5 Amazing Greek Yogurt Substitutes

Greek yogurt is very popular, and for good reason. It’s a thicker, creamier style of yogurt than regular yogurt, and it’s strained multiple times to remove as much whey and lactose as possible, which makes it denser and protein-rich.
Sometimes you may need a substitute for Greek yogurt in the kitchen if you’ve run out, or are somewhere you can’t easily find Greek yogurt, so here are 5 things you can use instead.

1. Plain Yogurt

It depends on the recipe, but plain, unsweetened yogurt will work as a substitute for Greek yogurt. Plain yogurt is slightly less thick and less tangy, but when used in baking there isn’t much difference in taste. Use whole-fat, plain varieties with no sweeteners. You can also try straining plain whole-milk yogurt through cheesecloth to give a denser texture and remove excess moisture.

2. Sour Cream

Sour cream has the consistency of Greek Yogurt, and it maintains the same sharp tang in recipes. You can also use Greek yogurt in recipes that call for sour cream because it has less fat. Sour cream works brilliantly as a substitution for making dips or sauces.

3. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is the liquid that is left after butter has been churned, and it’s a great choice to use in baking or bread recipes instead of Greek yogurt. The acidity of buttermilk will help your dough to rise higher, but because it’s thinner than Greek yogurt you may have to use less. You can even make your own buttermilk or sour cream. Add two or three teaspoons of lemon juice to a cup of plain milk or cream. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then it will be ready to use or keep in the fridge.

4. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese doesn’t have the tanginess of Greek yogurt, but it does have a high fat content. Drain and blend the cottage cheese to give a smooth consistency before adding to the recipe. If you use this substitute, you’ll get the dairy fat content but a much milder, creamy taste.

5. Silken Tofu

For vegetarians, vegans and anyone on a dairy-free diet, silken or soft tofu can be a great substitute for Greek yogurt, and it’s much less expensive than pre-made non-dairy items. Blend a package of silken tofu until smooth, and add a few teaspoons of lemon juice to give the acidity you want.