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Writer's pictureNature IS Health

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE YOGURT - without a yogurt maker! (oven light method)

Updated: Mar 23



A traditional way to make yogurt with your oven light, no yogurt-maker needed!


^Here is a YouTube video of the process^


Tools:
  • 1 large soup pot with lid

  • Wooden spoon

  • Storage containers (we use 2L mason jars)

  • Dish towel


Ingredients:
  • Organic whole milk- buy from a jar to reduce overall plastic usage in this process

  • Whole milk plain yogurt (once you get the process going, you save yogurt from the previous batch to make the new batch)


Method:
  • Bring your yogurt out on the counter

  • Heat the milk on the stove, medium heat. Be sure not to burn the bottom, so stir every 5 minutes. I heat my milk until it smells sweet, begins to form bubbles and there is foam on the surface. Do not boil. Temperature 170-180F.

  • Rapidly cool the milk down until you can place your finger in it and it does not feel hot/you can let it sit in there without burn. About115-110F. It is crucial that the milk isn't too hot because the starter yogurt will die/curdle. To rapidly cool, in the winter I put the pot outside and stir every 10 minutes, in the summer I place in the sink filled with ice water.

  • Once the milk has cooled down, mix in your starter yogurt. Your starter yogurt is ~1/4cup of your last batch of yogurt. If this is your first round of yogurt making, choose a store bought yogurt that unflavoured, whole milk yogurt, like this or this. Stir the starter into the milk gently to distribute but not aggressively.

  • Put a lid on the pot, place it in the oven surrounding the base with a dish towel, with the oven light on for warmth, for 12-16 hours (overnight). Ensure that the oven is not still hot from dinner or you will curdle the milk!

  • In the morning transfer your yogurt into storage jars and store in fridge. Remember to save the end of the jar for your next batch! The yogurt lasts 2-3 weeks at least, don't contaminate the jars when you use.

Thanks for reading, best of luck!



Samantha & Brian.


Here are some recipes to use your yogurt:




Why yogurt??


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