This one simple step transforms homemade yogurt into thick, creamy Greek yogurt. It’s completely worth it. Whey makes yogurt tangy and loose; straining it out makes it sweet and rich.

HOW TO MAKE GREEK YOGURT

Line a strainer or colander with cheesecloth. Double it up if the cheesecloth’s weave is loose. (A coffee filter or heavy-duty paper towel works for smaller amounts.) Set the colander over a bowl. The whey will start to drip from the yogurt down into the bowl.

You can do this in the fridge, but if the weather is cool and the ambient temperature in your kitchen is around 65°F or below, straining your yogurt on the counter is fine.

You’ll be surprised how much whey strains out. From straining yogurt made from one half gallon of milk, you can get nearly 4 cups of whey. This does decrease your yield of yogurt, but not as much as you’d think. Ideally, strained yogurt has a textural lightness, a hint of fluffiness.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Depending on how stiff you’d like your yogurt, it takes anywhere from 1 to 8 hours. I like to strain my yogurt a day after making it, because by then it’s set and fully chilled.

GET THE CONSISTENCY YOU LIKE

After straining, your yogurt will look curdled and chunky. Whisk it thoroughly by hand and you’ll see it transform, becoming smooth and shiny.

Don’t be afraid to use a little muscle. I give every little bowl of yogurt I spoon out a good thrashing before I dig in. This whisking will turn the yogurt back into the creamy, dreamy yogurt you love.

If you strained your yogurt too much and it’s stiffer than you like, just whisk the whey back in, a few tablespoons at a time, until it’s the consistency you like.

CAN YOU REUSE THE CHEESECLOTH?

You can use your cheesecloth multiple times. I have a special yogurt straining cloth, and it’s showing no signs of wear and tear. Make sure you rinse it well after straining, getting any clinging blobs of yogurt off. Soak it in a solution of warm water and baking soda for an hour, then rinse it and let it air dry.

I don’t wash my cheesecloth in the washing machine, for a few reasons. You don’t want your yogurt to taste or smell like laundry detergent, especially if it’s scented. You don’t want to bleach it, for the same reasons. You can run it through the dryer, but keep in mind this will cause it to shrink, making the weave tighter so it takes longer to strain.

WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER WHEY 

Yogurt whey is acidic, with sour power. It’s a little trickier to use than regular sweet whey (from making cheese or butter), but it can be handy in the kitchen.

• Use a 1:1 ratio of whey to water when cooking whole grains for a little tang.
• Add it to bread doughs to give them a sour edge.
• Mixed it with milk as a stand-in for buttermilk in batters.
• Use it instead of water when making pie dough. The acid helps make a flaky crust.
• Use it in a 1:1 ratio as a cooking liquid for beans.

Whey lasts a long time. Refrigerate it anywhere from two weeks to a few months. If it’s on the older side, check your jar for mold—if it doesn’t look or smell good, toss it. I promise you’ll have a lot more whey than you’ll ever use up.

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