Did you know it’s easy to make your own yogurt at home? I didn’t. I’d always assumed making yogurt would be difficult. Recently I decided to give it a try, though, and found it really is easy. And my homemade yogurt is absolutely delicious! I start with this simple recipe for plain yogurt, then add whatever I’m in the mood for to flavor it. I save a lot of money by making my own yogurt and I get to enjoy a healthy, tasty treat when it’s done.
What You’ll Need
two cups milk
two tablespoons plain yogurt
saucepan
crockpot
16-ounce canning jar with lid
candy thermometer
Step One
Fill your crockpot with about four inches of water and turn it on low. Allow it to begin heating the water while you start to prepare your yogurt. The water should reach a temperature of 105 to 120 degrees. Check it with your candy thermometer.
Step Two
Pour just under two cups of milk into a sauce pan. Heat the milk on medium heat, stirring often, until it reaches 180 degrees. Check the temperature often because if the milk gets too hot, it will begin to curdle.
Step Three
Remove the milk from the heat and allow it to cool for about 20 minutes. While the milk is cooling, put two tablespoons of plain yogurt in a canning jar.
Step Four
Pour the milk into the canning jar. Put the lid on the jar and shake well. After shaking, you should not be able to see any yogurt on the bottom of the jar.
Step Five
Remove the lid from the jar and put the jar in the crockpot. Leave it alone for four hours.
Step Six
Carefully remove the jar from the crockpot, put the lid on the jar and put the jar in the refrigerator. Do not shake the jar. Do not stir the yogurt or disturb it in any way. Leave it alone for at least eight hours.
Step Seven
Stir and enjoy!
Tip
If you want thicker yogurt, strain the yogurt for a couple of hours. Line a mesh strainer with cheesecloth, then place it over a bowl. Pour the yogurt into the strainer and allow it to strain for two to three hours. Some of the liquid will drain out, leaving behind thicker yogurt.