5 Best Greek Yogurt Substitutes

Yogurt cheese is also known as Chaka, labneh, strained yogurt, and Turkish or Greek yogurt. A delightfully tangy fresh cheese is prepared by straining yogurt through cheesecloth to remove much of the liquid. It makes a thicker alternative to plain yogurt and a delicious spread when mixed with fresh herbs, spices, or other seasonings.

One cup of yogurt cheese – or strained yogurt – can be substituted with a homemade version. To make yogurt cheese, combine:

• Three cups of plain yogurt into a colander or sieve lined with cheesecloth or a thin kitchen towel.
• Cover with a top layer of cheesecloth for extra-firm yogurt cheese, and weigh down with a bag of beans or another weight.
• Set the colander or sieve over a deep bowl, loosely cover, and refrigerate overnight or until the yogurt is reduced in volume by at least half (the excess liquid will drain into the bowl).
• Makes about 1-1/2 cups.

1. Kefir Cheese Substitute

Kefir is a cultured milk beverage that originated in the Caucasus Mountains. Kefir cheese is a type of cheese made from kefir, a fermented milk product. Kefir cheese has a tangy, slightly acidic flavor and a creamy texture. It can be used in place of yogurt or sour cream in recipes, or eaten as is. Kefir cheese is rich in protein and calcium, and is a good source of probiotics.

Kefir cheese can be made at home with just a few simple ingredients. All you need is milk, kefir grains, and a little time. Kefir cheese is easy to make and can be a healthy addition to your diet. Try it in place of yogurt or sour cream in your favorite recipes, or eat it as is.

= 1-ounce kefir cheese is equal to 1 cup of Yogurt cheese

2. Cream Cheese Substitute

In 1872, New York State dairyman William A. Lawrence developed a method for making cream cheese while attempting to duplicate French Neufchätel. In 1880, New York cheese distributor A. L. Reynolds packaged the cheese in tin-foil wrappers and called it Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese because the public equated the City of Brotherly Love with high-quality food products.

Cream cheese is best known as a base for the cheesecake but is used as a dip and spread for slices of bread, crackers, and fruit.

= 1/2 cup cream cheese plus 1/2 cup cream blended is equal to 1-ounce yogurt cheese

3. Neufchatel Cheese Substitute

Neufchatel is a French soft white unripened cow’s milk cheese that is mild when young and more aromatic with age. It is a lower fat cream cheese used in the same way as cream cheese.

Neufchatel cheese is a French cheese that has been around for centuries. It is made from cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture. Neufchatel cheese is often used in recipes that call for cream cheese, such as cheesecake or frosting. It can also be enjoyed on its own, spread on crackers or bread.

= 1/2 cup Neufchatel cheese plus 1/2 cup cream blended is equal to 1-ounce yogurt cheese

4. Ricotta Cheese Substitute

The name Ricotta means “re-cooked” and is a famous Italian cheese. The fresh Italian cheese is pleasantly granular and lightly sweet. In Italy, most ricottas are made by cooking the whey drained from producing mozzarella, provolone, or other cheeses. Skim or whole milk is added in the U.S. to the whey.

Ricotta Cheese is filled with protein yet low in fat, so it is a good cheese for those seeking a healthy diet. Boiling the whey breaks down the proteins and makes them digestible for those with milk intolerance and allergies.

= 1/2 cup ricotta cheese + 1/2 cup sour cream blended equals 1-ounce yogurt cheese.

5. Fromage Blanc Cheese Substitute

This soft, fresh cream cheese is delightful when sweetened and served with fresh fruit. The French dessert Coeur à la crème it’s folded with meringue and chilled in a heart-shaped mold.

Fromage blanc is a French dessert cheese about as thick as sour cream. It can be found in both fat-free and fat varieties. 

It is used to make quiche, smoothies, parfaits, dips, and salad dressing, but it is probably most known as a base for souffles, mousse, and yummy cheesecakes.

= 1 cup Fromage blanc is equal to 1-ounce yogurt cheese

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