Making Yogurt from Raw Milk: (Directions for Greek Yogurt Included)
Preview: Learn about making yogurt from raw milk with this picture tutorial. The instructions are for making regular yogurt and Greek yogurt.
No cows hang out in my backyard or the back forty. Raw milk is not available commercially in my town, but my son and daughter-in-law love yogurt made with raw milk. So they encouraged me to try it.
I may be entering treacherous territory. Recently I’ve had several inquiries about making Greek yogurt with raw milk (unpasteurized milk) on my Homemade Greek Yogurt post, so I decided to try it so that I can say I did.
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Please note: As a home economist, I’m not advocating adding raw milk to your diet. It’s a controversial practice not advised by the USDA. I encourage you to do the research.
Why do I need to heat the milk?
I have read that some people don’t heat their raw milk to 175˚F in the beginning, either because they want to save time or because they don’t want to kill certain bacteria. However, after doing side-by-side experiments, I observed that milk heated to 175˚F produces a thicker yogurt, whether raw or pasteurized at the outset.
High heat helps to unravel the proteins which aid the yogurt-making bacteria. However, I wouldn’t say I like to drink my yogurt, and I’m not comfortable letting unheated raw milk sit at 100˚F for 12 hours. So, I stick with the method for high heat, then a cool-down, before adding a yogurt starter.
As it turns out, making Greek yogurt with raw milk is the same process as pasteurized milk. What follows is a condensed tutorial. If you still have questions, check out my original post on making yogurt for more details.
How to make Greek yogurt with raw milk:
Second:
Allow the milk to cool down to 100-110˚F.
Third:
Fourth:
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Once you prepare your yogurt by heating it, cooling it, and adding a starter, find a place in your house to incubate your yogurt. See this post for more ideas about how to incubate.
DO NOT DISTURB!!!!!!
If you peek too often, too much heat may escape. Also, if you move or stir the milk mixture, the incubation process will stop, and no more thickening will occur.
After 10-12 hours, go to the next step. If you are not available at that time, it is OK to let it incubate for up to 24 hours based on my own experience. In general, the longer yogurt incubates, the tangier the yogurt.
See the pictures below for an example of what your yogurt should look like when it has finished incubating. We made three batches using different milk in each. First, the pasteurized skim milk was the thickest, followed by the raw skim milk. Finally, whole raw milk made the thinnest yogurt.
Fifth: How to make Greek yogurt:
You could eat your yogurt at this point– once it chills, but if you prefer Greek yogurt as I do, proceed.
If you chill the yogurt before straining, you may not need to use a cloth to line your strainer if your strainer is fine enough. Then, after 1-3 hours (your choice, depending on the yogurt itself and how thick you like it), set the drained whey aside for other purposes and whip the remaining yogurt with a whisk. Use some muscle behind that whisk, and your reward will be creamy yogurt.
Add flavorings before or after chilling. Enjoy!
If you run into difficulty, leave your question in the comment section.
Other posts pertaining to making 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.
5 Things You Should Not Do When Making Homemade Yogurt
If you have ever tried to make your own yogurt, don’t miss this post. If you’ve been thinking about trying it, learn from my mistakes.
Troubleshooting Homemade Yogurt and Secrets to Help You Make it Better
Find out what went wrong and how you can do it better.
18+ Uses for Yogurt Whey You May Not Have Thought Of Yet
Ideas for what to do with all the whey produced by straining yogurt to make it Greek yogurt
My Homemade Yogurt Didn't Set. What Can I Do?
If your homemade yogurt didn’t set, here are some ideas for what to do next. Don’t throw your milk out yet!
How To Make Ricotta from Whey Produced by Straining Yogurt
Make ricotta cheese at home by adding yogurt-whey to milk. This recipe is especially useful for people who make Greek yogurt at home and find themselves with a lot of whey as a result of the straining process.
More than 6 Ways You Can Incubate Yogurt
Have trouble making yogurt because you can’t keep the temperature warm enough? Browse through these solutions offered by my readers. You’re sure to find an idea to try.
Why is My Homemade Yogurt Slimy?
Did you make a batch of yogurt that turned out stringy or the consistency of honey? This is my answer to the problem based on my research and experience.
Skyr Recipe (Icelandic Yogurt): What Is It and How Do I Make It?
This is a beginner’s guide to Icelandic Yogurt. Includes a recipe for making Skyr at home.
A Yogurt Bag as a Cheesecloth Alternative for Making Greek Yogurt
Read about my new method for turning regular yogurt into Greek or Icelandic yogurt. The straining process is faster and clean-up is super easy. No messy cheesecloth.
Cold Start Yogurt: Make it with or Without an Instant Pot (+Video)
Check out this simple tutorial for making homemade yogurt using the cold start method. Video included. Good for beginners or advanced yogurt makers.
What is the Best Way To Make Yogurt? Cold Start vs. Traditional Method
Check out this comparison of the cold start method for making yogurt and the traditional method (preheat the milk) to help people choose which process is better for them.
Why is My Homemade Yogurt Grainy?
“Why Is My Homemade Yogurt Grainy?” is a discussion about possible causes of grainy texture when making yogurt yourself at home.
Can I Use Whey From Straining Yogurt to Make More Yogurt?
Making Greek yogurt produces a lot of whey. Can you use it as a starter to make more yogurt? Find out in this article.
An Easy Way To Strain Yogurt Without Cheesecloth
Use a fine-mesh strainer to turn regular yogurt into Greek yogurt. No cheesecloth is necessary.
How To Strain Yogurt with Paper Coffee Filters
This is an inexpensive but very effective way to strain yogurt using commercial paper coffee filters and a dollar-store colander
How Much Yogurt Starter Should You Use to Make Yogurt?
Find out how much starter is optimum for making yogurt at home.
Why Straining Homemade Yogurt Doubles the Protein Content
If you like to make your own yogurt, you can practically double the protein content by straining it (aka Greek yogurt). Here’s why this process pumps up the protein numbers.
If you have questions or suggestions, email me privately to Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula
Making Greek Yogurt with Raw Milk
Ingredients
- 1 quart unpasteurized dairy milk )
- 1 tablespoon 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 the 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 about 11 minutes on HIGH). Check at 9 minutes.
- Allow your milk to cool until the temperature drops to between 100-110˚F.
- Whisk in fresh unflavored yogurt (the starter). You may use yogurt from a previous batch of your 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 it 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:
- Carefully pour yogurt into a bouillon strainer or chinois. If the mesh is fine enough, you won't need to use a cheesecloth or paper towel. Or use a or a commercial size paper coffee filter inside a cheap strainer or colander.
- 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 the batter bowl and pour yogurt out of strainer back into the original bowl. Use a good whisk to beat until smooth. Thin with milk or leftover whey if yogurt is too thick.
- Now is a good time to add any flavorings or sweeteners.
- Chill.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.