Last Updated on May 8, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Learn how to make yogurt with or without a yogurt machine. Get started making healthy yogurt at home with this simple recipe.
Posts may be sponsored. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will make a commission at no extra cost to you should you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to make Yogurt
Yogurt is one of my favorite breakfast foods and yogurt is healthy too. Right? Yogurt definitely can be very healthy because it is loaded with probiotics that help keep your digestive system running smoothly.
Unfortunately, if you buy the wrong kind of yogurt, it’s not as healthy. That is why I have been making my own.
Yogurt is a cultured milk product that is created with live active cultures. What does that mean? There are beneficial bacteria working to culture the milk and turn it into yogurt.
These beneficial bacteria help your body work the way it should and keep bad bacteria and yeast under control.
What is the best milk for yogurt?
If you can get it, raw milk from a local dairy is best. If not, use the best quality organic whole milk you can find at the grocery store. It will not set properly if you use low fat or skim milk. The fat is important in this recipe.
Is yogurt good for you?
- Not all brands contains live active cultures. If you don’t see it on the label, don’t assume it contains them. No live active cultures = no probiotics to keep you healthy.
- My preference is yogurt made from non-GMO organic, raw, local milk. There are several companies that make *healthy* yogurt with GMO milk. GMO’s are not healthy. Look for a label that says GMO free.
- It can be eaten plain or with added fruit and sweeteners. If you are purchasing yogurt, read the ingredients and avoid artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup & food dyes.
YoLife Yogurt Maker
I make it now with a YoLife Yogurt Maker which simplifies the process. Before I got it a few years ago, I made it using the process below.
It takes a few more steps but results in the same yogurt as my yogurt maker. Since I received 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes by Debra Amrein-Boyes for review, I thought it would be the perfect time to share how to make yogurt.
This book contains recipes from cheddar & brie to butter & more. I hope to try a few of the cheese recipes once I buy the starter.
Each maker has their own directions and you should follow the directions for the specific brand you have. For the YoLife Yogurt Maker, I simply pour 4 1/4 cups of milk into a bowl and whisk in the starter yogurt.
I then pour the mixture into the individual cups and put the cups in the yogurt maker. I plug it in and wait roughly 10-12 hours (I start it before bed). Then I cover the jars and refrigerate until cool.
This morning, I enjoyed mine with homemade applesauce from local apples and organic raisins. Sometimes I enjoy it with Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce.
Add ins
You can add a few of these on top if you like. Just remember that it adds extra calories and sugar.
- Granola
- Diced fruit like peaches or berries
- Homemade jam
- Carob chips
- Dry cereal
Related Reading
How to Make Yogurt
Learn how to make yogurt with or without a yogurt machine. Get started making healthy yogurt at home with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
- Heavy bottom stainless steel pot or saucepan
- Spoon or skimmer
- Diary thermometer
- Sink or larger pot filled with cold or ice water
- Towels or a thermal blanket
- Optional: yogurt maker
- 4 1/4 cups of organic, non-GMO raw or whole milk
- 6 ounces of plain organic, non-GMO yogurt to use as a starter (must have live active cultures)
Instructions
- Clean and sterilize the pot, spoon and thermometer using boiling water or a bleach solution made with 2 tbsp household bleach and 4 quarts cool water. If using bleach, rinse twice to remove any trace of chlorine. (I do not use bleach.)
- In a stainless steel pot over medium-low heat, warm milk to 176F stirring or whisking gently. Milk used for yogurt needs to be heated to a higher temperature than it does for cheese making in order to remove any bacteria that would compete with the yogurt bacteria. Rule of thumb: Warm the milk slowly but cool it quickly. This gives the heat time to kill the unwanted bacterial as the milk warms, and little time during the cooling period for new bacteria to gain a foothold.
- Turn off heat and cover the pot. Hold for 5 minutes.
- Place the pot in a sinkful or larger pot of cold or ice water and whisk or stir milk until the temperature drops to 115F.
- Remove pot from cold water. Let it come to room temperature and add the 6 ounces of starter yogurt stirring it into the milk.
- Cover the whole pot with a lid and set it on a folded towel or hot pad. Then cover with one or two folded blankets or towels. Incubate for 4 to 6 hours.
- Place in the refrigerator and chill overnight. The yogurt will firm up a bit more in the cold.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 61Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 59mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
This way you know exactly what ingredients are going in your yogurt, and I love yogurt, its my favorite snack.
Same here, Nicole. Today I’m having it with fresh strawberries!
I’ve used different methods over the years. I was given a yogurt maker for a shower gift, so I used that. Then we went off-grid for a few years, so I insulated it for culturing time. Back on grid, I used my (thrift shop) dehydrator, which worked fine, but my husband didn’t like the fan’s noise. So I found a EuroPro at the thrift shop for $2 and that’s what I use now.
That definitely is a fantastic deal! I love searching for treasures at thrift shops!
Everyone in the family loves yogurt. Now I can make my own and have a bunch of it for the whole family.
Definitely a great way to make larger amounts!
I have made yogurt many times…I like doing it without a machine!
It definitely tastes just as delicious that way!
wow i had never thought to make my own yogurt. this sounds like the perfect way to enjoy my favorite flavors
You definitely could make all sorts of flavors!
Wow I’ve never made yogurt before. I bet it tastes amazing though.
It really is delicious, Sarah!
How cool! I might do this for my son.
I bet he’d enjoy it, Emily!
Always wanted to make my own yogurt. Pinned this to try it out. Visiting from What’s Cooking Wed. Linkup
Thanks, Erlene! Let me know if you try it!
How awesome. I want to give this a try.
You definitely should, Tara!
Wow you do so many home made things. I am totally impressed!!
Thanks, Kristin 🙂 I enjoy it!
My boys love yogurt but I have never tried making it at home. I have always avoided it because I don’t have a yogurt maker. Thank you for the simple directions I think I might give it a try!
Glad to share! It really is easy to make!
I really want to try making yogurt at home sometime. My dehydrator actually has 4 small containers and instructions for doing it, but I haven’t tried it.
That sounds interesting, Laura! I had no idea dehydrators could make yogurt!
I love this Ellen.. I’ve always wanted to make my own yogurt but never knew where to start; I thought it was a HUGE process.. but you made it look so simple.. soo will pin it so I can try it soon..thanks for sharing, sure looks delicious
You’re welcome, Melanie! It really isn’t that difficult. Hope you give it a try.
Thanks so much for sharing this, you mentioned it last time with Kefir and I always wanted to know how you made your yogurt.
Always glad to share, Nancy!
I have really been considering making my own yogurt at home. You have made it look simple and worth attempting! Thanks for sharing.
It really was simple to do. Hope you try it some time!
Brilliant. I really want to make my own yogurt; but didn’t want to do it how my mom did growing up. She used the oven. now I am excited to try this other way!
Making yogurt in the oven sounds interesting! I’ll have to Google that one.
Pinning this! I think this is something that I can do. I think we will learn more and more about the pitfalls of genetically modifying our food supply.
Thanks, Lynda! You definitely can do this!
I’ve made yogurt in my crock pot but never tried stove top. We eat lots of yogurt at my house.
I haven’t tried it in the crock pot before. Interesting!
My kids eat yogurt like it’s going out of style, I so need to make this for them because it costs me a fortune to by it plus they add ingredients in them that are not needed .
That is so true! It’s a lot less expensive to make your own too!
You always have the most unique recipes and such on your site. I have never thought to try making my own yogurt! Good idea!!
Thank you so much, Kelsey! You should try making some!
Making yogurt is something that I’ve always wanted to do.. but haven’t. I really appreciate this recipe and you sharing how you do it. Maybe I will venture out and finally give it a try! I bet it tastes wonderful!
It really is delicious, Dawn! You should definitely try it!
My Mom and I were just chatting about trying to make our own yogurt the other day. We’ll have to give your recipe a try!
Definitely, Angela! Let me know how it goes if you do!
I have never made my own yogurt before but it looks so easy I will give it a try!
It really is easy, Pam! Hope you give it a try!
I got a yogurt maker a couple weeks ago. I can’t wait to use it! Yummy!
They are fun to play with!
I saw a post last year and read with interest, I’ve always wanted to try this since we spend so much on buying yogurt. Thanks for the reminder, printing your recipe now – it’s time I made some!!
Glad to help! Let me know how it goes if you try it!
I’ve been wanting to try to make yogurt on my own. It’s nice to know exactly what you put into your recipes unlike most stuff on the shelves at the stores.
I agree, Daisy! I don’t like the ingredients in most store bought.
soo cool that we can do this stuff right at home!! and LOTS better for us than whats on most store shelves.
I totally agree, Brett! Homemade is best!