How to make delicious, creamy and economical homemade natural yoghurt at home with just three simple ingredients.
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Our recommended electric yogurt maker
I love yoghurt but it is expensive if you eat it at the rate our family does!
I have tried making yoghurt traditionally, but our house needs to be warmer. There was nowhere consistently warm enough to make it, so I gave up trying.
A Lakeland Electric Yogurt Maker solved this problem. The original yoghurt maker I used when I first published this post in 2012 is no longer made, but Lakeland has upgraded with a similar electric machine. It keeps the warmed milk at just the right consistency that you get perfect yoghurt every time.
What you’ll need to make your own natural yoghurt
- 1 litre of UHT full-fat milk – using UHT milk means you don’t have to fuss about with sterilising the milk.
- 4 heaped teaspoonfuls of skimmed milk powder – this makes the resulting yoghurt thicker, creamier and with more protein.
- 1 tbsp Yeo Valley natural yoghurt – use this shop-bought yoghurt as a starter, and for each subsequent batch, use one tablespoon of yoghurt from the previous batch.
How to make your own plain yoghurt, the easy way
- Empty the contents of the UHT milk carton into the yoghurt maker jug.
- Stir in the skimmed milk powder until dissolved.
- Gently stir in the natural yogurt.
- Pop the lid on the yogurt maker, switch on and leave it for 8-12 hours (overnight).
- Chill and serve!
Making natural yoghurt with UHT milk
I buy cases of supermarket own brand UHT full fat milk and every few months I buy one of those small tubs of Yeo Valley organic natural yoghurt pots to use as a starter.
I’ve tried other brands of natural yoghurt, but full-fat Yeo Valley makes the best (their no-fat variety – not so much; it has to be full-fat all the way).
Save a spoonful from each batch to use as a starter in subsequent batches. You will eventually notice the yoghurt not turning out as thick and creamy, and so this is when you need to get a new shop-bought starter. Each batch will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days (if it lasts that long!)
Recipe Difficulty Levels
Easy
Requires basic cooking skills and ingredients you most likely already have in your kitchen.
Moderate
Requires more experience, preparation and/or cooking time. You may have to source special ingredients.
Challenging
Recipes requiring more advanced skills and experience and maybe some special equipment.
Easy homemade natural yogurt recipe
Ingredients
- 1 litre full-fat UHT milk
- 4 tbsp skimmed milk powder
- 1 tbsp plain natural yoghurt Yeo Valley is the best
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This recipe card may contain affiliate ingredient and equipment links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Equipment
Instructions
- Pour 1 litre full-fat UHT milk into the bowl of an electric yoghurt maker.
- Stir in 4 tbsp skimmed milk powder until dissolved.
- Gently stir in 1 tbsp plain natural yoghurt.
- Pop the lid on to the electric yogurt maker, switch on and set the timer for 8-12 hours.
- Chill and serve!
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni
I keep looking at yogurt makers, but never take the plunge! After reading this I may have to reconsider and actually buy one! We normally buy whatever’s on offer in Asda, but that is still over £4 per week!
Never made yoghurt but I do eat a lot of it
was actually looking at a yoghurt maker this weekend this recipe would be ideal x
this sounds yummy! love natural yogurt on freshly cut fruit in the morning!
You make it look so easy!
Does it have to be UHT I would like to make from ordinary milk, what would I have to do differently?
You could use ordinary milk but you’d have to bring it up to a certain temperature first to make sure all the bacteria were killed off. UHT is already at that state so it makes things a lot easier (I think).
Fab! Never tried making my own yogurt! May have to give it a go thanks!
It’s so much cheaper to make your own, I think, it is at the rate we go through it anyway! 🙂 Then you can flavour it to your liking.
Have to agree with you – nothing beats the taste of homemade yoghurt!