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Looking for a Greek yogurt substitute? From easy swaps like sour cream to more specific substitutes like bananas, we’ve got options for you (ranked from best to worst)!
What is Greek Yogurt?
Greek yogurt is a type of yogurt that has been strained to remove most of its whey and lactose, resulting in a thicker, creamier, protein-dense, and more concentrated yogurt. It’s typically made from cow’s milk, but also goat or sheep’s milk. It undergoes a fermentation process using live bacterial cultures giving it its distinctive texture and flavor content compared to regular yogurt.
What Does Greek Yogurt Taste Like?
Greek yogurt is tangy and a bit sour, though the taste can vary from brand to brand and depending on what sweeteners or flavorings are added. It has a well-known creamy texture that most of us like. Oh, and you can easily make your own Homemade Greek Yogurt.
Substitutes for Greek Yogurt
We’re reviewing 17 substitutes for Greek yogurt, each given a grade based on how well we think they work. The grades reflect our preferences after years of using Greek yogurt substitutes in various recipe development (learn more about our recipe development and experience here!). That said, your preferences may differ!
Science-Backed Recs
I’ve ranked these Greek yogurt replacements based on my experience developing over 1000 recipes and my background in food science. Happy cooking!
Plain Yogurt (Grade A)
Substitution Effectiveness: Plain yogurt is probably the easiest and best substitute. It closely resembles the tangy flavor and consistency of Greek yogurt.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: In most recipes, you can replace Greek yogurt with plain yogurt at a 1:1 ratio. Just be mindful of the flavors you are replacing.
Recommended Usage: Plain yogurt can be used effectively in marinades, salad dressings, dips, toppings, smoothies, and baking. It’s a good choice when you want to maintain something close to Greek yogurt’s tangy flavor. It is also generally a bit cheaper, lower in calories, and the easiest of alternatives to Greek yogurt.
Sour Cream (Grade A-)
Substitution Effectiveness: This is generally a pretty good substitute for Greek yogurt. It has a tangy flavor and creamy consistency similar to Greek yogurt.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: In most recipes, you can replace Greek yogurt with sour cream in a 1:1 ratio. However, sour cream is slightly richer and fattier, which could affect the final taste and texture of your recipe. Adjust the amount, up or down, to control the level of tanginess.
Recommended Usage: Sour cream works well in recipes that call for the tanginess of Greek yogurt, such as dips, salad dressings, and baked goods. It’s a suitable substitute when you want a creamier texture with a reasonably similar flavor.
Ricotta (Grade B+)
Substitution Effectiveness: Ricotta is quite different from Greek yogurt in terms of texture and flavor. It’s creamier and less tangy, so it is not ideal for all recipes, but we think it is a pretty good substitute in general.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: When substituting ricotta for Greek yogurt, we recommend you use a 1:1 ratio, but you may need to adjust moisture levels in your recipe by adjusting other ingredients.
Recommended Usage: Ricotta is a suitable substitute in recipes where creaminess is more critical than the tanginess of Greek yogurt. It works well in dishes like lasagna, stuffed pasta, and some desserts.
Cream Cheese (Grade B+)
Substitution Effectiveness: Cream cheese is thicker and has a distinct flavor that isn’t a great match for Greek yogurt. It works as a substitute when a creamy texture is more essential than the yogurt’s tanginess.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: You can replace Greek yogurt with cream cheese at a 1:1 ratio, though this will affect the flavor and consistency of your recipe.
Recommended Usage: Cream cheese is a good alternative for recipes such as baked goods, cheesecakes, frostings, sandwiches, spreads, and wraps where a creamy and slightly less tangy flavor can be desirable.
Silken Tofu (Grade B+)
Substitution Effectiveness: Silken tofu is a reasonable substitute for Greek yogurt, especially in making a recipe vegan or dairy-free. It has a neutral flavor and a creamy texture when whipped.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with silken tofu on a 1:1 ratio by weight. Whip the tofu in your blender to get a texture more like Greek yogurt, and add 1 or more teaspoons of lemon juice to mimic Greek yogurt’s acidity. Add this slowly and taste test as you do.
Recommended Usage: Silken tofu is a good choice for vegan desserts, smoothies, salad dressings, and creamy soups. It’s a dairy-free alternative with a similar creamy texture.
Whipped Feta (Grade B+)
Substitution Effectiveness: Whipped feta can be a reasonable alternative to Greek yogurt in recipes with a creamy texture and savory flavor. It provides a tangy and salty flavor that differs from Greek yogurt’s flavor.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Use a 1:1 ratio to replace Greek yogurt with whipped feta. However, whipped feta has a stronger and saltier taste, so it’s best used in savory recipes. Decrease the salt content in your recipe to adjust for feta’s salty flavor.
Recommended Usage: Whipped feta works well as a topping for savory dishes, in dips, or as a filling for stuffed foods like peppers. It’s not the best substitute for sweet or dessert recipes unless you really like feta in sweets, as many people do.
Labneh (Grade B+)
Substitution Effectiveness: Labneh is an excellent substitute for Greek yogurt when you want a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean flavor. It shares a similar tanginess and creamy consistency.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: You can substitute Greek yogurt with labneh at a 1:1 ratio. Both have comparable textures and tanginess.
Recommended Usage: Labneh works well in dishes that benefit from a tangy, creamy element, such as dips, spreads, and as a topping for savory or sweet foods.
Kefir (Grade B)
Substitution Effectiveness: Kefir is a reasonably good substitute for Greek yogurt in liquid-based recipes. It has a similar tangy flavor but has a much thinner consistency.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with kefir at a 4:3 ratio, which is to say of 1 cup of Greek yogurt replaced by ¾ cup kefir. For other measurements, this equates to:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt is replaced by ⅜ cup kefir
- 1 cup Greek yogurt is replaced by ¾ cup kefir
- 2 cups Greek yogurt is replaced by 1 ½ cups of kefir
Recommended Usage: Kefir works best in smoothies, salad dressings, and marinades.
Buttermilk (Grade B)
Substitution Effectiveness: Buttermilk is thinner and tangier than Greek yogurt, so its effectiveness as a substitute varies depending on the recipe.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replacing Greek yogurt with buttermilk can be challenging due to the significant difference in consistency. You will need to use less buttermilk and adjust the moisture content in the recipe. The conventional wisdom here is to replace 1 cup of Greek yogurt with ¾ cup of buttermilk. So you don’t have to do the math:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt is replaced by ⅜ cup buttermilk
- 1 cup Greek yogurt is replaced by ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 cups Greek yogurt is replaced by 1 ½ cups buttermilk
Recommended Usage: Buttermilk is an appropriate substitute in recipes where tanginess is desired, such as in marinades, salad dressings, and some baked goods.
You can also very quickly make your own buttermilk. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (white or apple cider work best) or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to 1 Cup of milk and let it stand for 5-10 minutes, and you will have a reasonable faux buttermilk.
Cottage Cheese (Grade B)
Substitution Effectiveness: Cottage cheese is a fair substitute for Greek yogurt. It has a creamy texture and a similar level of protein. However, it has a distinctly different flavor and is not as tangy as Greek yogurt. If you want to change your recipe to a milder taste, this is a good option. If you want a substitute that mimics Greek yogurt, this is not it.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with cottage cheese in a 1:1 ratio. We recommend straining the cottage cheese first to remove excess liquid and then blending it to get a smoother texture and to incorporate the curds (lumps).
Recommended Usage: Cottage cheese can be used in smoothies, dips, and some desserts. It works well in recipes where a creamy texture is more important than the tanginess it would get from Greek Yogurt.
Mashed Bananas (Grade B-, but this is recipe dependent)
Substitution Effectiveness: Mashed bananas are a possible substitute for Greek yogurt. They could be a really good substitute or really bad depending on the recipe. They are sweet and moist but won’t provide the tanginess or protein of yogurt.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: To replace Greek yogurt with mashed bananas, use a 1:1 ratio by weight. This substitution will add sweetness and a distinctive banana flavor to your recipe, so you will probably want to decrease the amount of sugar. Also, consider adding a teaspoon or more of lemon juice to replicate the tanginess of Greek yogurt missing in bananas.
Recommended Usage: Mashed bananas are a good substitute for baked goods like muffins, pancakes, and quick breads. Both Greek yogurt and bananas can serve as a leavening agent in baking. They can also be a great substitute for yogurt in smoothies when you want to add natural sweetness and creaminess.
Whole Milk (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Whole milk is not an ideal substitute for Greek yogurt due to its liquid nature and lack of tanginess. It works in some recipes, but it will significantly alter the texture and flavor. The B- we gave it was generous, and we almost kicked whole milk off the island.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Because whole milk is a liquid, there’s no direct 1:1 replacement ratio for it. You can use it in recipes that require a small amount of Greek yogurt for moisture, but you’ll need to make adjustments based on the desired consistency. We recommend replacing ½ cups of Greek yogurt with ⅜ cups of milk or 4 tablespoons of Greek yogurt with 3 tablespoons of milk.
Recommended Usage: We only recommend using whole milk in baking recipes where only a small amount of Greek Yogurt is called for. Otherwise, find a different substitute. Milk is a tempting substitute because we all have it in the refrigerator, but you can do better.
Avocado (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Avocado is a unique substitute that can work in certain recipes. It provides creaminess and healthy fats but lacks the tanginess of Greek yogurt. Avocado’s mild and largely popular taste shouldn’t negatively affect many recipes, though it is decidedly different from Greek yogurt.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with avocado at a 1:1 ratio by weight. We recommend you blend the avocado to achieve a smoother consistency before using it.
Recommended Usage: Avocado can be a reasonable substitute in smoothies, salad dressings, and dips. If you want a creamy, plant-based alternative to Greek Yogurt. It’s not good for recipes that require the tanginess of Greek yogurt, and there are better substitutes for baking.
Coconut Cream (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Coconut cream is an acceptable alternative for Greek yogurt when you are trying to make a recipe dairy-free or vegan. It has a rich, creamy texture and a mild coconut flavor, which may not always be desired, and tastes nothing like Greek Yogurt. For a coconut lover, however, this is a great swap.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with coconut cream at a 1:1 ratio. Just be sure to use coconut cream not coconut milk, or coconut drinks. These are both much thinner.
Recommended Usage: Coconut cream works well in smoothies, curries, desserts, and tropical-flavored recipes. It won’t be good in recipes that require the tanginess of Greek yogurt. Also, keep in mind that coconut cream is much more caloric than Greek yogurt.
Mayo (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Mayo is a decent substitute for Greek yogurt in very creamy recipes. The thing is, it has a very different flavor and will add a lot of calories to your recipe.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with mayo at a 1:1 ratio. We recommend using a light mayo because it has a milder taste and fewer calories. If you want to maintain some of the tangy flavor from Greek yogurt, add 1 tsp of lemon juice to your recipe.
Recommended Usage: Mayo is a decent substitute in potato salad, coleslaw, and creamy dips, where a thick creamy texture is desirable. It’s not good in recipes in which the yogurt’s tanginess is crucial.
Pumpkin Puree (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Pumpkin puree is a reasonable substitute for Greek yogurt in recipes where you’re looking for moisture and a mild, earthy sweetness. It works particularly well in fall-inspired or spiced dishes, and it is so easy to make homemade pumpkin puree.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: You can often replace Greek yogurt with pumpkin puree at a 1:1 ratio in recipes that can accommodate the change in flavor. It adds moisture and a subtle pumpkin taste to your dishes.
Recommended Usage: Pumpkin puree is suitable for muffins, pancakes, and certain desserts. However, it’s not the best choice for recipes that rely on the tangy or creamy elements of Greek yogurt.
Applesauce (Grade B-)
Substitution Effectiveness: Applesauce is a fair substitute for Greek yogurt in recipes in which the yogurt’s primary purpose is to provide moisture because applesauce does not replicate the tanginess of Greek yogurt. Its primary use as a substitute should be in baking recipes.
Replacement Ratio and Considerations: Replace Greek yogurt with applesauce at a 1:1 ratio in baking recipes.
Recommended Usage: Applesauce will work in many recipes for muffins, cakes, and quick breads, where its natural sweetness and moisture go well with the recipe. It’s not good for recipes requiring the tanginess of Greek yogurt.
We hope you found a substitute for Greek yogurt that suits your recipe and taste preference, and as always happy cooking from your friends at Live Eat Learn!
