8 Yogurt Recipes: What to Make With Yogurt

Yogurt is cultured milk. It goes through a culturing process that involves heating milk and combining it with two live cultures: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The warm milk creates the perfect environment for the bacteria to grow, thickening the milk to create a yogurt rich in protein and probiotics.

A tangy plain or vanilla yogurt can be a versatile ingredient in baked and savory dishes alike. Here are five different ways to use yogurt while you’re cooking:

1. 1. As a dip or sauce: Use any combination of onions, shallots, peanut butter, cilantro, lime juice, red pepper flakes, and other flavors to make a dipping sauce with plain yogurt as the main ingredient. A classic onion dip from a restaurant or grocery store usually contains sour cream, but yogurt is a good substitute. Use a yogurt dip for crispy zucchini fries, roasted sweet potatoes, savory fritters, or other side dishes. You can also make a yogurt sauce for main dishes, such as meatballs or pasta.
2. 2. As a substitute for savory ingredients: Swap in yogurt for mayonnaise, sour cream, hung curd, labneh, or even cream cheese the next time you make a salad dressing, cake recipe, potato salad, or chicken salad. Opt for Greek yogurt, which more closely resembles the thick consistency of both sour cream and mayonnaise, although a custard-style yogurt can sometimes work, too. If you use non-Greek yogurt, you can use it as is or place it in a piece of cheesecloth and then in a fine-mesh strainer. This allows excess whey (curd) to drain away, creating a thicker consistency.
3. 3. As a substitute for sweet ingredients: Greek yogurt is a good substitute for a whipped cream topping for desserts or waffles. Use a flavored yogurt or sweeten plain Greek yogurt with maple syrup, honey, or powdered sugar.
4. 4. In marinades: Indian cuisine utilizes yogurt as a main component, such as in a sauce or marinade for chicken breasts, tofu, or paneer. Yogurt’s coolness pairs well with the spice of traditional Indian dishes and lends a nice color to the dish when it combines with fragrant spices, such as turmeric, cumin, clove, cinnamon, and fenugreek. Middle Eastern cuisine also uses yogurt regularly—in marinades, particularly for lamb or chicken, and in shakriya, a creamy meat stew.
5. 5. In parfaits: For breakfast or brunch, make yogurt parfaits with yogurt, crunchy granola, and fresh fruit, such as blackberries, raspberries, or pomegranate seeds.
6. 6. In smoothies: Yogurt adds a creamy texture to smoothie recipes and can complement the taste of the other ingredients if you use a flavored yogurt.

Incorporate store-bought or homemade yogurt in one or more of these eight yogurt recipes, which utilize the creamy texture and tangy flavor of yogurt.

1. 1. Bolani: In traditional Afghani cuisine, bolani is a flatbread with a filling of vegetables, meat, cilantro, and other fresh herbs. Serve it with a simple yogurt sauce with coriander, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Learn how to make this Afghan bolani recipe.
2. 2. Cucumber-yogurt raita: Raita is a condiment and side dish from the Indian subcontinent, made with plain yogurt (dahi), spices, and a variety of vegetables—usually cucumber. Cool yogurt gets a refreshing lift from fresh lemon juice, and cucumbers bring a hydrating relief to the palate. Try making your own cucumber-yogurt raita.
3. 3. Gâteau au yaourt: This simple yogurt pound cake uses whole milk yogurt, flour, and sugar. The yogurt gives the cake a tender crumb, despite the cake being slightly dense. Use full-fat yogurt as opposed to nonfat or low-fat milk yogurt. Try this recipe for gâteau au yaourt.
4. 4. Mango lassi: An Indian beverage, mango lassi consists of a smooth blend of sweet mangoes, ice, plain yogurt (dahi) or curd, and milk. The drink is similar in texture to a milkshake but uses yogurt instead of ice cream. It’s easy to make mango lassi without dairy by using dairy-free yogurt. Follow this creamy mango lassi recipe.
5. 5. Mast-o khiar: A Persian cucumber-yogurt dip with dried mint, mast-o khiar commonly includes toasted nuts, like walnuts or almonds, and dried fruit, like raisins or dried cranberries. Serve it as an appetizer with pita or another flatbread. Learn how to make mast-o khiar with this recipe.
6. 6. Paneer tikka masala: Use yogurt in a marinade for paneer, along with garam masala, garlic, and ginger, for a flavorful tikka masala sauce. The yogurt makes the sauce slightly creamy and helps the marinade adhere to and flavor the paneer. Try making homemade paneer tikka masala.
7. 7. Tandoori chicken: A traditional dish in Northern India, tandoori chicken cooks on skewers in a tandoor oven. To make the marinade, mix yogurt with garlic, ginger, garam masala, cumin, olive oil, and lemon juice. Learn how to make this quick and easy tandoori chicken dish.
8. 8. Tzatziki sauce: Mix a thick Greek yogurt with grated cucumbers and minced garlic for a Mediterranean dip. Tzatziki complements gyro dishes, falafel, and roasted or raw vegetables. Try making Greek tzatziki.

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