Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt [Cold Start Yogurt] is simply an easy no boil method of making rich and thick yogurt in just a few hours.
Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt, also known as Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt, is a thick, creamy yogurt that you can make faster than the boil method.
After numerous emails and messages asking for a “No Boil, Cold Start” Yogurt recipe, I decided to post my method.
I first heard about this method from Cuong Nguyen, when he posted his Vietnamese Yogurt recipe in the Instant Pot Community, a couple of years ago. This cold start recipe was created by Cuong and the craze took off like wildflowers.
Cast of Ingredients for Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
Sometimes you are in a hurry and just want some quick and healthy Instant Pot Yogurt for breakfast.
You have told me how much you love my Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe but so many of you have written to me, asking if you can skip the “boiling” stage.
Jump to Section
Ingredients for No Boil Yogurt
- Fairlife Milk or other Ultra Filtered Milk (full fat milk is best)
- Yogurt Starter
I was hesitant because my Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe was the first Yogurt recipe to truly crack the Instant Pot Yogurt Making code. My recipe and method is now widely used by most Instant Potters and is the recipe found on many Blogs.
The plus side is that this Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt recipe is a perfect recipe to make in the Instant Pot Mini DUO! Directions for using the Instant Pot Ultra are found in the “Notes” section of the recipe card below.
What is Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt?
- Also called No Boil Yogurt. Simply put, it’s just skipping the boiling step. The Milk is not first heated/”boiled,” like in my Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe.
- This Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt recipe uses Milk that has already been cleaned of unwanted bacteria.
- The Cold Milk and Starter are put into the Instant Pot together.
- Cold Start Yogurt is a one step process in the Instant Pot.
Fairlife Milk is pasteurized at a higher temperature than other milk and for a shorter period of time, so it is safe to use for this recipe. Using Fairlife, for this recipe, the taste of the Yogurt will be a bit stronger, almost concentrated, than the taste my regular Instant Pot Greek Yogurt.
Using other brands of Ultra Pastaurized Milk, that has not been through the filtration process that Fairlife uses, will work too, and will be taste similar to regular yogurt.
Please make sure that your country doesn’t have rules for making homemade yogurt without the boiling step.
Pour in the Fairlife Milk
What is Fairlife Milk?
- Fairlife Milk is an ultra-filtered product, which runs through “soft” filters to concentrate the Milk and remove impurities
- There is more natural protein and calcium which comes directly from the Milk.
- Because of the Filtration process, the Milk is higher in protein and calcium.
- There is less sugar and the Milk is Lactose Free!
- Fairlife Milk is not organic, but is ultra-pasteurized.
Other ultra-pasteurized Milk that is ultra-filtered can be used as well and will produce some Whey, which can be strained.
Add Fresh Yogurt (“Starter”)
Any yogurt that has only milk and live active cultures, can be used as the Yogurt Starter. After the first time making this Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt recipe, you will be able to save some Yogurt for future Yogurt Making adventures.
You can also use Starter from my regular Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe.
A nice Ice Cube Tray with Cover, will keep Tablespoons of Fresh Yogurt frozen, without a smell transfer.
Pop out a cube about an hour before you are planning to make Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt. It will defrost quickly and be ready to mix in with the Fairlife Milk.
What is a Yogurt Starter?
- Fresh Yogurt that is only made with Milk and contains live active cultures.
- Some people like to use an Heirloom culture as their Yogurt Starter. I don’t know much about those, so I can’t speak to that type of Starter.
- Fage and Oikos are both great to use as a Starter.
Your own Frozen Yogurt Cubes will be considered a “Starter” too! I started with Fage and haven’t purchased any yogurt in two years.
Whisk the Yogurt Starter with the Milk
How to Flavor Cold Start Yogurt?
- A can of sweetened condensed milk can be whisked in with the milk and yogurt starter.
- A bottle of True Bliss can also be used to sweeten the yogurt.
After adding the Yogurt “Starter,” take a Whisk and make sure the Starter and any sweetener is mixed in well. This is the way that Cuong prefers his yogurt; the sweet way, which is Vietnamese style!
Push the Yogurt Button
Choose 7-10 hours. Remember, the Yogurt is NOT under pressure, so a Glass Lid can be used.
For the Instant Pot DUO Plus and Instant Pot Mini DUO:
- Push the Yogurt button until it says “Yogt.”
- Hit the +/- button to choose your time.
- The Yogurt setting should always be on “Normal.”
For the Instant Pot DUO and Instant Pot Smart:
- Push Yogurt and then Adjust.
- The Yogurt setting should always be on “Normal.”
The longer you incubate, the more tart your yogurt will be.
8 or 9 hours seems to be the best times for most people.
8 hours gives a very mild taste with a slight tartness, while incubating for 9 hours, packs quite a punch.
Thick Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt
While this is a great method for getting the job done in the least amount of time, I suggest trying out the regular Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe and seeing which method you prefer.
To my palette, Fairlife has a thicker type of taste, rather than a watery, clean like taste, but I presume that is from condensing the Milk, if you will.
I also used this recipe with Filtered, Ultra-pasteurized Milk and it was fantastic. The taste was clean and pure.
My preference is the regular boil, Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe method, but this one is one is pretty darn good too!
DISCLAIMER: This is not an advertisement for Fairlife. This Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt recipe is not to be used with milk that has not been through the ultra-filtration process, like Fairlife which is different than ultra-pasteurized. Regular Milk has some bacteria that needs to be brought up to 180 degrees prior to making Yogurt.
Cover Yogurt and Place in Refrigerator
Allow the Yogurt to chill and set up in the refrigerator.
It is so thick, I doubt you will want to strain it. But if you do, I recommend the Eurocuisine Yogurt Strainer.
This Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt will be very thick and creamy and full of protein and calcium.
Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
These little Weck Tulip Jelly Jars are adorable for serving Yogurt.
Yogurt Topping Ideas
- Homemade Granola is always great on Yogurt.
- Instant Pot Mixed Berry Compote is one of my favorite toppings.
- Instant Pot Dutch Apple Yogurt, shares the number one spot with…….
- Agave, Granola and Fresh or Dried Cherries.
There you have it. I did it. If you make this Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt, let me know, as I am interested in your thoughts.
Will you make it again or go back to my Instant Pot Greek Yogurt recipe?
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot DUO, Ultra, Smart, Ninja Foodi or Pressure Cooker
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk
- Weck Tulip Jelly Jars
Caring is sharing! If you would like to support This Old Gal, please share this recipe on Social Media, so that I can continue to bring you more wonderful recipes!
If you share a picture of something you make from our blog, tag it with #thisoldgalcooks so we can see it. We might feature it on Instagram! It makes my day when I see you’ve made one of our recipes!
Here is the handy printable recipe:
Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt [Cold Start of Milk]
Print Pin Save RateIngredients
- 52 ounces Milk Ultra-Filtered & Pasteurized, like Fairlife Milk or Natrel (Canada's version)
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Yogurt ("Starter") live cultures
Sweetener Options (Vietnamese Style)
- 1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1 bottle Natural Bliss Coffee Creamer
Recommended Products
Instructions
- Optional step: Clean and sterilize your Instant Pot by adding one cup of water, closing the pot and pushing the sterilize, pressure cook or manual button and setting the timer to 1 minute. Carefully release the pressure and dump out the water.
- Place cooking pot into refrigerator to cool off or put a few ice cubes into the pot and then dump out.
- To Make Cold Start Yogurt: Add cold milk and 1 Tablespoon of yogurt starter (any yogurt with active cultures to the Instant Pot.
- Whisk the milk and yogurt together well.
- If sweetening the yogurt, add the sweetened condensed milk or the Natural Bliss now and whisk it in very well.
- Push the Yogurt button and then use the +/- buttons and set time to 8 hours. Make sure the Yogurt setting says "Normal."
- When Yogurt cycle is finished, remove cooking pot and transfer to refrigerator to chill overnight. Transfer Yogurt to containers and enjoy.
Notes
Instructions for Using the Instant Pot Ultra
- Turn the dial to the temperature setting
- Push the dial
- Turn the dial to Medium
- Push the dial
- Turn the dial back to the time setting
- Push the dial
- Turn the dial until you have the time you want
- Press start!
Nutrition
PIN this Instant Pot No Boil Yogurt [Cold Start Yogurt]!
![Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt [No Boil Method]](https://staging.thisoldgal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Instant-Pot-Cold-Start-Yogurt-13.jpg "Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt [No Boil Method]")
Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt [No Boil Method]
In the recipe section you show 8 hours prep time, 8 hours cook time, 16 hours total. I have read your instructions over and over and can’t figure out the eight hours prep time. Looks like short prep, 8 hours cook, into the refrigerator. What am I missing
My IP LUX doesn’t have a yogurt setting. Is there an alternative for me? Or is your original recipe able to be made in an IP without a yogurt setting? Thank you!
Can you use 2% or skim Fairlife?
Hi! I love this recipe and want to try both this one and the boil one, but I am allergic to dairy and am wondering if either of these can be made with coconut milk, or soy milk. Thank you!
Gave it a try. While tasty, it’s a bit runny, even after straining. Will definitely give it another try, as well as the regular version.
It was a good, easy way to get my proverbial feet wet in making yogurt. Thanks!
HELP, JILL! I tried this method of yogurt making. I wanted to see how it differed from your original method, which I love. I used Fairlife fat-free milk, Fage as a starter, cooked it for 8 hours and it came out runny. Really runny! I even tried straining it to no avail. Could it be because I used FF milk? I wouldn’t think it would matter but maybe it does. Any thoughts on what may have gone wrong? Thanks for your input.
Karilyn. Was your pot on the proper setting?
I use Fairlife Fat Free, a can of low fat sweetened condensed milk, and 1 tblsp of fage. 10 hours and it’s the thickest! No straining needed!
Do you add the sweetened condensed milk in the beginning and whisk it in with the starter and Fairlife?
I’m going to try this one.
Yes, add it when you add your starter, I made it overnight. It is the best thing I have EVER eaten!!!
What settings do you use?
I just got my instant pot for Christmas and I am so excited to make yogurt, I bought all the ingredients today. When looking at my Instant Pot I don’t have a yogurt button. Any idea what I would set it at to make the yogurt? thanks!!
How long will this Yogurt be good for? Also, can you use the 2% or fat free Fairlife or just the whole?
Can I use the cold start method using pint mason jars that hold 2cups each instead of in the pot? If so would they be placed on the trivet and would some water be needed or not. Thank you
Is there a way to do this recipe if you have. Lux version that doesn’t have the Yogurt button?
I have a question about how long this cold start yogurt can be stored? I see that the boil method can last up to a month? Thanks so much ch for all of your recipes and advice, I really appreciate it.
Your FB page and recipes are terrific….I think the most informative of several i have looked at. However, my Cold Start Yogurt , using Fairlife didn’t turn out nearly as well as I expected…it was very “grainy” and not creamy smooth. Any idea why? I also hear that one should ONLY use Fa-jhe (sp) commercial Yogurt as a satisfactory starter…Is that so? and if not, please could your recommend a GOOD starter that would give me a nice creamy consistency! Thank you if you can offer any help!
I have been a 3-time IP yogurt failure. This method was my final hope, my last chance. When I opened my pot and had actual, great tasting, THICK greek-style yogurt, I almost cried. Thank you so much! I am on Weight Watchers and 0% fat greek yogurt is now a zero-point food. This changes EVERYTHING. I know I said it before, but thank you again!!!!
Wonderful! So glad you had such a nice success. Jill
Hi! If I strain the yogurt, will it then be a Greek yogurt? Thanks!
DH, it will be thick, like Greek Yogurt. Jill
I have runny yogurt, like the original milk I put In the pot. Also used 1 cup half and half. Was so excited for this has a healthy snack and will try agai. As soon as someone tells me what I did wrong. Can I just use this same milk and add more Greek yogurt and try again?
Can u double the recipe for 8 quart instant pot?
Yes. Jill
If you double it, do you still incubate for 8 to 9 hours? I just made a single batch and it turned out beautifully so am definitely interested in a double batch next time. Canadian here so used the milk you recommended and it looks just like yours. Now to watch for Natrel to come on sale as it does every few months and I will buy 4 litres and make a huge batch. I eat yogurt daily so it won’t go bad on me.
After the cycle is done, can it be scooped out of the base to chill in a container? So I can use the pot sooner!!
Yes.
Do you know what the calorie content/nutritional info is for the finished product?
Do you happen to know the nutritional facts for this yogurt? Mainly looking for protein and sugar content
First time at making yogurt . Going to refrigerate overnight. I did not add Sweetened condensed milk at beginning should I stir some in now or just sweeten as we eat? Thanks