Let’s set the background here: 3 years ago, I didn’t even know you could make yogurt at home. I know - dumb, right? I was totally clueless! Then I heard somebody mention making their own yogurt and I thought, “Hey! That’s cool! How do you do that?” So I started googling “make your own yogurt”, and came across a bunch of different blog posts with tutorials involving crock pots, thermometers, towels and lengthy instructions.
Um. No thank you. (Quick and Easy, remember?)
The whole thing just seemed so complicated, despite the fact that everybody said, “Oh, it’s so easy!” Okay. I’m very sorry, but I don’t believe you. Because I have found a very simple way to make yogurt, and it really is easy. Very easy.
It involves a yogurt machine, which, oddly enough, breaks all my rules about single-purpose appliances that take up space on my counter-top. I prefer all my appliances to fit neatly in my cupboard, and I also prefer them to work hard (so I don’t have to) and be skilled at multiple tasks. I make an exception for Mr. Yogurt Machine. Yes, it is totally worth it. I wouldn’t make exceptions for any other appliance but my dear friend, the yogurt maker.
My particular yogurt machine is this EuroCuisine, which I purchased on Amazon.com for about $25. Unfortunately, the price has risen since then, and the cheapest I could find was this one for $28.90. Another brand is “Deni”, and they have better prices - $20.82 for a yogurt machine similar to the Euro Cuisine . I personally have no experience with that brand, so I can’t comment on the quality, but I will say that they are rated almost as high as the Euro Cuisine by users.
Another option is a quart yogurt maker, which uses one large quart size container instead of small jars. Those tend to be more expensive, starting around $50. Here’s one by YoGourmet for $49.95.
So what’s the point of having a yogurt machine, you ask? This: it regulates the temperature of the incubating milk so you don’t have to. No fooling with different kinds of insulation - towels, crock pots, coolers, etc - to make sure the proper temperature is maintained. No need to check the temp with a thermometer. Just pour the yogurt mixture into the jars, place the lid on top, and set it going for at least 12 hours. Your job is done, and the machine does the rest!
I definitely recommend using whole milk to make your own yogurt, for lots of reasons, but at least because it will create a much better texture in the final product.
I typically use plain yogurt (usually Dannon brand) as my starter, but you can purchase starters from Cultures for Health. Typically, once you’ve made a batch of yogurt, you can use some of your own homemade yogurt as a starter for the next batch. After a few batches, you’ll want to start with a new starter again.
Easy Machine Yogurt
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2-3 TBSP plain yogurt
Instructions
- Heat the milk in a saucepan just until it starts to bubble around the edges. Remove from heat, and cool until it is no longer steaming (if you have a thermometer, the temperature should be 100-110F.)
- Pour about a cup of the heated milk into a separate container. Stir in the yogurt until it’s blended in. Stir the yogurt-milk mixture into the rest of the milk. Pour into machine containers, and place them (without their caps) into the machine. Cover with the lid and start machine.
- Remove the yogurt from the machine 12-18 hours later.
The actual yogurt prep is quite QUICK, although yogurt definitely takes time.
It’s definitely EASY. No question about that.
I also believe it is CHEAP, or I wouldn’t do it this way. The machine will pay for itself in a matter of months in your savings on store-bought yogurt. I’ve had mine for several years now, so it’s more than paid for itself, especially since I often use it to make non-dairy yogurts that are considerably pricy.
Making your own yogurt is very HEALTHY, and worth it for sure. Even the best store-bought yogurt has unnecessary additives and usually sweetener, too.
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Thanks for sharing this great idea..I like drinking yogurt its good to our body..
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Anne, you are so funny….you make me giggle. We’re so alike, yet so different. The thought of having something else to take up space in my kitchen makes me want to scream. LOL
But Brandy loves her yogurt maker too.
And I actually think making it on the stovetop and in the oven is super duper easy. Go figure.
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I think you think it’s easy because you’ve never made it in the machine. Now THAT is easy! And it’s totally worth the real estate on my counter top, which is VERY valuable in my house:)
If you want to make one large batch, a 1 1/2 qt. glass Pyrex bowl fits perfectly in the unit.
Oh, I will definitely try that. Thanks!
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted..Super Simple Yogurt {with a Machine}
Very cool, I didn’t realize that there were machines for that either (seriously!).
back in my university days I made my own yoghurt by bringing the milk up to temp and then dumping it in a large plastic ice cream tub, wrapping it in towels and putting it a warm (but not actually turned on) oven overnight. I made roughly 2 litres (4 pints) at a time, with the last 1/2 cup used as starter for the next batch.
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and yes, clearly I have problems (and had a lot of time on my hands) if I was making my own yoghurt (and soy milk) instead of eating macaroni, cheese and potato chips in my college days!
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Yes, I have to admit I’d never heard of a college student making their own yogurt, but good for you! And I’ve heard of others making it in the oven, too. Sounds simple enough! (But not as simple as the machine, lol:)
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted..Super Simple Yogurt {with a Machine}
I totally agree. If my blender wasn’t dying, I would love to get a yogurt maker. The method I use is simple enough since I finally rolled up my sleeves adn tried it (about 10 minutes of active work). But I don’t like needing to *think* about regulating the temperature.
I’ve heard that some dehydrators have yogurt settings on them - that sounds amazing! And dehydrators are hard working, multi-tasking machines.
But until I buy one or the other, I’ll just envy (in the nicest sense) your yogurt maker, lol
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I know; I’ve gone through so many cheap blenders and food processors that I’ve finally decided to do without (except for a cheap immersion blender) until I’ve saved enough for a Vitamix. I’m halfway there!
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy recently posted..Super Simple Yogurt {with a Machine}
Been wanting to comment on this since Friday! This does sound like a very, very easy way to make yogurt! Do you make your coconut milk yogurt this way, too? I wish I could “borrow” yours to try! Wish we all lived closer! LOL!
Yes, I use it for coconut milk yogurt, too. And I’ve been experimenting with rice milk and sunflower milk (with minimal success so far). The jars go in the dishwasher so I don’t worry about cross-contamination. Oh, and the non-dairy milks sometimes need longer incubation times, and they never get quite as solid as regular yogurt without additives. But I can use the same machine.
Anne…Do you prefer this really over the crock pot? Also, you said you need to start with a new starter every couple of batches…do you mean I need to buy store bought yogurt (just one) about once a month? OR use the yogurt from your previous batch each time? If it is fermenting (incubating) shouldn’t it always have the strong cultures just like regular yogurt?
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I’ve never tried the crock pot because it just seems too complicated for me. I have only ever used the machine, so I can’t compare the two. But from the sounds of the crock pot method, I definitely prefer the yogurt machine! As far as the starter goes, it’s my understanding that no matter what method you use, eventually you have to get a new starter. Yogurt made in the machine is the same yogurt made in a crock pot, except that the machine stabilizes the temperature so that you don’t have to worry about it, so the cultures and everything else are the same. Now… I’ve always used store-bought yogurt as a starter for regular (dairy) yogurt, so I dont’ know if using an actual starter would be different. Its strength might last longer.
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