Instant Pot Yogurt (Pot-in-Pot)

Instant pot yogurt set in a bowl and jars.

4.92 from 24 votes

Instant Pot Yogurt (Pot-in-Pot)

Make rich, creamy yogurt in your Instant Pot using the pot-in-pot method for perfect results and easy cleanup. This hands-off technique prevents scorching and makes straining optional. Just two ingredients and a few simple steps—no special equipment needed!

Prep Time5

Cook Time8

Total Time8 5

Course: Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: instant pot dahi, pot-in-pot yogurt, yogurt in instant pot

Diet: Gluten-free, Vegetarian

Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

Servings:

Author: Meeta Arora

Equipment

Ingredients

4 cups Whole Milk
1 tablespoon Starter culture or any yogurt with live culture
1 cup Water

Instructions

Pour 1 cup of water into the inner steel pot of the Instant Pot, then place the trivet.
Add the milk to an oven-safe glass or stainless steel bowl. Place this bowl on the trivet. Close the Instant Pot and set it to "Steam" mode for 1 minute with the vent in the sealing position.
Remove the yogurt culture and keep it at room temperature.
After the instant pot timer goes off, release the pressure naturally.
Open the Instant Pot and let the milk cool to approximately 110°F or 43°C. Anything in the range from 108-115°F works as well. Approximately, it will take an hour to cool down to this temperature. (I use a digital thermometer to check the temperature until I got used to checking with my finger).
Add the yogurt culture and gently stir it into the milk. Cover with a lid. If you don't have a lid, you can cover it with aluminum foil.
Start the Instant Pot again in "Yogurt" mode. This will automatically set the timer to 8 hours. (Adjust the time to 6 or 7 hours if you prefer less tangy yogurt)
When the timer beeps, the yogurt should be set. Remove the bowl from the Instant Pot and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. Enjoy the yogurt as a side with your meal or as a snack, topped with fruit or granola.

Video

Notes

(Optional) Sanitizing the Instant Pot to remove odors: If you frequently cook with spices, consider adding this step. Add 2 cups of water with a few drops of lemon juice and put the Instant Pot in steam mode.
Have the yogurt culture at room temperature when you are ready to mix.
The temperature at which you mix the starter with the milk is very important. Initially, it can be challenging to get it right, so you can use a digital thermometer to check the temperature.
Don't keep the yogurt in the instant pot for long after the timer beeps, as it might be more sour.

Nutrition