Homemade Probiotic Yogurt

Instant Pot Yogurt Directions

1. Pour the milk into the basin of your Instant Pot. Press the “Yogurt” button and adjust to the “Boil” mode (if your Instant Pot does not have a yogurt cycle, follow the Stovetop directions below). Let milk heat until the Instant Pot beeps to indicate the cycle is finished.
2. Allow the milk to cool down to between 95°F-110°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, a good rule of thumb is that when it’s the right temperature, you should be able to hold your (clean!) finger in the milk to a count of 10. If it’s too hot to handle for 10 seconds, it’s still too hot.
3. When the milk is sufficiently cooled, sprinkle in the yogurt culture and whisk well to combine. Or, if using prepared yogurt, ladle out a small amount of the warm milk into a small bowl, add in the yogurt, and whisk until smooth. Then add the mixture to the pot of milk, whisking well to combine.
4. Turn the Instant Pot Yogurt function back on, this time adjusting until you see the time on the screen. Set to 24 hours. Close lid and let it ferment until the Instant Pot beeps.
5. When the fermentation time is up, spoon the yogurt into mason jars for storage (the yogurt will thicken as it cools). If you want to make Greek yogurt, spoon the yogurt into a yogurt strainer or nut milk bag and let drain for 8-12 hours, or until it is the desired thickness.

Stovetop + Heating Pad Yogurt Directions

1. Pour the milk into a large soup pot. Heat over medium-low heat and whisk constantly until the yogurt reaches about 185°F or looks very frothy, but do not let boil.
2. Allow the milk to cool down to between 95°F-110°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, a good rule of thumb is that when it’s the right temperature, you should be able to hold your (clean!) finger in the milk to a count of 10. If it’s too hot to handle for 10 seconds, it’s still too hot.
3. When the milk is sufficiently cooled, sprinkle in the yogurt culture and whisk well to combine. Or, if using prepared yogurt, ladle out a small amount of the warm milk into a small bowl, add in the yogurt, and whisk until smooth. Then add the mixture to the pot of milk, whisking well to combine.
4. Cover the pot, and then wrap completely in a large towel or blanket. Set the pot (with the blanket wrapped around it) on a heating pad set to Low for 24 hours.
5. When the fermentation time is up, spoon the yogurt into mason jars for storage (the yogurt will thicken as it cools). If you want to make Greek yogurt, spoon the yogurt into a yogurt strainer or nut milk bag and let drain for 8-12 hours, or until it is the desired thickness.