Are you looking for fantastic Greek yogurt substitutes that you can use to save your recipe whenever you’re in a pinch? Don’t worry – we have you covered.
It can be a hassle to find yourself fresh out of Greek yogurt just when your recipe needs it. But it’s arguably worse when you have a tub sitting in the fridge, only to find out later that it’s already expired.
So before running out to the grocery to buy one or abandoning your recipe altogether, why not have a quick look around your kitchen? Who knows, several Greek yogurt substitutes might already be within your reach, which can save you from both frustration and an unnecessary trip to the market!
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What Is Greek Yogurt?
Like regular yogurt, Greek Yogurt is a cultured or fermented dairy product. It’s made by converting the lactose that’s naturally found in fresh milk into lactic acid through the addition of bacteria called starter culture.
The difference between the two lies in what happens after the fermentation process. Regular yogurt results when you heat milk, add the bacteria and leave it to ferment.
Meanwhile, Greek yogurt takes it a step further by eliminating the whey and other liquids from regular yogurt. It does so by straining the yogurt in cloth bags up to three times, which is why it is also called “concentrated” or “strained yogurt.”
This process results in a common Greek yogurt with a thicker consistency and tastes tangier than the regular variety. It also makes the product more expensive in general, considering making Greek yogurt requires more milk.
By undergoing the straining process, Greek yogurt becomes a low-fat, high-protein food with fewer carbohydrates and sugar when compared to the regular one. Plus, it’s a great source of vitamins, minerals, and probiotics.
That’s why it’s a popular choice for health enthusiasts and anyone who wants to make their food nutrient-rich!
Where Do You Use Greek Yogurt?
There are many ways you can incorporate Greek yogurt into your daily regimen. You can:
- Eat it plainly as part of your breakfast
- Add fruits, like blueberries, strawberries, or bananas, to make a delicious dessert. Here are 40+ other topping ideas!
- Add it to your soups and sauces for extra creaminess
- Spread it over flatbreads or crackers
- Use it as a dipping sauce for any type of fries
- Incorporate it in desserts like smoothies, cheesecakes, parfaits, etc., or even weight loss treats
Why Should You Look for Other Ingredients to Use Instead of Greek Yogurt?
With its health benefits and versatility, why should you bother looking for alternatives to replace Greek yogurt? Here are some reasons why you might need Greek yogurt alternatives:
Price
Unfortunately, not many of us can readily buy Greek yogurt due to how expensive it can be. So, if you’re working on a very tight budget with little wiggle room for extra expenses, Greek yogurt might easily fall off your list of must-buys.
Food Sensitivities
People allergic to milk should not ingest Greek yogurt as this may cause them to suffer adverse reactions. If your baking recipe calls for Greek Yogurt, it’s best to look for alternatives.
Availability
As with other food ingredients, availability can be an issue. Sometimes, your go-to store might not have your preferred brand in stock, or you can’t find Greek yogurt there.
Food and Taste Preferences
If anyone in your family is a vegan, serving them food with Greek yogurt is a no-no since it’s an animal-derived food.
Additionally, Greek yogurt has a very strong, tangy flavor that can turn it into a polarizing food. People might find the taste a bit off-putting. If anyone in your family dislikes the taste, then finding a good Greek yogurt substitute may be in order.
Best Substitutions For Greek Yogurt
Plain Yogurt
One of the easiest substitutions to make is plain yogurt. It’s such a perfect substitute that you can use a 1:1 ratio when replacing Greek yogurt. This is my ultimate go-to when I’m in a pinch.
Remember, however, that if you’re using it to thicken your soups or sauces, use the whole-fat variety, or add a bit more to achieve your desired consistency.
Sour Cream
If you have sour cream in the fridge, you’re in luck! This ingredient offers the same texture and slightly sour taste as Greek yogurt does and can be used in a lot of recipes as a great substitute – particularly in dips, dressings, and various sauces.
When using sour cream, use a 1:1 ratio for the best results.
Buttermilk
If you’re baking and your recipe needs Greek yogurt, use buttermilk instead. This flavor-rich ingredient helps make your baked goods fluffy and soft!
When using it as a substitute, use ¼ less than the amount of Greek yogurt the recipe needs.
Regular Milk (With a Twist!)
For milk to work as a substitute, you will need to add either a tablespoon of distilled vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk. This will create sour milk, which makes an excellent Greek yogurt substitute.
Similar to buttermilk, use less sour milk than the amount of Greek yogurt that your recipe calls for (about 1/4 less).
Cream Cheese
When used as a spread over bread or as a dip, cream cheese can work well as a substitute. It can also be used instead of Greek yogurt in baked goods on a 1:1 ratio.
However, bear in mind that cream cheese is a bit denser and slightly sweeter than Greek yogurt, so adding a bit of milk or water may be necessary when used in baking.
Dairy-Free and/or Vegan Alternatives for Greek Yogurt
Want non-dairy alternatives? You can also try any of these ingredients.
Mashed Bananas
You can use mashed bananas to add a bit of sweetness to your recipe. But since they don’t have the tanginess of Greek yogurt, you might want to add some lemon juice and cut back on other sweet ingredients if you’re baking sweet goods.
When using mashed bananas, you can do a 1:1 ratio.
Silken or Soft Tofu
Silken or soft tofu makes a great alternative to Greek yogurt in smoothies, dressings, and dips, as it’s also a high-protein, low-fat ingredient. But if its thicker texture poses a bit of an issue in your recipe, then adding a bit of lemon juice can help remedy it.
Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting silken or soft tofu in your dishes.
Coconut Cream
For sweet and savory dishes, coconut cream can do an excellent job in place of Greek yogurt. It can give your recipe a rich, decadent touch. Be mindful that it still has a distinct coconut flavor that might change how certain foods taste.
If you’re using it in a sweet or savory recipe that calls for Greek yogurt, use the same amount of coconut cream instead.
Avocados
This one might come as a surprise. The same amount of mashed avocados will work well in place of Greek yogurt. This substitution can work with various sauces, dips, smoothies, and salad dressing bases.
However, just like coconut cream, using avocados might alter the taste of your food. So, if you need to mask or hide the flavor, you might need to adjust your seasonings for it to work.
How Do You Choose the Best Alternative?
It depends! You need to consider what the role of Greek Yogurt is in your recipe before choosing its appropriate alternative.
For example, if you’re adding yogurt for its creaminess, then cream cheese or coconut cream might do the trick.
If you’re after its tangy taste, sour cream or buttermilk might be excellent substitutes.
If making your food protein-rich is your priority, then using silken or soft tofu might be the best.
Cooking for vegan or dairy-sensitive people? Consider using avocados and mashed bananas instead!
The key is to test how your food tastes before serving it and then adjust accordingly if you need to.
FAQs
After buying it from the store, you should immediately store the product in the colder spots of your refrigerator.
Once opened, use a clean spoon to scoop out as much yogurt as you need before sealing it tightly to avoid contamination, especially if you’re storing other foods with strong odors inside the fridge.
When properly stored in the refrigerator, Greek yogurt can last up to two weeks – though it’s always best to consume the product within days of opening it.
You can prolong its life even further if you store it in the freezer, as it can then last you up to two whole months.
Unsure if your yogurt is still safe to eat? Check these signs:
– Your Greek yogurt has an unusually large amount of liquid in it.
– It has a noticeable mold.
– Your Greek yogurt smells rancid or off.
– It tastes extremely sour or stale.
– The container is bloated, even before you first open it.
If any of these happens, then it’s time to toss the product out and reach for Greek Yogurt substitutes!
Use Only the Best Substitute for Greek Yogurt!
Greek yogurt is a fantastic ingredient that’s also versatile and packed with essential nutrients.
Making it a regular part of your food staples can do wonders for your recipes and overall health, but don’t worry if you can’t! These 9 Greek yogurt substitutes can still do the job well, so try one in your recipe today!