If you keep hearing about how amazing yogurt is in the Instant Pot, but you don’t have a yogurt button, take heart! This recipe tells you exactly how to make yogurt without the infamous (and unnecessary) yogurt button.
Doesn’t that look tasty? The Instant Pot is actually very good at making yogurt, whether you have the yogurt button or not. First, you have to add the main ingredient: milk. Then, you bring it up to the right temperature. Then you cool it down to the right temperature, add the starter, then you cover it and let it sit. The result? Incredibly tasty yogurt!
It’s not a difficult process, and the temperature is the key, so since you don’t have the yogurt button you are going to need a really good thermometer. Yogurt doesn’t even have to cook under pressure, it just needs to be cooked properly and have the yogurt starter added at the right time.
While it sits, you want to make sure you cover it so that it maintains a certain temperature and doesn’t get unwanted critters in it – including the human variety. While it is culturing, it does not need any outside disturbances.
The longer you let it sit, covered like this, the tastier it gets! After it is ready, you can store it in airtight containers for a couple of weeks. You’ll know it’s ready when it reaches your desired thickness and creaminess.
Now that your yogurt is fully cultured, you can add fruit, fruit puree, granola, or any other toppings you desire. Honey works well, jam works well, you can even stir in some chocolate.
Instant Pot Yogurt Without the Yogurt Button
Ingredients
- Half gallon of whole milk
- 2 tbsp plain yogurt (with active cultures)
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Place the half gallon of milk into the Instant Pot and turn on the “keep warm” setting.
- Allow the milk to come to 185 degrees F.
- Once the milk has reached this temp, it will become frothy and bubbly on top. Remove from heat and let cool to 110 degrees. Stir often to help cool.
- After the milk has reached 110, add in the sweetened condensed milk (1/2-1 can to taste) and the yogurt. Whisk to combine, put back into the pressure cooker, place the lid on, and seal.
- Cover completely with a large towel. (I know this looks silly.)
- Leave overnight; really, the longer you leave it the better.
- Once the yogurt is done, you can put in airtight containers and store in the fridge. Serve topped with your favorite fruit and granola!
Enjoy!
Thank you, Amy! I’d like to leave it for 24 hours (instead of 8). Do you think this is possible, or will it cool down too much to keep out the bad bacteria?
When you put it back do you leave the keep warm setting on?
Thank you
Thanks Amy! Answered my question of “how” to make yogurt without the yogurt setting on my instapot. My husband and I own/operate a dairy. Fresh milk makes the best yogurt. Due to needing to cut out fat, I use 1% milk. Plan on getting 2% for this recipe.
Thanks again!
Are you no longer following the THM lifestyle? Thank you.
Hi Cher, the THM recipes on this site were written by my sister. Her THM story is in the first post she wrote. I don’t believe she is still doing THM specifically, just low carb and low sugar at this time. However, the site does have quite a few of her original THM recipes.
this still does not tell me what control to use since mt IP doesn’t have the yogurt button
All you use is the Keep Warm button. this will heat the milk to the degrees stated. Then turn off the IP and place the lid with the seal in it onto the IP, and cover as described.
Hi Amy, I want to try your yogurt recipe…in reading thru the instructions I have a question..
Do I leave the pot off or keep it set at keep warm?
After taking it out of the instant pot and cooling…when putting it back in the cooker you say place the lid on and seal…but say nothing about turning it back on…does it just sit in the pot without being on? Is it just the towel that keeps it warm…?…we are in extremely cold temperatures these days and my kitchen is very cool…specially at night…right now it’s 5am and a -13 and these temps are going to be that way for several nights…thnx for your reply ahead of time…
Place the lid on and cover with the towel. Turning the Keep Warm button back on will overheat it.