Strained Yogurt

a glass of strained yogurt

1. What is Strained Yogurt?

Strained yogurt has been a big hit in Greece and the Middle East for thousands of years, and it’s not difficult to see why. Unlike regular yogurt, strained yogurt is lower in sugar and higher in protein, which makes it an ideal breakfast meal or snack. Not only that, but with the abundance of health benefits from eating strained yogurt, you might just want to eat it every day! It is a popular substitute for sour cream. With its thicker consistency and tart flavor, it can be used in many recipes as a spread or dip. Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this superfood!

yogurt - fermented food for breakfast
plain yogurt in a wooden bowl

2. Health Benefits

Who would have thought that something as simple as eating yogurt could give you so many health benefits? Not only does it taste good, but it’s also good for your heart, bone health, and much more. Below are a few reasons why you should consider making strained yogurt part of your daily diet:

Who would have thought that something as simple as eating yogurt could give you so many health benefits? Not only does it taste good, but it’s also good for your heart, bone health, and much more. Below are a few reasons why you should consider making strained yogurt part of your daily diet: 

Enriched with probiotics: Probiotics are naturally occurring live bacteria that play an important role in our digestion process by boosting our immune system and protecting us from various diseases. 

Low in sugar: It’s rich in protein, low in sugar, and high in calcium which makes it very suitable for people suffering from diabetes. 

Anti-inflammatory properties: Recent studies suggest that there is a link between consuming dairy products and preventing chronic inflammatory conditions like asthma or allergies. 

Protects cardiovascular health: Studies show that probiotics help lower blood pressure, promote blood vessel relaxation and even reduce bad cholesterol levels. 

It’s an excellent source of riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Riboflavin helps turn food into energy in cells throughout your body. Without enough riboflavin, you could feel tired all the time—especially if you’re exercising regularly or experiencing heavy menstrual periods because they deplete your body of vitamins. 

All these benefits make strained yogurt ideal for both weight loss programs as well as diets designed to prevent cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, or stroke. So what are you waiting for? Make sure to eat some more of it every day!

health benefits of yogurt
strained yogurt with oats and strawberries

3. How Do I Make Strained Yogurt at Home?

Make strained yogurt at home by straining store-bought yogurt through a mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel. Put 1 cup of plain, nonfat Greek yogurt in a fine-mesh sieve set over a medium bowl, and refrigerate overnight. Discard the liquid that drains from yogurt. Place thickened Greek yogurt in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before using if desired.

4. Other uses for strained yogurt

While you can certainly eat strained yogurt on its own, there are a ton of other uses for it in cooking as well. For example, it makes a great base in both sweet and savory dishes. You can add honey to make sweet dips or spreads, or go the opposite route with spices like chiles, garlic, and lemon juice to create a creamy tzatziki sauce (similar to ranch dressing) that pairs wonderfully with chicken. You could also use it instead of sour cream or mayonnaise in recipes like baked potatoes.

With a long list of health benefits, yogurt is an excellent addition to your diet.