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This step-by-step guide to making flavored yogurt in your Instant Pot is exactly what you need to make some of the best homemade yogurts. You will love the creamy flavor and the taste. Not only that, but you will love the cost savings of making your own yogurt.  My Instant Pot Lava Cake is another treat your whole family will love.

Instant Pot Yogurt

I have had friends who have been raving about homemade yogurt for years, but I just couldn’t find myself to make it. I always felt like it was a burden more than anything and let’s be honest it is so convenient to grab it at the store. 

Well, about a month ago my friend said, “Just try making yogurt in your Instant Pot.” With an eye roll I set out to make homemade yogurt just to prove to her it was not worth it. 

Oh my lanta, after one bite of my Instant Pot Yogurt I am hooked! The creaminess and the flavor are out of this world! Yes, it is a bit time consuming, but you can make a bunch with this Instant Pot Yogurt recipe which makes it well worth your time. If you have been on the fence about making yogurt at home, now is the time to try it! I know you will love it! 

What do I need to get started?

• Milk – whole milk makes a much creamier yogurt, but you can use 2%
• Yogurt with cultures – do not use flavored or sweetened yogurt.  Check the back of the yogurt and see if it says there are cultures in the yogurt. (photo shows listing of cultures on the back of this Greek yogurt I used)
• Instant Pot with yogurt setting
• Thermometer (digital is best, but you can use a candy thermometer.  You can use a meat thermometer)

Ingredients:

• 1-gallon whole dairy milk 
• 4 Tablespoons cultured yogurt

How to make yogurt in the Instant Pot

1. Clean your instant pot.  Make sure it is very clean and rinse it out with boiling water to “sterilize” the pot.  This will help the yogurt taste better.
2. Heat your milk.  You can do this in the instant pot or in a pan on the stove.  To heat on the stove, heat on medium-low so the milk doesn’t scorch.  If you heat in the instant pot, Pour the milk in the pan and seal the lid.  Press the yogurt button and set it to boil.  If you do not have a Yogurt button Use this recipe How to make Yogurt with No Yogurt Button. This will take a while.  When the pot beeps, check the temperature of the milk.  Milk to 180°.  Allow sitting in the instant pot for 5 minutes.  
3. Allow the milk to cool to 105°-115°.  Remove the pot from the instant pot.  It will take about an hour to cool.  If you want it to be quicker, plug the sink and add a couple of inches of water and plenty of ice.  Set the pan in the ice water.  Don’t allow it to cool less than 105°.
4. Stir the milk and remove any skim from the top.
5. Stir in the yogurt starter.
6. Incubate your yogurt.  Set the yogurt button for 8 hours.  For a tangier yogurt with more active cultures, allow it to incubate for 10 to 18 hours.
7. Store yogurt in glass jars in the refrigerator.
8. Flavors:  Honey and vanilla, granola and fruit, maple syrup and pecans, peaches and cinnamon, apples and cinnamon.  
9. Add ½ cup sweetener of choice per gallon.  If more is needed, add a tablespoon at a time.
10. Add 1 teaspoon of flavoring per quart.

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Tips Tricks and FAQs

• If your yogurt starter is sweetened or does not contain live culture, it will NOT work, so be sure to look for these factors before beginning your yogurt.
• Don’t be afraid to add your yogurt to some of your favorite recipes like smoothies. It will give it an incredibly smooth texture. 
• If you are using 2% milk, the yogurt will be runnier. Use an extra tablespoon of yogurt when you make this yogurt in the Instant Pot.  You may wish to pour off the top liquid after it is first made. Later, if there is more liquid, just stir back in.
• As soon as the yogurt is finished incubating, freeze some of the starter to use next time.  Freeze it in an ice cube tray, one tablespoon per ice cube.  
• To flavor and sweeten your yogurt, add a couple of Tablespoons of sweetener per quart and a teaspoon of flavoring.  If it needs more sweetener, add a spoon at a time.

Storage

This yogurt will store in an airtight container in the fridge for 10 to 14 days, even longer at times. The older it gets the more sour it becomes. 

What is Whey when making yogurt?

Whey is the liquid that separates from the yogurt. This is full of protein and is wonderful in shakes and smoothies. There are so many recipes you can add this into. 

How can you sweeten yogurt?

There are many ways to sweeten yogurt.  You can sweeten it with granulated sugar, honey, syrup or an artificial sweetener.  You can add fruit, granola, vanilla extract, or maple flavoring.

To flavor and sweeten your yogurt, add a couple of Tablespoons of sweetener per quart and a teaspoon of flavoring.  If it needs more sweetener, add a spoonful at a time.

How much Yogurt should I use as a starter?

Use 1 Tablespoon of cultured plain yogurt per quart of milk when making yogurt.  You can make 1 quart or as many quarts as your instant pot will fit (just to fill line).

With this recipe (1 gallon of milk) you will want to use 4 Tablespoons of yogurt. 

How can I make Greek Yogurt?

To make Greek yogurt, ( thicker yogurt) make the yogurt according to directions. Layer a few large pieces of cheesecloth or paper towels in a strainer, and place the strainer in a pan to collect the whey. Gently pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth or paper towel-lined strainer.  Allow the milk to cool to drain overnight. Scoop the Greek yogurt into a jar and store it in the refrigerator. You can save the whey and use that as well.

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