10 Greek Yogurt Substitutes
Just because greek yogurt has moved well beyond parfait bowls and is now featured in a wide variety of recipes doesn’t mean that everyone is on board with its tangy flavor. If that’s you, here are 10 greek yogurt substitutes for you to try in your next recipe!
Greek yogurt has gone far beyond parfait bowls and is now featured in a wide variety of sweet and savory recipes.
Sweet recipes like greek yogurt banana bread, greek yogurt cinnamon rolls, and Greek yogurt protein waffles like to use yogurt to increase the protein content, enhance the consistency, and create a more balanced sweet treat.
Savory recipes like greek yogurt mashed potatoes, greek yogurt buffalo chicken dip, and spicy shrimp tacos topped with a dallop of greek yogurt use the yogurt to enhance the nutrition, maintain the creaminess, and sub out some other ingredients that some people may find less desirable.
But what if you don’t have or don’t like greek yogurt? Here are 10 greek yogurt alternatives that you can try that can match the nutrition, tang, and consistency of greek yogurt!
1) For the nutrients:
1) Blended cottage cheese
Greek yogurt isn’t the only dairy product having its shining moment with cottage cheese being featured in just as many creative recipes. Cottage cheese is a great swap for greek yogurt because it’s also lower in calorie, packed with protein, and has a much more mild flavor making it an easy addition to recipes. If you want to mimic the smooth texture of greek yogurt, simply blend your cottage cheese in a blender to make smooth, blended cottage cheese.
One main difference in the nutrition of greek yogurt vs cottage cheese is in the probiotic content. While most yogurts contain live and active cultures, many cottage cheese brands do not. There are a few cultured cottage cheese brands for you to try with my personal favorite being Good Culture cottage cheese. Here is a look at the nutrition in cottage cheese vs greek yogurt:
Daisy 4% cottage cheese vs Chobani whole milk plain greek yogurt. Note the difference in serving size.
2) Regular yogurt
Alright, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree with this recommendation but some people who don’t love the sour flavor of greek yogurt find regular yogurt to be much more tolerable! While traditional yogurt will be lower in protein than greek yogurt (greek yogurt is strained more than regular yogurt giving it a more concentrated protein content and thicker consistency), it still offers some high quality protein, is rich in calcium, and many brands contain live and active cultures that are beneficial for your gut.
3) Silken tofu
Silken tofu is simply another type of tofu that is available on the market and has a different moisture content. In contrast to regular tofu, silken tofu has a much softer texture and will crumble easily. Because of its softer texture, silken tofu can be blended in a blender and will reach a consistency similar to that of yogurt making it a great greek yogurt substitute. If you are looking for a plant-based alternative to greek yogurt in a recipe then silken tofu might be one for you to try!
2) For the tang or probiotics:
4) Kefir
Kefir is a fermented dairy beverage that is packed with probiotics and a perfect alternative to greek yogurt. Because it is also cultured, kefir will mimic the tangy flavor of greek yogurt and feature similar gut benefits that we see from eating live and cultures. Beyond its tangy similarities, kefir is also a good source of high quality protein and other healthy vitamins and minerals that we see in dairy products like vitamin D, calcium, phosphorous, and more.
Kefir is more of a drinkable consistency than traditional greek yogurt is so keep that in mind if you use it as a substitute for greek yogurt. While kefir would be a great addition to broths, soups, or smoothies, I would make recipe adjustments if you will be swapping greek yogurt for kefir in baked goods as it may lead to a runnier dough or batter. Here is a look at the nutrition in kefir vs greek yogurt:
Lifeway organic plain whole milk kefir vs Chobani whole milk plan greek yogurt. Note the difference in serving size.
5) Sour cream
Greek yogurt is often used as a sour cream substitute so you can certainly use sour cream as a Greek yogurt substitute! Sour cream features a similar tangy flavor and can be used to top tacos, nachos, or make dips for chips or fruit. When substituting greek yogurt for sour cream, you can use a 1:1 ratio and simply match the amount of greek yogurt that was called for in the recipe.
6) Buttermilk
Another option that you can use to mimic the tangy flavor of greek yogurt is to swap it for buttermilk. Like Kefir, buttermilk is another fermented dairy beverage that is rich in tangy flavors and cultures. Because buttermilk (like yogurt and kefir) is full of bacteria, the lactose content is typically much lower making it easier to tolerate and digest for those with a lactose intolerance or sensitivity. If you have waffles, breads, or biscuits that call for greek yogurt then buttermilk would be a fantastic greek yogurt swap to reach for.
3) For the consistency:
7) Cream cheese
Greek yogurt is commonly used as a spread or topping for toast, rice cakes, or bagels. If you don’t have greek yogurt on hand or are looking for a greek yogurt substitute in these type of recipes then cream cheese could be a good option. While it is not comparable on the nutrition front, cream cheese will match the creamy consistency and can be a perfect spread for toasts or bagels.
Philadelphia cream cheese vs chobani whole milk greek yogurt. Note the difference in serving size.
8) Apple sauce
Apple sauce is regularly used as a natural sweetener in recipes and could be the perfect greek yogurt alternative to include. Not only is apple sauce naturally sweet but it also checks the box on a fruit serving and is full of micronutrients like Vitamin C and Potassium.
Instead of using greek yogurt, stir apple sauce into oatmeal, breads, and batters for a naturally sweet flavor addition that matches the creamy consistency of greek yogurt.
9) Ricotta cheese
Ricotta cheese is another great greek yogurt substitute that can be used as a spread, dip, or creamy addition to recipes. In contrast to cream cheese, ricotta cheese will be slightly lower in calorie and higher in protein which could make it a more nutritious and satisfying substitute. Ricotta cheese can be subbed in for greek yogurt in a 1:1 ratio.
Spread ricotta cheese on toast and top with bananas and cinnamon or with chopped tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze for a nutritious and delicious greek yogurt alternative.
Galbani whole milk ricotta cheese vs Chobani Whole Milk Greek yogurt. Note the difference in serving size.
10) Mayonnaise
Finally, another creamy substitute for greek yogurt would be to swap it for mayonnaise. While mayonnaise does not compare to the nutrient density of greek yogurt (or many of the other suggestions in this blog for that matter), mayonnaise is incredibly creamy and would be a great option for dips or creamy spreads if you do not want to use greek yogurt!
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Disclaimer: please note that I am a registered dietitian but I am not YOUR registered dietitian. This information is meant to be educational and should not be used as personalized medical or nutrition advice. This blog may contain affiliate links and any purchase made through my links gives me a small commission and supports Lauren Twigge Nutrition. 
Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a registered dietitian and my goal is to give you tips and tricks to make healthy eating fun, easy, and even delicious!