
Making yogurt in your Instant Pot is a game-changer for homemade yogurt enthusiasts. You can create a wide variety of flavors and textures in just a few hours.
First, you'll need to choose a starter culture that suits your taste preferences. The article highlights the differences between mesophilic and thermophilic cultures, with mesophilic cultures producing a creamier texture and thermophilic cultures resulting in a tangier taste.
With your starter culture in hand, you can now prepare the milk for yogurt making. The article notes that you should heat the milk to 180°F to kill off any bacteria, and then let it cool to 110°F for the starter culture to take hold.
The Instant Pot's temperature control and pressure cooking capabilities make it an ideal tool for yogurt making. In just a few hours, you can have a batch of homemade yogurt that rivals store-bought varieties in terms of taste and texture.
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Why Make Yogurt?
Making yogurt is a great way to save money and have control over the ingredients that go into your food.
You can make a batch of homemade yogurt for about 1/3 the cost of store-bought yogurt.
Homemade yogurt is also a great way to avoid additives and preservatives found in commercial yogurt.
Using an Instant Pot to make yogurt is a convenient and efficient process, as it can heat and cool the mixture quickly and evenly.
The Instant Pot's temperature control feature ensures that the milk is heated to the optimal temperature for yogurt production, between 180°F and 185°F.
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Ingredients & Equipment
To make yogurt in your Instant Pot, you'll need a few basic ingredients and some special equipment. For the "Cold Start" method, you'll need 1/2 gallon of ultra-pasteurized whole milk. This type of milk is essential because it's already been sterilized, which means you can skip the extra boiling step.
You can use whole milk with a high fat content to produce thicker, creamier yogurt. Low-fat or skim milk will work too, but your yogurt will be thinner and less creamy.
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To incubate the milk, you'll need 1 tablespoon of unflavored whole-milk, full-fat yogurt or yogurt starter. This starter culture should contain live active cultures like L. Acidophilus and Bifidus. You can buy a yogurt starter culture online or use your favorite brand of plain unflavored yogurt.
Here are the essential ingredients and equipment you'll need:
- Ultra-pasteurized whole milk (1/2 gallon)
- Unflavored whole-milk, full-fat yogurt or yogurt starter
- Instant Pot with Yogurt function (or a separate lid/cover)
- Cheesecloth (optional)
Ingredients
To make homemade yogurt, you'll need some basic ingredients. For this recipe, we recommend using organic whole cow's milk, which is a great choice for producing thick and creamy yogurt.
Pasteurized milk is essential for making yogurt, and you'll need half a gallon (2 quarts) of it. If you're looking for a specific type of milk, whole milk will produce the thickest yogurt, but any fat-percentage will work.
Using the right type of milk is crucial, and non-dairy milk cannot be substituted in this recipe. If you're looking for a dairy-free option, you can try my Instant Pot Coconut Milk recipe.
To get started, you'll need a yogurt culture, which is also known as a yogurt starter. You can purchase a small tub of store-bought plain dairy yogurt with active live cultures, which is a cheaper and easier option.
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Equipment Needed

You'll need a few pieces of equipment to make yogurt in an Instant Pot. The most essential item is your Instant Pot itself, and it needs to be any model except the LUX.
You'll also need an instant-read digital thermometer or candy thermometer to monitor the temperature of the milk. This is crucial for creating the perfect environment for the yogurt culture to grow.
If you want to make Greek yogurt or a thicker yogurt, you'll need cheesecloth. You can find it at most grocery stores in the baking or kitchen gadget section.
A fine mesh strainer is also a good idea to have on hand, as it can come in handy for straining the yogurt.
Here's a list of the equipment you'll need:
- Instant Pot (any model except the LUX)
- Instant-read digital thermometer or candy thermometer
- Cheesecloth (optional)
- Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients & Equipment
To make delicious homemade yogurt in your Instant Pot, you'll need a few ingredients and some basic equipment. You can use skim milk, which is a great option for those looking for a non-fat yogurt.
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For a gallon of skim milk, you'll need 6 tablespoons of yogurt starter. If you're using full or reduced-fat milk, 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt starter is usually sufficient.
You'll also need an Instant Pot, of course! This versatile pressure cooker is perfect for making yogurt, and it's a great addition to any kitchen.
To store your homemade yogurt, you'll need some airtight containers. You can also freeze it for up to a month, which is a great way to preserve it and have a steady supply of yogurt on hand.
Here's a quick rundown of the storage options for your homemade yogurt:
Instructions & Tips
Making yogurt in the Instant Pot is a breeze, and with these tips, you'll be a pro in no time.
First, make sure to use the right type of milk, as stated in the article, such as whole, low-fat, or nonfat cow's milk or a non-dairy alternative like almond milk.
To achieve the perfect temperature, ensure that your Instant Pot reaches 180°F to 185°F, which is crucial for creating a thick and creamy yogurt, as explained in the article.
Start with a simple recipe and adjust the ingredients to your taste, just like the example in the article, which uses a 1:1 ratio of milk to yogurt starter.
Easier Than You Think
Making homemade yogurt is easier than you think, thanks to the Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot makes the process almost foolproof.
It's amazing how a simple appliance can revolutionize a recipe.
After trying it out, the results blew me away - the yogurt is creamy and less tangy than store-bought.
Homemade yogurt costs about half the price of store-bought, which is a win-win.
How to Make
To make delicious homemade yogurt, you'll want to start by cleaning your Instant Pot thoroughly. This will ensure that your yogurt turns out smooth and free of any impurities.

Before heating the milk, you'll need to choose the right type of milk. According to the instructions, you can use 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot, so make sure you have one of these sizes.
Heat the milk to 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a crucial step in creating a thick and creamy yogurt. To do this, add the milk to the Instant Pot, place the lid on top (it doesn't matter if the vent is sealed or not), and press the "yogurt" button until the screen says "BOIL".
If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooling process by placing the pot into a bowl of ice water for about 10-15 minutes. Just be sure to check the temperature often with a thermometer.
Once the milk has cooled to 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit, you can add the yogurt starter. Remove a ladleful of the warm milk and whisk the yogurt starter into it, then pour the mixture back into the pot and whisk to combine.
The next step is to set the yogurt timer. Place the inner pot back in the Instant Pot, secure the lid, and press the "yogurt" button until it reads 8:00 to 12:00 hours. This will determine the thickness and tanginess of your yogurt.
After the time is up, check the yogurt to see if it's set. You'll know it's ready when it has thickened and jiggles only slightly, like jello.
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When Is It Ready?

Your yogurt is ready when it's all one mass, not a runny liquid.
It'll jiggle like loose Jell-O when you gently nudge the insert, which is a good sign it's set.
Sometimes the set yogurt will pull away from the sides of the insert, which is normal.
You might see some clear liquid, called whey, floating between the pot and the set yogurt, but this is also normal.
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Using Your Instant Pot
You'll need to have your Instant Pot ready to go before you start making yogurt. Make sure it's clean and dry.
To use your Instant Pot for yogurt, you'll need to know how to make yogurt in Instant Pot, as outlined in the recipe. This involves understanding the important timing tip, which is crucial for getting the right consistency.
Here are some storage tips to keep in mind:
- Store your homemade yogurt in the fridge.
- Keep it away from strong-smelling foods, as yogurt can absorb odors.
Use Function
Using the "Yogurt" Function on Your Instant Pot can be a game-changer for homemade yogurt lovers. The "Yogurt" setting on your Instant Pot is perfect for fermenting yogurt, and it's surprisingly easy to use.
Simply place your bowl back into the Instant Pot, close the lid, and select the "yogurt" setting. The timer should read 8 hours and the pressure should be set to "normal".
Be patient and let it sit for eight full hours while the yogurt ferments inside. No need to open the lid or check on it until it's completely ready.
Keep in mind that there will be some runny liquid (whey) in the yogurt. This is totally normal and will soon be strained off in the next step.
No Setting?
Using the Instant Pot without a specific yogurt setting can be a bit tricky, but it's definitely doable. You just need to heat the milk to 180-190℉ (82-88℃) using the Saute function, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
To get the milk to the right temperature, you'll need to heat it for a while, so be patient and don't leave the kitchen. Once it reaches the desired temperature, cancel the Saute function and let the milk cool to 105-115℉ (41-46℃).
This cooling process is crucial, as it allows the milk to reach the right temperature for the yogurt starter to work its magic. Once the milk has cooled, you can add the yogurt starter or prepared yogurt and whisk it in.
To incubate the yogurt, place the inner pot back in the Instant Pot, put the lid on, and wrap the entire unit in a large towel or two regular towels. Let it sit for 8-10 hours, and you'll have delicious homemade yogurt in no time.
Pressure Cooker Recipes
You can make a lot of delicious dishes in your Instant Pot, but there are some things it's not designed for. An Instant Pot can't be used as a stovetop, so don't try to cook your meals on the stovetop with it.
One thing your Instant Pot can do that a stovetop pressure cooker can't is make yogurt. It acts as an incubator, keeping the temperature around 110°F for several hours, which is perfect for culturing yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the yogurt button work on an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot yogurt button has two modes: boil and incubate. Press the button to select the desired mode, with boil mode indicated by a display and incubate mode displayed with a timer.
Do you seal or vent the Instant Pot when making yogurt?
To make yogurt in an Instant Pot, seal the lid and set the valve to Sealing, as this step is crucial for the yogurt to thicken properly.
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