8 Best Yogurt Substitutes That You Can Try

Today we are going to talk about the best yogurt substitutes. So, following a healthy lifestyle, but don’t like yogurt in your meals? If you don’t like dairy products or are a fan of yogurt, you can easily switch to yogurt alternatives. Yogurt substitutes are easily available in the markets and also can be found in your kitchen pantry for a quick grab. 

Yogurt is nutritious, tasty, and widely available in most supermarkets. You can use it as a morning staple and in baking and savory recipes. However, if you don’t like yogurt or prefer to avoid dairy products, there are several alternatives. In this piece, I’ll go through the greatest yogurt substitutes you may purchase in the comfort of your own home.

Yogurt is made by fermenting whole milk with lactobacillus cultivated bacteria. These bacteria are known as probiotics, or “good bacteria,” since they are useful to humans in various ways. Yogurt is not only a useful dietary supplement but also has a creamy texture and an acidic tang that adds flavor to various dishes. 

However, it is not necessary to consume yogurt. So, if you’re looking for the best yogurt substitute, you can choose them. Now you probably must be wondering, what can be used as an alternative for yogurt? The best yogurt substitutes are mayonnaise, cottage cheese, buttermilk, cream cheese, sour cream, plant-based yogurt, Greek yogurt, and heavy cream.

Although, I do believe that I should tell you a little more about yogurt before we discover the substitutes for the same. This way, you will understand the ingredient better, and it will also be easier for you to pick the substitute that works best for you. 

Quick Peek: Yogurt 

This section is yogurt 101. You will understand how this ingredient came to be, its flavor and texture, profile, uses, and also all it’s nutritional information. So, let’s get started!

What Is Yogurt?

Yogurt is a type of dairy product that is prepared by fermenting milk with one or more bacteria. These bacteria are known as probiotics or good bacteria since they are useful to humans in various ways. Yogurt is used as a food and is used as a substitute for milk in lactose-intolerant people.

Yogurt is currently the most sought-after product for weight-conscious people. Did you know that yogurt makes your workout more bearable by lowering muscular stress? Yes, you heard it right! Daily consumption of yogurt improves the functioning of active T-cells.

Yogurt relieves muscle stress and promotes faster and better post-workout recovery in people who regularly exercise. It is also a good option for you if you are lactose intolerant. It turns lactose in milk into lactic acid, which makes it simpler to digest. Yogurt contains microbes that aid in the breakdown of food and nutritional absorption.

Yogurt isn’t only a convenient grab-and-go breakfast. It’s also a common ingredient in muffins, cakes, smoothies, dips, sauces, and other baked goods. If you’re looking for the best yogurt substitute, find various alternatives in this article. This list includes vegan and dairy-free options, so pick the one that will work best in your recipe.

Describing Yogurt: Flavor & Texture 

Yogurt has a soft, smooth, pudding-like texture, whereas fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt has a fairly firm texture. Yogurt gives you smoothness and a thick texture. It may taste slightly sour due to its acidic nature. Even so, it’s sweeter than Greek yogurt.

Natural yogurt has a clean, light, tangy, and cultured flavor. It features an acidity profile that is reminiscent of sour cream, as well as an airy lift of creaminess. Natural yogurt tastes nearly identical to conventional yogurt.

Uses Of Yogurt

As I mentioned earlier, yogurt is an extremely versatile ingredient in the kitchen and baking. It is used in almost every part of the world to add a creamy texture, tangy taste, and depth to various recipes. 

In baking, yogurt adds a mild tanginess as well as a light, fluffy texture to bread, biscuits, muffins, and cakes. Moreover, while used in non-vegan dishes, it plays a major role in marinating meat or chicken in yogurt to get a tender taste.

When drizzled over a spicy or slightly bitter dish, tangy yogurt dressing or sauce balances it out. Yogurt can also be used as a lighter and healthier substitute for mayonnaise in recipes if you are avoiding low-fat meals.

Besides, yogurt is a great base for sweet and savory dips for fruit, crackers, and crudités. It can be used in place of sour cream in any dip recipe and can also be added to favorites like guacamole, hummus, or spinach and artichoke dip to lighten and add tang.

Yogurt On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Now, let me tell you all about the nutritional values of yogurt. I’m sure you’re aware that yogurt is beneficial to digestion. However, there are several yogurt benefits you may not be aware of. The carbs in yogurt can either fuel your workout or replenish your energy. 

Yogurt contains immune-boosting properties, which is one of its numerous advantages. Yogurt has been shown to enhance and activate T-cells, or immune cells. Ladies, think about yogurt the next time you’re given an antibiotic prescription.

Active cultures in yogurt can help balance pH levels and prevent an excruciatingly uncomfortable yeast infection from forming. Apart from being solid in Vitamin B, yogurt gives you an instant energy boost. It’s an ideal pick for you if you are on a protein diet. It’s high in protein, so you can consume it to make your muscles and create other body components. 

Why Use A Substitute For Yogurt?

I think you probably must have wondered by now why you would even want to use a substitute for such a versatile ingredient. That is a very valid point, for sure. However, there are a few reasons why you can consider using a substitute for yogurt. 

Firstly, yogurt is made of milk and a dairy product. So, if you are a vegan, and finding vegan options, then these yogurt substitutes can help you at best. 

Second, yogurt is tangy and sometimes sweet in flavor. So, if your recipe is calling out for a mild taste, then these yogurt alternatives can also help you make your recipes taste great. A lot of the substitute options given in this article work the same way as yogurt in your recipes.

In fact, some options are extremely budget-friendly. Besides that, yogurt has a sour taste that might not be to everyone’s liking. So, if you want to please everyone’s taste, you can choose other creamy and tangy options. Then also, it’s a matter of convenience. If you are just out of yogurt, you can use a substitute available in your kitchen pantry.

I have rambled enough about yogurt now, haven’t I? Okay, so now, without further ado, I am going to take you to the main attraction of this article, the best yogurt substitutes!

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10 Best Yogurt Substitutes

This section has all the best substitutes you can use in place of yogurt. You will also get to know what recipes the substitutes work best in and the ratio of substitution for each substitute. So, let’s get started!

1. Mayonnaise

We always prefer yogurt for making dressings for vegetables and fruits. Yogurt tastes good. It is sweet and savory too. The taste completely depends on what the recipe calls for. The same thing with mayonnaise. Mayonnaise is the perfect substitute for yogurt.

You can make an excellent sandwich spread and salad dressing with mayonnaise. Instead of using simple yogurt, try the goodness of creamy mayonnaise. We all know the benefits of yogurt. However, mayonnaise is just as important.

Mayonnaise is a protein-rich ingredient. It is made from whole eggs. Mayonnaise comes in so many different flavors. You can go from plain to flavored. You can use mayonnaise as the base of your sauce.

2. Cottage Cheese

One of the most popular and diet-friendly ingredients is cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is the best substitute for yogurt. Cottage cheese is called the healthiest cheese. Yogurt and cottage cheese both are good sources of protein.

Cottage cheese works really well when you are out of yogurt. Cottage cheese has a curdled milk flavor and a hint of saltiness. Cottage cheese is the best topping for pasta, bread, and desserts.

Cottage cheese can also be made at home. All you need to do is acidify the whole milk to make a solid curd. Then skim off the solid chunks. Cottage cheese has fewer calories than regular cheese. Cottage cheese is less tangy, and yogurt has a thicker consistency. It can be a great yogurt substitute for dips, salads, and dressings.

3. Buttermilk

Buttermilk comes in a liquid form and is left over after churning cream into butter. Consuming buttermilk is good because it is a fermented dairy drink full of probiotic properties.

If you are searching for the best yogurt substitutes, then buttermilk is perfect. Buttermilk is milder, and it has a pleasant tanginess. However, buttermilk is in liquid form and thinner than yogurt. So using buttermilk in your baking recipes can be difficult for you.

Buttermilk can be really helpful when making pancakes, muffins, and even brownies. A delicious chicken dish is a result of marinating it in buttermilk. Buttermilk will make your chicken very crispy. You can use buttermilk to make a fantastic batter for your recipes.

4. Cream Cheese

Thinking about adding creamy and savory flavor to your dish? Then not only yogurt but cream cheese also becomes your best friend. Cream cheese is the best substitute for yogurt. With cream cheese, your dish will taste as good as yogurt.

Making sauces and dips with cream cheese is a real pleasure of cooking. You can also add some herbs and spices to your cream cheese.

Cream cheese can do excellent frosting when we use it for desserts. Cream cheese is available in different variants in the stores. This ingredient is completely ready to use no need for more preparation. You can easily store it in your fridge, just like yogurt.

5. Sour Cream

You can always make creamy chicken curry or beef with yogurt. But using sour cream is also a very effective ingredient. Yogurt can be substituted with sour cream because of its creamy and sour flavor. You can replace yogurt with sour cream when you do not have yogurt.

Adding sour cream gives your normal curry a new twist, adding creaminess and sourness. Using sour cream or yogurt, both are the same. From the base of your soups to stews and baked dishes, sour cream works well.

How can we forget about salad dressing and desserts? To make salad dressings and creamy desserts, sour cream will be a key ingredient. Sour cream is very popular in Mexican cuisine. The ratio of using sour cream and yogurt is 1:1.

6. Plant-Based Yogurt

Finding dairy-free ingredients is no longer a struggle. Plant-based yogurt is the best substitute for regular yogurt. Plant-Based yogurt can become a good part of a vegan diet.

Plant-based yogurt is dairy-free, so it contains zero animal products. While regular yogurt is made from cow’s milk. You can find many flavors in plant-based yogurt like almond, cashew, coconut, and more.

Plant-based yogurt is less in carbs and higher in vital nutrients. So, we can say it is a healthy alternative to yogurt. This yogurt has the same texture as dairy yogurt. Plant-based yogurt is a truly healthy addition to your diet. It is sugar-free and loaded with protein

7. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is very similar to yogurt. It can always be chosen if you cannot get on regular yogurt. This substitute for yogurt is useful in baking, sauces, and dips. The cake which we make from Greek yogurt is fluffier than others.

Greek yogurt has more fat and protein as well. Greek yogurt has less whey. So, whenever you make a batter, it will be thicker. This substitute for yogurt is more nutritious. You can also make it at home.

Whenever you eat plain greek yogurt, it tastes rather sour or tart. Greek yogurt has a smooth and creamy texture. And there are lots of flavors in greek yogurt available.

8. Heavy Cream

Heavy cream is the most hustle-free substitute for yogurt. You can add it to any recipe you want. A little difference is only in taste. The name of the ingredient only suggests the texture. The calories and density of heavy cream are both high. Heavy cream does a great job, like yogurt, in bringing all flavors. This ingredient is perfect for baked dishes.

The best part is this cream will not give you a probiotic or acidic part. It is known as the best, most flavorful substitute for yogurt. Heavy cream is an ideal ingredient for tempting dishes like pies, cakes, pastries, cookies, and brownies. This substitute can be used in the same amount of yogurt.

Short Recap On Best Yogurt Substitutes

Here is a short recap on choosing the best yogurt substitutes.

Best Yogurt Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture-

1. Sour cream

Best Yogurt Substitutes That Are Not Dairy-Based-

1. Plant-Based Yogurt
2. Mayonnaise 
3. Buttermilk

Best Yogurt Substitutes Should Be Least Considered-

1. Mayonnaise 
2. Cottage Cheese

How To Use Yogurt Substitutes In Your Recipes

Yogurt Substitutes

If you don't like dairy products or are a fan of yogurt, you can easily switch to yogurt alternatives. Yogurt substitutes are easily available in the markets and also can be found in your kitchen pantry for a quick grab.

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Ingredients

  

• Mayonnaise
• Cottage Cheese
• Buttermilk
• Cream Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Plant Based Yogurt
• Greek Yogurt
• Heavy Cream

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Final Words

So these are the best yogurt substitutes you can use in cakes, meat dishes, desserts, baked goods, and savory dishes. Many of these are easily recognizable and found in your pantry. Not all will be able to exactly replicate the taste of yogurt in your recipes, but it is still better than nothing at all.

Let me know in the comments if you agree with our list and your favorite substitute. This was all from me. I’ll see you next time. Until then, take care and happy cooking!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)