If you’re going to have any yogurt at home, you need to make sure it is Greek yogurt. This is the most beneficial of the lot and has far less sugar than other options, especially when it comes to the natural variety.
There is a lot that you can do with your yogurt. While many people use it on top of fruit when enjoying a fruit salad or mix it with oats for an overnight oat breakfast, there are others ways that you can include it in your recipes.
It’s time to find out just how to use it to your advantage to create delicious and nutritious meals on a daily basis.
Just Why Greek Yogurt Is So Beneficial
Out of all the yogurts, why Greek? Well, Greek yogurt is lower in sugar. While all yogurt is full of calcium, the sugars can counter the benefits. They cause an insulin increase because they break down quickly in the body. You end up with a sugar crash, and the yogurt can work with other parts of your diet to cause Type II diabetes.
The low sugars in Greek yogurt mean that you don’t have this problem. Instead, you get to benefit from all the calcium without the extra potential weight gain.
There are also proteins and probiotics in Greek yogurt. You get more healthy bacteria in your gut, which means you avoid yeast and digestive problems. The proteins will also help to build your muscles and tissues, promoting a healthy body and lifestyle. When you work out, Greek yogurt is the food to reach for afterward. The proteins help to rebuild the tissues and muscles naturally damaged during the workouts.
We also can’t forget about the potassium count. While Greek yogurt doesn’t have a large amount of potassium, it has enough to offer benefits. We tend to get far too much salt, and the potassium helps to balance that out.
Now you know about the reasons to add Greek yogurt to your diet, it’s time to find the recipes. Here are 12 Greek yogurt recipes to start making at home today.
#1. Cherry and Cashew Smoothie
Let’s start with getting your Greek yogurt in easily and quickly. Smoothies are excellent for breakfasts on the go or when you want a nutritious snack. Watch out for drinking too many fruits and vegetables! One smoothie a day isn’t going to be too bad. This cherry one is full of antioxidants to work with the proteins in the yogurt.
Ingredients
- ½ a frozen banana
- ½ cup of frozen cherries
- ½ cup of Greek yogurt
- 1tbsp cashew butter
- ½ cup of milk (alternatives work too)
- 1 cup of spinach
- ¼ cup of oats
Method
- 1. Just blend it all together and serve!
- The latter two just help to add more nutrients and thicken up the smoothie. You can omit them if you’d like. Protein powder is a great way to add more protein to your smoothie.
#2. Banana and Greek Yogurt Muffins
Banana muffins are popular snacks and breakfast options. These muffins include some Greek yogurt to give them a little more cream to the texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups of oats
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- 1.5tsp baking powder
- 1/2tsp baking soda
- ½ cup of chocolate chips
Method
- 1. Preheat the oven at 400F and line your muffin tray.
- 2. Mix all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor.
- 3. Stir the chocolate chips into the mix by hand.
- 4. Divide among the muffin tray and bake for 15-20 minutes
The muffins will be set when you can stick a toothpick in the middle, and it comes out clean. If they’re not ready, put them in for a few more minutes and check regularly.
#3. Apple and Yogurt Breakfast Bowl
Why not get a little Oriental with your breakfast on a morning? You can do it all with fruit and some spices.
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- ½ cup of pomegranate arils
- ½ cup of Greek yogurt
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1/2tbsp almonds, sliced
- 1/2tbsp sunflower seeds
- 1/2tbsp coconut, shredded
- 1tsp coconut oil
- 1tsp sugar
- Dashes of nutmeg and cloves
Method
- 1. Spiralize your Apple to create some curly noodles and toss with a dash of cinnamon.
- 2. Combine the rest of the ingredients, except the yogurt and pomegranates, together and microwave for 2-3 minutes until toasted lightly.
- 3. Place the apple noodles as a base and top with the yogurt and pomegranate arils. Place the nuts on top and serve!
#4. Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Pancakes are a firm favorite in many households. They don’t need to be unhealthy anymore. These Greek yogurt pancakes are well worth trying.
Ingredients
- 6oz Greek yogurt
- 1tbsp honey
- 1 egg
- 1tsp baking soda
- ½ cup of flour
- ½ cup of blueberries (or fruit of choice)
Method
- 1. Mix the yogurt, egg, and honey together
- 2. Mix in the flour and baking soda together
- 3. Make your pancakes to the sizes that you’d like!
Yes, it really is as simple as that. You’ll have breakfast in no time.
#5. Pasta with Vegetables and a Lemon Yogurt Sauce
Greek yogurt doesn’t just work for snacks or breakfast. You can create dips, sauces, and main meals with it.
Ingredients
- 8oz of pasta
- ½ cup of Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup of parmesan cheese, grated
- 1tsp lemon zest, grated
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- 1tbsp olive oil
- 3 courgettes, cut into strips
- 2 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
- ½ pint of cherry tomatoes halved
Method
- 1. Make your pasta according to the instructions. Once cooked, removed ¼ of the water and put to one side. Drain the rest of the water.
- 2. Mix the yogurt, cheese, zest and seasoning in a bowl and put to one side.
- 3. Heat the oil in a pan and then cook the courgette until just wilted.
- 4. Remove the courgettes and cook the garlic for 30 seconds.
- 5. Add the garlic to the courgettes and then add the tomatoes. Return all to the pan for 2 minutes.
- 6. Add the courgettes to the yogurt and combine. Now add to the pasta.
This is a very simple lunch recipe that you can take to work and eat cold or hot.
#6. Garlic Mash with Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt will add to the consistency of mashed potatoes. You get creamy potatoes with the fat from the milk!
Ingredients
- 2lbs russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into pieces
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- 5 garlic closed, crushed
- 2tbsp butter
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup of chives, chopped
Method
- 1. Cook the potatoes in a pan of water with a pinch of salt. It should take about 10-15 minutes to make tender.
- 2. While that happens, Cook the butter in a skillet and then add the garlic. Leave for about 2 minutes and then set aside.
- 3. Drain the potatoes and add to a large bowl. Add in the garlic and mash completely.
- 4. Add the yogurt and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Mash until you get the texture you prefer.
- 5. Stir in the chives and serve.
You get a delicious side dish that works with so many other meals, including some of the other Greek yogurt recipes we have listed here.
#7. Baked and Stuffed Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is delicious and nutritious. It’s very easy to make meals out of it and involves so little washing up! Here’s a stuffed option with Greek yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 acorn squash
- 1tsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp pecans, chopped
Method
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with some foil.
- 2. Half the squash and scrap out the seeds. Place the two halves on the sheet facing up.
- 3. Mix the coconut oil and cinnamon together and rub onto the squash halves.
- 4. Bake the squash for 45-60 minutes until soft.
- 5. Allow the squash to cool and then put ½ a cup of the yogurt into each half.
- 6. Drizzle with the honey and sprinkle the pecans on top.
This is a delicious evening meal. It can take the time to prepare, but you can get on with plenty of stuff with the kids while you wait for the acorn squash to soften. The great news is you can do the squash part hours before because it will keep in a tub in the fridge!
#8. Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas
Add some Mexican to your dinner with these tasty quesadillas.
Ingredients
- 4 tortillas
- 10oz chicken, shredded
- 1tsp cumin
- 4oz cheddar cheese
- ¼ red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ onion, chopped
- ½ cup of black beans
- ¼ cup of salsa
Method
- 1. Coat the chicken with the cumin.
- 2. Lay a tortilla on a skillet over a medium heat and sprinkle with an oz of cheese. Top with some of the chicken, pepper, onion, beans, and salsa. Add another oz of cheese to the top and cover with a tortilla.
- 3. Cook until the bottom tortilla is browned and then flip. Repeat.
- 4. Remove the tortilla and repeat stages two and three with the rest of the ingredients.
Serve with some Greek yogurt on the top.
#9. Greek Yogurt Chicken Dinner
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- ½ cup of parmesan cheese
- 1tsp garlic powder
- 1.5tsp pepper
Method
- 1. Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with foil
- 2. Mix the yogurt, cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl
- 3. Coat your chicken breasts with the yogurt mix and place on the baking sheet
- 4. Bake for 45 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked
This is delicious when served on a bed of wild rice or salad.
#10. Greek Yogurt Banana Bread
It’s time to get into some delicious desserts. Greek yogurt is a powerful ingredient and used in baking and frozen desserts. Here’s a take on banana bread to make it healthier.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/3 cup of oil
- 4 bananas, ripe
- 2tbsp vanilla extract
- 1tsp baking soda
- 2tsp baking powder
- 1tsp salt
- 1tsp cinnamon
- 1/2tsp nutmeg
- 2 2/3 cups of flour
- 1 cup of Greek yogurto
- cups of walnuts, chopped
Method
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350F
- 2. Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a bowl.
- 3. Mix the eggs, sugar, and oil in a separate bowl and then mash the bananas. Stir in the yogurt.
- 4. Combine the wet and the dry ingredients together and then stir in the walnuts.
- 5. Grease a loaf pan and add the batter
- 6. Bake for 40 minutes.
You’ll know if the loaf is cooked, as you will be able to put a toothpick in the middle and remove it cleanly. You may find it needs up to an extra 30 minutes depending on your oven.
#11. Apple Pie Brulee
This is a take on another traditional dessert. You really can have your pie and eat it too!
Ingredients
- ½ cup of Greek yogurt
- 1 apple, chopped
- 2tbsp walnuts, crushed
- ½ tbsp maple syrup
- 1/8tsp cinnamon
- 1/8tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp sugar
Method
- 1. Mix the apple and cinnamon and microwave for about 60-90 seconds
- 2. Mix the yogurt, maple syrup, walnuts, and vanilla together
- 3. Add in the apple and place the whole mixture into a dish
- 4. Spread the sugar over the top and melt with a torch
All your friends will want to know your secret.
#12. Lemon Yogurt Dip
We all love to have vegetable sticks now and then, but we don’t want them plain. Well, it’s time to look at some dip options. Greek yogurt is the perfect ingredient for a dip base. Here’s a lemon option for your chips, vegetable sticks, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Greek yogurt
- 1tsp dill
- 1tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2tsp lemon zest
- 1/4tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Method
- 1. Mix everything together and then place in the fridge
Yes, this really is that simple to make! You can enjoy it with cucumbers, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and so much more!
Now it’s all over to you. Which Greek yogurts do you like the sound of first? I know there are so many to try, so let’s work with one or two and build your way up. They all take different lengths of time, depending on your needs on a morning or evening. I love the smoothie and the dessert recipes the most!
