Best Homemade Natural Yogurt or Greek Yogurt

This natural yogurt, also known as Greek yogurt, is prepared at home to complement the delicious meals of the Arab world. It’s healthy, free from preservatives, and a delightful homemade treat to delight your loved ones. It perfectly accompanies different recipes, enhancing them with this delicious Greek yogurt.

Ingredients to Make Natural Yogurt

• Sufficient quantity of milk
• 1 unsweetened natural yogurt
• Clean and dry glass jars
• 1 clean spoon
• Insulating material to retain heat such as newspapers, a cork box, a blanket, etc.
• Thermometer reaching up to 90ºC. These are available in laboratory material stores.

How to Make Natural Yogurt or Greek Yogurt

1. Place a tablespoon of store-bought natural yogurt in each jar. Approximately one tablespoon is needed for every half liter of milk.
2. Heat the milk in a pan over low heat until it reaches 85ºC, stirring occasionally with a clean utensil to prevent sticking to the bottom.
3. Maintain this temperature for about 10 minutes, depending on the room temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, turn off the heat when the milk starts steaming and slightly rising.
4. Stir the milk occasionally until it cools down to 45ºC, which may take around half an hour, depending on the room temperature. If it drops below 45ºC, reheat until it reaches that temperature.
5. Pour the milk into the jars, vigorously stirring with the spoon to ensure the yogurt mixes well with the milk. The more you fill the jars, the less air will remain inside. Close the jars tightly and keep them insulated to retain heat. Wrap each jar with newspaper and place them in a box, then cover the box with a blanket.
6. Let them rest without moving them for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight, in the warmest place in the house. Remove the jars from the box, wait 5 or 10 minutes for them to lose any remaining warmth, and then place them in the refrigerator.
7. In about 4 hours, the yogurt will have thickened and will be ready to eat. It continues to thicken for up to two days.

How to Store Homemade Arab Yogurt?

Unopened, the yogurt stays fresh for 8 to 10 days. You can mix it with chopped fruits, cereals, granola, or whatever you prefer. It also serves as a great accompaniment to many of our delicious Arab food recipes. Check out our recipes for more inspiration.