Making homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot has become a routine weekly task for me. With the cold start method, you don't have to heat up the milk, it takes 5 minutes to get it started, making it the easiest possible way to make yogurt. Best of all, it result is perfectly creamy, smooth and tangy yogurt.
Homemade yogurt is the perfect snack any time of day. Ever since I discovered the cold start method of making yogurt in the Instant Pot, it has made the process incredibly easy. If you make yogurt using the traditional method, it takes quite a while to heat up the milk, then to cool it to the proper temperature before adding the culture. And that's all before you even start the hours of incubation time! With this method, you just pour the cold milk right into the Instant Pot, add the live cultures and turn the Instant Pot Yogurt function on and let the machine do the rest for you. SO easy!
The yogurt turns out so thick and creamy. I never even have to strain it; there's hardly any whey at all. If you haven't tried making homemade yogurt, this is the recipe to try.
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy the yogurt. You can add different flavorings and sweeteners to it, like jam, fresh berries, fruit, honey, maple syrup, granola or nuts. It's also really nice to have on hand for baking and can be substituted for sour cream.
Video of the Easiest Way to Make Homemade Yogurt
Ingredients for Homemade Yogurt (Cold Start Method)
- 1 gallon whole milk, it needs to be ultrafiltered for the cold start method
- 4 Tablespoons yogurt with live cultures (I use Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt or 1 small jar Oui vanilla yogurt)
- sweetened condensed milk, optional (to taste)
Products To Make Yogurt
This is an affiliate link to my Amazon Shop where I've conveniently linked all the products to make yogurt all in one place.
Products For Yogurt (Instant Pot, lid, storage containers and more)
What Kind of Milk Do You Need To Use For Homemade Yogurt?
In order to make cold start yogurt where you don't have to heat the milk, you need to use ultrafiltered milk.
Since the Fairlife milk is ultra filtered, it doesn't need to be boiled at all. Not only does this make the process of making yogurt much easier, it also comes out much creamier and thicker.
Note: Fairlife whole milk comes in a container that is slightly less than a half gallon. I use 2 containers when I make this yogurt. It will not yield a full gallon, but is close enough (104 oz instead of 128oz). The amount doesn't have to be exact. (When I make yogurt with regular milk, I use the full gallon.)
If you want to make yogurt with regular milk, you need to use another method to make yogurt, where you heat the milk first. Watch the detailed video and recipe HERE.
I have never tried making yogurt with other non-dairy milk (almond milk, cashew milk, etc.) so I have no idea if it works, how to adjust it, etc.
What Kind of Starter Do You Need To Add To the Milk When Making Yogurt
You can buy a yogurt culture, usually a powdered substance, but the easiest way to make yogurt is to use store bought yogurt that has live cultures in it. Make sure the yogurt has actual live cultures in it, not stabilizers and other weird ingredients. You can use store-bought yogurt (I like Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt). Once you've made your own yogurt, you can use that to make yogurt and have a never ending supply. (As long as the yogurt is fresh.)
My kids love the texture and flavor of Oui yogurt, so I use that one sometimes too. The small jar is just the right amount of yogurt culture that you need to make yogurt. (Also doesn't have to be exactly 4 Tablespoons).
How to Make Homemade Yogurt (Cold Start Method)
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot. (Cold, right out of the refrigerator)
- Add the yogurt and the sweetened condensed milk (if using) and whisk to combine.
- Turn on the Yogurt button and set it for a minimum of 6 hours, up to 12 hours. (I like to do this overnight.)
- To store, scoop out the yogurt and store in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
How To Sweeten Yogurt
If you don't use sweetened condensed milk but want to sweeten the yogurt, you can add honey, maple syrup, agave syrup or jam. You can also add vanilla extract, fresh fruit or berries (mango, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries are our family favorites.) Granola, coconut flakes, chocolate chips are also great toppings.
Traditional Method Yogurt Recipe & Video + FAQs
Homemade Yogurt in the Instant Pot (Cold Start Method)
Creamy, rich and tangy yogurt is so easy to make in the Instant Pot and is very cost effective too. Using the cold start method is the easiest and fastest way to make yogurt.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
Ingredients
1 gallon ultra filtered whole milk
4 Tablespoons yogurt with live cultures (I use Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt, or 1 jar Oui vanilla yogurt)
1 can sweetened condensed milk, optional
Instructions
- Pour the milk into the Instant Pot, add the yogurt and sweetened condensed milk, if using. Whisk to combine.
- Turn on Yogurt function, adjust set the time for a minimum of 6 hours, up to 12 hours. (I like doing this overnight.)
- When the yogurt is done, cool and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 7-10 days. There is no need to strain this type of yogurt.
This recipe was originally published on September 14, 2018. I have since updated it to clarify the recipe and add more details and tips.
This video and blog post is not sponsored and I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned.
I have the 8 qt IP pro and I used the custom setting to adjust the temp to 115F for 8 hours. I do not have the silicone gasket in and the lid is set to the venting position. I hope I'm doing this right! I guess we'll see. All of the recipes I consulted did not speak to the seal or vent position.
Hi Olga,
Is it possible to use Fairlife milk that is 2% and not whole milk? We live in small town and our stores don’t carry Fairlife Whole Milk. Also, reading other comments above, some mentioned that using Yoghurt function boiled their milk. How do I prevent that? Thanks.
You can use 2% milk, but it's possible that the yogurt will not be as thick and creamy. If you don't choose the "boil" setting on your yogurt function, it will not boil the milk.
Hi If I wanted to use three bottles of Fairlife to make more yogurt would the time and measurements be the same?
You will need to use more yogurt, but the time will be the same.
I tried to make this yesterday and it didn't turn out. After reading all the comments I am wondering if it was because my yogurt setting automatically went to boil, then cool (6hrs) then told me to stir and start again. It then said ferment. I was using the Fairlife recipe. Also used 1 gallon on fairlife but now looking at your pic I only see 2 containers which is 104oz not 126. Not sure if that added to it not setting too...
Hi Andrea,
What a bummer that the yogurt didn't work out.
If your yogurt setting went automatically to boil, then that would kill the yogurt culture and that's why the yogurt didn't work out. If you ever use the boil setting, you need to cool the milk first before adding the yogurt.
I hope it will work out for you next time.
Hello…do I need to boil the milk if I use ultra pasteurized milk? Also, have you ever used low fat milk? Thanks for your help.
Hi Olga, I have a question. I’m using Fairlife milk recipe. When I press the yogurt button, it automatically goes to boil. I understand that I need to skip this step, so I pressed it again and it allowed me to adjust the time to 6 hours. It also stays on “less” and counting the time upwards from 00:00. Am I doing it right?
Hello Olga!
I'm a fellow Floridian and I just got an instant pot! Super excited to make yogurt!!
Could you share what store has the Oui yogurt? Haven't seen it yet.
Thank you!!
Hi Nadia,
Congrats on getting an Instant Pot.
I usually buy the yogurt at Publix, but I've also bought it at Walmart and Target.
Hello,
Can I skip the boiling step if I use the Fairlife milk with regular plain chobani yogurt (not the oui yogurt which you used)? Thanks!
If you use the Fairlife milk, you do not need to boil it. YOu can use whichever yogurt you want as long as it has live cultures.
This is really good, but will it work if you just use regular whole milk without boiling it?
No, it will not work if you use regular milk and not boil it first. It's a necessary step in the process of making yogurt. If you skip it, your yogurt will most likely not set.
Any idea how to do this my instant pot does not have the yoghurt function, I tried to research it a little bit and it’s way more complicated if you don’t have a yoghurt function on your instant pot🧐😟
Hi Lana.
It's a lot more complicated to make it without the yogurt function, which is why I can't even guarantee that it will work if you don't have one.
The point of the Yogurt function on the Instant Pot is that it will keep the milk/yogurt mixture at a perfect temperature, around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, for the entire time that it is incubating. It is very difficult to maintain that temperature for hours yourself and most appliances don't do that. Most ovens, slow cookers, etc. don't go any lower than 170 degrees, which is way too hot for yogurt - it will kill the yogurt culture at that temperature and the yogurt will not set. If it cools off too much, which it naturally will much too quickly when you take it off the heat, the yogurt will also not set, because it didn't incubate long enough.
Reheating it/cooling it on the stove is possible, but also tricky and you can easily overheat it, especially if you don't have an instant read thermometer.
Before I had the Instant Pot, this is what I would do to make yogurt:
Heat the milk to the proper temperature, cool to the proper temperature (details in the recipe), add the yogurt culture, mix to combine. Cover the pot or container in a large, thick towel or blanket, then place inside a really large cooler. This will help to keep it at the correct temperature longer. It will most likely take longer than 6-8 hours like it does in the Instant Pot, you may have to do it overnight and see what happens.
What is the difference between the Fairlife milk and regular whole milk such as Clover? Why don’t you have to boil the Fairlife?
Fairlife milk is already boiled before you purchase it, so you can skip this step for yogurt, however regular milk needs to be boiled to a higher temperature, then cooled down before adding the yogurt, otherwise the yogurt will not set. Fairlife milk is also "ultra filtered" which means that it goes through an ultra filtration process, where it filters the water and sugar (lactose) from the milk. (It's also lactose free for that reason.) This makes the milk slightly creamier and thicker which also helps the yogurt turn out thicker and creamier that yogurt made with regular milk.
Both types of milk will work for yogurt, you just need to make sure to follow the correct instructions.
Thank you for this easy and great recipe. I’ve made it once, and am currently making it again only half the volume. Our family loves it and it’s healthy!
Hi Olga
Just wondering if you could use something else like a SlowCooker maybe if you don’t have an instant pot ?
Thanks in advance ☺️
When making the yogurt do you do a quick or natural release? Thank you.
There is no release because it never actually comes to pressure. The Instant Pot simply keeps the milk/yogurt mixture at a constant 100 degrees. Simply open it when it's ready. Although I do like to leave it for about an hour to let it cool off completely before moving the yogurt to the refrigerator. The texture will be much smoother and creamier and you will have less whey.
Hi Olga, I'm excited to try this recipe just wanted to clarify if I can use oui yogurt if I'm doing regular whole milk version. Thanks
Hi Inna,
Yes, you can use Oui yogurt with regular whole milk, but make sure to follow the instructions to boil the milk first then cool slightly before adding the yogurt, otherwise your yogurt will not set.