What Makes a Good Yogurt Replacement?

Mayonnaise can replace yogurt in savory dressings in pasta salads.

Yogurt Substitutes

Yogurt can be replaced in recipes, particularly in baked foods such as cakes or in dressings and sauces. Sour cream and fats such as oil or butter can substitute for yogurt. Mayonnaise is also a possible replacement.

Types of Food

Before substituting yogurt in a recipe, cooks must consider the kind of food they are trying to make. If replacing yogurt in a baked sweet such as cake, butter or oil would be the best substitutes. Sour cream would also work well in cake batters. For savory dressings--such as those in potato salads or coleslaws--mayonnaise is the better option.

Bottom Line

There are substitution options for yogurt, but the right one to choose depends on the type of food being cooked. Health-conscious cooks should be aware that yogurt is often used in recipes to improve the nutrition of foods. According to Dr. William Sears, non-fat plain yogurt has less than 10 percent of the fat of an equal amount of mayonnaise. Be aware that replacing yogurt with items such as oil or sour cream will increase the caloric and fat content of the finished product.

References

• Taste of Home: Yogurt for Lower Fat Baking
• Ask Dr. Sears: Yogurt