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Plain yogurt substitute

Dairy, cream and fats · Checked against 2 sources · Updated November 4, 2026

Quick answer

Swap 1 cup of plain yogurt with 1 cup of buttermilk, sour cream or smooth cottage cheese. Buttermilk is thinner, so it suits batters. Sour cream is richer and fits dips and baking. Blend cottage cheese until no curds remain. Expect small changes in tang and body.

How much do you need?

Fractions work: 1 1/2, ¾, 0.5. The amounts below update as you type.

Show only options that are

What to use

  1. Buttermilk

    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 245 g buttermilk
    Best for
    Batters, marinades, dressings.
    What changes
    Thinner and tangier.
    Skip it when
    Dips and anything that needs body.

  2. Sour cream

    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 230 g sour cream
    Best for
    Dips, baking, toppings.
    What changes
    Richer, milder tang.

  3. Cottage cheese, blended smooth

    • Gluten-free
    • Nut-free
    • Egg-free
    • 1 cup 235 ml cottage cheese
    How
    Blend until completely smooth.
    Best for
    Dips, dressings, baking.
    What changes
    Milder and saltier, with less tang.

Diet labels describe the ingredients as normally made. Check packages for gluten and allergens. Some refined sugar is filtered with bone char, which matters if you eat vegan.

Which swap for which job

UsePickWhy
BakingSour cream or buttermilkBoth add acid and moisture.

Do not substitute here

  • Recipes using it as a thickener, like tzatziki. Buttermilk. It is too thin.

Questions

Can I use Greek yogurt?

Yes, as plain yogurt thinned with a little milk or water.

Sources

Ratios come from these sources, in our words. Where they disagree, we say so or pick the amount that matches tested results. Ratios are a starting point. Taste and adjust.