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Home » Recipe RoundUp » Greek yogurt uses

24 Clever Ways to Use Greek Yogurt

Published February 17, 2022. Last updated January 31, 2025 by Judy Purcell 1 Comment

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Trying to use up the last bit in that Greek yogurt container and free up some room in the fridge?

Trying to get more of the good stuff in your life and treat your gut right?

Then you’re in the right place!

We’ve put together a roundup of more than 24 recipes for Breakfast, Dips and Sauces, and Baking and Desserts, to help you mix Greek yogurt into more of your meals.

bowl with yogurt topped with cherries and kiwi on a wood table
Simple yogurt bowl with fresh cherries, kiwi, almonds, chia seeds, and coconut flakes.

There are endless uses for Greek yogurt, from savory to sweet, dips and dressings, to frozen yogurt and smoothies. This versatile ingredient is a meal or a handy substitute in baked goods and sauces, so I always keep a tub in the refrigerator. 

When shopping, I pass by all the flavors and go straight for plain full-fat Greek yogurt because I can’t use vanilla or strawberry in sauces, but I can easily add those things at home.

It’s cheaper to buy a larger tub of plain and mix in what I want than pay for the extra labor and numerous small containers built into the price of small yogurt cups. More variety, less waste. 

It’s also easier to thin Greek yogurt to substitute for regular yogurt in recipes which makes it the most versatile of the two. 

TOP TIP: Don’t use aluminum cook or bakeware with Greek yogurt, the acidity reacts to the metal causing off-putting flavors and may even discolor the pan (as with any acidic foods). 

yogurt in a glass jar on a wood table

What to look for when buying Greek yogurt

Yogurt is not complicated and doesn’t require a long list of ingredients, so keep this in mind when reading labels at the store. Both regular yogurt and Greek yogurt are made by fermenting milk with live cultures (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and are easy to make at home. 

Greek yogurt goes through an additional straining process, which gives it a thicker, velvety texture because the liquid whey is removed. Even though this is a simple step, it does take time, so some manufacturers shortcut this process by adding cornstarch or gelatin to thicken their yogurt.

Bottom line: The only ingredients plain yogurt should have are milk and cultures.

organic yogurt ingredient label

Why Use Full-Fat Greek Yogurt (5%) vs Low-Fat (2%) or Non-Fat (0%)?

Full-fat Greek yogurt uses whole milk, whereas the non-fat variety is made using skimmed milk. The full-fat (5%) yogurt has better flavor and texture, making it an ideal partial substitute for creamy ingredients like heavy cream, sour cream, and mayonnaise. 

Its superior richness is why it is most often the type called for in recipes and, therefore, also the most versatile. In fact, even if a recipe called for non-fat, I’d use full-fat yogurt instead. 

Can I use non-fat yogurt in recipes that call for full-fat yogurt?

Yes, in a pinch, you can use non-fat Greek yogurt instead of full-fat yogurt by adding 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream to the non-fat yogurt or mixing in sour cream for part of it. How well the substitution works will really depend on the type of recipe—stick to dips or salad dressings for best results.

Dips and cold sauces are more forgiving with substitutions, while baked goods require a certain fat level to retain a pleasant texture. 

TOP TIP: Take care when using yogurt for heated dishes and only add it towards the end of the cooking process. Warm it through but do not cook it on high heat as it can curdle and split.

GREEK YOGURT BREAKFAST RECIPE IDEAS

Yogurt is a great breakfast option all on its own. Spoon some into a bowl, sweeten with honey, and top with your favorite fruit, nuts, and seeds or granola for a fast, healthy breakfast.

But it goes beyond the bowl to the blender, a griddle, or a baking pan. Use these recipe ideas as a guide to endless possibilities for adding yogurt to the start of your day.

BONUS: You can freeze smoothies as they make great popsicles too.

Salted Mocha Almond Breakfast Smoothie

Coffee, chocolate, and almond butter with a touch of salt for a satisfying, protein-packed breakfast.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Salted mocha almond breakfast smoothie with a pink striped straw.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Have your pie and drink it too. This delicious and healthy pumpkin pie smoothie has all the fall feels.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bowl (GF)

Pumpkin Greek Yogurt Breakfast Bowl is a delicious and healthy breakfast that is perfectly seasonal for the fall, but also delicious year round.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Crunchy Brown Butter Maple Granola

Top your morning Greek yogurt with this Crunchy Brown Butter Maple Granola for a crunchy, nourishing, satisfying breakfast or snack.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Golden brown granola in a blue bowl with spoon in front of a jar of granola

Beautiful Breakfast Tart (Gluten Free)

This Beautiful Breakfast Tart has a gluten free granola crust filled with thick Greek yogurt, and topped with a colorful sunburst of fresh juicy fruit.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Fruit tart with Greek Yogurt

3-Ingredient Grain-Free Bagels

Enjoy breakfast again with these easy, 3-ingredient grain-free bagels! They’re perfect for a GAPS-Intro, primal, or keto/low-carb diet.
SEE THIS RECIPE
sliced bagel on a white plate

Buttermilk Pancakes [Gluten-Free]

Just thin Greek yogurt with a little water to substitute for the buttermilk in this pancake recipe.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Easy make-ahead breakfast with sprouted GF flours.

GREEK YOGURT IN DIPS, DRESSINGS, AND SAUCES

The tangy flavor of yogurt makes it ideal for adding a zesty note to dips and salad dressings and can usually be included as a 1:1 swap for sour cream or buttermilk.

Like buttermilk, yogurt also creates simple marinades that work with chicken, pork, and fish, especially when mixed with herbs, spices, or Dijon mustard.

Yogurt can be used to thicken sauces, but because it lacks the fat of heavy cream, it is best to add either cornstarch or flour to keep it from curdling.

TOP TIP: Two teaspoons of cornstarch or one tablespoon of flour added in for every one cup of yogurt is the best approach for thickening sauces. Always mix the starch into room temperature yogurt before adding it to a sauce, and never let it boil.

Sumac Roasted Carrots

Citrusy sumac and herbaceous za’atar roasted carrots with crunchy toasted pecans and a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce.
SEE THIS RECIPE
roasted carrots with sumac

Creamy Miso-Yogurt Dipping Sauce

A uniquely savory, tangy, dip for veggie trays or dressing salads.
SEE THIS RECIPE
A carrot scooping up dip surrounded by veggies.

Caramelized Onion Dip

Sweet yellow onions caramelized and mixed with Greek yogurt for a healthy dip upgrade.
SEE THIS RECIPE

BLT Turkey Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing

Crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, smoky bacon, and fresh avocado slices, all tossed in a creamy homemade yogurt dressing with leftover holiday turkey.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Turkey BLT salad on a blue towel with dressing on the side

Easy Homemade Cucumber Raita | All Ways Delicious

Cucumber raita is a refreshing yogurt sauce that’s perfect with spicy Indian dishes like tandoori, biryani, curries, and more!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki Dressing

This Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki Dressing is super tasty and refreshing! Perfect for lunch, dinner, entertaining, or enjoying solo!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Cabbage Pancakes with Garam Masala Yogurt Sauce

Crispy curry cabbage pancakes with spicy garam masala yogurt sauce compliment a wide variety of proteins as a side dish for lunch or dinner.
SEE THIS RECIPE
Cabbage Pancakes with Garam Masala Yogurt Sauce

Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken

Tender chicken marinated with yogurt, fresh cilantro, and earthy spices, then grilled to perfection.
SEE THIS RECIPE
sliced grilled chicken on a dark wood cutting board

Pan-Fried Fish Tacos with Street Corn Sauce

Beer-battered, pan-fried fish folded inside of a corn tortilla with cabbage and charred corn topped with street corn sauce.
Fish tacos served on a white plate with lime.

Roasted Butternut Squash with Gochujang Yogurt & Pepitas

Butternut squash roasted with warming spice and garnished with gochujang yogurt and toasted pepitas.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Habanero-Cilantro Taco Sauce

A creamy, spicy sauce for tacos, burritos, or fajitas.
SEE THIS RECIPE
skirt steak tacos with habanero sauce

How to Make Creamy and Delicious Labneh

Labneh is both quick & easy to make at home from a pot of yogurt and will become a staple in your fridge. Serve on warmed bread or as a dip for crudites.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Beef Stroganoff

Greek yogurt can sub for the creme fraiche in our Beef Stroganoff recipe so long as you add a little starch in as well.
SEE THIS RECIPE

BAKED GOODS AND DESSERTS WITH GREEK YOGURT

Quick breads, fruit parfaits, and frozen treats all benefit from the tart flavor of yogurt. Yogurt also provides the acid that baking soda needs to activate leveling, making it a great substitute for buttermilk or sour cream in baked goods.

Choosing a no-bake dessert recipe is a great way to keep all the probiotic benefits we love about yogurt while still enjoying a delicious treat.

Strawberry Swirl Frozen Yogurt

Cool off this summer with a bowl of Strawberry Swirl Frozen Yogurt.
SEE THIS RECIPE

Cream Cheese Fruit Tart with Almond Crust Recipe [GF]

Swap out some of the cream cheese with Greek yogurt to serve at brunches or showers!
SEE THIS RECIPE
Fruit tart with blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and kiwi on a cream cheese filling in a dark tart pan.

Orange Ginger Tea Cake: Gluten & Grain Free

This tea cake is the perfect example of how easy it is to substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in baked goods. You'll love the bits of crystallized ginger in almost every bite against a backdrop of fragrant orange and hints of cardamom.
SEE THIS RECIPE
orange tea cake on saucer with fork

Baked Nectarines with Hazelnuts & Yogurt

Baked nectarines with hazelnuts are a sweet and delicious dessert topped here with creamy Greek yogurt. The taste of summer in a bowl.
SEE THIS RECIPE

No Bake Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust

No Bake Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust pairs light, airy, creamy, fall-spiced pumpkin filling with the warming spice of a buttery gingersnap-flavored crust. All without sugar or gluten (or baking)!
SEE THIS RECIPE

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream in this Strawberry Shortcake Cake!
SEE THIS RECIPE

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Dessert, Recipe RoundUp, Recipes, Sauces & Dressings Tagged With: how to, yogurt

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  1. John / Kitchen Riffs says

    February 22, 2022 at 4:03 pm

    LOVE full fat Greek yogurt — its mouthfeel is terrific. And speaking of terrific, so many great recipes here. Thanks!

    Reply
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