greek yogurt bargain

(1 rating)
Recipe by
Heidi Hoerman
Hingham, MA

Greek yogurt is more properly called "Greek-style" because it is simply yogurt that has been drained to remove more whey or thickened to resemble a drained yogurt. Greek-style yogurt is extremely easy to make and lends a creaminess to store-brand and other inexpensive yogurts. All you need is unthickened plain yogurt, a screen sieve or loosely woven cloth, and time. At my local supermarket, a pint container Fage 0% Greek yogurt is $3.79 whereas a quart of the store brand plain yogurt that yields a pint of Greek yogurt is $2.39. Less than 2/3 the price! And free whey, too!

(1 rating)
yield 4 half-cup servings
prep time 6 Hr

Ingredients For greek yogurt bargain

  • 32 oz
    plain yogurt without thickeners and not ultrapasteurized

How To Make greek yogurt bargain

  • 1
    Scoop the yogurt into a screen sieve over a bowl large enough to keep the bottom of the yogurt above the resulting whey, which will total a pint or more of liquid. If you do not have a screen sieve, use a colander lined with cheesecloth or other loosely woven cloth.
  • 2
    Cover and place in the refrigerator to drain for six hours or more. The longer the yogurt is allowed to drain, the stiffer it will become. 24-hours yields a yogurt thick enough to spread known as labneh or yogurt cheese.
  • 3
    If the whey does not readily drain from the yogurt, it is likely that the yogurt was ultra-pasteurized or treated with thickeners and stabilizers. Such yogurt never will drain. Many of the nationally distributed organic yogurts will not drain whereas inexpensive, less thoroughly processed, store-brand yogurts often drain very well.
  • 4
    When the yogurt has drained to the thickness you prefer, refrigerate and use as you would any Greek yogurt. I like it thick enough to stand a spoon. The whey may be used for bread-making, feeding animals, smoothies, soups, etc.
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