Making yogurt is easier than you might think. While it’s not necessary to own a yogurt maker−there are many techniques, from using a dehydrator to using a heating pad or placing a jar in a cabinet with a lamp−it does make the process easier and some of them come with nice glass jars you can use to store and transport the yogurt in.
For the past several years I have used an Excalibur dehydrator
(also here) to make yogurt, which is great to have if you want to make other things like dried herbs, beef jerky and fruit roll-ups. However you do make yogurt, the yogurt should be kept at a steady low heat between 100°F/38°C and 110°F/43°C for the time it takes to culture. You can also use an Instant Pot to make yogurt, and just extend the time to culture the yogurt for 24 hours if you’re making SCD yogurt.
For a quick read on culturing for between 4 to 8 hours, here are some online sources: Harold McGee on Yogurt, The New York Times and 101 Cookbooks.
When culturing for 24 hours (lactose-free yogurt, typically used for the SCD diet) here are two sources to help you along: Breaking the vicious cycle and Pecanbread.
Yogurt Starters
Along with milk, you need a yogurt starter that kicks off the growth of good bacteria (cultures) and turns the milk into yogurt. The yogurt starter contains the bacteria that will digest the lactose (milk sugar).
For yogurt starter, I usually use Yogourmet’s starter, plain sheep’s milk yogurt, or some yogurt from a homemade batch. Yogourmet tends to be more tart (sour) than other starters, so choose a more mellow starter if you prefer a less tart yogurt. I recommend using a plain, high quality yogurt that you already like, that doesn’t contain any additives other than bacterial cultures. For digestive health (SCD), GIProHealth also sells a dairy-based and a dairy-free yogurt starter.
Another great source of yogurt starter (and other culturing starters and tools) is Cultures for Health.
How to make yogurt
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk cow, goat and sheep milk work well
- about 1 tablespoon yogurt starter
- Sterile container and cover
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a saucepan, place it on a low to medium heat and bring the milk to a steady simmer. When the milk reaches about 180°F/90°C, remove it from the heat off and let cool to room temperature.
- Pour about ¼ cup of the cooled milk into a sterile container that has a cover. Add the yogurt starter and stir to blend well. Pour in the rest of the milk and blend well.
- Place in a yogurt maker or other warm environment, between 100°F/38°C and 110°F/43°C.
- After 4 to 8 hours for regular yogurt (or 24 hours for lactose-free yogurt), refrigerate the yogurt until you’re ready to use it. It will keep for a few weeks in the refrigerator.
Dripped Yogurt (Greek Yogurt)
To drip yogurt (also referred to as Greek yogurt for it’s thickness), I place a strainer in a saucepan, then place a paper towel (cheesecloth, or coffee filter) in the strainer, and finally place the yogurt in the paper towel. I put the saucepan top on and let it drip away, sometimes over night in the refrigerator. Or, you can purchase equipment to strain your yogurt. The longer you drip it the more water drips out, so you can control how thick (and dry) you want your yogurt by how long you let it drip.
Dripped Yogurt {Greek style}
Ingredients
- 2 cups yogurt
- bowl to catch the dripping liquid whey
- strainer of some kind mesh strainer or colander
- paper towel cheese cloth, or coffee filter
Instructions
- Set a mesh strainer or colander over a bowl to catch the dripping liquid from the yogurt (whey). Line the strainer with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a few sheets of paper towels.
- Place the yogurt in the lined strainer. Let it drip for at least 30 minutes, or up to at least 6 hours for cream cheese consistency. You don’t need to refrigerate the dripping yogurt, but I tend to do so in case I don’t use it right away.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks.
Can you recommend a good yogurt maker, I’m new to this and want to try it out. Also where is a good place to get starters for Scd diet?
I use a dehydrator or my Instant Pot, but read all the ways I describe in this post on how to make yogurt. I don’t use a yogurt maker but you can read reviews on shopping sites like Amazon. This post also recommends 2 types of yogurt starter, so see the links in the post here.
Can coconut milk/cream be used in making scd yogurt? I need dairy free.
Thanks 😉
Coconut milk for sure. I haven’t tried just the cream. I have a recipe for it in my SCD book for almond and coconut milk, and it’s basically the same recipe for yogurt using cashew, almond, or coconut milk.
I’ve been making yogurt since the 70’s and started originally by wrapping the pan of milk in towels and storing in a dark place. (after the usual heating and cooling of the milk to room temp) I was taught to open it daily and create a small impression to remove some of the whey to make the yogurt thicker.
I’ve worked my way through 3 liter-sized Salton yogurt makers that each lasted about 7 years. When the third maker broke several years ago, I began just using my oven as the incubator. Leave the light on and it stays warm enough. I do a 12-24 hour incubation.
At this point, I prefer to purchase powdered starter. My current faves are the Yogourmet combined with ABY-2C. I get the tartness of Yogourmet with the low price of the ABY-2C.
I’ve also experimented with creating my own starter and after some research, stumbled across using pepper stems. You can see the results at https://www.flickr.com/photos/marypatcollins/albums/72157631048207202
Thanks for sharing!
I have two of your books and want to try making the yogurt, creme fraiche, etc. I don’t have a yogurt maker, but I do have an instant pot that has a yogurt function. Do you have any tips on how I can adapt this recipe for my instant pot? Thanks so much!
I haven’t used an Instant Pot yet, but now that you ask I’m going to try it. I have an older Instant Pot that doesn’t have a Yogurt setting, so I would have to boil the yogurt in the Instant Pot first. If you have a newer Instant Pot that has the Yogurt settings, I found this recipe: http://createyourjoy.net/2017/10/24-hour-greek-yogurt-instant-pot-recipe/.
I love making homemade yogurt. I have added a vanilla bean while heating the milk and then remove it before adding the starter. Do you know if you can do this with other spices? ie. cinnamon
I haven’t tried but I don’t see why not.
My yogurt starter (from GI Pro Health, recommended in your SCD book) says that I should put 1/8 tsp of starter per 2 quarts of milk. I am completely new to this – should I disregard that and put in 1 tbsp? What would be the differences and benefits? (I don’t need it to be SCD legal, but SCD meshes well with some of the nutritional guidelines I follow to keep my blood pressure normal. We have many new family favorites from your website!)
Thank you!
Can I make this recipe using coconut milk instead of other milks listed? Will I have the same outcome?
While you probably can, it’s not the easiest way to make it. I’m actually experimenting with that now, and may post my recipe in the near future, but my favorite two examples for making non-dairy yogurt, so far, are these: http://www.culturesforhealth.com/free-ebooks-fermented-cultured-foods and http://www.giprohealth.com/makingyogurt-2.aspx. Stay tuned!
I am working on my first batch of SCD yogurt with a yogurt maker. Towards the end we realized the temperature rose to 116.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Do we need to start over again? Have the good bacteria been killed? Thank you so much.
Based on my experience, your yogurt is probably fine. If it’s sour and firmer (not as fluid as milk) you’ve done it and it’s good to go. In general, I try to stay on the lower side of the range.
Any tips for making yogurt without a yogurt maker? My grandmother used to make ours each night by heating up some milk & stirring in a teaspoon or so of starter taken from the yogurt she’d made the night before. She’d leave it, covered, on the kitchen counter and we had perfect, creamy yogurt for breakfast each morning. She made it look so easy. I’ve never tried it myself but am eager to because I know it tastes so much better than store-bought.
Yes, as long as you leave the yogurt overnight in a warm place it will culture (technically you need it to be at least 100 degrees F, but I think putting near a source of heat will be enough). Good luck!