If you and your family eat a fair amount of yogurt, you should seriously consider using your Instant Pot to make this super simple yogurt.
Ingredients
1/2 gallon organic, ultra-pasteurized milk (for this method, the milk MUST be ultra-pasteurized)
2 TBSP of plain or vanilla yogurt containing live cultures.
For the first time, you will have to buy a single serving of yogurt. After that, always save a couple of tablespoons to use for the next batch.
Sweetened Condensed Milk, to taste.
I use about 1/3 of a can per batch and transfer the rest to containers for future batches.
1-2 TBSP Vanilla Extract (or other flavor)
This recipe is super customizable. You can skip the sweetener and extract if you want plain yogurt. You can add more sweetener, or use honey or maple syrup if you wish. Vanilla extract is delicious, as is lemon, orange, coconut or maple. Just be sure you are using a pure extract.
Preparation
Combine the milk, yogurt starter, and sweetener in the instant pot. Whisk to combine.
Put the lid on and set it to venting (this is NOT done under pressure). Press the YOGURT button. It will default to 8 hours. You can adjust the time. Less time will make it less tangy, more time will make it tangier. I think 8 hours is perfect.
Once the instant pot is complete, remove the lid, carefully avoiding getting condensation into the yogurt. Use a paper towel to wipe the condensation from the sides of the pot insert. Cover with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill overnight.
Once it is cool, you can stir in the extract, if you are using it. Then transfer the yogurt to a glass container. This fresh yogurt will last for a couple of weeks in the refrigerator.
Optional - If you want thicker, Greek-style yogurt, strain it through a metal sieve lined with cheesecloth. Collect the whey in a bowl if you want to use it elsewhere.
Watch Me Make It
What To Do With Leftover Whey
If you choose to strain your yogurt you end up with a cup or two of whey (mixed with a little bit of yogurt that seeps through). You can certainly just let it go down the drain, but there are lots of good bacteria lingering there, that you may choose to put to use. Here are just a few ideas.
add it to your compost pile. Those bacteria will love it there!
use it as part of your liquid while baking bread. This will give you a little sourdough taste to your bread.
use it as part of your liquid for making overnight oats. Now you have probiotics in your oatmeal too!
Serving Ideas
No matter how you flavor it, this yogurt will be delicious. Eat it on its own or top it with a TBSP of elderberry syrup, 1/4 cup of fresh fruit, granola, a swirl of maple syrup, add it to oatmeal...the list goes on.
Give it a try and enjoy!!
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