Sometimes, you need Greek yogurt to be a little warm as it is just out of the refrigerator and you feel it very cold. At that time, you may think of microwaving it. Now, the question arises: can you microwave Greek yogurt?
No, you cannot microwave Greek yogurt as this may lead to separation and liquefaction of the yogurt and kill all good bacteria.
Greek yogurt has high protein with digestive wellbeing benefits and is quite thick but its probiotics are not protected by its thickness.
If it is urgent to warm it in the microwave, do it at a low temperature and low power. Also, it should be microwaved for 10 seconds only and that too at the end of the cooking.
Warming it more than this can cause liquefaction of the Greek yogurt. In this way, the thermal process is not able to impact the probiotics bacterial content of the Greek yogurt.
Below are some tips for microwaving Greek yogurt:
- Do not microwave in the plastic container in which yogurt is already present as this may warp and harmful chemicals may leach into the yogurt.
- Use a microwave-safe container for this.
- Take only a small portion of yogurt for microwaving as this requires low heat exposure and the warming process occurs quickly.
- During microwaving Greek yogurt, cover the bowl with a loose lid so that it gets warm in a safe way.
- Microwave at 15 seconds interval to distribute even heat to all.
- High heat temperature should be avoided by selecting a low power limit of the microwave.
- Take the warm yogurt out of the microwave by using hot pads.
As you expose high heat levels to the Greek yogurt, milk proteins in it seize up and start breaking up. Yogurt will start cuddling up and your dish will look like it has some lumpy bits of yogurt.
The dish will still be edible but the appearance will not look good to you. While using Greek yogurt in cooking, let it stand for some time at room temperature so that it becomes warm.
Then, add a small amount of hot liquid in the yogurt while stirring before you add Greek yogurt to the hot pot. With this, there will be very little chance of getting a curdled mess.
How to heat milk in microwave for yogurt?
Homemade yogurt is cheaper as compared to buying from the market and also it helps to control the amount of fat consumed by you. Yogurt making at home can be a time-consuming and lengthy process but when done in the microwave, it saves a lot of time.
The first step in making yogurt is to heat milk. To heat milk in the microwave for yogurt, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Take a microwave-safe bowl and add 4 cups of fresh milk to it. If you want to make a non-fat yogurt, use skim milk and for a richer yogurt, use whole milk.
- Mix ¼ cup of powdered milk to it and stir well.
- Place this bowl in the microwave and microwave for 8-9 minutes at high power.
- Check the temperature of the milk with a food thermometer after 9 minutes. It should be 175 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the milk stand for a few minutes so that it cools down. Keep a thermometer in it and until the temperature becomes 100 degrees Fahrenheit, let it cool.
Once the temperature reaches the limit, the milk is ready for the yogurt. Now, you just have to add a small amount of fresh yogurt and keep it aside for fermentation.
How to make yogurt in microwave?
Below is the method to make yogurt in the microwave:
- Set the microwave for the fermentation option, if available with your microwave. If not, select the microwave temperature and power limit for 6-8 hours.
- Use a microwave-safe bowl to make yogurt in the microwave.
- Pour 4 cups of fresh milk into the bowl and boil it for 9 minutes in the microwave. The method to heat milk for yogurt is mentioned above. The temperature of the milk should reach 175 degrees F. Now, let it cool down to 100 degrees F.
- To the milk, add a yogurt starter and whisk it gently.
- Use a cling wrap to cover it and to provide better insulation, wrap a dish towel around the bowl.
- After every 4 hours, heat the milk for 30 seconds in the microwave at low power or fermentation setting.
- Once set, let it sit overnight which helps in getting the desired texture and flavor.
Keep in the refrigerator for some time to chill it and serve as a delicious dressing for the meals.
Can Greek yogurt be heated?
Greek yogurt can be heated but heating at high temperature can cause the good bacteria to die and it may liquefy as well. Like regular yogurt, it is temperamental in high heat.
Once the concentrated milk proteins separate from the whey protein of the yogurt, they will never unite again and you will be left with liquid yogurt which will be good for nothing.
If Greek yogurt is used in cooking at high temperatures, it will cuddle. To avoid this, it should be heated at a low temperature and while adding, it should be stirred continuously.
It is also advised to add Greek yogurt at the end of the cooking process to preserve its texture and creaminess.
How long does Greek yogurt last after opening?
Greek yogurt after opening can last upto 1-2 weeks in the fridge and it can last for two months in the freezer. It should be consumed within this time to avoid eating spoiled yogurt.
Below are the three signs which tell whether Greek yogurt has gone bad:
- Surface liquid – It is normal to have some liquid on the top of the Greek yogurt. Mix it well with the yogurt before eating and this liquid is full of nutrients. But if the yogurt is full of liquid means there are no nutrients left and the yogurt has gone bad.
- Growth of mold – If there is mold growing on the yogurt, it is time to throw it away.
- Shelf life – Always look for the sell-by date of the yogurt which gives an idea about the time for which it will be safe to consume.
Conclusion
Based on the above discussion, it must be clear that Greek yogurt should not be microwaved until it is necessary as microwaving can kill good bacteria in the yogurt.
Even though you have to microwave it, follow the tips and instructions mentioned above in the post. Hope this article is helpful to you.