6 Best Substitutes For Greek Yogurt

Greek Yogurt

You must have eaten Greek yogurt at least once and enjoyed its fresh taste. We use it for all kinds of occasions, such as dressings for salads, soups, cakes, oatmeals, etc. However, if you happen to run out of Greek yogurt in your kitchen, don't worry - there are several foods you can use, like substitutes for Greek yogurt.

Greek Yogurt

Since Greek yogurt has a unique texture and taste, finding a substitute can be challenging. But there are still ingredients that we can use.

The best Greek yogurt substitutes are sour cream, cottage cheese, mayo, and mashed bananas. You can also make homemade Greek yogurt using plain yogurt and milk.

What Is Greek Yogurt?

Greek yogurt (strained yogurt, yogurt cheese) is a yogurt that is made by boiling milk, and then separating the whey to get a creamy texture at the end. This creamy consistency makes the difference between Greek yogurt and other types of yogurt.

Greek yogurt also has probiotics, proteins, and calcium. As such, it is perfect if you are on a diet or want to improve the work of the digestive tract. In addition, you can use it in different combinations such as oatmeal and rye porridge for breakfast, sauces, toppings for dough or meat, with vegetables or fruit.

Greek Yogurt in a glass jar

The light creamy taste goes well with both salty and sweet foods. Most importantly, you can combine this yogurt with almost anything you like. For example, putting a bit of greek yogurt on the side of a polenta will make the meal even tastier.

On the other hand, greek yogurt also goes well with sweet dishes like Instant Pot Lemon Cheesecake. The sweet taste of lemon will only increase when you add a bit of greek yogurt on top of the cake.

What Does Greek Yogurt Taste Like?

The taste of Greek yogurt is different from that of regular yogurt. First, the most significant difference is in texture, density, and taste are the most important differences. Greek yogurt has a fresh and sour taste, while regular yogurt is usually a little sweeter.

So, Greek yogurt has a slightly more intense flavor reminiscent of sour cream. The difference is in the freshness of Greek yogurt compared to sour cream. However, we can use it in meals together or as a substitute for each other.

Best Substitutes for Greek Yogurt

However, cooking cream is only one of the substitutes we can use for Greek yogurt. In addition, there are other suitable substitutes, such as cottage cheese, plain yogurt, and mayo. But you can also use foods that you would never think could replace Greek yogurt. These are, for example, mashed avocado and banana. Let's go in order.

1. Sour Cream

The best substitute for Greek yogurt is sour cream. Sour cream has the same creamy texture and acidity as Greek yogurt, so that it can be used in all recipes as a substitute. For example, it is best to use it in dressings, sauces, and in making pastries and bakery products.

However, the difference between these two foods is in the amount of fat. Namely, sour cream is fatter than Greek yogurt. Because of this, it has more calories and is harder to stomach. Also, because of this, it partially lacks the freshness that Greek yogurt has.

1 tablespoon of sour cream:1 tablespoon of greek yogurt.

2. Plain Yogurt

Another good substitute for Greek yogurt is plain yogurt. Plain yogurt is light and will go well with some recipes. Although it does not have that density and creamy texture, it can still be used in some sauces, such as tzatziki, or in making pastries and muffins.

Both types of yogurt are made similarly and have the same probiotics and other nutritious nutrients. However, plain yogurt contains less protein and saturated fat, so the taste is a little sweeter than Greek yogurt. However, in some dishes, it gives that freshness and specific taste that will make the dish tasty and creamy.

Also, the good thing is that plain yogurt is usually available in all stores and is much cheaper than Greek yogurt. Most importantly, plain yogurt is a bit heavier in terms of calories, which means you don't need to use big portions to cook.

You can also use plain yogurt to make homemade Greek yogurt in your Instant Pot. For more info see the recipe bellow.

2 tablespoons of plain yogurt:1 tablespoon of greek yogurt.

3. Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese has a slightly different texture than Greek yogurt, so many avoid it as a substitute. However, if you combine the foods well, you won't even notice the difference. You can achieve this by blending cottage cheese (e.g., making a smoothie).

Greek yogurt and cottage cheese have a fresh milky taste, proteins, and long, nutritionally valuable substances. That's a great substitute, especially in smoothies with fruit and nuts.

1 tablespoon of cottage cheese:1 tablespoon of greek yogurt.

4. Mayo

Mayo served in a bowl

A slightly different substitute for Greek yogurt, but still good enough, is mayo. Mayo has a richer, more bitter, and saltier taste than Greek yogurt but is still similar enough to be used in an equal 1:1 ratio.

It is not only recommended to be used in baking recipes instead of yogurt, as it will harden the dough. That way, the pastry will not rise nicely and be soft. However, in some other recipes, it's great to use mayo instead of Greek yogurt. For more info check out What Does Mayo Taste Like.

1 tablespoon of mayo:1 tablespoon of greek yogurt.

5. Mashed Avocado

Mashed Avocado

There is avocado if you want an alternative to Greek yogurt that does not contain milk or dairy elements. Mash the avocado and add a little lemon juice to get the most similar taste to Greek yogurt. Using avocados in guacamole or avocado brownies is a great idea.

1 tablespoon of mashed avocado:1 tablespoon of greek yogurt.

6. Mashed Bananas

Mashed Bananas

Although it seems impossible for bananas to be a good substitute for Greek yogurt, bananas have proven to be a good enough substitute for baked goods. By kneading and blending, you can get a similar texture, creamy and tender. However, the taste of banana can be felt and thus affect the dish's overall flavor.

To avoid that banana taste, you can use less ripe bananas. This way, you will get less taste of bananas and more of a fresh taste and creamy texture that will be a good substitute for Greek yogurt in fruit salads or cakes.

½ cup of mashed bananas: ½ cup of greek yogurt.

A Table of Substitutes for Greek Yogurt

Substitutes Characteristics Useful for
Sour Cream Creamy Texture; Sour and Mild Flavor Sauces, Dressings, Dipping Sauces
Plain Yogurt Liquid Texture; Light, Sour, and Slightly Sweet Flavor Salad Dressings, Marinade, Dipping Sauces, Breakfast Addition
Cottage Cheese Soft, and Creamy Texture; Reach Salty and Milky Flavor Dips, Pasta, Pancakes, Breakfast Addition
Mayo Creamy Texture; Sour Taste Breakfast Addition, Sandwiches, Salads
Mashed Avocado Creamy Texture; Fresh Earthy and Nutty Flavor Toast, Salads, Avocado Brownies, Guacamole
Mashed Bananas Creamy Texture; Fresh and Sweet Flavor Banana Bread, Cake and Cookies, Pancakes

Finding the perfect substitute for Greek yogurt depends on your recipe. For some savory recipes, it will be more appropriate to use sour cream, regular yogurt, or mayo, while for sweet recipes, you can use bananas. All in all, be creative and enjoy new tastes.

FAQs

What Is Greek Yogurt?

Greek yogurt (strained yogurt, yogurt cheese) is made by boiling milk, then separating the whey (whey) to get a creamy texture at the end. This creamy consistency makes the difference between Greek yogurt and other types of yogurt.

What Does Greek Yogurt Taste Like?

Greek yogurt has a fresh and sour taste and a creamy, rich texture that complements any dish.

What Is the Best Substitute for Greek Yogurt?

The best substitute for Greek yogurt is sour cream, followed by plain yogurt. They have similar fresh tastes and textures and go well with other foods.

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Greek yogurt in glass bowl on cutter board with spoon on side

Instant Pot Greek Yogurt

Looking for a homemade Greek yogurt that’s thick and creamy? This Instant Pot recipe makes it super simple and delicious!
4.75 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: Greek yogurt, instant pot, Instant Pot Greek Yogurt, yogurt
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Servings: 2
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • ½ cup plain yogurt
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk

Instructions

  • Add the milk to the Instant Pot.
  • Press the "yogurt" button and set the timer for 8 minutes.
  • Once the cooking time is complete, wait for a natural pressure release.
  • Remove hte lid and add the plain yogurt inside the pot. Stir using a wooden spoon.
  • Put back on the lid and press the"yogurt" button again. Set a timer for 8 minutes, and adjust the function until it displays boil.
  • Once the cooking time is complete, wait for a natural pressure release.
  • Take off the lid, add the yogurt to a bowl, and put it into the fridge to chill for a couple of hours.
  • Serve with strawberry slices, granola, chocolate or anything that you are craving.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal Carbohydrates: 9g Protein: 6g Fat: 6g Saturated Fat: 3g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 22mg Sodium: 70mg Potassium: 275mg Sugar: 9g Vitamin A: 296IU Calcium: 225mg

Notes

  • Be sure that you're using a wooden spoon to stir the inside of the Instant Pot. If not, you'll risk scratching the instant pot.
  • Skim milk isn't going to be a good option for this instant pot yogurt because it doesn't have enough fat content in it.
  • Whole fat milk works best for this recipe, but you can make this using 1% or 2% milk.
  • Feel free to change the flavor of yogurt. Plain yogurt may be what I always use, but you can also use flavored yogurt.
Tried this Recipe?Mention @corriecooksblog or tag #corriecooks!

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