Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, also known as Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt, is a thick, creamy yogurt that you can make faster than the boil method. Electric pressure cooker yogurt uses a yogurt setting that is built in, to make it easy, with no babysitting required! And did I mention that this Instant Pot yogurt is delicious?!
Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt
Making yogurt is something I never did until I bought my first Instant Pot® electric pressure cooker. I used the boil method, where you heat the milk to 180, cool it to 110, then add the starter (yogurt), then incubate for 8+ hours. It’s not hard, and you can use regular milk.
It comes out a little thinner than the “cold start” or “no boil” method. It is still good though!
When I first made Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, I was thrilled, as this method appealed to my lazy side, and it came out thick enough that I didn’t have to strain it (another point for my lazy side)! Not having to boil & cool it meant that I saved time, too.
Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, or sometimes called “Fairlife yogurt”, “Cold Start yogurt” or a loose version of Vietnamese yogurt, comes out creamy and thick.
This version of Instant Pot Yogurt uses a milk that has already been boiled and is filtered. There are several brands out there, but Fairlife® is by far the most popular. It comes in whole, 2%, and nonfat.
How to Make Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt
- Use ultra pasteurized milk, such as Fairlife® – You can use whole, 2%, etc. The reason you can get away with not boiling it for this method is that they already boiled it. The milk gets heated enough to kill the bacteria that fights against the cultures that make the yogurt. That’s why you have to add starter with active/live cultures.
- Add a starter with active/live cultures – You need a starter (I use Fage yogurt), since all of the live stuff was killed off in the boil. Just whisk it in. I use 2 heaping Tbsps for 1/2 gallon of milk. Make sure it’s fresh, and actually says “Active Live Cultures” on the carton.
- Sweetening your yogurt – Completely optional. Sometimes I do, and use a can of sweetened condensed milk, whisked in well. Sometimes I don’t want a sweet batch, or I just don’t have the SCM, so I leave it out. I like to use honey and vanilla when I serve it.
- Heavy Cream – Sometimes I add a cup to make my yogurt even creamier. Totally optional (and so decadent!).
Instant Pot Vanilla Extract
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Instant Pot No Boil (cold start) Yogurt is thick, creamy, and delicious. Pressure cooker yogurt is fun to make and tastes so good!
- 52 oz Fairlife® Ultra Filtered Milk, divided
- 2 Tablespoons Yogurt Starter (use a yogurt with live, active cultures)
- 1 14-ounce can Sweetened Condensed Milk (optional), such as Eagle Brand®
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (optional)
- 2-3 teaspoons Vanilla (optional)
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Pour ¼ of the milk into the inner liner (stainless pot).
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Add 2 heaping Tablespoons of the yogurt starter (I like to use Fage brand). Whisk to incorporate completely.
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Add sweetened condensed milk (if using), and whisk very well to dissolve and combine.
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Add the heavy cream and vanilla (if using) and the remainder of the milk and whisk well to combine.
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Place a lid on the pot. You can use the IP lid (on venting), a glass lid, silicone, a dinner plate, etc.
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Press the Yogurt button (or dial), and set time, using the +/- button, or dial, for either 8 hours (default) or 9 hours (for a more tart flavor). Longer incubation time equals tarter yogurt.
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When incubation time is finished, cover the inner liner with a paper towel, and a lid over that, and place it in the fridge to chill. Do not stir until chilled, for best results.
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Remove from fridge and stir. Yogurt should be nice and thick*.
*If you want it even thicker, you will need to strain it.
To strain, place coffee filters in a strainer set over a bowl and pour the yogurt in the lined strainer (or use a yogurt strainer). Place in fridge and strain until desired thickness is achieved.
If you get it too thick, just stir some of the whey back into it.
Resources to Make Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt Recipe and more
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Joan Link
I am so thrilled to discover your website. Sandy, this yogurt recipe is the BOMB! I just made this for the 1st time and followed your instructions (only change was that I substituted the heavy cream with 1/2 cup of half & half). I was amazed how thick, creamy, and velvety it turned out. I was able to coerce my hubby, who absolutely hates Greek yogurt, to try a spoonful of the yogurt as I was transferring the yogurt into sterilized containers. He reacted with a wide-eyed expression and then with a wicked grin announced it was his yogurt! He actually went out today and bought several bottles of Fairlife Milk and cans of sweetened condensed milk so I’ll be able to make more batches of this delicious concoction. Wish there was a way to give this recipe a 10 star review. You have a brand new fan, Sandy. I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Sandy
I’m happy to read this! I’m so glad you and your hubby liked the yogurt!
Beth
I just made this. Followed the recipe except I didn’t use the sweetened condensed milk, it’s good but not much flavor & I would like it sweeter. Can I add the SCM now? Thanks, Beth.
Sandy
I’m not sure. I think it would thin it out, though it would sweeten it. Maybe try adding some honey to the individual servings.
PattiAnn
Well Sandy, I can’t believe it took me so long to try your recipe for yogurt. But this darn virus thing drove me to try it. For years I was buying Trader Joe’s European yogurt, but now I refuse to stand on line to get into TJ for yogurt. Guess what? Not only did your recipe work great, my husband & I like it better than TJ, tastes fresher! I only made a 1/2 recipe in my 3qt mini, no scm,but did add cream & 9 hours. Just perfect.
But I have a question about starter. I bought a small Fage yogurt & used 1 tab. How long can I keep the Fage to use as starter now that it has been opened?
Thanks for your reply.
Sandy
I would say use it within a week or freeze it. You can take some of your freshly made yogurt and use it! Just freeze it in the amount needed, then thaw it in the fridge before using.
Candi
Hi Sandy. Thanks so much for your recipes. I have now tried 2 in less than a week and both were phenomenal!!! I have a question about the addition of vanilla to the yogurt recipe. Do I add the vanilla at the start or after chilling? Thanks so much in advance……Candi
Sandy
I add my vanilla after chilling, just in case I want a different flavor for some of the servings.
Nikki Isakson
Have made the yogurt 5 times. It is FABULOUS. My last batch ended up with some curd to it. Not like cottage cheese, but tiny soft curds. Could it have been that I used too much vanilla? I also noticed when I was re-reading the instructions just now, that in one of the comments you say to add the vanilla AFTER it has cooled, but in the recipe it says to add it with the heavy cream which would be just before you cook it. I add it before cooking. Is that the problem? I whisk it well just as you say to in the instructions. Thanks for your help and ALL of your great recipes. Oh, one other thing…I STILL CAN’T MAKE THE START LIGHT UP
Wyn Mahoney
Can’t give this the 5 stars it deserves! I used to make yogurt many years ago, and liked it, though I remember it being kind of a pain. Since I had mouth surgery and radiation a few years ago, I haven’t been able to eat most yogurt, as it’s too tart. I’ve been eating Noosa Honey only, and it’s not cheap! Since I love rich, creamy, not tart Greek yogurt I decided to try your recipe yesterday. It was so easy, and this morning I loved the results without any straining, which is great as I’m not wasting any whey and it makes it even easier. Even my husband likes it with honey on it, and he usually only likes a few flavors of Greek yogurt. I used the cup of heavy whipping cream but no SCM and the 8 hours time. What a winner, thank you so much! This will be a regular around here, as I like yogurt almost daily.
Sandy
That’s fantastic! Thank you for your review. I hope you are doing well after your radiation treatment.
Diana
I am trying this recipe now but i am not venting the insta pot. Will that be a problem? I am trying just the fair life milk and 2 tablespoon vanilla yogurt. Want to add honey, fruit, and granola after.
Sandy
If using the IP lid, it is best to leave it vented.