Greek Yogurt: Friend Or Foe For Vegans?

Greek yogurt is a popular food item, often enjoyed as a source of protein. However, it is not vegan-friendly as it is made from dairy milk. For vegans who miss the taste and texture of Greek yogurt, there is good news! It is possible to make vegan Greek yogurt at home using plant-based alternatives such as soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, or oat milk.

Vegan Greek yogurt can be made by blending soaked cashews with soy milk and a probiotic culture, or by blending silken tofu with soy milk and a probiotic. This results in a thick, creamy, and tangy yogurt that can be flavoured with vanilla, sweetener, or fresh fruit.

So, while traditional Greek yogurt is not suitable for vegans, there are alternatives and recipes available to satisfy that creamy yogurt craving!

Greek yogurt is not vegan-friendly as it is made from dairy

Veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude all forms of animal exploitation and cruelty, including the consumption of meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived products. This means that vegans cannot consume Greek yogurt, as it is made from cow's milk or other dairy products.

However, it is possible to make vegan Greek yogurt at home by substituting dairy with plant-based alternatives such as soy, coconut, almond, or oat milk. These recipes typically use a combination of plant-based milk, cashews, and probiotic cultures to create a yogurt-like consistency and flavor. The process is similar to making dairy yogurt, as it involves introducing live cultures or yogurt starters to the plant-based milk and allowing it to ferment.

Some people may be concerned about the presence of gelatin in yogurt, as it is derived from animals. Gelatin is produced by the partial breakdown of protein collagen extracted from animal tissue, such as skin and bone, and is sometimes added to yogurt to give it a thicker consistency. However, gelatin is not necessary for Greek yogurt, as the straining process used to make it already yields a thicker and creamier product.

In conclusion, Greek yogurt is not vegan-friendly due to its dairy content. However, vegans can still enjoy a similar product by making their own vegan Greek yogurt at home using plant-based alternatives and following a simple fermentation process.

Greek yogurt may contain meat and not be vegetarian

The presence of gelatin in yogurt depends on the type and brand. For example, Yoplait's Greek 100 yogurt line does not contain gelatin, while its light yogurt line does. Greek yogurt is less likely to contain gelatin due to its straining process, which results in a thicker and creamier product.

To ensure that Greek yogurt is vegetarian, it is recommended to check the ingredient label for the word "gelatin" or "kosher gelatin." If avoiding gelatin, it is suggested to opt for Greek yogurt or regular yogurts that use pectin, a plant-based gelling agent. Plain Greek yogurt is generally recommended as it has more protein than regular yogurt and does not contain added sugars.

It is important to note that gelatin is likely safe for consumption and may provide health benefits such as supporting gut health. However, for those following a strict vegetarian diet, it is best to avoid gelatin-containing yogurts.

There are soy-based and other vegan alternatives to Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is typically made from dairy, and is therefore not vegan-friendly. However, there are soy-based and other vegan alternatives to Greek yogurt.

Soy-based Greek yogurt is a common alternative to dairy-based Greek yogurt. It is made with soy milk and has a similar consistency to its dairy-based counterpart. However, some people find that soy yogurt has a slightly different flavor to Greek yogurt. This difference can be masked by spices and sauces in your cooking, but it is worth bearing in mind that some people notice the aftertaste of soy yogurt immediately.

Coconut yogurt is another vegan alternative to Greek yogurt. It is made with coconut milk and has a similar consistency to Greek yogurt. It can be used in all the same ways as Greek yogurt, but it does have a slightly different flavor. If you are not a fan of coconut, you may want to opt for a different plant-based Greek yogurt alternative.

Almond milk yogurt is another vegan Greek yogurt substitute. It has a similar consistency to Greek yogurt and can be used interchangeably with its dairy-based relative. Kite Hill's Plain Unsweetened Almond Milk Yogurt is a good option if you are looking for a plain yogurt to use as a base for a savory sauce. However, it is worth noting that a strawberry-flavored version of this yogurt did not perform well in a taste test.

There are also other vegan alternatives to Greek yogurt, such as cashew yogurt and oat-based yogurt.

Greek yogurt can be made vegan by substituting dairy with plant-based alternatives

Greek yogurt is traditionally made with dairy, which is not suitable for vegans. However, it is possible to make vegan Greek yogurt by substituting dairy with plant-based alternatives.

There are several recipes for vegan Greek yogurt available online, and most of them include a combination of soy milk, coconut milk, cashews, and a vegan yogurt starter or probiotics. Some recipes also include additional ingredients such as tapioca starch, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

The process of making vegan Greek yogurt typically involves blending the plant-based milk and other ingredients, warming the mixture, adding the starter or probiotics, and then allowing it to ferment and thicken. Some recipes also include a straining step to remove excess liquid and create a thicker consistency.

Overall, while traditional Greek yogurt is not suitable for vegans, it is possible to make a vegan version by substituting dairy with plant-based alternatives and following a similar fermentation and thickening process.

Vegan Greek yogurt can be made at home with silken tofu and soy milk

Greek yogurt is not vegan-friendly as it is a milk product. However, vegans need not miss out on the creamy delight as they can make Greek yogurt at home with silken tofu and soy milk. This recipe also requires an instant pot with a yogurt setting or a yogurt maker, and a blender.

Ingredients:

• 1 (32 oz.) container unsweetened plain soy milk, with water and soybeans as the only ingredients
• 1 (12.3 oz) container silken tofu
• 5 probiotic capsules with 2.4 billion CFUs, or any number of capsules totalling 12 billion CFU (first batch only). For all subsequent batches, use ½ cup of plain yogurt from your last batch as a starter.

Method:

Open a new carton of silken tofu, drain off any excess liquid, and put it into a large blender. Pour about 1/4 of a 32 oz container of plain soy milk into the blender along with the tofu. Blend on high until creamy. Pour in another cup of soy milk and blend again. Pour the blended soy milk and tofu along with any remaining soy milk from the container into a very clean instant pot. Add the powder from the probiotic capsules. Stir well with a whisk. Then lock the lid on the Instant Pot, set it to vent, press the yogurt button, and set it to 15 hours.

Come back 15 hours later, and voila! You will have thick, creamy, vegan Greek yogurt. Flip the lid off the instant pot quickly so the condensation doesn’t fall back into the yogurt. Spoon any excess liquid off of the yogurt. Let it cool before stirring or transferring it to another container.

You can save 1 cup of the yogurt in a clean separate container to use as a starter for your next batch of yogurt. This will eliminate the need to use additional probiotic capsules unless your starter stops working.

This vegan Greek yogurt will keep in the fridge for up to 10 days. You can flavour it with vanilla extract and a sweetener of your choice, or fresh berries, berry compote, or chia strawberry jam.

Tips:

• Make sure to use factory-sealed containers of tofu and soy milk.
• If you open the tofu or soy milk even a few hours before making the yogurt, you must heat it to kill any unwanted bacteria and then let it cool again.
• Ensure your instant pot, blender, and utensils are very clean so you do not introduce any unwanted bacteria into the yogurt.
• Make sure to use a whisk and stir well after adding each capsule until you can’t see any powder.
• The probiotic is only needed the first time that you make your yogurt.
• Starter yogurt typically lasts a few months. Don’t use it if it changes colour or starts to smell funny.

Frequently asked questions