Ever since people discovered that Greek yogurt is a much healthier choice than regular yogurt, it has slowly become a popular diary product used in many meals. This smooth, creamy yogurt has become a staple ingredient in most dishes, from smoothies to salad dressing. If you’ve ever wanted to make a thick and creamy smoothie or a recipe containing Greek yogurt and can’t find any, here are some great alternatives just like Greek yogurt to try in your recipe.
What is Plain Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is also called strained yogurt because it involves removing the whey content from it, and Whey is the watery part of milk that forms from thick and sour milk. This version of yogurt became popular outside of immigrant communities in the 1980s when it was brought into the UK by a Greek company named Fage, under the brand name ‘Total.’ It has many health benefits like improving gut health, boosting metabolism, lowering blood pressure, maintaining mental health, building muscle mass, etc.
Plain Greek yogurt has less sugar and more protein than regular yogurt, and it is also thicker and creamier and is used in many smoothies and recipes. Most persons prefer strained yogurt because if it’s health benefits, it is a good source of protein, calcium, iodine, and vitamin B12., calcium promotes bone health and can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Greek Yogurt Nutrition Facts
Greek Yogurt Uses in Recipes
Greek yogurt has been able to get a lot of attention because of its health benefits. Since it has fewer sugars, most people use it instead of their regular dairy product in a recipe. From smoothies to salad dressings to dips, this thick and creamy yogurt is used in some recipes, and they include;
- Greek yogurt tzatziki
- Greek yogurt baked lemon chicken
- Skinny Greek yogurt chicken
- Healthy mac and cheese
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Garlic-yogurt mashed potatoes
- Butternut squash soup
- Lemon tart with rosemary crust
- Berry medley smoothie
- Creamy avocado yogurt dip
- Greek yogurt chicken salad
- Scandinavian eggs Benedict with yogurt sauce
- Broccoli-cheddar twice-baked potatoes with Greek yogurt
- Stuffed grape leaves
- Steak salad with chive-yogurt dressing
Plain Greek Yogurt Substitutes
As more persons are aware of the health benefits of Greek yogurt, more recipes are invented with Greek yogurt as an ingredient; however, the cost of production for it is high because more milk goes into making it.
And this affects the price in the market, making it expensive. Some Greek yogurt brands also make the taste tangier and with strong flavors that may be unpleasant to some individuals. So, if you happen to be unable to find any Greek yogurt or want something that would give the same result as the Greek yogurt without using it, here are some great substitutes for you.
Cottage Cheese
This cheese is a good alternative as it is high in protein, low in sugar and calcium. Cottage cheese doesn’t have Greek yogurt’s tangy taste, but it would provide a milder creamy taste to your recipe. Blending the cottage cheese before use is a good way of getting that smooth Greek yogurt texture. The same cottage cheese can be swapped for the same amount of Greek yogurt in a recipe.
Sour Cream
Sour cream has the same tangy and creamy quality as Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is often substituted in recipes that require sour cream as they both give the same result. Sour cream is low in fat and is mostly used to make dips or sauces. You can substitute the same sour cream for the same Greek yogurt in any dish.
Plain Yogurt
Greek yogurt is gotten from plain yogurt, which could be a good substitute, especially when baking. Although when using it in salad dressing, dips, or smoothies, it may lack the thick creamy texture of Greek yogurt. However, unsweetened whole-fat plain yogurt is a good alternative for baking, and as a result, it produces the same taste.
Avocado
Using smashed avocado is a good vegan alternative, and it could be used in salads, dips, or baked foods. Avocado has little or no taste but adding a little lime or lemon is a way of getting that tangy taste of Greek yogurt in your recipe. You can use the same amount of avocado in your recipe as Greek yogurt and be met with creamy goodness in your tongue when you try it.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is simply the liquid substance left after butter has been churned. It can be best substituted in baked goods like bread. It has a rich flavor, and its acidity is beneficial in raising the dough. It also has the tangy flavor of Greek yogurt. Because buttermilk is thinner than Greek yogurt, it should be substituted in small amounts. Always use a 1/4 less buttermilk than the amount of Greek yogurt that the recipe calls for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the function of Greek yogurt in baking?
The acidity level in Greek yogurt helps activate baking soda, which helps baked goods become fluffy and light.
What is a non-dairy substitute for baking?
Coconut yogurt or unsweetened soy could be used as non-dairy substitutes in baking using the 1:1 ratio.
Is Greek yogurt better than plain yogurt?
They are both made from the same ingredients but have some differences in nutrition. Greek yogurt has low-fat content and high protein content than plain yogurt; however, plain yogurt delivers twice the bone-strengthening mineral calcium content. So, they are beneficial to different individuals seeking different forms of nutrition.
Conclusion
Greek yogurt’s thick creamy taste and health benefits have made it a popular ingredient in most meals. However, in the absence of this ingredient, different substitutes would fill its gap and provide good results. Remember that those ingredients vary in taste and texture, so make sure you are substituting the right ingredient and the right amount in the recipes. This article would help you achieve your desired results from affordable dairy substitutes to vegan options.