Homemade Plain Yogurt

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Learning how to make yogurt at home is simple with this recipe. To make homemade yogurt, heat milk, combine it with a little bit of already-cultured yogurt and let it sit in a warm spot until the milk turns into yogurt. If you want to keep making your own homemade yogurt, save some of the last batch to help start the next batch of yogurt.

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Active Time:
30 mins
Additional Time:
9 hrs 30 mins
Total Time:
10 hrs
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

What You'll Need to Make Plain Yogurt

Making your own yogurt is easier than you might expect. For this recipe, you'll need 4 cups of low-fat or nonfat milk and 1/4 cup low-fat or nonfat yogurt. Your homemade yogurt will take on the flavor of the plain yogurt you use in the recipe, so make sure it's one you like! You will also need a 5- to 8-cup container with a lid and a thermometer.

How to Keep Your Yogurt Warm for Fermenting

In order for the live active cultures (bacteria) to multiply and transform the milk into yogurt, you will need to keep the mixture in a warm environment (about 110°F) for 8-12 hours before it hits the fridge. There are a few ways to do this:

Oven Method

Turn your oven on to 200°F for about 5 minutes, then turn it off. Add the towel-wrapped container of yogurt, and if you have an oven light, turn it on for added warmth.

Cooler Method

Place a hot water bottle (or other small container) filled with very hot water alongside the towel-wrapped container in a small cooler.

Heating Pad Method

Wrap a heating pad set to High around the towel-wrapped container.

How Long Does Homemade Plain Yogurt Last?

Refrigerate yogurt in a covered container for up to one week.

Additional reporting by Hilary Meyer

Ingredients

  • 4 cups nonfat or low-fat milk

  • ¼ cup nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt

Directions

  1. Heat milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is steaming, barely bubbling and registers 180°F on an instant-read or candy thermometer. (Do not leave it unattended—it can boil over very quickly.)

  2. Carefully pour the milk into a clean, heat-safe 5- to 8-cup container. Let stand, stirring frequently, until cooled to 110°F. Combine yogurt with 1/2 cup of the 110°F milk in a small bowl, then stir the mixture back into the warm milk.

  3. Cover the container and wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to help keep it warm. Place in a very warm place and let stand, undisturbed, until thickened and tangy, at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. The yogurt will thicken a bit more in the refrigerator.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2014; updated November 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

137 Calories
19g Carbs
14g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 137
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 14g 28%
Sodium 189mg 8%
Potassium 625mg 13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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