Recipe Roundup

69 Yogurt Recipes for Tart and Creamy Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, and Desserts

Tangy yogurt goes savory and sweet—here are our favorite recipes for using up the rest of that tub in your fridge.

December 17, 2021

69 Yogurt Recipes for Tart and Creamy Breakfasts Dinners and Desserts

There’s more to yogurt than a simple bowl topped with granola, and these yogurt recipes prove it. The tangy cultured dairy works wonders as a marinade, gives body and richness to sauces, and adds moisture to every baked good it meets. Below you’ll find a few of our favorite ways to cook with yogurt, including easy dips, simple desserts, luscious dressings, and more. Find 69 ways to make the most of whatever yogurt you have on hand, plus the recipes you need for making it yourself from scratch.

Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
1/69
Yogurt Cake with Marmalade Glaze
Some of the best yogurt recipes are the easy ones. This pound cake, tenderized with yogurt instead of butter, is utterly simple and versatile: Enjoy a slice for breakfast with a steaming cup of coffee, or serve it after dinner with fruit coulis or whipped cream.
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Photo by Christopher Testani
2/69
Beets With Dill, Lime, and Yogurt
In this colorful dish, sweet beets are zipped up with lime, yogurt, and garlic.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone
3/69
Breakfast Yogurt Pops with Fruit and Granola
Adults and kids alike will love waking up to these fruit-studded, high-protein, low-sugar yogurt pops.
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Photo by Alex Lau
4/69
Spinach-Yogurt Dip With Sizzled Mint
Our version of this dip uses spinach, but it can be made with cooked beets or roasted eggplant, too.
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Photo by Colin Price
5/69
Blueberry Muffin Smoothie
This smoothie mimics the flavors of everyone’s favorite muffin.
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Photo by Danny Culbert
6/69
Caramelized Eggplant With Harissa Yogurt
One thing the air fryer does really well: vegetables. Pile them onto a flavorful mix of harissa paste and plain yogurt for a super-satisfying vegetarian dish.
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Photo by Liz & Max Haarala Hamilton
7/69
Pomegranate-Yogurt Ice Pops
Pomegranate juice adds brilliant color and tangy flavor to these easy ice pops. Letting it freeze for a bit before stirring in the yogurt gives each pop a marbled look.
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Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani
8/69
Crispy Pita With Chickpeas and Yogurt (Fattet Hummus)
This creamy, crunchy breakfast dish also pairs well with vegetables or fish come dinnertime. The canned chickpeas pick up some flavor from a quick simmer with garlic.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce
9/69
Yogurt and Persian Shallot Dip (Mast-o Musir)
This lovely, simple dish is great to have in your fridge at all times. It adds a wonderful, distinctive flavor to any dish it accompanies.
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Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo
10/69
Yogurt and Spice Roasted Salmon
For a super-quick dinner, cube your salmon and roast it at high heat for a perfectly charred exterior and tender, flaky interior. The creamy marinade in this recipe brings flavor, while also keeping the salmon moist.
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Photo by Rick Martinez
11/69
Caramelized Plantain Parfait
When pan-fried, the outside of these plantains caramelizes and forms a hard shell while the inside becomes soft and custardy. Paired with unsweetened coconut milk yogurt or Greek yogurt, it's one of our favorite breakfast recipes.
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Photo & Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin
12/69
Cranberry-Orange Snacking Cake
This simple snacking cake could be breakfast—or an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s a great way to put any lingering cans of cranberry sauce to good use.
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Photo by Eva Kosmas Flores
13/69
Grilled Carrots With Herby Coconut Yogurt and Spicy Beet Vinaigrette
Mix fresh herbs like basil, mint, dill, or cilantro into coconut yogurt to serve with these sweet grilled carrots.
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Photo by Jennifer Robins
14/69
Instant-Pot Cultured Coconut Milk Yogurt
You can make your own cultured coconut milk yogurt in the Instant Pot. And yes, it's delicious.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
15/69
Chickpea-Potato Chaat
Yogurt—with a little lime, sugar, and salt—adds a creamy dimension to this crunchy, tangy, spicy dish.
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Photo by Iain Bagwell, Food Styling by Torie Cox
16/69
Mango Shrikhand Panna Cotta Tart
Mango, ginger, and creamy yogurt form the panna cotta filling of this gorgeous tart, which should be prepped in advance so it sets before you serve it.
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Photo by Alex Lau
17/69
Spiced Dal with Fluffy Rice and Salted Yogurt
Spicy, flavorful lentils balance perfectly with tangy, cool yogurt in this healthy comfort food.
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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton
18/69
Spiced Yogurt-Marinated Cornish Hens With Sweet Onion-Roasted Potatoes
A savory alternative-yogurt marinade spiced with black pepper, ginger, and turmeric simultaneously seasons and tenderizes these pint-size birds.
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Photo by Alex Lau
19/69
Turmeric Eggs with Kale, Yogurt, and Bacon
Breakfast bowls shouldn’t take 2 hours to make; this one is ready in about 20 minutes. Add roasted sweet potato or cooked grains to make it even more hearty.
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Photo by Alex Lau
20/69
Oat and Apple Pancakes with Yogurt
The oats, nuts, and fruit in this batter will start your day on the right nutritional foot—even with a generous glug of maple syrup poured over the top. And the yogurt adds a tangy, creamy kick you won't want to miss.
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Photo by Alex Lau
21/69
Charred Sweet Potatoes With Toum
The sweet, charred flavor of sweet potatoes is offset with bright, luscious yogurt in this hearty side dish.
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Photo by Alex Lau
22/69
Blackberry-Tahini Yogurt Cake
Trust us: This simple berry-studded cake recipe is a real keeper.
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Ma'ayan Rosenzweig
23/69
Homemade Yogurt
Store-bought yogurt may be convenient, but it can't compare to the mild creaminess of homemade. And the good news is that it's really easy to make. We'll walk you through it.
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Photo by Waterbury Publications, Inc.
24/69
Homemade Plain Whole Milk Yogurt in the Instant Pot
If you want to move the yogurt-making process over to your Instant Pot, use this recipe. The results are delicious.
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Photo by Alex Lau
25/69
Buckwheat Banana Cake with Yogurt-Espresso Frosting
Eat cake for breakfast all week with this version, made with nutrient-dense whole grain flours and an espresso-spiked Greek yogurt topping.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
26/69
Spanish Frittata With Herby Yogurt and Greens
This recipe calls for potatoes, but it would be just as good with any leftover cooked veggies.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
27/69
Mixed Greens With Yogurt Dressing And Dill
A couple tablespoons of yogurt miraculously transform a basic vinaigrette recipe into a new creamy dressing.
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Photo by Peden + Munk
28/69
Roasted Eggplant and Crispy Kale With Yogurt
Roasting the eggplants at a high heat will make the flesh very tender while making the skin a little crispy. You know what goes well with crispy eggplant? Yogurt.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
29/69
Cherry Compote with Honey Yogurt
This sweet compote is the perfect thing to turn your morning yogurt into an elegant, dinner-party worthy dessert.
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Photo by Alex Lau
30/69
Smashed Cucumbers and Radishes in Yogurt Sauce
Wheels of cucumbers and radishes are nice and all, but smashing them into ragged pieces is way more fun. Yogurt adds fresh flavor and creaminess.
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31/69
Watermelon With Yogurt, Poppy Seeds, and Fried Rosemary
There’s no law that says watermelon salads must incorporate feta. This renegade combination is at once sweet, tart, and savory—the kind of dish that’s as comfortable at the breakfast table as it is at a potluck.
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Photo by Christopher Testani.
32/69
Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken
Marinating chicken in yogurt makes for an extra-crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini
33/69
10-Minute Shrimp With Green Beans and Creamy Lemon-Dill Dip
We call this one a picnic dinner since everything can be eaten with your hands. It's easy to pack up and take to the park if you want, but it also works great on the family table.
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Photo by Bobbi Lin
34/69
Yogurt with Raisins, Cucumber, and Walnuts
Yogurt is a staple side dish on most Persian tables. The yogurt can be mixed with shallots, grated cooked beets, cooked spinach, or, most commonly, with Persian cucumbers, mint, and dried rose.
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Photo by Christopher Testani
35/69
Mushrooms with Béarnaise Yogurt
A classic steakhouse-inspired rub and sauce turn grilled mushrooms into a strikingly meaty meal.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
36/69
Frozen Yogurt Bark
Just the right mix of crisp, creamy, and slightly sweet, this frozen treat is exactly what we want to have around the house for snacking.
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Christopher Testani
37/69
Zucchini-Herb Fritters with Garlic Yogurt
Squeezing the liquid out of the zucchini is the secret to crisp fritters. (The potato helps, too.) Dipping in yogurt makes this fried treat a little lighter and more refreshing.
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Photo by Gentl & Hyers
38/69
Chorizo, Tomato, and Chickpeas With Yogurt
This chorizo recipe is hearty and substantial on its own, but if you want to put an egg on it, go right ahead.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
39/69
Cucumber and Tomato Tzatziki
Sliced tomato makes a colorful addition to this classic Greek yogurt sauce. It's a refreshing accompaniment to grilled vegetables or fish.
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Photo by Alex Lau
40/69
Grilled Carrots with Cumin-Serrano Yogurt
Sweet carrots get sweetly caramelized, but also a nice savory char on the grill. Yogurt is a moistener and a creaminess booster in this side you can eat year round.
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Photo by Alex Lau
41/69
Fried Egg Tacos with Chile Jam
These simple, spicy breakfast tacos get a creamy, tangy boost from added yogurt sauce.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi
42/69
Garlic-Curry Chicken Thighs with Yogurt Sauce
Tangy yogurt works its magic in two ways here: first as an invigorating marinade for these fat chicken thighs, and then as a curry and garlic sauce. It's the perfect main for a leisurely weekend dinner party.
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Photo by Peden & Munk
43/69
Vadouvan Carrot Yogurt
If you really can't get enough vadouvan, try stirring it into the yogurt itself, like in this dip for rye crackers or flatbread.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
44/69
Grain Bowl With Spiced Squash, Mushrooms, and Curried Yogurt
No squash? No problem. This flexible rice bowl dinner can be made with all sorts of roasted vegetables (and, for that matter, any kind of grain). Just don't skip the creamy yogurt!
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Photo by Ted Cavanaugh
45/69
Cumin-Chile Lamb Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt
A perfect cube is not essential, but try to get the lamb into roughly the same size pieces so they cook at the same rate.
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Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
46/69
Persimmons with Greek Yogurt and Pistachios
This yogurt-based dessert with persimmons works best with Hachiya persimmons. Those are the pointier ones, which are best when they're super soft and completely ripe.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi
47/69
Yogurt-Peach Semifreddo
Leaving the skins on the peaches for the purée makes for a beautifully pink swirl in this refreshing summer dessert.
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Photo by Peden + Munk
48/69
Chile-and-Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken
Yes, you’ll need a lot of spices, but it’s not much work from there. Let the chicken marinate for 12 hours to get the most impact.
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Photo by Christina Holmes
49/69
Artichokes with Parmesan–Black Pepper Yogurt
Any sharp, salty cheese will work in this dip; try Pecorino or feta.
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Danny Kim
50/69
Yogurt-Lime Sorbet
This is a frozen yogurt you don't have to pay for by the ounce. The bonus? It's fresh and zesty, especially with a little bit of lime juice.
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Danny Kim
51/69
Crab Toasts with Spicy Yogurt
Crab is a sweet and delicate meat—don't muddle it in a salad with mayo! Use yogurt's natural tanginess to accentuate the fatty and sweet characteristics of the crab, and spread it on a toast as a party appetizer.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle
52/69
Homemade Coconut Yogurt
This homemade yogurt works well as a dairy-free alternative. We prefer making our own coconut milk over using canned—the flavor is much more fresh.
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Photo by Peden & Munk
53/69
Radish Yogurt With Pine Nuts
This cooling vegetable dip combines bitter radishes with toasty pine nuts and zesty yogurt. It's a quick fix for crudites, too.
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Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Chris Morocco
54/69
Blueberry, Lime, and Cashew Smoothies
This is an all-season smoothie: frozen berries work just fine. In the market for an upgraded blender? Check out or side-by-side-by-side review for the best blenders around.
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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
55/69
Dark Ginger Rye Cake With Yogurt and Honey
Richly spiced gingerbread with the texture of a moist, dense devil’s food cake, this recipe only gets better if you make it ahead.
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Marcus Nilsson
56/69
Slow-Grilled Leg of Lamb with Mint Yogurt and Salsa Verde
Ask your butcher for a whole leg, which will include part of the sirloin.
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Photo by Peden & Munk
57/69
Caramelized Shallot Yogurt
You might never make a sour cream–based onion dip ever again.
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Christina Holmes
58/69
Sweet and Sour Strawberry Semifreddo With Black Sesame
No ice cream maker? That's when semifreddo saves the day. Blend a strawberry jam with yogurt and freeze in a bowl or loaf pan for three hours. The end result is an unfussy and totally scoopable dessert.
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Christopher Testani
59/69
Chile-Cumin Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt and Cucumber
Pasilla chile oil wakes up lamb meatballs and cucumber while plenty of yogurt keeps the heat in check.
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Peden and Munk Taylor and Jen
60/69
Yogurt with Fresh Figs, Honey, and Pine Nuts
Yogurt turns this pantry-cleaning dessert into a treat. Make a honey sauce better by warming it with rose water.
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Photo by Jason Varney
61/69
Yogurt Marinated Chicken Skewers With Toum Garlic Sauce
This is simply the most tender, succulent chicken you can eat—thanks to the yogurt marinade, which is a great tenderizer.
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Photo by Marcus Nilsson, Prop Styling by Amy Wilson, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
62/69
Hot-Smoked Salmon With Salted Yogurt and Fennel
A chunk of smoked salmon is the heart of this refreshing, savory dish. You'll pile crisp fennel onto a bed of lemony yogurt, then top the whole mix with a tangy mustard dressing.
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Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
63/69
Spiced Lamb and Dill Yogurt Pasta
This super-flavorful dish spins the flavors of shish barak—lamb and pine nut dumplings from the Levant—in a pasta direction.
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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
64/69
Slippery When Wet
This fragrant and refreshing strawberry-gin drink has a secret ingredient: a dollop of unsweetened Greek yogurt, which gives the cocktail a tangy flavor and subtly creamy texture.
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Romulo Yanes
65/69
French Yogurt Cake
Yogurt tenderizes the cake and lightens it up. You can serve this cake for dessert, but between us, it'd make a killer breakfast.
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Photos by Charles Masters, food styling by Sue Li
66/69
Lamb Chops with Everything-Bagel Yogurt and Chickpeas
This Moroccan-inspired meal plays off of a classic breakfast flavor: the everything bagel. The combination of poppy seeds and garlic adds great dimension to spicy lamb in yogurt sauce.
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Photo by Myles New
67/69
Blackberry and Blueberry–Ginger Yogurt Pots
This is the ultimate breakfast parfait thanks to slow-cooked fruit paired with tangy, creamy yogurt.
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Photo by Dylan James Ho and Jeni Afuso
68/69
Watermelon, Lime, and White Pepper Yogurt Drink
This refreshing blended drink is inspired by ayran, doogh, and lassi. Yogurt makes it tangy and creamy; white pepper gives a touch of earthy heat.
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Photo & Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin
69/69
Pork Meatballs and Cucumber Salad
We love cooking with yogurt, and using it in smoothies and desserts, but some of our best yogurt recipes are of the “swoosh the plate” variety, including this easy meatball meal.
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