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.
FAQs
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.
Is cream cheese a good substitute for yogurt? ›
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.
Can I use sour cream instead of yogurt? ›
The Rule of Thumb for Substituting Yogurt & Sour Cream
When substituting sour cream for plain yogurt, or vice versa, it's quite easy: the basic rule of thumb is that you can just use the same amount. This is especially true when you're using it uncooked, like for dips, salad dressings, or baked potatoes.
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. Kefir is also a better choice for those who are lactose intolerant.
What to eat for breakfast instead of yogurt? ›
Green Chia Pudding
Another alternative to sugar-filled yogurt, chia pudding is made with omega-3 rich, antioxidant-rich, fiber-rich chia seeds. Basic chia pudding is chia seeds left to soak in liquid so that the seeds turn the liquid pudding-like, but if you add some vegetables to the mix, it becomes more than basic.
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.
Is cottage cheese better than cream cheese? ›
Cottage cheese is high in protein and is an excellent source of calcium. Choosing a low-fat cottage cheese can reduce saturated fat intake when substituting it for other higher fat foods, such as cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise or ricotta cheese. It's also full of vitamins and minerals that support a healthy diet.
Is it better to bake with sour cream or Greek yogurt? ›
While sour cream sets the stage for a denser, more traditional cake, the inclusion of Greek yogurt can often lead to a lighter, health-conscious choice with a subtler finish, perfect for those who enjoy a less heavy dessert.
Which is healthier, sour cream or yogurt? ›
Yogurt is usually lower in fat and probiotics than sour cream. However, flavored yogurt may contain much more sugar. However, the unflavored kind of yogurt may actually be a healthier alternative to sour cream, if you are seeking that creamy, slightly sour flavor.
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.
Can I replace yogurt with milk in recipe? ›
Yogurt can be a really good replacement for milk in recipes. As with sour cream, it'll add moisture and flavor, but also a bit of tang. You can stick to a one-to-one replacement, but try to steer clear of flavored yogurt.
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.
