Yogurt (cold start instant pot)

I posted this yogurt recipe back in 2020 and have been making it ever since on repeat.  When I can find a recipe that not only tastes better than store bought, is cheaper to make from scratch and to top it off is easy to make, it's a keeper!  If you do make this yogurt, you might want to make my granola too.  It's another recipe that's a keeper and has a place in my panty at all times!

There are so many recipes and information for instant pot yogurt on the internet, it will make your head spin!  I settled on making the cold start method as it seemed the easiest.  This is the first recipe I tried and it turned out perfect.  Why try any other, one and done!  It's from the blog, Pipping Hot Curry.  Below I'm going to share the exact ingredients and instructions I use but if you need any more info check out Pipping Hot Curry.  She goes into detail about the kind of milk, starter, and sweetener you must use for cold start to turn out.  


*Very important before starting - sterilize your pot first.  It's not enough to just clean because you never want your yogurt tasting like last night's dinner.  I even went as far as purchasing a designated pot just for yogurt.  To sterilize, you simply pour boiling water in the inner pot and discard it or pressure cook one cup water one minute to sanitize.  I'm not sure if this matters but I always make sure my pot is back to room temperature before I start.  Being a cold start method I don't want to start it out in a hot pan.  

ingredients:

• 52-ounce Fairlife Whole Milk (You have to use Ultra Processed Milk and this Brand is the one I always use)
• 2 tablespoons Fage Yogurt (*see note below)
• 1/2 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Instructions

• Add milk, yogurt and 1/2 can sweetened condensed milk to Instant Pot insert. Whisk together very well to incorporate completely.
• Place on instant pot lid or a glass lid.  (It doesn't pressure cook so you can use any lid)
• Push the Yogurt button and use the +/- buttons and set time to 8 hours. (mine automatically sets for 8 hours)
• When the yogurt cycle is completed and the Instant Pot beeps, DON'T (**see note) stir but carefully remove the lid not letting the condensation drip into the yogurt.  Remove the inner pot and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.  (**see note) 
• Enjoy yogurt with your favorite flavor and toppings. 

Note

*Don't let the rest of the Fage yogurt go to waste, you can eat it, put it in a smoothie or portion out couple portions (2 Tablespons each) and freeze in a small container or ziplock bag to use for your next batch of yogurt.  Freezing the yogurt won't kill the cultures you need to make your next batch of yogurt.

**The yogurt needs to set overnight in the fridge to cool, set up and thicken so don't be tempted to stir or serve right away!