Making yogurt in an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is a simple and rewarding process. Homemade yogurt is a delicious and healthy alternative to store-bought yogurt, and with an Instant Pot, you can easily control the ingredients and flavor to create a custom blend that suits your taste. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to make yogurt in an Instant Pot, from choosing the right ingredients to fermenting and straining the finished product.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 gallon of milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live active cultures
- Optional: sweeteners, flavorings, or fruit for serving
Equipment:
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Thermometer
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Strainer and cheesecloth (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Instant Pot: Begin by making sure your Instant Pot is clean and ready to use. Remove the inner pot and wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Rinse it with hot water and dry it completely.
- Heat the milk: Pour the milk into the Instant Pot, and select the “Yogurt” function. Press the “Adjust” button until the display reads “Boil.” Let the Instant Pot heat the milk until it reaches a temperature of 180°F. This will take about 30 minutes.
- Cool the milk: Once the milk has reached 180°F, remove the inner pot from the Instant Pot and let it cool down to 110°F. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the inner pot in an ice bath or running it under cold water.
- Add the yogurt starter: Once the milk has cooled down to 110°F, whisk in the 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt. Make sure the yogurt is at room temperature and has live active cultures. Whisk the milk and yogurt until well combined.
- Incubate the yogurt: Return the inner pot to the Instant Pot and close the lid. Press the “Yogurt” button again and adjust the time to 8-10 hours, depending on how tart you like your yogurt. The longer you incubate the yogurt, the tangier the yogurt will be. .
- Check the yogurt: After the incubation period, open the Instant Pot and check the yogurt. It should be thick and creamy, with a slightly tangy taste. If the yogurt is too runny, you can strain it to remove the excess whey.
- Strain the yogurt (optional): To strain the yogurt, place a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and line it with cheesecloth. Pour the yogurt into the strainer and let it drain for 1-2 hours, or until it reaches your desired consistency. The longer you strain the yogurt, the thicker it will become.
- Chill and serve: Once the yogurt has reached your desired consistency, transfer it to a container and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. You can serve the yogurt plain, or add sweeteners, flavorings, or fruit to create your own custom blend.
Tips and tricks:
- Use high-quality milk: The quality of the milk you use will affect the flavor and texture of your yogurt. Choose fresh, high-quality milk with no additives or preservatives.
- Use a thermometer: Accurately measuring the temperature of the milk and yogurt starter is essential for successful yogurt-making. Use a thermometer to ensure that the milk is heated to 180°F and cooled down to 110°F before adding the yogurt starter.
- Use a yogurt starter with live active cultures: The yogurt starter you use should contain live active cultures, which are necessary for fermenting the milk and creating yogurt. Look for
Why make yogurt in an Instant Pot?
Making yogurt at home has become a popular trend in recent years, as more people look for ways to eat healthier and save money. One method that has gained a lot of attention is making yogurt with an Instant Pot. The Instant Pot is a multi-functional kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of cooking methods, including making yogurt. One of the biggest advantages of using an Instant Pot for yogurt-making is the temperature control feature. The Instant Pot has a yogurt setting that can maintain a constant temperature ideal for yogurt-making, eliminating the need for a separate yogurt maker or the need to constantly monitor the temperature manually. This makes the process more convenient and efficient. Another benefit of making yogurt with an Instant Pot is the consistency. The consistent temperature and longer incubation period in the Instant Pot can lead to a thicker and creamier yogurt, which can eliminate the need for added thickeners or stabilizers. Additionally, making yogurt with an Instant Pot can be cost-effective, as it can be much cheaper than buying yogurt from the store, especially if you eat it frequently. You can also customize your yogurt by using different types of milk, adding flavors or sweeteners, or adjusting the incubation time to achieve the desired consistency.
Finally
Homemade yogurt can be a healthy option as it contains probiotics that are good for gut health. By making it yourself with an Instant Pot, you can ensure that there are no added preservatives, artificial flavors, or sugars, making it a delicious and healthy addition to your diet.
