For the past few months I have been making Greek-Style Yogurt at home. Inspired by Paula @Salad in a Jar, it took a few batches before I found what worked for me. Because John is a huge fan of this thick, creamy, tangy and pricey yogurt, he encouraged me to keep trying. He remembered that I frequently made yogurt when our children were little using a convenient yogurt maker. That was back in the day when I pureed cooked veggies and fruits in a small grinder to feed our babies along with sterilizing every bottle and item that touched their sweet little lips!
Though time consuming, making yogurt at home isn’t hard and most of the time required is the incubation period. Paula has an excellent and detailed tutorial with an instructional video on her blog, using the oven to keep a constant incubation temperature. I ran into a problem because, even though my oven has a temperature setting of 100 degrees which is ideal for incubation, it is actually hotter than the setting. I found that if I preheat the oven for just 1 minute, turn it off and keep the oven light on during an 8-10 hour incubation period, the yogurt comes out perfect.
Here is what I do:
Pour 2 quarts of milk (I used 2%) into a large glass container.
Microwave, stirring several times, to a temperature of 180 degrees. (It takes about 15 minutes in my microwave)
Allow the milk to cool to 110 degrees.
Pour a small amount of the cooled milk into a small bowl and whisk in 2 tsps. Greek Yogurt starter that you have purchased or saved from a previous batch.
Whisk into the large container of milk.
Cover with a lid. Wrap the container of yogurt in a thick blanket or quilt. Preheat oven to 350 degrees for one (1) minute and turn off. Turn on the oven light. Place the wrapped container of yogurt in the back corner of oven near the light bulb. Close oven door and allow yogurt to do its thing.
I wait 10 hours. Remove yogurt container from oven. It will be thick with some liquid puddling on top. This is whey that will be strained off to create a thick Greek-Style product. I gently pour off the whey and then carefully pour the yogurt into a colander that has been lined with several coffee filters. Allow the yogurt to drain for several hours in the refrigerator or even over night.
Discard whey and whisk the yogurt until creamy. If desired, add vanilla extract and sweetener. Personally, I prefer mine a little sweet but John likes his with just vanilla.
Be sure to set aside a couple teaspoons before adding vanilla or sweetener as a starter for your next batch.
Sharing @Foodie Friends Linky Party
This is a wonderful post. I'd love it if you would like to share this recipe on my Southern Sundays linky party going on now. You can find us at http://www.alsiceofsouthern.blogspot.com. Hope to see you there!
I am going to give this a try. I love greek yogurt. Stopping by from Foodie Friends Friday,
~Robyn
"greek yogurt starter" is that just a scoop from a store bought greek yogurt or is it something special? My hubby loves greek yogurt and it would save us $$ if I could make it for us 🙂
Oh wow what a fabulous idea! I love Greek yogurt, and will have to give this a try! My mom would always make homemade yogurt in a yogurt maker at home, and I've wanted to try making some too! Thanks for the idea!
Okay…pinning this and going to add it to my sand pail list for the summer…thanks!!!
Thanks for this recipe! I love greek yogurt.
My hubby loves (LOVES) greek yogurt! We buy an organic brand greek yogurt. and it is his nightly sweet treat, when we have it in the fridge. I will have to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you for visiting :o)
My hubby loves (LOVES) greek yogurt! We buy an organic brand greek yogurt. and it is his nightly sweet treat, when we have it in the fridge. I will have to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing this.
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you for visiting :o)
Thank you for sharing your recipe on Foodie Friends Friday! Enjoy your Saturday!
Oh my, this does look so good, but I just do not have the energy these days to do much of anything. We switched to Greek yogurt well over a year ago and we eat it daily, and it is so good for you…I shall have some very soon~
My husband made yogurt recently to add garlic to it for the sauce for shawarma. I don't think he used the microwave! Anyway, I'm going to pin this for when I need to make. Patsy from
HeARTworks
pretty picture:)
I am going to have to try this… I love greek yogurt but not the price. Thanks for posting it on Foodie Friends Friday linky party.
I also enjoy this yogurt. It's less in carbs and sugar and higher in protein, which makes it a great meal for me. Great job and as usual, beautiful photos! I would love for you to join me today with my Foodie Friday Linky Party! Enjoy your weekend!
I see commercials for Greek yogurt all the time but I've never tried it. Sounds like a lot.
I LOVE Greek yoghurt!
That sounds great, Lorraine. I used to have a yogurt maker back in the late 70's and used it all the time. It is sooo much better than the purchased stuff. Thanks- xo Diana
I was toying with the idea of trying to make yogurt, nice to see your post on it:@)