Substitutions

Substitute for Plain yogurt

6 tested substitutions — with the ratio and the caveat that decides whether it works.

Ratio	Plain yogurt	Works in
×1	Greek yogurt Thicker — whisk in a splash of milk. Reference ratio	baking · cooking
×1	Buttermilk Runnier; same tang — great for marinades and crumb. Reference ratio	baking
×1	Sour cream Richer with the same tang. Reference ratio	cooking · baking
×1	skyr Thicker, milder — thin slightly. Reference ratio	baking · cooking
×1	kefir Drinkable texture — batters and marinades only. Reference ratio	baking
×1	Whole milk Loses acidity — baking soda lift will drop; prefer with baking powder. Reference ratio	baking

Baking is less forgiving than cooking — stick to substitutions marked « baking » and respect the ratio.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best substitute for Plain yogurt?

It depends on the recipe — the table above shows which substitutes work in baking vs cooking.

Can I substitute Plain yogurt in baking?

Baking is less forgiving than cooking — stick to substitutions marked « baking » and respect the ratio.