# 3 Easy-to-Find Greek Yogurt Substitute Options

URL: https://tastessence.com/substitutes/greek-yogurt-substitute
Category: Substitutes
Published: 2020-10-25T15:14:03
Updated: 2020-10-20T15:16:22
Greek yogurt is a favorite among health-conscious people who want a taste of something **creamy yet without a ton of calories**. But if the old container of Greek yogurt in your fridge has gone bad or you’ve just run out, you might need a **Greek yogurt substitute**. Depending on what you’re making, there are a number of **Greek yogurt substitute options that could work**. From sour cream to mayonnaise to cottage cheese, there are plenty of ways to make sure that your **dish still turns out tasty**, even without Greek yogurt.

## First: what is Greek yogurt?

Before we talk about Greek yogurt substitutes, **let’s explain a bit more about [Greek yogurt and how it’s made](https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/greek-yogurt-benefits#nutrition).** Essentially, Greek yogurt is **strained for a longer period of time than traditional yogurt in order to remove extra water, lactose, and minerals**. At the end of this process, you end up with Greek yogurt, which is much thicker and creamier than regular yogurt. Greek yogurt offers a ton of nutritional benefits as well. It’s full of **protein, calcium, vitamin B-12**, and more. Greek yogurt is also a **natural source of probiotics**, which help to keep your gut healthy.

## Greek yogurt substitute ideas

Truthfully, it’s hard to find a food that can match both the **creamy taste of Greek yogurt and its great nutrition value**. However, there are several foods that can imitate its flavor and texture, which make them viable Greek yogurt substitute options.

### Sour cream

People looking to cut down on calories often use **Greek yogurt instead of [sour cream](https://tastessence.com/substitutes/sour-cream-substitute)** while baking or on top of savory dishes like chili and Mexican food. But **if you don’t have any Greek yogurt, you can also substitute sour cream** in its place. Simply replace the Greek yogurt in your recipe with the same amount of sour cream. You’ll end up with a **creamy and tangy flavor that’s a bit richer than Greek yogurt.**

### Mayonnaise or aioli

While it’s certainly **not the most healthy alternative to Greek yogurt**, mayonnaise or aioli can be used in its place in certain recipes. You can easily sub in mayo on things like **wraps, dressings, dips, or cold dishes** like chicken salad. Mayonnaise and aioli **don’t offer the same health benefits** that you’ll get from Greek yogurt. But they can get the job done if you don’t have anything else on hand.

### Cottage cheese

Like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese is well-known for its **excellent nutritional value and high levels of protein**. It doesn’t seem like the most obvious Greek yogurt substitute, but it can be used easily in its place. Try **adding cottage cheese to smoothies or topping it with berries** to replace your Greek yogurt in the mornings. In baked goods, you can replace Greek yogurt with an **equivalent amount of cottage cheese** as well. In addition to these three Greek yogurt substitute ideas, you can also try other ingredients you might have at home, including **plain yogurt, [cream cheese](https://tastessence.com/substitutes/cream-cheese-substitute), or buttermilk**. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of personal preference and what tastes best to you. For more cooking ideas and tips, [**check out the Tastessence blog**](https://tastessence.com/).