I wanted to make yogurt for a couple of years before I actually got brave enough to try it. I even bought an InstantPot with just the right features. It took a few fails before I finally mastered it. However, those fails actually work great as buttermilk! I just freeze it in muffin cups so that they measure either 1/4 or 1/2 cup, easy to thaw out when needed.
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In my trial and error of learning to make yogurt I ended up combining a few ideas and recipes. The results have been amazing and loved by all.
I use my homemade vanilla in this recipe. You can find out how to make it here.
Homemade Yogurt
Equipment
- InstantPot
Ingredients
- 1 gallon whole milk
- 4 tbsp yogurt starter I use yogurt from a previous batch or Life 9 Probiotics
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Sterilize your Instant Pot by adding 1-2 cups of water into the pot. Turn the steam release handle to sealed, hit the steam button and set timer for 1 minute.
- Once done with the cycle, do a quick release to release the pressure. When steam is done releasing, carefully open the lid and dump out the water.
- Add 1 gallon of milk to the pot. Set the yogurt option to "boil". This may take 45 minutes (more or less). Do this until the temperature of the milk reaches 180*. This usually takes 2 boiling cycles for me. If it is still not up to the right temp (often it is not), I use the saute option on the Instant Pot and saute, while stirring, until the milk reaches the right temperature.
- Remove the pot and set it on a cooling rack so milk can cool down to 110*. I like to put cold packs around the outside and hold them in place with a towel to cool the milk faster.
- Once temperature is down to 110*, measure out 1 cup and add the yogurt starter and vanilla. Stir well to combine and add back into pot.
- Place pot back into Intant Pot. Push Yougurt button and select the time. I process mine for 8 hours. If you want it to be dairy free, choose the 24 hour option. Be sure it is set to "Normal".
- Once the yogurt is done (after the 8 hours) place the yogurt in jars and store in the refrigerator. It should keep for a few weeks.