The Instant Pot makes from scratch yogurt so simple to process! This recipe is perfect for us busy homemakers who want to make as many food items from scratch as we possibly can. Follow the instructions below to learn how to make this Easy Yogurt Recipe in the Instant Pot.
Did you know that you can also make so many other from scratch food items in the Instant Pot? Try The Best Instant Pot Bone Broth after cooking a Whole Chicken (also made in the Instant Pot!). Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and Chili are other easy ways to put this amazing machine to use. Anyway, let’s get to the yogurt recipe!
Tips for Making Instant Pot Yogurt
- Be sure to stay within 5 degrees of the temperatures listed in this recipe. Yogurt is very particular about these certain temperatures!
- Use a culture from another batch of yogurt or buy a starter culture.
- If using yogurt from a previous batch of yogurt, only use about 4-5 times before replacing the culture entirely and using store-bought yogurt to culture your homemade yogurt.
- If you have a little issue digesting dairy, try fermenting the yogurt for 24 hours.
- Ferment for 8 hours if you prefer a less sour yogurt.
- Serve it with some homemade granola and fruit for a delicious breakfast.
- Don’t use the silicon ring in the Instant Pot since since it tends to harbor smells.
How to Make Easy Yogurt Recipe in the Instant Pot
Needed Supplies:
- Instant Pot (make sure yours has a yogurt function because some Instant Pots do not come with one)
- Yogurt starter culture or plain yogurt from the store
- Pocket thermometer
- Jars or other containers (these are for storing the yogurt)
Instructions:
- Pour a half gallon of milk into the Instant Pot, and press the “sauté” button.
- Whisking constantly, allow the milk to rise to 160 degrees. I use a small pocket thermometer to test the temp.
- Once you’ve reached this temperature, press “cancel” to turn the Instant Pot off.
- Allow the milk to cool back down to 110 degrees.
- Whisk in 1/4 cup of plain yogurt. You can either use store bought, or start with a starter culture.
- Set Instant Pot for 8 hours on the yogurt setting (be sure that the temperature is set at 110 degrees).
- Close the lid (without the silicone ring). Making yogurt doesn’t require the Instant Pot to seal, so the ring is’t necessary.
- Once the 8 hours are up, open the lid and check the consistency of the yogurt. If it is not as thick as you’d prefer it to be, set the Instant Pot to another 8 hours on the yogurt setting (again, make sure the temperature is set at 110 degrees). You can repeat this process for up to a total of 24 hours or until you’ve reached the consistency you’d like the yogurt to be. Keep in mind that the longer you process it, the more sour the yogurt will be.
- Transfer the yogurt to glass jars or whatever storage container suits your needs.
- Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Yogurt
Why do you have to heat milk to make yogurt?
- Milk is heated to destroy bacteria that are present in milk, and could compete with the yogurt cultures, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
- Heating changes the structure of the proteins in milk that gel, causing the finished yogurt to have a thick consistency.
You don’t have to heat the milk, but if you want to eat the finished yogurt with a bowl and spoon, you might want to. Otherwise it will come out pretty runny.
How long should you ferment homemade yogurt?
This all depends on how sour you’d like the yogurt to be. Yogurt should be fermented for a minimum of 8 hours, but any more than that and you’ll experience quite the increase in sour flavor.
You may need to play around with fermentation times in order to find your preferences on flavor. Just remember, yogurt that is too sour on its own can be sweetened with vanilla, honey, fruits, chocolate chips, granola, and other toppings!
More From Scratch Recipes
- How to Make a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot
- The Best Instant Pot Bone Broth
- Simple Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
- Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
- Quick and Easy Homemade Chili Soup Recipe
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