The Top 6 Yogurt Alternatives

Beyond serving as a wholesome breakfast option when paired with fruit and granola, yogurt is an incredibly flexible product. Yogurt has many applications, including dips, sauces, marinades, soups, and even baked goods.

However, if you’re on a diet that prevents you from consuming yogurt or don’t have any on hand, you’ll need to find an acceptable replacement that will still work. From sour cream and cottage cheese to avocado and mayonnaise, many of these alternatives are common household products that are probably now sitting in your refrigerator.

You may need to adjust these alternatives somewhat to achieve the desired taste and consistency, but once you use them in place of yogurt, you’ll be happy with the outcome. For the finest dairy-free and dairy-based yogurt alternatives to keep your baked goods fluffy and your dips and spreads creamy and delicious, check out our list.

1. Sour Cream

Sour cream is a fantastic substitute for yogurt in any recipe that calls for it, including baked goods, dressings, and sauces. It won’t affect the texture of your meal in the slightest and will instead give it a richer, more delicious finish. Sour cream should be used in a 1:1 ratio to replace yogurt.

2. Cottage Cheese

When it comes to yogurt alternatives, cottage cheese is the underdog since, in addition to being low in sugar and high in protein and calcium, it also adds nutritious value to dishes like cheesecake and pancakes. It can even be smeared on toast. Use a food processor or blender to mix cottage cheese until it resembles yogurt in texture.

3. Buttermilk

Although buttermilk is typically associated with biscuits, fried chicken, and pancakes, its flavorful richness makes it an enticing alternative to yogurt, particularly in baked goods. When substituting yogurt, use ¼ less than the amount called for in the recipe buttermilk will keep your cakes and breads light and delicate and provide a nice tang.

4. Avocado

In baked products, sauces, and salads, avocado works wonderfully as a yogurt substitute, especially if you’re vegan or just love putting avocado on and in everything you eat. Although there will be a minor flavor alteration, avocados are generally neutral, so the finished product shouldn’t taste too different. Incorporate some fresh lemon or lime juice into your avocado combination to give it the tangy flavor of yogurt.

5. Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is just eggs and oil when seen as an ingredient, so it should come as no surprise that it works well as a non-dairy yogurt substitute in baked goods, salads, and sauces. Its creamy texture will complement yogurt and give even the driest chocolate cakes extra moisture. In any recipe, replace yogurt 1:1 with mayonnaise.

6. Tofu

For even another dairy-free yogurt option, try your go-to flexible item: tofu. To achieve the same creamy consistency as yogurt, puree a block of medium-firm tofu and squeeze in some lemon juice for extra zest. Make a 1:1 substitution of tofu for yogurt in heartier recipes, such as creamy soups or dips.

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