Sneak Peek: Learn how to make Greek yogurt (aka yoghurt) at home with this simple Greek yogurt recipe. No special equipment needed. Check out the step-by-step instructions and pictures. FAQ included for troubleshooting.
Making yogurt is not as complicated as you imagine. Follow my recipe and before you know it, you’ll be turning cartwheels over your first successful batch of Greek yogurt.
You don’t need a yogurt maker, an expensive incubator, or yards of cheesecloth.
The most important tools are persistence, patience, and an appreciation for live cultures. (Beginners will also find a quick-read thermometer indispensable–more about that later.)
Note: To get a FREE printable cheat sheet listing only the basic steps for making yogurt, click here.
Why make yogurt at home?
- Quality commercially-made yogurt is often expensive.
- You can customize the flavors and sweetness.
- Ability to adjust the tartness, thickness, fat content, and texture
The main reason I make yogurt at home?
I look forward to eating rich and creamy Greek yogurt as a dessert every evening after dinner. Greek yogurt satisfies me and chases awaythe nighttime munchies.
What’s the difference between Greek yogurt and regular yogurt?
Greek yogurt is regular yogurt minus some of the whey. Whey is the yellowish liquid you often see collecting on top of yogurt.
More differences between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt:
- Thicker than regular yogurt
- Higher in protein and lower in sugar than regular yogurt
- Contains more fat (unless you make it with non-fat milk) than regular yogurt
The simplest way to make Greek yogurt is by straining off the whey from regular yogurt. Some companies add gelatin, rennet, or other mystery ingredients to make it thick. The result is often an inferior (and cheaper) product.
Something else to note from Healthline: “Because the straining process reduces the total volume, Greek yogurt takes significantly more milk than regular yogurt to make a batch of the same size.”
How long does it take to make yogurt?
Now that I have my system down, actual hands-on time is less than 15 minutes.
But there is hands-off time.
- Heating and cooling the milk: 1-2 hours
- Incubation period: 5-10+ hours
- Straining yogurt: 1-3 hours
Adding up those hours sounds like an all-day affair. But it’s like doing the laundry. You learn how weave it into your schedule.
Do I need a yogurt maker to make yogurt?
A yogurt maker is easy and foolproof. Not a bad thing, especially for beginners.
All yogurt makers are not alike.
Yogurt makers set up to incubate individual servings are not practical for Greek yogurt since it needs to be strained. Quart-size and larger yogurt makers are better for Greek yogurt lovers.
In the end, you don’t need a yogurt maker at all. The directions given here will show you how to make large and small batches with no special equipment.
Will these directions work for nut or grain milks?
No. The process is somewhat different and usually requires a special starter.
How to make yogurt at home:
Step 1: Fill a heat-safe container with milk.
Use a microwave-safe glass pitcher to heat milk in the microwave. Or use a large sauce pan to heat milk on top of the stove.
Step 2: Heat milk to 170-180˚F.
A quick-read thermometer like this one or this smaller and cheaper model (paid links) helps to make sure you don’t mess up this important step
For 2 quarts of milk, heating will probably take between 15-19 minutes in the microwave depending on the wattage of your oven. Check the temperature towards the end until you know how long it takes in your microwave.
You can also heat the milk on the stove. Keep the heat turned down to avoid scorching. Stir frequently.
No matter how you heat the milk, avoid boiling. But if your milk does boil, carry on. It will probably be OK.
What about using an Instant Pot?
Some people like to use their Instant Pot to heat and incubate the milk. That’s fine if you don’t mind babysitting the process.
The downside?
- The size of your pot will limit the amount of yogurt you can make.
- Whenever I’ve tried this, I end up needing my Instant Pot to fix dinner. (Is this is related to Murphy’s law?)
Can I skip the heating step since my milk is pasteurized?
The milk has already been sterilized. The purpose of heating is to unravel the proteins and enable thicker yogurt.
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you use ULTRA-FILTERED milk (such as Fairlife), you do not need to heat it. Some people call this the “cold start” method.
A thermometer (paid link) will ensure the temperatures are correct.
Step 3: Let the milk cool down.
The temperature of the milk needs to drop back to somewhere between 100-110˚F.
Milk that is too hot when you go to the next step, will kill the little yogurt bodies in the starter. Not good.
Cooling times will vary depending on the volume and type of container holding the heated milk. Use a quick-read thermometer to check the temp.
Hot Tip: If you are in a hurry, fill your sink or a tub with water and set the container of milk down into it. Add some ice once the milk cools down a bit.
Don’t panic!
If you let the temperature slide down to 80 or 90˚ F, don’t worry. Add your starter and proceed as usual.
The yogurt-making party will be delayed until the temperature returns to 100-110˚F.
Gently heat the milk back to 100˚ F if you don’t want to wait or if your incubation system doesn’t have a steady heat source.
Looks like the temperature of this milk has come back to 105˚F. We are ready for the next step.
Step 4: Add starter to the cooled milk.
Add yogurt as a starter to a small bowl. 
Add cooled milk to yogurt starter and whisk until smooth. 
Whisk the starter into the warm milk.
More answers to common questions about yogurt starter:
1. What’s a starter?
A starter contains live yogurt microbes. No starter? No yogurt.
2. Can I use a jar of my favorite yogurt from the store?
- Yes, if it’s unflavored, fresh, and contains live cultures (little yogurt bodies).
- Avoid yogurt with additives such as gelatin or other thickeners. They can cause a grainy texture.
- If you can’t find unflavored yogurt, vanilla-flavored will usually work. Not my first choice.
3. What’s the difference between using yogurt from the store and freeze-dried starter?
- Unflavored yogurt from the store:
- Easily available in almost every grocery store.
- It’s generally inexpensive
- Usually good for 3-4 generations or more.
- Freeze-dried yogurt starter (aka “traditional starter”) comes in a foil packet and costs more. It’s available online, in health food stores, or specialty supermarkets like Sprouts.
- A traditional starter is hardier than highly engineered commercial yogurt. It’s easier to ward off “wild yeast” that can mess up your yogurt.
- A traditional starter is more complicated to use for a beginner. Expect the first batch to be thin. (Follow the directions that come with the starter.)
- Subsequent batches will be thicker as the yogurt bodies ramp up to their full potential.
4. Can I use yogurt from a previous batch of homemade yogurt?
- Yes, as long as it is not more than a week to 10 days old.
- If you are using commercial yogurt for a starter, buy a new “starter” yogurt from the store every 3-4 batches.
- “Traditional yogurt starter” can be used over and over. Some people say years. Make a fresh batch every 7-10 days for the best results.
5. Do I have to warm up the starter before adding it to my cooled-down milk?
Not really. Little yogurt bodies don’t seem to mind jumping straight off the diving board into warm milk. I’ve made hundreds of batches of yogurt using a refrigerator-cold starter.
6. If I want to make Greek yogurt, do I have to use Greek yogurt as my starter or will regular unflavored yogurt work?
No. It doesn’t matter. Greek yogurt starts life as regular yogurt.
7. How much starter should I use?
Use a generous tablespoon of yogurt starter per quart of milk. Don’t fall for the idea that more is better. Yogurt bodies are big eaters and don’t like to be crowded.
Step 5: Cover milk (loosely) and incubate.
Incubate inoculated milk for 5-10 hours. Whatever system you use must hold the temperature steady at 100-110˚F.
WARNING: This step is where many people go off the rails. If your incubation system gets too hot, you’ll kill the little yogurt bodies. If the milk doesn’t stay warm enough, nothing much will happen.
Either way, the result will be milk, not yogurt. If that happens, you can find out what to do with failed yogurt here.
What is the best method to incubate yogurt?
Short answer: Whatever will hold your milk at a steady 100-110˚F.
Long answer: The possibilities are numerous depending on how your kitchen is set up, the equipment you already own, and how much milk you are trying to incubate at once.
See this post about the varied and creative ways my readers incubate their yogurt. Ideas include:
- Set your oven on the “dehydrate” or “bread proof” setting
- Wrapping the warm milk in a blanket and set inside an ice chest
- Run your oven at 350˚F for 1 minute, then turn off. Wrap warm milk in a towel and set it inside the oven.
- For smaller amounts, some people use a thermos.
- Use your instant pot on the yogurt setting (see the manual–instructions vary)
- Wrap your milk in a towel and set it on a heating pad.
- Buy an electric bread-proofing box.
- Find a warm place in your house such as on top of the water heater.
HOT TIP: When trying out a new method, check the temperature periodically to make sure it is neither too cool nor too warm. Set a cup of water next to the milk and check the water, not the milk.
How long does yogurt need to incubate?
It depends…(Don’t you hate that answer?)
- Do you prefer tart or mild yogurt? The longer you incubate, the more tart your yogurt will be. I usually incubate for 4-6 hours because I prefer mild yogurt. Some people incubate as long as 24 hours when they are concerned about lactose.
What is the best temperature for incubation?
- 100-105˚F is optimal. A half-gallon of milk with a fresh and vigorous starter will set in 4-1/2 to 6 hours. The yogurt will taste mild. Incubate longer for a tarter flavor.
- The hotter the temp, the quicker your yogurt will set, and the tarter your yogurt will taste.
- Note that temperatures closer to 115˚F have a downside:
- The higher the incubation temperature, the more chance of “skin” forming across the top.
- You may see excessive whey on top. Strain it off if you don’t want to stir it back in. (See directions below.)
- Go much higher than 115˚F and the little yogurt bodies will die.
Step 6: When yogurt is set, remove from incubation.
How can I tell if the yogurt is set?
Good question and for some, the hardest part of the entire process. You will learn from experience when it “looks right.”
Finished yogurt should look set — like jello. If you take a spoonful out of the middle, it should stand up on its own.
What is the watery liquid I see on top?
There may be a watery and yellowish liquid on top called “whey.” That’s normal. Pour off the whey or stir it back in–your choice.
If you pour it off and want to save it, here are some ideas for what to do with fresh yogurt whey.
Step 7: Chill yogurt or strain it for thicker Greek yogurt.
At this point, you could chill the yogurt for 2-3 hours before eating it. Or, you can make it thicker (Greek yogurt) by straining it.
How to make Greek yogurt from regular yogurt
Step 1: Transfer yogurt into a strainer.
Cheesecloth is the traditional way to strain yogurt. In my opinion, there are better options.
Check out these posts about alternate methods with coffee filters, a fine mesh colander, or a yogurt pouch.
Line a colander with a pouch, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter).
Hot Tip: The plastic bowl inside a salad spinner works great as a colander. It will hold up to a gallon of milk.
Yogurt will “break” when you spoon it out of the original bowl. Don’t worry if it looks more like cottage cheese.
Step 2: Let the yogurt drain until it is as thick as want.
If using a pouch, you can pull the bag tight and hang it. If using cheesecloth or a coffee filter, set the lined colander back over the original bowl to catch any whey that drains off.
The time required to make Greek yogurt will vary according to your method of straining and how thick you prefer your yogurt. The longer you strain, the thicker the yogurt.
If the yogurt has not fermented properly, it will be difficult to strain. When yogurt is too thin, it will immediately run through the cheesecloth or a pouch. When using a coffee filter, it may just sit there. Read this post about yogurt fails for what to do next.
Should I refrigerate Greek yogurt while I’m straining it?
Some people say the yogurt should sit in a refrigerator while it is straining. But who has room in their refrigerator for that?
Another 2-3 hours sitting on the counter won’t hurt your yogurt (or you.) The acidic nature of yogurt protects against spoilage.
Step 3: What should I do with the whey?
Empty the golden liquid you collected and dispose of it. Or store this whey in the fridge and make good use of it later.
Step 4: If desired, whisk Greek yogurt until creamy smooth.
Strained yogurt usually looks curdled like cottage cheese. That’s normal. You can chill and eat as is or whisk it.
When chilled, the texture should feel smooth on your tongue. If it doesn’t, see the troubleshooting guide below.
Beat strained yogurt with a big whisk until the lumps disappear. If you are doing a large amount, try using a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. Immersion blenders are too harsh and will make the texture almost runny.
Important Reminder
Before going to step 5 below, remember to save a small portion of unflavored yogurt to use as a starter for your next batch.
Step 5: Add flavoring.
Now is the appropriate time to add any fruit, flavorings, or sweeteners. The yogurt may appear thinner than you hoped at this point. Forge on. It will thicken up when chilled.
Don’t be discouraged if at first, you don’t succeed.
Check out the troubleshooting guide below and try again. If you have time, reading through the comments may give you some extra hints.
Yogurt Troubleshooting Guide
Temperatures above 120˚ F will murder the yogurt beasties, and your yogurt experiment will be over.
Heat above 170˚ F but not over 200˚ F. Do not boil the milk. It’s not ruined if you do, but it can affect the texture. I recommend you carry on.
Does your “system” maintain an even temperature? Is it too warm or not warm enough? The temperature needs to stay consistently between 100˚ and 105˚ F.
Don’t mess with the little yogurt bodies, or they will quit on you. If and when you stir the yogurt, the fun is over! Be careful not to jostle the bowl too vigorously when moving it.
Whether you are using yogurt from the store or homemade yogurt, the fresher the better. If using homemade yogurt as your starter, try to use it within 7 days.
Check the label for active cultures when buying from the store.
The time required for yogurt to set can vary. I usually incubate yogurt for about 5 hours. 12-14 hours may be necessary if your incubation situation is not optimal. Sidenote: The longer you incubate, the sourer your yogurt will taste.
Only a generous tablespoon or two per 2 quarts of milk is necessary. More is not better. Yogurt bacteria do not like to be overcrowded. Read this post if you’re confused about how much starter you really need.
You may have missed some skin attached to the side of the bowl as the milk was cooling.
I’ve tried several methods to prevent skin from forming in the first place. None work without a lot of stirring at the right times. The easiest way in my book is to remove it once–right before you are ready to add the starter.
If the possibility of bits of milk-skin bothers you, check out the cold-start method of making yogurt.
See this post for what to do with a failed batch of yogurt. Don’t throw it out yet.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Help others (and me). Leave a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. No comment required. Thank you.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. Questions or suggestions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.
What would you like to read next about homemade yogurt?
Five Things You Should Not Do When Making Yogurt
A fun read about common mistakes people make when trying to make yogurt
Which is Better? Cold Start Yogurt or Making Yogurt the Traditional Way?
Find out which method of making yogurt is better for you: cold start or the traditional method (preheating the milk).
How To Make Fresh Ricotta from Yogurt Whey
How to make ricotta cheese using the whey gathered from straining yogurt
How To Make Healthy Greek Yogurt
A guide to making your own Greek yogurt at home using fat-free, 1%, 2%, or whole milk.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts dairy milk (fat-free, 2% or whole milk)
- 1-2 tablespoons yogurt (commercial or your own homemade)
Instructions
- Fill a Pyrex 2-qt microwave-safe bowl or pitcher with milk. Alternatively, pour milk into a heavy-duty pot to heat on the stove.
- Heat in microwave until bubbles begin to appear around the edge. The temperature should reach 170-180˚F after you stir it. (In my microwave, it takes 17 minutes on HIGH). Check at 15 minutes.
- If a skin forms, remove it.
- Allow your milk to cool until temperature drops to between 100-110˚F.
- Whisk in 1-2 tablespoons of fresh unflavored yogurt as a starter. You may use yogurt from a previous batch of your own homemade yogurt.
- Cover the milk and place it in a warm environment where the temperature stays around 100-105˚F.
- Allow the inoculated milk to incubate for 4-8+ hours or until set.
- At this point, you could chill the yogurt and eat as is. Or you can decide whether to pour off the whey or stir it back in. Straining yogurt to make it thicker will result in Greek yogurt.
From regular yogurt to Greek yogurt
- Very carefully pour yogurt into a bouillon strainer aka chinois. If the mesh is fine enough, you won't need to use a cheesecloth or paper towel. Or use a Kleynhuis pouch or a commercial size paper coffee filter inside a cheap strainer.
- Let yogurt sit in the strainer until the yogurt is reduced by approximately a third. Time will vary according to the thickness of the yogurt out of the oven and your own preference regarding texture and sourness.
- Empty whey from batter bowl and pour yogurt out of strainer back into the original bowl. Use a good whisk or an immersion blender to beat until smooth. Thin with milk or leftover whey if yogurt is too thick.
- This is a good time to add any flavorings or sweeteners if desired.
- Chill.
Notes
Nutritionals are only an estimate. Numbers will vary according to how much you strain your yogurt.
Recommended Products
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Kleynhuis Greek Yogurt Strainer Pouch, Ultra-Fine 100 Micron Nylon (16"X9") -
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KUKPO Strainer - Fine Stainless Steel Double Mesh Strainer, 9 Inch Diameter!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8 servingsServing Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 151Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 107mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 8g
ROBERT BUNTZEL JR
Saturday 28th of November 2020
I have been making yogurt for over a year and do enjoy reading other's recipes and experiences. A very good read here and I did purchase the Kleynhuis Greek Yogurt Strainer Pouch at Amazon so it was time very well spent reading this article and the related topics. Great source of information on your site, thank you.
Paula
Saturday 28th of November 2020
Thanks, Robert. Glad you found the post useful. I don't have to tell you that there must be a million and one ways to make yogurt. Everybody seems to put their own spin on the process. It's fun.
MARIA
Sunday 18th of October 2020
THANK YOU I WILL TRY TO USE YOUR METHOD I"M SURE I WILL SUCCED
Angelica
Wednesday 1st of July 2020
Hi Paula! How much in grams/ounces does your recipe yield for Greek yogurt, not regular yogurt? I'd like to know the total amount, not per serving. Thanks in advance! I think I've read all of your post about yogurt making. Thank you for your helpful tips and dedication!
Paula
Thursday 2nd of July 2020
Hi Angelica,
That is a tough question to answer. And it can only be a guess. I usually strain my regular yogurt down to 1/3 to 1/2 the original volume. Since I start out with 2 quarts of milk, that would be about 1 qt. total, if I strain to half. It all depends on how much whey you strain off, and it's different every single time. "How much" depends on the quality of the milk, fat content, your straining system, how much time you let it strain, and last but not least, how long you incubated the original yogurt. Sometimes the yogurt seems reluctant to release the whey. Other times, the whey will pour out of the yogurt (often when it has incubated too long or at too warm of a temperature.) As you can see, few things are black and white when it comes to making yogurt. Thanks for writing.
Diana
Monday 29th of June 2020
Hi Paula, thanks for this wonderful post. I discovered your blog today and very quickly it became my favourite source of information for all things yogurt ;) Now, I'm new to this process and have a question: can I whisk the yogurt between steps #7 and #8? (i.e. right after incubation, before chilling?). Or should I chill it first and then whisk it? Thanks so much in advance!
Paula
Monday 29th of June 2020
Hi Diana,
Thank you for your kind words. You can whisk the yogurt after incubation or after chilling. In my opinion, whisking before chilling is easier. After chilling, you just have to work a little harder to get rid of the lumps. Whisking before chilling will seem to make your yogurt thinner. But it will firm up as it chills.
Caroline
Monday 29th of June 2020
It would be useful to have the downloaded directions with the same heats AND quantities mentioned here online - I dread to think what is going to happen or, rather, what could have happened had I not noticed. (2-3 tsp is rather different from 2-3 tbsp.)
Paula
Monday 29th of June 2020
Caroline, Thanks so much for pointing that out. I made the correction. Nothing terrible would happen using 2-3 teaspoons or 1-2 tablespoons (for 2 quarts of milk). 3 teaspoons=1 tablespoon. You can make yogurt with either measurement as long as your starter is fresh. It might take a little longer with 2 teaspoons as opposed to 2 tablespoons. But the yogurt should be great as long as all other guidelines are followed and the little yogurt bodies are in a good mood. Happy yogurt-eating.