Slow Cooker Yogurt (Standard or Greek)

Make a big batch of homemade slow cooker yogurt right at home! Just two ingredients are needed, and it tastes so fresh.

Slow cooker yogurt in a serving dish with toppings.

I love making breakfast recipes in my slow cooker, and this slow cooker yogurt is extra special. You can fill up the fridge with homemade yogurt for a fraction of the price of buying it at the store. My simple recipe is as fresh as it can get and silky smooth!

Ingredients for slow cooker yogurt on a table.Ingredients for slow cooker yogurt on a table.

Ingredients & Equipment

Milk – Fresh whole milk will be the base of making the yogurt.

Yogurt – Yes, you need yogurt to make yogurt at home. Use Plain Greek yogurt that has live active cultures.

Equipment: Besides needing a 4 quart or larger slow cooker you will need a strainer, a thermometer, and cheesecloth if you want thicker Greek style yogurt.

Whole milk in a crockpot.Whole milk in a crockpot.
Milk and yogurt in a glass bowl.Milk and yogurt in a glass bowl.
Yogurt straining through a cheesecloth into a bowl.Yogurt straining through a cheesecloth into a bowl.

How to Make Yogurt in the Slow Cooker

  1. Add the milk to the slow cooker and heat to 180°F.
  2. Cool to 110°F, whisk in a dollop of yogurt.
  3. Turn the cooker off. Wrap in a towel and incubate 8–12 hours, then chill; strain for Greek-style thickness.
Scooping some yogurt from a slow cooker with a spoon.Scooping some yogurt from a slow cooker with a spoon.

Sarah’s Tips

  • Ensure the milk and yogurt you use are fresh and not expired for optimal results.
  • Set a timer on your phone to prevent leaving the yogurt on the counter for longer than necessary.
  • Save old jam jars to store your yogurt in; some can be very cute!
Servings of slow cooker yogurt topped with fruit, granola, and honey.Servings of slow cooker yogurt topped with fruit, granola, and honey.

We have extra yogurt and are tired of eating it in bowls for breakfast; here is how my family uses it up.

  • Add the yogurt to smoothies to make them creamy.
  • Use in baking recipes instead of oil (we do this in cake mix recipes).
  • If you are dieting, you can use yogurt on meals in place of sour cream! We even use it in recipes like our Greek drumsticks.
A hand grabbing a spoonful of slow cooker yogurt from a serving dish.A hand grabbing a spoonful of slow cooker yogurt from a serving dish.

Is it Safe to Make Homemade Yogurt?

When you use clean utensils, heat the yogurt and cool it properly, then store it in the coldest part of your fridge. Making your own yogurt is perfectly safe.

  • Pour 1/2 gallon of whole milk into the slow cooker and set it to low heat. Heat for 2.5 to 3 hours until the milk reaches 180°F (82°C).

  • Turn off the slow cooker and let the milk cool to 110°F (43°C), which may take 2 to 3 hours. For faster cooling, remove the ceramic insert.

  • In a bowl, mix 1 cup of the warm milk from the slow cooker with 1/4 cup of plain yogurt until well combined.

  • Stir the yogurt mixture back into the slow cooker.

  • Cover the slow cooker and wrap it with a thick towel to maintain warmth. Allow it to culture for 8 to 12 hours. I use a big bath towel for this. (Your room temperature should remain above 68℉ ( 20℃), or the yogurt may not thicken.

  • After incubation, check that the yogurt has thickened. For Greek-style yogurt, place a cheesecloth in a strainer, set it over a bowl, and pour the yogurt in. Let it strain in the fridge for a few hours or up to 24 hours until it reaches your desired thickness.

  • Transfer the yogurt to containers and refrigerate to enhance firmness and flavor.

Reserve about 1/4 cup of your finished yogurt to use as a starter for your next batch. This not only saves money but also maintains the live cultures needed for fermentation.
Ensure that all tools and containers are clean to prevent contamination.
The incubation period can be adjusted depending on how tangy you like your yogurt; longer periods result in tangier yogurt.

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

How to Store Homemade Yogurt

After placing the yogurt in clean containers, you can store it in the fridge for up to two weeks. I do not recommend freezing yogurt.

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