I really thought that yogurt in the crockpot would be the easiest method. Turns out it was a little more high maintanience than I wanted. I will be glad when I get my new dehydrator so I can make it in there! But for now, this works. 
What you need:
- 1/2 gallon whole milk
- 1 c. whole yogurt
Pour the 1/2 gallon of milk into the crockpot. Turn it on low heat and leave it set for 2 1/2 hours. After that time is up, turn it off and leave it sit for 3 hours.
This is what you yogurt ingredients should look like. Once you make a batch you can use yogurt from that but to start it you will need to buy yogurt. And instead of just saying cultured milk it's good for it to actually list the probiotics that are in it.
Take 2 cups of milk out of the crockpot and carefully mix in 1 cup of yogurt. Don't get overexcited with the stirring.
Add it back into the crockpot. Cover it with a towel and let it sit for at least 8 hours. The first time I made this I left it overnight it got too cold. So the second time I started it early in the morning and monitored it throughout the day. I needs to stay around 110F to 115F so if it cools down too much just flip on the warmer and heat it up a bit to get it back to temperature.
After the 8 or so hours if should look something like this. The whey has risen to the top a bit and the creamy yogurt is underneath. Yummy.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Where would I find the recipe using a dehydrator? I have one and would love to use for things other than making beef jerky! thanks!
I’m not sure, I haven’t researched it yet since my dehydrator can’t do it. Sorry!
Looks yummy, but you’re right, maybe a little high-maintenance! I am seriously considering buying a yogurt maker — the kind with 6 oz. jars — because of the amount of yogurt my family goes through! I am hoping that is easy enough that I could make it most days without putting TOO much stress on my schedule!
Ya, I thought it would be really simple but I think if you are serious about making alot of yogurt you might want to look into a yogurt maker or the dehydrator with the yogurt attachments.
Will this work with Greek-Style yogurt, following your process and then draining off the whey?? Love this idea so much! Can’t wait to make it this weekend.
I haven’t tried it yet to make Greek style yogurt but if you do, let us know how it turns out!
Hi:
I’ve been using a Yogotherm for several years now and love it. It’s nonelectric and from http://www.cheesemaking.com
I also get my cultures from that website, as well. I use strictly powdered milk to make my creamy yogurt and it always turns out great. It’s a huge cost savings idea and easy to do. I’ve always wondered about making the yogurt, pouring it into a plastic container, and wrapping a towel around it and setting it inside a cheap little ice chest from the grocery store, or the dollar store. I think it would work that way too.
You can get Yogotherms other places too, but they have gone up. It makes two quarts at a time and is well worth the price. Also…I use the yogurt culture to make a batch and then I save a medium sized pimiento jar of the yogurt I just made, and I can use that as the starter. I can get four or five batches out of the yogurt, so it really cuts down on the cost of the cultures, which isn’t that bad anyway.
Hope this helps. Blessings.
I just made this for the first time, and it turned out great. I tried out straining it with coffee filters in a colander and it worked great. Now I have a gorgeous quart of organic, Greek style super strained yogurt for less than $3 and I’m in heaven. It is so thick it holds its shape when u put it in the bowl! Wow! Thanks for the amazing recipe and for all you do for your loyal readers!!
Great tip! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe:) I’ve got another yogurt one coming up soon for the dehydrator!