3 Yogurt Substitutes (and 3 You Should Avoid) (2024)

Updated: Apr. 24, 2024

Running low on yogurt? Don't rush to the store to grab another container! You may have a yogurt substitute hanging out in your fridge.

You’re all ready to bake your favorite lemon pound cake recipe and as you peek inside your fridge, there isn’t a yogurt container in sight. And you don’t even have the ingredients to whip up homemade yogurt! So…now what?

Thankfully, you’ve got options. I headed to our Test Kitchen and found Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor, to get the lowdown on what yogurt substitutes you can use—and which ones you’re better off avoiding.

Test Kitchen-Approved Yogurt Substitutes

When you’re searching for a substitute for yogurt in baking or cooking, reach for one of these ingredients instead. (Keep these whole milk substitutes in mind, too—you never know when they’ll come in handy.)

Sour Cream

Use: All-purpose yogurt substitute

In most cases, plain yogurt or Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream—and vice versa. Sour cream will give you a similar texture and tanginess, and swapping sour cream for yogurt is a simple 1-to-1 ratio. Where it gets tricky is if you’re using a fat-free variety: In that case, the substitution only works for cold recipes, like dips. Otherwise, the texture will be off.

Greek Yogurt

Use: Regular yogurt substitute

Don’t shy away from that lonely Greek yogurt container in the back of your fridge. Greek yogurt is just as good as the regular stuff for baking, dips and sauces. Just like sour cream, Greek yogurt is a 1-to-1 substitute for regular yogurt. Plus, there are a ton of benefits to eating Greek yogurt.

Buttermilk

Use: Greek yogurt substitute for baking

Because of its acidic properties, buttermilk works instead when a recipe calls for Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is thicker, of course, so you’ll want to adjust the volume of buttermilk (down) or flour (up) to get to the right consistency.

Yogurt Substitutes to Avoid

These creamy products may look like they could work in a pinch as substitutes in recipes with yogurt, but they just don’t cut it.

Mayo

Mayonnaise is short on acidity, so it doesn’t make a good yogurt substitute. When a recipe calls for yogurt, it’s formulated to account for the yogurt’s acid. When you substitute mayo, you’re missing out on having the acid react with the leavener (like baking soda).

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese also lacks the acidity that yogurt provides, so it won’t spark the same chemical reactions. Even in cold recipes, you’ll get a very different flavor and texture. But don’t let that cottage cheese go to waste! Try one of these cottage cheese recipes.

Cream Cheese

Avoid using cream cheese as a yogurt substitute, especially while baking. One place where you can swap one for the other is when spreading on toast—just expect a texture difference.

3 Yogurt Substitutes (and 3 You Should Avoid) (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for yogurt? ›

Crème Fraîche or Sour Cream

If I don't have yoghurt in the fridge, a sour cream is my go-to substitute. Yoghurts contain a lot less fat (approx 4%) compared to regular Crème Fraîche / Sour Cream (approx 35% fat) so it will be richer and slightly less acidic but generally this isn't a problem.

What is a high protein substitute for yogurt? ›

Ricotta cheese is another great greek yogurt substitute that can be used as a spread, dip, or creamy addition to recipes. In contrast to cream cheese, ricotta cheese will be slightly lower in calorie and higher in protein which could make it a more nutritious and satisfying substitute.

Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt? ›

In most cases, plain yogurt or Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream—and vice versa. Sour cream will give you a similar texture and tanginess, and swapping sour cream for yogurt is a simple 1-to-1 ratio.

Can I use mayonnaise instead of yogurt? ›

Sauces, salad dressings, sandwich spreads, dips, and any kind of deli-type salad like potato, egg, tuna, chicken, and pasta salads will all be great with mayo instead of yogurt. However, mayo is sweeter and fattier than yogurt, so you will need to adjust some of the other ingredients to balance out the taste.

What is healthier than yogurt? ›

Although both kefir and yogurt come with several health benefits due to the good bacteria they contain, kefir is widely considered a better option since it has a larger variety of healthy microorganisms.

What is a non dairy substitute for Greek yogurt? ›

If you want a dairy-free Greek yogurt substitute, try coconut yogurt, almond milk yogurt, or soy yogurt. Unfortunately, if you're looking for an authentic Greek yogurt experience without the real deal, there's really only one option — strained plain yogurt. While it might not be the exact same thing, it's pretty close!

Can I use coconut milk instead of yogurt? ›

Coconut Milk

You must be sure to use full fat coconut milk here, not reduced fat versions and certainly not coconut water. Yes, the fat content of this vegan yogurt substitute will be quite high, so keep that in mind but also but as mentioned above, the fats in coconut milk are extremely healthful.

Is it better to bake with sour cream or yogurt? ›

Whole milk yogurt works best and brings a big reduction in fat, plus more protein and calcium. Baked goods made with yogurt as a straight substitute for sour cream will turn out less tender, lighter in texture and have a tangier, less buttery flavor.

Why is homemade mayo not advisable? ›

Homemade mayonnaise is made with raw eggs that will not be cooked. The United States Department of Agriculture does not recommend eating raw shell eggs that are not cooked or undercooked due to the possibility that Salmonella bacteria may be present.

Can I use ricotta instead of yogurt? ›

Basically anything yogurt can do, ricotta can do, too—especially if you're one of those Greek yogurt fans who loves the less-tangy taste and creamier texture of the strained stuff.

Can I skip yogurt in a recipe? ›

The take-away: In a pinch, substitute buttermilk, or milk that has been spiked with a little lemon juice or vinegar (aka homemade buttermilk) and use 1/4 less milk than the amount of yogurt called for in the recipe.

What has the same consistency as yogurt? ›

Sour Cream

A great yogurt substitute since it is so similar is sour cream. They are both dairy products that are tangy, and their consistencies are very similar.

How many eggs to replace yogurt? ›

Yogurt or buttermilk

It's best to use plain yogurt, as flavored and sweetened varieties may alter the flavor of your recipe. You can use 1/4 cup (60 g) of yogurt or buttermilk for each egg that needs to be replaced. This substitution works best for muffins, cakes, and cupcakes.

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