How to Make Yogurt in the InstantPot

Many of us have an InstantPot, but it can be used for so much more than pressure cooking. Learn how to make yogurt in the InstantPot with only two ingredients!

Knowing how to cook from scratch is such a great skill to have. Even if you don’t always make something from scratch and buy it from the grocery store instead, just having that knowledge is golden. I learned how to make homemade yogurt about 6 years ago and it was a game changer. Not only is homemade yogurt cheaper to make than store-bought, but it can be so much better and literally only has two ingredients, milk and a yogurt culture, which is simply plain yogurt.

I first learned how to make homemade yogurt in the CrockPot, but it can also be done on the stovetop, in a dedicated yogurt maker, or using the yogurt function on your InstantPot. Once you start making homemade yogurt, you can continue to make batch after batch just using a starter culture from the previous batch. And if you ever stop and decide to start again, just some plain yogurt from the store is perfect to get your yogurt making going again.

PIN FOR LATER!

Ingredients

Milk: You can use any type of dairy milk you prefer to make this InstantPot yogurt. While it is possible to use nut milks to make yogurt, I’m not familiar with that method. You can use 1%, 2% or whole milk to make yogurt. I feel more comfortable using pasteurized milk, but you can absolutely use raw milk to make yogurt in the InstantPot. For an even higher protein yogurt, you can use Fairlife milk. Fairlife is ultra pasteurized, so you can skip the initial heating and do what’s called a cold start. Although I haven’t tried this method, it sounds even easier!

Yogurt: The yogurt in this recipe is used as the starter culture, similar to making sourdough. If you’re brand new to making yogurt, you can purchase a small cup of plain yogurt from the grocery store. Just be sure that on the back it states “live active cultures.” These bacteria are what will turn your yogurt into milk. Once you begin making homemade yogurt, you’ll set aside a small amount from each batch to start the next one.

FAQs

What kind of milk should I use to make homemade yogurt.

I prefer to use 1% pasteurized cow’s milk for less calories, but 2% and whole milk will give you a creamier yogurt. Homemade yogurt can also be made with raw milk of any variety like goat or sheep. If you’re looking for an even easier process to making yogurt, you can use a cold start method in the InstantPot using FairLife milk where no initial heating of the milk is required.

How do I sweeten homemade yogurt?

There are so many ways to turn your plain homemade yogurt into something a bit more enjoyable. You can use maple syrup, honey, sugar free or full sugar coffee syrups like brown sugar, vanilla and more. You can sweeten plain yogurt simply with fruit or jam, protein powder, pudding mixes, agave and so much more. Unflavored and unsweetened yogurt is really a blank slate that you can transform into whatever you want.

How do I use plain homemade yogurt?

You can use plain yogurt for so many things. It can be used by itself as a replacement for sour cream. You can incorporate yogurt into baked goods like homemade donuts and pancakes to had a bit of tanginess and a softer texture. Sweeten it up and make a yummy yogurt bowl or smoothie bowl. Make little yogurt bites for your children or even something like a frozen yogurt pie. You can even process it further to make Greek yogurt.

How to Make Homemade Greek Yogurt

It’s surprisingly easy to make homemade Greek yogurt from your regular homemade yogurt. Simply strain out the whey. I either like to use a yogurt strainer or take a large bowl, add a large colander on top, then line the colander with cheesecloth or coffee filters. Simply pour the yogurt in, cover the top and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. The next day you’ll have thick and creamy Greek yogurt on top and a bunch of whey on the bottom!

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How to Make Yogurt in the InstantPot

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• InstantPot (with the yogurt function)
• Measuring cups
• Mixing spoon or whisk

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 gallon dairy milk of choice (1%, 2%, whole)
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt

DIRECTIONS

Pour milk (whole, 2%, 1%, whatever) into the InstantPot. Place the lid on the pot and hit the yogurt button until it says “boil,” and let it do its thing. 

Once the milk has boiled, allow it to cool to 110°F, then stir in the yogurt culture.

Add the lid back onto the InstantPot, hit the yogurt button again until it says 12 hours (at minimum). It will count up to 12 hours. You can leave it for up to 24 hours if desired.

Once the yogurt is done, reserve 1/3 cup to use as a starter culture for your next batch.

Then add the yogurt into jars and store it in the refrigerator. 

At this point, you can add in any sweeteners you’d like, or leave it plain. Place in the refrigerator to cool completely and enjoy!

NOTES

• Use any kind of dairy milk you’d like: cow, goat, sheep.
• I prefer to use pasteurized 1% milk, but whole milk will make for a creamier yogurt.
• Strain the whey from the yogurt with something like a yogurt strainer to make Greek yogurt.
• Enjoy this homemade InstantPot yogurt plain or add your favorite liquid sweetener.

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR OTHER BASIC RECIPES?

Looking for more basic recipes like this InstantPot yogurt recipe? Check these out!

• Homemade Peanut Butter with Just Peanuts
• Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
• Homemade Caramel Sauce without Corn Syrup
• How to Make Brown Sugar

Did you enjoy making homemade yogurt in the InstantPot? If you did, tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation!