Hello, homemaker!
Are you wondering how to make Greek yogurt? You’re in the right place. I’m going to walk you through exactly how to make Greek yogurt at home. It’s simple, wholesome, and far more economical than store-bought. Plus, you can control exactly what goes into it—no unnecessary thickeners, stabilizers, or artificial flavors.
I’ve been making homemade yogurt for years now, ever since we moved here to the Philippines from Puerto Rico. It quickly became a staple in our fridge because it’s my son’s favorite. We enjoy it in so many ways: with fresh fruit, drizzled with honey or fruit jams, blended into smoothies, and even frozen into a simple, healthy frozen yogurt.
But recently, I started making Greek yogurt, and what a game changer! The thicker, creamier texture won me over instantly. It feels indulgent while still being wholesome. If you’ve never tried making Greek yogurt at home, you’re going to love how easy it is.
Let me walk you through it step by step.
What You Need
You only need two ingredients:
- 1 liter (or quart) of milk – whole milk gives the creamiest result, but low-fat works too
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt with live active cultures – this acts as your starter. When I first made yogurt, I simply bought a small cup of plain yogurt from the store. Make sure it's unsweetened or unflavored so your homemade yogurt stay fresh longer.
That’s it! No special equipment required—although a thermometer and a strainer will make things easier.
How to Make Homemade Yogurt
1. Heat the Milk
Pour your milk into a pot and slowly heat it over medium flame.
Warm it until it reaches about 180°F (82°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, heat until it's steaming and small bubbles form around the edges—but not boiling.
This step helps the yogurt thicken later.
2. Cool the Milk
Remove the pot from heat and let it cool to 110°F–115°F (43°C–46°C).
This is the perfect temperature range for your yogurt cultures to thrive.
A simple test: you should be able to dip your finger into the milk comfortably for a few seconds.
3. Add Your Yogurt Starter
Mix in 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt into the warm milk.
4. Let It Incubate
Pour the mixture into a clean container and keep it warm for 10-12 hours. I use this airtight container.
There are many ways to incubate:
- Wrap the container in a towel
- Place it in a warm (but turned off) oven
- Put it in an insulated cooler
- Or set it near a warm stovetop
The longer it sits, the tangier and thicker it will become.
5. Chill Your Yogurt
Once the yogurt has set, place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
This helps it firm up and develop that smooth texture.
Congratulations—you’ve made homemade yogurt!
How to Turn Regular Yogurt into Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is simply strained yogurt. That’s the secret behind its luxurious creaminess.
Straining Method
- Line a strainer with:
- A cheesecloth
- A clean pillowcase
- Or even a kitchen towel
- Place the strainer over a deep bowl.
- Pour your freshly made yogurt into the lined strainer.
- Refrigerate and let it strain for 2–6 hours, depending on how thick you want it.
The liquid that drains out is whey—don’t throw it away! You can add it to smoothies, use it for baking, or even feed it to plants.
After straining, what remains in the cloth is beautifully thick Greek yogurt.
How We Enjoy Our Greek Yogurt
In our home, yogurt disappears fast! My son loves it with fresh mangoes or bananas, and sometimes I make frozen yogurt with frozen fruits to make a healthier alternative to ice cream.
When I made Greek yogurt for the first time, I couldn’t believe how versatile it was. It is great for:
- Creamy dips
- Smoothies
- Breakfast parfaits
- Homemade frozen yogurt
- Even as a substitute for sour cream
And honestly… just eating it straight from the spoon!
Tips for Perfect Greek Yogurt
- Use fresh, good-quality milk for best flavor.
- Always save a few tablespoons of your homemade yogurt to use as a starter for the next batch.
- For extra thickness, strain a little longer.
- For extra creaminess, use whole milk.
Making Greek yogurt at home is easier than most people think—and incredibly rewarding. Once you try it, you may never go back to store-bought again.
Whether you enjoy it plain, with fruit, or transformed into desserts, homemade Greek yogurt adds a delicious and nutritious touch to everyday meals. And if your home is anything like mine, it might just become a family favorite too.
Enjoyed this post? Save this pin to Pinterest or bookmark this page so you can easily find your way back to this post when you need it!
