (5.3 ounces, nonfat, plain)

Calories: 80
Total fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol: 10 milligrams
Sodium: 50 milligrams
Sugar: 6 grams
Protein: 15 grams
Calcium: 15 percent on a 2,000-calorie diet

Regular (6 ounces, nonfat, plain)
Calories: 80
Total fat: 0 grams
Cholesterol 5 milligrams
Sodium: 120 milligrams
Sugar: 12 grams
Protein: 9 grams
Calcium: 30 percent on a 2,000-calorie diet.

Basic procedure on how to make your own Homemade Greek yogurt

Here is a basic procedure on how to make Greek yogurt.

Prepare the milk. Boil the milk to a temperature of about 80 degrees
Let it cool down to a temperature of about 45 degrees
Add yogurt or culture- read label on how much to use
Let it rest overnight for 4 to 12 hours
Strain off the yogurt using cheesecloth or muslin cloth
Serve plain or with fruit toppings

Homemade Greek Yogurt Recipes

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Waiting time 5-7 hours

Requirements

4 cups 2% pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized or UHT) low-fat milk
¼ cup nonfat dry milk powder
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl, and then set the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water. Heat the milk in a large saucepan over medium-low heat (do not stir while heating) until it registers 185 degrees F.
Remove the pot from the heat, gently stir in the milk powder, and let it cool to 160 degrees F, approximately 7-10 minutes. Strain the milk through the prepared strainer and let it cool, gently stirring occasionally, until the milk registers 110-112 degrees F. Remove from the ice bath.
In a small bowl, gently stir ½ cup warm milk into the Greek yogurt until smooth. Stir the yogurt mixture back into the milk. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and poke several holes in the plastic.
Place the bowl in the oven and turn on the oven light, creating a warm environment of 100-110 degrees F. Let the yogurt sit undisturbed until thickened and set, 5-7 hours. Transfer to refrigerator until completely chilled, about 3 hours.
Set a clean fine-mesh strainer over a large measuring cup and line it with a double layer of coffee filters. Transfer the yogurt to the prepared strainer, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until about 2 cups of liquid have drained into the measuring cup, 7-8 hours. (You can also skip this step for regular yogurt that is less thick). Yogurt can be refrigerated for up to one week.

Homemade low fat Greek Yogurt Recipe

There are many commercial Greek yogurt brands in the market laced with thickeners and sweeteners. Making your own avoid such things can be an option but you can also choose to buy that which contains only milk and live cultures. So, let us say that other that special preferences, high costs is the only reason why you can choose to make your own homemade low fat Greek yogurt.

Producing low fat Greek yogurt can be quite easy and complicated at the same time. There are many way to come up with low fat yogurt from milk. The end product depends on a number of factors. You might need to do it a number of times to perfect it. Here are some very important things to consider when it comes to how you want your end product to taste like.

What type of milk you use
What type of starter you use
The incubation period and how warm you keep it during this time

Here is a simple recipe on how to make low fat Greek yogurt.

Ingredients

8 cups milk
4 tablespoons plain yogurt with live and active cultures or freeze-dried yogurt starter

Procedure

Bring milk to boil at 180°F, stirring regularly to prevent scorching. Once milk has reached temperature, allow it to cool to 110°F (place pot in an ice bath to speed cooling, if desired).
When milk has cooled, add yogurt to the pot and whisk thoroughly to combine.
Pour milk and starter mixture into two quart-sized jars. Place them in a small insulated cooler and fill with 120°F water until jars are submerged nearly up to their lids. Close cooler and leave in a draft-free, undisturbed place for six hours or until desired tartness is achieved.
When incubation is complete, remove jars from water bath and place in refrigerator for at least six hours to halt culturing and set yogurt.
At this point, yogurt may be eaten, but to achieve a Greek-style consistency, it will need to be strained. Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with two layers of cheese cloth. Spoon yogurt into lined strainer and allow to drain for two hours or until desired thickness is achieved.
Transfer yogurt to a storage container and refrigerate until needed. Remaining leftover whey may be reserved for another use if desired.

Homemade Ranch with Greek Yogurt Recipe

Yogurt and sour cream are good choices when you want to make lower fat version of ranch. Everyone seems to crazily fall for this rich mix of dairies and spice. This classic delicacy has tricked kids into eating vegetables. That is why it has become moms’ favorite. For the love of ranch, here are simple recipes for a healthier alternative.

Recipe #1

Requirements

2 cups fat-free Greek yogurt
1 envelope ranch dip mix
1/2 cup skim milk

How to prepare

Mix all ingredients together in a mason jar and refrigerate. Easy! Right?

For a more natural taste and approach;

Recipe #2

Requirements

1 cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Fresh, chopped chives garnish

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together all of the ingredients. Garnish with fresh chives and serve.

Cooking with Greek yogurt at Home

Other than snacking, cooking with Greek yogurt is another way to incorporate it in your diet. Use Greek yogurt to boost protein in your foods. When cooking with Greek yogurt, choose the non fat or low fat varieties.

Here are some cooking ingredients that can be substituted with Greek yogurt

Cream cheese
Oil
Heavy cream
Sour cream
Mayonnaise

Tip: What things to make with Greek Yogurt at Home.

What things or foods can be made with Greek yogurt to make it more enjoyable? You can use Greek yogurt as a healthy substitute for higher fat ingredients. It is such a versatile ingredient that can mimic creamy texture and thickens foods. It has been widely used as an ingredient in cooking and baking.

Ways in which you can use Greek yogurt

In Dips in place of mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese
In Salad Dressings in place of mayonnaise and sour cream
In Casseroles, Soups and Sauces in place of heavy cream and sour cream
In Marinades to keep lean proteins moist
In Muffins, Cupcakes and Pancakes in place of oil or butter

Source; jeanetteshealthyliving.com

Greek Yogurt with Honey

Honey and yogurt have rich health benefits separately. You can imagine what a blast a combination of these two can make. The nutritional value is doubled. High sugar from honey plus protein from yogurt is said to be a good choice for those who are doing muscle/ strength training. This should however be taken in moderation to keep the calorie count down.

Greek with Popsicles at Home

Greek yogurt popsicles is a good treat for summer. It uses Greek yogurt as one of the main ingredients for healthy, delicious and versatile popsicles. The tangy flavor is very lovable. While making this great breakfast treat, add in some honey to keep it sweet and balance out the tanginess.

How to make your own Homemade Greek yogurt

Homemade Greek Yogurt Recipes

Homemade low fat Greek Yogurt Recipe

Homemade Ranch with Greek Yogurt Recipe

Cooking with Greek yogurt at Home

Tip: What things to make with Greek Yogurt at Home.

Suggested Further Reading -more Greek Yogurt Information

Best Tasting & Healthiest Greek Yogurt Brands - Comparison & Reviews

What is Greek Yogurt? Healthy & does it have Probiotics? Greek Yogurt Ingredients, how it’s made & long it lasts