How Can I Make Homemade Yogurt With Simple Ingredients?

3 minutes read

Making homemade yogurt is easier than you might think—and you only need two basic ingredients! With just milk and a spoonful of plain yogurt, you can prepare fresh, creamy yogurt right in your kitchen. Here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners:

1. Gather Your Ingredients and Tools
   • Milk (whole, 2%, or skim; fresher is better)
   • Plain yogurt with live active cultures (as a starter)
   • Heavy saucepan
   • Thermometer (optional, but useful)
   • Whisk or spoon
   • Large bowl or container with lid
2. Heat the Milk
   • Pour the desired amount of milk (typically 1 quart) into your saucepan.
   • Slowly heat it over medium heat until it just starts to boil (about 180°F/82°C), stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
   • Remove from heat immediately when it begins to froth.
3. Cool the Milk
   • Allow the milk to cool down to about 110°F/43°C. You can check this with a thermometer, or dip your (clean) finger in—the milk should feel warm but not hot.
4. Add the Yogurt Starter
   • Take 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt and mix with a small amount of the cooled milk in a bowl until smooth.
   • Stir this mixture back into the rest of the cooled milk.
5. Let the Yogurt Ferment
   • Pour the mixture into a clean container, cover loosely, and place it somewhere warm (like an oven with the light on or a warm corner of your kitchen).
   • Let it sit undisturbed for 6–12 hours. The longer it sits, the tangier and thicker your yogurt will be.
6. Chill and Enjoy!
   • When the yogurt has set to your liking, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to firm up.
   • Enjoy plain, or add your favorite fruits, honey, or granola.

Tips:

• Reserve a little of your homemade yogurt to use as a starter for your next batch.
• Use higher-fat milk for creamier yogurt.
• If you prefer thicker Greek-style yogurt, strain it through cheesecloth after chilling.

With just these simple steps, you’ll have delicious, homemade yogurt whenever you want it!

References

• How to Make Yogurt at Home – Serious Eats
• How To Make Yogurt at Home – The Kitchn
• How to Make Yogurt at Home: Step-by-Step Guide – Healthline
• How to Make Homemade Yogurt – Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
• How to Make Yogurt – Cultures for Health