Learn how to use Greek yogurt to lighten up recipes in this roundup of 100+ sweet and savory Greek yogurt recipes.
Greek yogurt can easily be used as a healthy substitute for higher fat ingredients, as well as a way to boost protein in recipes. I’ve found Greek yogurt to be a versatile ingredient as it can mimic creaminess, thicken foods, and serve to keep foods moist. No longer is Greek yogurt simply breakfast in a cup (although I do enjoy it that way too).
Greek yogurt comes in non-fat, low-fat and full fat versions, so when looking to use Greek yogurt as a healthier substitute, choose non-fat or low-fat varieties.
I’ve used Greek yogurt as a healthier substitute for:
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Oil
- Cream cheese
- Heavy cream
It also makes a healthy addition to smoothies and is a great way to keep lean proteins moist.
Here are some ways to use Greek yogurt as a healthy ingredient in cooking and baking:
- In Dips in place of mayonnaise, sour cream and cream cheese
- In Salad Dressings in place of mayonnaise and sour cream
- In Casseroles, Soups and Sauces in place of heavy cream and sour cream
- In Marinades to keep lean proteins moist
- In Muffins, Cupcakes and Pancakes in place of oil or butter
I’ve collected a huge assortment of recipes from fellow food bloggers that use Greek yogurt as a healthy substitute in some fashion for inspiration. Take a look.
Greek Yogurt in Smoothies
Blueberry Banana Yogurt Smoothie
Mango Coconut Mint Smoothie
Chocolate Avocado Smoothie
Fruity Greek Yogurt Smoothie
Greek Yogurt Berry Medley Smoothie
Healthy Blackberry Shake
Creamy Pumpkin Smoothies
Cool-as-a-Cucumber Smoothie
Greek Yogurt in Dips
Buffalo Chicken “Wing” Dip
Hot Crab Dip
Shrimp Taco Dip
Chili Spiced Sweet Potato Fries with Chipotle Yogurt Dip
Creamy Triple Pepper and Kale Dip
Cheesy Baked Spinach + Artichoke Dip
The Best Tzaziki Sauce
Skinny Ranch Dip
Garlicky Eggplant and Greek Yogurt Dip
Avocado and Greek Yogurt Dip
Garlic Scape Dip
Lightened-Up French Onion Dip
Baked Spicy Greek Yogurt Chicken Wings with Greek Yogurt Bleu Cheese Dressing
Feta Aioli
Avocado Crema over Shrimp Tostados
Healthy Honey Mustard Dip
Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Dip
Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip
Greek Yogurt in Pancakes, Muffins, Quick Breads
Pumpkin Spice Pancakes
Light and Tangy Blueberry Pancakes
Lemon Yogurt Pancakes
Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Waffles (low carb, gluten-free)
Peanut Butter and Banana Whole Wheat Quick Bread
Cream Cheese Filled Carrot Zucchini Muffins
Spiced Pumpkin Molasses Muffins
Dark Chocolate Banana Breakfast Muffins
Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins
Buttermilk Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins
Healthy Pina Colada Muffins
Blueberry Carrot Muffins
Whole Grain Orange Vanilla Greek Yogurt Pancakes
Greek Yogurt Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Maple Syrup
Greek Yogurt in Main Courses/Savory Recipes
Creamy Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
Creamy Tomato Crab Pasta Sauce
Smoked Red Curry Coconut Chicken
Turkey Mushroom Sloppy Joes and Greek Yogurt Coleslaw
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Crockpot Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes
Greektown Turkey Meatballs
Feta Chicken Kabobs
Greek Marinated Chicken
Spicy Chicken Shawarma
Bulgur and Kale Casserole with Yogurt Topping
Layered Pasilla-Tortilla Casserole with Black Beans, Mushrooms and Chard
Zucchini & Tomato Pasta with Lemon Yogurt Sauce
Roasted Poblano Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken Tacos
A Quick Tzatziki Sauce and Chicken Souvlaki Tacos
Fish Taco Enchiladas
Lemon Tarragon Salmon with Greek Salad and Yogurt Dressing
Shrimp Tacos
Greek Pita Pizzas
Cheesy Zucchini Hodge Podge
Smoky Deviled Eggs with Greek Yogurt
Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup
Chilled Greek Yogurt Soup
Greek Yogurt in Salads
Warm Braised Beet Salad with Yogurt Dressing
Roasted Beet, Apple and Walnut Salad with Honey Lemon Yogurt Dressing
Broccoli Salad
Cucumber Dill Greek Yogurt Salad
Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad with Greek Yogurt
Waldorf-ish Chicken Salad
Broccoli Salad with Greek Yogurt, Cranberries and Almonds
Red Leaf Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Greek Yogurt Dressing
Greek Nacho Salad
Buttermilk Herb Dressing
Blender Caesar Dressing
Greek Yogurt In Desserts, Sweets
Coconut Chia Pudding with Raspberry Puree
Gingered Blueberry Shortcakes with Light Creamy Topping
Steamed Ginger Peaches with Greek Yogurt
Honey Yogurt Semifreddo
Yogurt Berry Parfait
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Greek Yogurt
Frozen Blueberry Coconut Yogurt Pie
Pots de Chocolat with Greek Yogurt
Coconut Avocado Frozen Yogurt
Lemon Meringue Frozen Yogurt
Blueberry Maple Frozen Yogurt
Blueberry Chocolate Chunk Frozen Yogurt
Healthy Strawberry-Pineapple Cheesecake Popsicles
Mango Lassi Popsicles
Strawberry Mango Yogurt Pops
Greek Yogurt Berry Smoothie Pops
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mousse
Greek Yogurt Truffles
Frozen Greek Yogurt Cherry Bites
Light-as-Air Banana Cheesecake
Skinny Peaches & Cream Greek Yogurt Cheesecake
Orange Almond Yogurt Cake
No Bake Kiwi Lime Cheesecake Tarts
Skinny Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Blueberry Granola Parfaits
Peanut Butter “Mousse” & Strawberry Parfaits
Mason Jar Greek Yogurt Parfait
I hope you found this roundup of Greek yogurt recipes inspiring (I know I have). I’ve love to hear if you’ve used Greek yogurt as a healthy ingredient. Please share in the comments section below.
Aggie says
Oh I love Greek yogurt so much and try to use it in everything! It’s so versatile!
What am awesome roundup Jeanette! Thanks for including me 🙂
Jeanette says
Aggie – I love Greek yogurt too – it’s a great substitute for so many different ingredients.
Chris says
I need all these recipes in a book! Do you have one? Or can you recommend one?
Jeanette says
Chris, I don’t have a book yet but hoping to work on a short e-book soon.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Fabulous recipe roundup, Jeanette! Wow! So many tasty recipes calling out my name…from your Buffalo Chicken Dip to that super scrumptious looking Creamy Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese! Yum. Plenty of desserts to top it all off, too. Thanks ever so much for sharing, girl! Pinning!
Jeanette says
Thanks Stacy – I think you’d really like the Buffalo Chicken Dip and the Mac and Cheese – great for football Sundays!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
Wow, what an incredible round-up! I love Greek yogurt, especially how versatile it is. There are so many on this list that I’m now dying to make!
Jeanette says
Faith – it was putting this round-up together to see all the different ways everyone uses Greek yogurt.
Kalyn says
Wow, great round-up, and thanks for including me!
Jeanette says
Thanks Kalyn – there are so many different ways to include Greek yogurt in cooking/baking!
Brian says
Thanks! For tips and ideas that can substitute greek yogurt.
EA-The Spicy RD says
Fantastic Greek Yogurt recipe round-up Jeanette & thanks so much for including my Triple Pepper & Kale dip! Last night I made coleslaw (along w/ your crockpot BBQ chicken-yum) & I made a dressing of 1/3 mayo w/ 2/3 Greek yogurt. This morning I had Greek Yogurt w/ Breakfast Bananas Foster. And, this weekend I am making your Pumpkin Pancakes w/ Greek Yogurt-super yum!!
Jeanette says
EA – that all sounds fantastic! I’ve been using Greek yogurt left and right, it’s so versatile and I love the bump in nutrition that it provides.
Christine (Cook the Story) says
This is such a wonderful round-up, Jeanette. I love Greek yogurt and use it in all kinds of things. But there are a bunch of ideas here that I haven’t thought of. Thanks for sharing them with us!
Jeanette says
Thanks Christine – there are so many great ideas – I can’t wait to try them myself!
Brandie (@ Home Cooking Memories) says
Love this! I know that replacing yogurt is healthier, but I’m never really sure how or what it’s good to replace it in. This is very helpful. And thank you for featuring my Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip!
Jeanette says
Thanks Brandie – there are so many different ways to use Greek yogurt – your fruit dip sounds fantastic!
Julia says
Wow what a fabulous round-up! I love using yogurt in recipes so this is a great resource.
Jeanette says
Thanks Julia – Greek yogurt is an easy substitute for so many recipes. I’m looking forward to trying more ways to use it as an ingredient.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
Such a comprehensive roundup Jeanette! Thanks for including my dish 🙂
Jeanette says
Alyssa – it was fun seeing all the different ways everyone uses Greek yogurt in their cooking/baking!
Caroline says
This is an amazing roundup Jeanette! I’m pinning this for later because if I ever need to find a yogurt recipe, this is certainly the place to look!
Jeanette says
Thanks Caroline – I’m glad you found this helpful!
Donna says
What a great roundup! How will I ever choose?
Nadine D says
Thank you for this Jeanette, what an awesome round up 🙂 love greek yoghurt in desserts recipes.
Jeanette says
Thanks Nadine – Greek yogurt is a great substitute in desserts!
katie says
What an awesome list of greek yogurt recipes! Thanks for including mine in the list! 🙂
Jeanette says
Thanks Katie – love seeing all the ways everyone uses Greek yogurt to make recipes healthier!
Kimberly says
Running a bit late with my Thank You but WOW what a great roundup! Sharing via Hungry Goddess! THANK YOU!
Jeanette says
Hi Kimberly – thanks for your note – happy cooking with Greek yogurt!
Juliet says
This is fabulous! Thank you! I’m going to try the yogurt/egg combo in my penne vodka tonight.
Harriet says
How can I make Banana Bread with Greek yogurt?
Jeanette says
Harriet, you can substitute Greek yogurt for some of the oil/fat in the recipe. Here’s a recipe I found from The Shiska in the Kitchen for banana bread. She uses Greek yogurt and applesauce (another way to reduce the amount of oil/fat in baking) to cut back the fat in her recipe. http://theshiksa.com/2012/06/13/greek-yogurt-banana-nut-bread/