Once I made yogurt in the Instant pot, I was cooked.
Simple ingredients and some time is all you need to make homemade yogurt.
It takes 8 hours to make the yogurt. So while this Instant Pot yogurt recipe is easy, just know it does take 8+ hours of cooking in the Instant Pot! (I say 8+ because there is also an additional 4+ hours of chill time).
Yogurt contains probiotics, which have proven to be beneficial for our gut health.
A perk of making yogurt from scratch is the satisfaction of making the yogurt yourself. Plus, this recipe yields about ~7 cups of yogurt, making this Instant Pot yogurt a cost efficient recipe as well.
Instant Pot yogurt ingredients
Making my yogurt recipe in an Instant Pot requires just four simple ingredients: ultra pasteurized, ultra filtered whole milk, pre-made yogurt with live cultures, sweetened condensed milk (optional) and a vanilla bean (optional).
No really, that’s it!
How to make Instant Pot yogurt
Pour 1 cup of the milk and the sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) into the Instant Pot and whisk well. Pour the rest of the milk in and 2 Tbsp. of the yogurt and whisk again.
You should see “8:00” pop up on the screen. If not, adjust it to 8 hours. The time will count UP, so don’t worry when you see “0:00” after the Instant Pot beeps.
*Also be sure the pressure is set to “normal” and not set to “less” or “more”.
Once the 8 hours is up, the Instant Pot will read YOGT. Do not stir at this point.
Now, you need to chill the yogurt. DO NOT STIR IT OR TASTE IT YET! Cover the Instant Pot with plastic wrap and chill for 4-6 hours or overnight.
Once chilled, add in the vanilla bean. Stir until it’s evenly distributed. Give it a taste, yum!
Store the yogurt in mason jars or containers in your fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (If it lasts that long!)
My favorite yogurt toppings
There are so many ways to dress up a plain bowl of vanilla yogurt. Here are a few of my favorite yogurt toppings I turn to each morning:
When making homemade yogurt — whether you’re making an Instant Pot yogurt recipe or using a different method — you must use a yogurt starter.
Figuring out what a yogurt starter is and what kind to use can be difficult if you’re new to the world of yogurt making.
Here are some commonly asked questions I get about making Instant Pot vanilla yogurt.
If I haven’t addressed your question below, please leave me a comment at the end of this post and I’ll help you as best I can!
What is a yogurt starter?
To put it simply, a yogurt starter helps transform your milk into yogurt. It contains live bacteria that helps this process along.
What’s the best yogurt starter to use?
For homemade yogurt in the Instant Pot, you must use a yogurt start or a store bought yogurt with active cultures. I tried this Instant Pot yogurt recipe using other yogurts for my starter, and the batch that turned out best was when I used FAGE yogurt.
Tips for making Instant Pot yogurt
Don’t mix the yogurt after the 8 hour mark. It needs to be refrigerated for at least 4-6 hours and then you can stir!
Fairlife milk is ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered, which means it has more protein and less sugar. This milk will produce a thicker yogurt than just ONLY ultra pasteurized milk. If you use ultra pasteurized milk (and not ultra-filtered milk), you may need to strain your yogurt to get it thick.
I recommend using whole milk in this Instant Pot yogurt recipe for best results. However you can use any percentage fat milk you like. There has been success with the 2% Fairlife as well. (Once again just make sure it is ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered).
This method of making yogurt in the Instant Pot is called “cold start.” It comes out just like Greek yogurt, and no need for straining!
This recipe was made in a 6QT Instant Pot, but since making yogurt doesn’t require the Instant Pot to come to pressure, you can make this in the 3QT as well.
Depending on what you last made in your Instant Pot you may want to give it a deep clean so the yogurt doesn’t taste like whatever was made last! You don’t want your yogurt tasting like Corn Chowder!
To clean your Instant Pot, you’ll need white vinegar. Fill the Instant Pot with 2 cups of white vinegar, seal the lid and press the “steam” setting for 2 minutes. Remove the sealing ring from the lid and let it air dry all the way.
Also, I have different silicone rings. I use one for making sweet recipes, one specifically for my yogurt and one for savory recipes!
1/2gallonwhole milk (52 oz)ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered
14oz.Sweetened Condensed Milk (canned)
2Tbsp.yogurt with active cultures, plain or vanillaI used 5% FAGE
1vanilla bean(split and cut in half with the beans scraped out)
Prevent your screen from going dark
Instructions
Pour 1 cup of the milk and the sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) into the Instant Pot and whisk. Pour the rest of the milk in and 2 Tbsp. of the Greek yogurt and whisk again. Place the Instant Pot lid, or a plate, on top of the Instant Pot and press "Yogurt."
You should see "8:00" pop up on the screen. If not, adjust it to 8 hours. The time will count UP, so don't worry when you see "0:00" after the Instant Pot beeps. Once the 8 hours is up, the Instant Pot will read "YOGT".
Now, you need to chill the yogurt. DO NOT STIR IT OR TASTE IT YET! Chill for 4-6 hours or overnight. Once chilled, add in the vanilla bean. Stir until it's evenly distributed. Give it a taste, yum! Store the yogurt in your fridge for up to 2-3 weeks (If it lasts that long!)
Video
Notes
Note: Add in your favorite sweetener and mix ins to boost the flavor! If you don’t want to use sweetened condensed milk, that’s fine. You don’t NEED it to make yogurt. It only adds flavor. For the milk, I used the Fairlife milk, whole milk, ultra filtered milk. Recipe inspired by Six Sisters.
Welcome to my tiny “korner” on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, don’t tell anyone). I am so glad you’re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.
Hmm I am so sorry! What kind of Instant Pot do you have? Did you use 1/2 gallon whole milk that’s ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered?
Morgan
1 year ago
My first try at instant pot yogurt. It is delicious! I was terrified of the recipes that needed drained. Well I followed this one and no need to drain! Plus it’s just as good if not better than my favorite Oui yogurt. I won’t be buying that again!
Hi Morgan! I’m so glad you tried it out and loved it!! Makes me so happy. Glad it was a success. xo, Tawnie
Stephanie Schaefer
1 year ago
I made this and for some reason it did not thicken at all! Just looks like milk. I have done it before successfully, any ideas why it didn’t work? Should I add more yogurt to it and try again? I hate to waste all that milk
Hi Stephanie, I am so sorry it did not turn out for you. Did you use a 1/2 gallon whole milk (52 oz) ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered?? Did you let it sit in the fridge for 4 hours before stirring? Once again, so sorry. It’s always turned out just fine when I’ve made it. xo, Tawnie
Katie
1 year ago
Hi, I followed your recipe and instructions (without the condensed milk). I let it sit in the fridge overnight, but my yogurt is super runny. What did I do wrong? Is there any way to thicken it?
Hi Katie, I am so sorry your yogurt turned out runny. Did you use the ultra pasteurized, ultra high temp, like Fairlife milk? Did you stir the yogurt before putting it in the fridge overnight? I have never had that issue so I am so sorry yours is runny. I am not sure how to thicken it at this point. Once again, so very sorry.
Kelli Wegscheider
1 year ago
When I press the yogurt button my screen says 24:00, I adjusted it to 8:00 and pressed start but it didnt count up from zero and it didn’t say YOGT when the time was up it said end. After 4hrs it’s still liquid. Was I supposed to choose pasteurize or ferment? I just pressed yogurt adjusted the time to 8 hrs and pressed start
Hi Kelli! Hmm, what kind of Instant Pot do you have? This recipe was tested on the Instant Pot 6 QT Duo so I don’t have a pasteurize or ferment button. It should say YOGT at the end when it is done, I am not sure why yours said end but once again I am not sure what model you’re using! Also be sure to use ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered milk. I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you! Wish I could be of more help! – Tawnie
I have the duo evo plus, I just got it so I’m not very familiar with it yet. In the manual I only have a recipe for yogurt where you have to boil and cool the liquid which uses the pasteurize setting then switch to fermenting setting. Or there is custom (which is what I did) but I have to choose time and temperature. Didn’t know what temperature so I just left it where it was and set time to 8hrs Your recipe just seemed easier than boiling and cooling and all that. I used all the same exact same ingredients you used.
Ah, I see! I am unfamiliar with that model, I am sorry!
Nathalie Lockhart
1 year ago
I’m really looking forward to trying to make yogurt again, but the only thing I’m a little worried about is the condensed milk– does it make it really sweet? I’m trying to not buy those little yoplaits for my daughter anymore, I’m thinking this is way better! Thank you!
Hi! If you make it with the condensed milk it will be sweet, I am not sure if I would say it’s overly sweet but you can tell it’s sweetened. You can make it without and it will turn out just the same! Hope you love it 🙂 xo, Tawnie
MaryS
2 years ago
Made this yesterday. OMG!! This was soooo easy to make and tastes absolutely fantastic! I will not be buying supermarket yogurt ever again.
pradnyab
2 years ago
This looks so good! Thanks for the recipe, will surely try. I was just wondering- can you add vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean? How would that work?
Hello! Thank you so much! I have not tried adding in vanilla extract but I am sure you could stir in at the end, after the chilling process. Or you can stir in a vanilla bean paste too! Hope you love it, thank you! xo, Tawnie
So delicious and super easy to make. Thanks for the tutorial, Tawnie!
I followed directions for yogurt. It came out runny. What can I do to make it thicker? What would I strain it with?
Hmm I am so sorry! What kind of Instant Pot do you have? Did you use 1/2 gallon whole milk that’s ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered?
My first try at instant pot yogurt. It is delicious! I was terrified of the recipes that needed drained. Well I followed this one and no need to drain! Plus it’s just as good if not better than my favorite Oui yogurt. I won’t be buying that again!
Hi Morgan! I’m so glad you tried it out and loved it!! Makes me so happy. Glad it was a success. xo, Tawnie
I made this and for some reason it did not thicken at all! Just looks like milk. I have done it before successfully, any ideas why it didn’t work? Should I add more yogurt to it and try again? I hate to waste all that milk
Hi Stephanie, I am so sorry it did not turn out for you. Did you use a 1/2 gallon whole milk (52 oz) ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered?? Did you let it sit in the fridge for 4 hours before stirring? Once again, so sorry. It’s always turned out just fine when I’ve made it. xo, Tawnie
Hi, I followed your recipe and instructions (without the condensed milk). I let it sit in the fridge overnight, but my yogurt is super runny. What did I do wrong? Is there any way to thicken it?
Hi Katie, I am so sorry your yogurt turned out runny. Did you use the ultra pasteurized, ultra high temp, like Fairlife milk? Did you stir the yogurt before putting it in the fridge overnight? I have never had that issue so I am so sorry yours is runny. I am not sure how to thicken it at this point. Once again, so very sorry.
When I press the yogurt button my screen says 24:00, I adjusted it to 8:00 and pressed start but it didnt count up from zero and it didn’t say YOGT when the time was up it said end. After 4hrs it’s still liquid. Was I supposed to choose pasteurize or ferment? I just pressed yogurt adjusted the time to 8 hrs and pressed start
Hi Kelli! Hmm, what kind of Instant Pot do you have? This recipe was tested on the Instant Pot 6 QT Duo so I don’t have a pasteurize or ferment button. It should say YOGT at the end when it is done, I am not sure why yours said end but once again I am not sure what model you’re using! Also be sure to use ultra-pasteurized and ultra-filtered milk. I am so sorry it didn’t work out for you! Wish I could be of more help! – Tawnie
I have the duo evo plus, I just got it so I’m not very familiar with it yet. In the manual I only have a recipe for yogurt where you have to boil and cool the liquid which uses the pasteurize setting then switch to fermenting setting. Or there is custom (which is what I did) but I have to choose time and temperature. Didn’t know what temperature so I just left it where it was and set time to 8hrs Your recipe just seemed easier than boiling and cooling and all that. I used all the same exact same ingredients you used.
Ah, I see! I am unfamiliar with that model, I am sorry!
I’m really looking forward to trying to make yogurt again, but the only thing I’m a little worried about is the condensed milk– does it make it really sweet? I’m trying to not buy those little yoplaits for my daughter anymore, I’m thinking this is way better! Thank you!
Hi! If you make it with the condensed milk it will be sweet, I am not sure if I would say it’s overly sweet but you can tell it’s sweetened. You can make it without and it will turn out just the same! Hope you love it 🙂 xo, Tawnie
Made this yesterday. OMG!! This was soooo easy to make and tastes absolutely fantastic! I will not be buying supermarket yogurt ever again.
This looks so good! Thanks for the recipe, will surely try. I was just wondering- can you add vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean? How would that work?
Hello! Thank you so much! I have not tried adding in vanilla extract but I am sure you could stir in at the end, after the chilling process. Or you can stir in a vanilla bean paste too! Hope you love it, thank you! xo, Tawnie