Homemade Yogurt in an Instant Pot
Making yogurt at home might sound intimidating, but with an Instant Pot, it's a breeze. Not only is it cost-effective, but homemade yogurt also allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your liking. Ready to embark on a yogurt-making adventure? Let’s get started!
Why Make Yogurt at Home?
Cost-Effective: Homemade yogurt can save you money compared to store-bought options
Healthier: You control the ingredients, avoiding unnecessary additives and preservatives.
Customizable: Flavor your yogurt to your taste with fruits, honey, or other mix-ins.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients:
1 liter of milk (whole, 2%, or skim - your choice)
2 tablespoons of plain yogurt (with live active cultures)
Equipment:
Instant Pot (with a yogurt function)
Whisk
Thermometer (optional, but recommended)
Cheesecloth or strainer (for Greek yogurt)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Milk
Pour the milk into the Instant Pot: Select the ‘Yogurt’ function and adjust it to the ‘Boil’ setting. This will heat the milk to around 83°C, which helps to kill any unwanted bacteria.
Stir occasionally: Use a whisk to stir the milk occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
Step 2: Cool the Milk
Cool the milk to around 43°C: Once the boiling cycle is complete, remove the inner pot and let the milk cool down. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. If you don't have one, touch the outside of the pot – it should feel warm but not hot.
Step 3: Add the Yogurt Starter
Mix in the starter yogurt: Take a small amount of the cooled milk and mix it with the 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt until smooth. Then whisk this mixture back into the pot of milk.
Step 4: Incubate the Yogurt
Select the 'Yogurt' setting: Place the inner pot back in the Instant Pot and select the ‘Yogurt’ setting again. Adjust the time to 8-12 hours, depending on how tangy you like your yogurt. The longer it incubates, the tangier it will be.
Step 5: Chill and Strain (Optional)
Chill the yogurt: Once the incubation period is over, remove the inner pot and cover it with plastic wrap or a lid. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the yogurt to set.
Strain for Greek yogurt: If you prefer thicker, Greek-style yogurt, strain the yogurt through a cheesecloth or strainer for a few hours until it reaches your desired consistency.
Tips and Tricks
Flavoring: Add honey, vanilla extract, or fruit puree to your yogurt after it has set for a delicious twist.
Consistency: For a thicker yogurt, use whole milk or add a bit of powdered milk to the mixture before boiling.
Reusing Starter: Save a few tablespoons of your homemade yogurt to use as a starter for your next batch.
Making yogurt in an Instant Pot is simple and rewarding. Whether you enjoy it plain, with fruit, or as part of a savory dish, homemade yogurt is sure to become a staple in your kitchen.
Happy yogurt-making! 🥄
Got questions or need more tips? Feel free to ask!
