Breaking down the basics of how to make homemade milk kefir, a probiotic-rich fermented drink that’s soon to be a staple in your kitchen!
After having delicious success with kombucha (one of the most popular recipes on the blog!), I got to thinking about what other tasty fermented things we could brew up at home. And over the course of a day I went from not having a clue how kefir worked to biking across town to buy my very first kefir grains from a passionate home brewer.
I spent the next few weeks getting to know my new kefir baby. Our relationship was first that of fear. When I wasn’t scared of killing it, I was scared of drinking it. But after a few days I started to get the hang of what it needed (and oh my the way, it started to turn out some delicious kefir!).
So after fermenting hundreds of batches of kefir at home, I’m excited to share with you the secrets to seriously delicious, creamy, homemade kefir. Click the links below to jump around the post, or scroll on to dive into the world of homemade kefir!
- What is kefir 🥛
- Kefir grains (and where to get them) 🧐
- Best milk for kefir 🐮
- Kefir FAQ 👩🏫
- Step-by-Step Instructions 📝
How to Make Milk Kefir Video
What is kefir?
For the unfamiliar, kefir is a thick, fermented milk drink. It tastes a bit like plain Greek yogurt – slightly sour and ultra-creamy. But even more so than yogurt, kefir is jam-packed with all kinds of gut-friendly probiotics!
So if you’re curious about kefir or looking for a fun summer project, try giving kefir a go! Let’s get into the nitty gritty.
What are kefir grains?
To start off this kef-venture, you’ll need to get your hands on some kefir grains. Kefir “grains” are the engine of this whole process, containing all the yeasts and bacteria needed to ferment the milk into creamy kefir. (The gluten-free folks don’t need to worry – these aren’t true grains, but rather rubbery, cellular structures).
They’re like what the SCOBY is to kombucha, only instead of looking like alien pancakes they look like cauliflower! But unlike kombucha, you cannot grow your own kefir grains and will need to acquire them somewhere.
Where do you get kefir grains? Unless you have a friend who makes kefir, it’s easiest to get your grains online. I recently bought my new grains from Alles Voor Kefir (Dutch), but our U.S. friends can find them on Amazon.
Once you have your kefir grains, you won’t have to buy them again. They will grow and continue to ferment many batches of kefir.
The best milk for making kefir
The only other ingredient besides kefir grains in this recipe is the milk! You’ll want to use pasteurized milk to start, but can switch to raw milk slowly after a few weeks of getting your kefir grains used to their new environment.
In terms of fat level, the grains will be a lot happier in whole milk, though you can slowly transition to a lower fat option over time.
And finally, though you can use cow’s or goat’s milk, though I’ve only had experience with whole cow’s milk for making kefir.
Supplies needed to make kefir
While making kefir is easy and doesn’t require specialized equipment, you’ll need a handful of common kitchen supplies to make kefir.
- Large(ish) glass or ceramic jug (at least 5 cup capacity)
- Non-metal slotted spoon
- Fine woven cloth, paper towels, or coffee filters
- Wide non-metal bowl
- Fine non-metal colander
- Jar for storing finished kefir
How to make your own kefir
- Clean: Clean everything well with regular soap (avoid antimicrobial soaps). I’m talking the hands, glass jugs, spoons, everything!
- Assemble: Add 1 Tbsp (ish) of the kefir grains and 4 cups of whole milk to a large glass jug. Cover the jug with either a few layers of paper towels or a few paper coffee filters. Secure with a rubber band to prevent any bugs or dust from getting in.
- Ferment: Set in a warm, dark spot (65 to 85°F / 18 to 29°C) for about 24 hours. You’ll know your kefir is done when it has slightly thickened and smells fermented. If you kefir has separated into yellowish watery-looking whey, that’s fine! It’s just a sign that you can either reduce the length of fermentation next time or use more milk next time.
- Strain: Place a wide non-metal bowl under a fine-mesh non-metal colander (a plastic colander is great here). Pour finished kefir into the colander, stirring with a plastic or wooden spoon to gently force kefir through. The grains will be left.
- Start new batch: Rinse out the large jar that you fermented the grains in, then add the grains back into it. Add 4 cups of fresh milk to start the process over again!
- Store fresh kefir: Transfer the finished kefir that collected in the wide bowl and transfer it to a sealable jar. Store in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
Homemade milk kefir FAQ
Give your kefir grains fresh milk, cover with paper towels or coffee filters as described, then set in the refrigerator. This dramatically slows down the fermentation process, so you will only have to change out the milk every 1 to 2 weeks (or when you see the milk separating into layers).
This is normal! When the milk separates into layers, it’s a sign that the kefir as “eaten” everything it can. You can prevent it by either reducing the time you let it ferment (ex: 18 hours instead of 24), or by giving it more milk. It depends on your grains, house temperature, and milk, so don’t worry if it takes a few batches to understand how your kefir will brew best.
Metals can hurt the microbial wonderland that is kefir. Avoid contact of the kefir with metal where possible (and definitely don’t brew the kefir in a metal vessel).
As with other fermentations, kefir is full of probiotics which promote good digestion and a healthy gut. The fermentation also breaks down a lot of the lactose in the milk, meaning kefir may be more easily digested than other dairy products for people with lactose intolerance.
Milk and water kefir are two different types of fermentations, using different ingredients and different kefir grains. You cannot use milk kefir grains to make water kefir.
Yes! 1 cup of kefir can be flavored by blending in fresh fruit (¼ cup), chocolate (1 Tbsp cocoa powder), vanilla (¼ tsp vanilla extract), or dates (1 pitted date).
Ways to use kefir
Once you get going, you’ll likely find yourself with more kefir than you know what to do with! Here are a few of our favorite ways to use milk kefir.
- On its own: You can drink it, or use it in place of yogurt (like in a bowl of cereal).
- Flavored Kefir: Check out our guide for flavored kefir with fresh fruit (3 ways)!
- Smoothies: Use kefir in place of milk or yogurt to add a probiotic punch to smoothies.
- Salad Dressing: I love using kefir to make a tangy ranch dressing!
- Ice Cream: Creamy and rich, kefir makes a great ice cream! It takes on a taste like frozen yogurt.
- Baked Goods: Kefir makes a great substitute for buttermilk, so things like pancakes and biscuits are great with kefir!
Be sure to try our other fermentation projects, like kimchi, Greek yogurt, tepache, and kombucha!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp kefir grains
- 4 cups whole cow’s milk 960 mL
Instructions
- Clean: Clean everything well with regular soap (avoid antimicrobial soaps). I’m talking the hands, glass jugs, spoons, everything!
- Assemble: Add 1 Tbsp (ish) of the kefir grains and 4 cups of whole milk to a large glass jug. Cover the jug with either a few layers of paper towels or a few paper coffee filters. Secure with a rubber band to prevent any bugs or dust from getting in.
- Ferment: Set in a warm, dark spot (65 to 85°F / 18 to 29°C) for about 24 hours. You’ll know your kefir is done when it has slightly thickened and smells fermented. If you kefir has separated into yellowish watery-looking whey, that’s fine! It’s just a sign that you can either reduce the length of fermentation next time or use more milk next time.
- Strain: Place a wide non-metal bowl under a fine-mesh non-metal colander. Pour your finished kefir into the colander, stirring with a plastic or wooden spoon to gently force kefir through. The grains will be left.
- Start new batch: Rinse out the large jar that you fermented the grains in, then add the grains back into it. Add 4 cups of fresh milk to start the process over.
- Store fresh kefir: Transfer the finished kefir that collected in the wide bowl and transfer it to a sealable jar. Store in the fridge for around 2 weeks.
Tips & Tricks
- Flavor kefir by blending in fresh fruit (¼ cup), chocolate (1 Tbsp cocoa powder), vanilla (¼ tsp vanilla extract), or dates (1 pitted date).
- Where do you get kefir grains? Unless you have a friend who makes kefir, it’s easiest to get your grains online. I bought mine from Alles Voor Kefir (Dutch), but our U.S. friends can find them on Amazon.
howard says
Worth giving Kermit the Kefir a bath in cold tap water every couple of weeks or so just to ensure that he doesnt get a layer of curd stuck round his outside. Every few weeks he will need dividing and throwing part away or giving it away lest he grows to an enormous size.You can freeze him if you are going away long term – wash him, pat him dry with kitchen towel, put him in a small pot with some dried milk powder and into the freezer. How long he lasts like that I do not know but he did 2 months for us.
ArPachon says
Very nice and easy to follow recipe; thank you.
Question: When is time to drink it? Once is done? after 2 weeks that is done and refrigerated? Could you please let me know?
Thank you for your time ant the courtesy of reading my email; I appreciate it.
Have a great weekend!
Sarah Bond says
It can be drank right after finishing the fermentation! I like to pop it in the fridge for a few hours to chill first though 😀
Barbara K says
I would expect lasts refrigerated at least as long as yoghurt, though probiotic value may diminish over time.
Patty says
I’m confused. Am I using 2 batches of 4 cups of milk, 8 cups total, or reusing the original 4 cups of milk?
Sarah Bond says
You’re using 4 cups for each batch!
Barbara K says
Thank you for your directions. I am new and hooked on making Kefir, both water and milk. Not sure if a placebo effect, but really have felt more energetic.
The milk Kefir so delicious and simple. My grains keep multiplying and can produce a quart in less than 24 hours. Can’t really go wrong except to over ferment causing to separate. Then strain out the whey and you have a lovely soft cheese. The whey is tasty, has probiotics also.
Clarinda says
The kefir I made using a dollop of a friends starter is so delicious I don’t want to add other favors! Question: do you keep a few tbs of new kefir in the fridge for use as starter??
Sarah Bond says
You would typically need kefir grains to start the reaction, but if using that kefir as starter worked for you then I would definitely keep some in the fridge as future starter!
Nancy says
I’m new at making kefir and am confused about activating the grains. You put grains in jar with 4 cups milk and was able to drink next day. When I purchased my grains the instructions gave a several day process of gradually increasing amount of milk by 1/2 cup each time. Slowly feeding the grain. I had to start with 11/2 until I reached 4 cups before it was considered ready. What a pain!!! What is the difference that I had to go through that? Also, my seeds are very tiny they don’t look plump like yours.
Sarah Bond says
Hmm, maybe your grains are dehydrated or freeze dried and need to be activated over a longer period? Fresh grains shouldn’t require that process!
Knight says
I sure will try out this. I love your simple explanation, it makes it look so simple. Thank you
Andrea says
I’ve read on other sites about using other types of milk instead of animal milk. I’m looking to get away from dairy for awhile and wondered if you’ve ever tried to make it with any other types of milk like rice, soy or maybe even coconut?
Sarah Bond says
I haven’t tried other types of milk, so I can’t say for sure!