:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/LindsayBoyers-fcc8e40fc548441f8a76f3408c80fc01.JPG)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AmandaMcDonaldHeadshot-9ec93353b2fe473b83c8fbb581929bac.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SabrinaRussoHeadshotSquare-41e56991a8384f1db1c1a09bd44dc66c.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-greek-yogurts-4842563-Recovered-f57291126c34495fb7cea9cd0dc5e3c6.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
There is no debate that Greek yogurt is a delicious, smooth, and versatile food choice. It can be eaten as a breakfast or snack, can substitute sour cream in recipes, can add creaminess to any savory sauce, and even can be used to make desserts and smoothies. It is offered in a variety of styles and flavors, as well as price points. Our testers have researched and broken it down into categories to make your yogurt shopping a simpler experience.
The yogurt aisle is loaded with so many options that it’s enough to make your head spin. But when it comes to thick, creamy yogurt, how do you decide which ones are better than the others? Should you go for regular or Greek yogurt? Organic or not? Full fat or low fat? Of course, taste tops the list, but you'll also want to look at the ingredients carefully.
Best Overall
Maple Hill Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maple_hill_greek_yogurt-75952bde33d74e3a818089d2a2430186.PNG)
Courtesy of Instacart
Organic ingredients
Delicious, not-too-tangy flavor
Texture may be too thin for some
The Maple Hill Organic Greek Yogurt earned the spot of best overall after checking all of our boxes with flying colors. It’s delicious and made from organic milk and live and active cultures. Maple Hill owns and operates more than 150 grass-fed, pasture-raised cow farms in New York State.
Grassfed Greek yogurt offers the same high protein content of regular Greek yogurt (this one has 15 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbohydrates per 5.3-ounce serving), but it’s also higher in omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acids, or CLAs—fatty acids that are potentially beneficial with weight and blood sugar management and risk of heart disease.
But it’s not just the health benefits that put Maple Hill on top, the yogurt also tastes delicious, as a few positive reviews highlight. It has the signature tang of plain Greek yogurt without being too sour. It’s also a bit thinner than other Greek-style yogurts, so it mixes well with any fruit, hemp seeds, or other yogurt toppings that you might want to add in. Note that the texture may be a bit loose for some palates.
Price at time of publish: $6
Size: 16 ounces | Protein per serving: 15 grams | Sugar per serving: 8 grams
Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurts can be used for more than just parfaits, breakfasts, or snacks. Add it to butter, garlic, white wine, Parmesan cheese, and spices for a lighter Alfredo pasta sauce. You just need one cup, which is a little bit more than one 5.3-ounce cup that Greek yogurts often are sold in. Or make a Greek yogurt tzatziki for grilled meat or roasted vegetables. Traditionally made with strained salted sheep's or goat's milk, using a store-bought Greek yogurt does the trick and makes sure the sauce is crisp and fresh tasting when combined with herbs, garlic, sour cream, white vinegar, olive oil, and cucumbers.
Best Organic
Stonyfield 100% Grassfed Greek Plain Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dai_pid_2003458_z-9b809721cfcb4c0394c794dfc91882b1.jpg)
Courtesy of Fresh Direct
Organic and grass-fed
Smooth texture and balanced flavor
A little pricier than comparable brands
Stonyfield is a pioneer in the organic Greek yogurt game, leading the way for many other organic options that have hit the market since. But that’s only part of the reason The Stonyfield 100% Grassfed Greek Plain Yogurt has earned the spot of best organic Greek yogurt. Speaking of ingredients, there are only two: grass-fed organic whole milk and live active cultures.
Of course, the ultimate test comes down to flavor and this yogurt doesn’t disappoint. In fact, its flavor earned it several of its positive reviews. It combines the perfect amount of tang with a smooth, palate-pleasing, thick (but not too thick) texture. And like our best overall pick, it’s made from milk from grass-fed cows (another thing reviewers praise).
Price at time of publish: $8
Size: 24 ounces | Protein per serving: 16 grams | Sugar per serving: 5 grams
Greek yogurt isn't just for eating! If you are baking a recipe that calls for butter but you are out, you can swap it out for Greek yogurt. Doing so will give your baked goods a creamy texture and a little tang, but thanks to the similar fat-to-water ratio, it acts as butter would. If you want to hide all of the Greek yogurt flavor, be sure to add a bit more of whatever sweetener the recipe includes.
Best Texture
Fage Total 5% Plain Greek Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fage_total_5_percent_milkfat_greek_yogurt-3b199b74f58c4682b395962ae295da0a.GIF)
Courtesy of Target
Only 6 grams of carbs per serving
Smooth, creamy texture
Great substitute for sour cream
Some say it needs a bit more flavor
Because of its natural milk sugar, Greek yogurt isn’t typically keto-friendly, but those rules don’t apply to the Fage Total 5% Plain Greek yogurt. Compared to other Greek yogurts that have 9 grams of carbohydrates per serving, the Fage Total 5% has only 5 grams per 6-ounce container. Each serving also contains 9 grams of fat and a whopping 15 grams of protein.
Fage uses only milk, cream, and live active cultures to make it, and you can definitely taste the difference. The cream adds both thickness and creaminess that cuts down on the tart flavor and since it’s so rich, a little goes a long way, making it a budget-friendly choice, too. Its texture and slightly tangy flavor make it a great substitute for sour cream, most reviewers say. A few customers, however, say that they often need to add a bit of sweetener or fruit to it to give it more flavor when eating it as a yogurt.
Price at time of publish: $5
Size: 16 ounces | Protein per serving: 15 grams | Sugar per serving: 5 grams
Best Plain
Wallaby Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/wallaby_organic_nonfat_plain_greek_yogurt-905a863a136e453db0b875bb86fec1c0.GIF)
Courtesy of Walmart
Smooth, balanced flavor
Thick, creamy texture
Only two ingredients
Consistency may be too think for some
Plain greek yogurt isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but Wallaby does an excellent job of balancing the signature tart flavor with some natural sweetness that makes this option extremely palate-pleasing; this smooth flavor garnered it high marks from many reviewers. It’s on the thicker side with a consistency that’s similar to sour cream, so in addition to eating it straight up, you can also use it for cooking or to thicken up a blended smoothie.
Each 6-ounce serving has 16 grams of protein and 8 grams of carbohydrates combined with 2.5 grams of fat. And it only has two ingredients: organic milk and live active cultures.
Price at time of publish: $7
Size: 32 ounces | Protein per serving: 15 grams | Sugar per serving: 5 grams
Best Sweetened
Chobani Less Sugar Greek Yogurt Madagascar Vanilla Cinnamon
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ChobaniLessSugarGreekYogurtMadagascarVanillaCinnamon-1-719a0d75e46a4279aa42919e7a9c519a.jpg)
Amazon
Less sugar than other sweetened options
Light flavor
Non-GMO ingredients
Can taste dry to some
With lots of flavors out there, some Greek yogurts could be classified as desserts thanks to the sugar content. Out of all the sweetened options, we like the Less Sugar Greek Yogurt from Chobani in the Madagascar Vanilla Cinnamon flavor. It has 5 grams of added sugar, 2.5 grams of fat, and 12 grams of protein per cup, creating a light yet subtly sweet flavor made with non-GMO ingredients. If it's not sweet enough you can add honey, maple syrup, fruit, or the sweetener of your choice.
The only thing to note is that sometimes Greek yogurt, including this one, can taste chalky and/or dry. If this is the case you can add more sweeteners or even milk or water to make it moister.
Price at time of publish: $2
Size: 5.3 ounces | Protein per serving: 12 grams | Sugar per serving: 9 grams
Best Dairy-Free/Vegan
Kite Hill Plain Unsweetened Greek Style Plant-Based Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KiteHillPlainUnsweetenedGreekStylePlant-BasedYogurt-1-d253e26112004e12884757be115f7c61.jpg)
Amazon
Smooth flavor similar to Greek yogurt
Good source of protein
No sugar, artificial flavors, or preservatives added
Some report a bitter or paste-like aftertaste
Vegan yogurts often leave something to be desired, but Kite Hill nailed it with this Plain Unsweetened Greek-Style Plant-Based Yogurt. Not only are the texture and flavor impressively similar to regular Greek yogurt, but the almond milk base also provides 17 grams of protein per serving. People who are dairy-free praise this yogurt for being one of the best-tasting of the almond- and soy-based yogurts they've tried. Note that a couple of customers report a slightly bitter or paste-like aftertaste.
Kite Hill knocked it out of the park with its ingredients, too. While many vegan yogurts are loaded with artificial flavors and preservatives, this one combines only five ingredients—almond milk, soy protein isolate, tapioca starch, natural flavors, and live active cultures—with four different types of probiotics. The end result is a yogurt that’s free of dairy, gluten-free, and GMOs, but loaded with traditional flavor.
Price at time of publish: $6
Size: 16 ounces | Protein per serving: 17 grams | Sugar per serving: 0 grams
Best Fruit-Flavored
Ellenos Passion Fruit Yogurt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/EllenosPassionFruitYogurt-1-1f7477a9e40444d9a64ffebfcbb2b751.jpg)
Amazon
Real fruit inside
Thick
Smooth
High amount of added sugar
Lots of Greek yogurts are fruit flavored since the combo is such a delicious one. What we love about this version, though, is that it's real fruit in each cup. Ellenos starts with traditional family-recipe Greek yogurt then adds real passion fruit into the cup. The result is a tangy, yet sweet, thick, and fruity treat. While it will keep you full thanks to the 11 grams of protein per cup, it is also loaded up with sugar. That is to be expected with sweetened Greek yogurt, but keep it in mind.
Price at time of publish: $3
Size: 5.3 ounces | Protein per serving: 11 grams | Sugar per serving: 19 grams
Our top pick is the Maple Hill Organic Plain Greek Yogurt. It's delicious with just the right amount of sour, and it's made up of only fully organic ingredients. Looking for a texture-friendly option? Go with Fage Total 5% Plain Greek Yogurt.
What to Look for When Buying Greek Yogurt
Organic and Grass-Fed
Organic means the yogurt comes from cows that have a "balanced" nutrition stemming from 100 percent organic agricultural products. These cows also weren't given any antibiotics or artificial growth hormones. Grass-fed cows (as opposed to grain-fed cows) produce dairy that contains higher levels of omega-3s. Just make sure to look for "100 percent grass-fed" on the label.
Added Sugar
Because Greek yogurt tends to be more sour than traditional yogurts, many manufacturers are quick to add sweeteners. According to nutritionists, in order to get the maximum health benefits of Greek yogurt, look not only for little to no sugar—4 to 7 grams per serving—but also make sure there aren't any added sugars or sweeteners.
If you prefer the taste of sweetened greek yogurt, there are ways to add some to it with ingredients you probably already have in your cabinet. Both honey and maple syrup make greek yogurt sweeter without sacrificing the creamy, thick texture greek yogurt is known for. You also can control how much of both you add, getting it exactly how you like it.
FAQs
What's the difference between regular yogurt and Greek yogurt?
The main difference between regular and Greek yogurt is how they are made, which then results in different textures and tastes. Greek yogurt is strained, removing the whey along with some sugars and salts, making for a thicker, creamier, and denser consistency. In its purest form, it is also a bit tangier than regular yogurt.
Is Greek yogurt good for you?
There are many health benefits to Greek yogurt, including a high amount of protein (higher than regular yogurt). Because of its density, Greek yogurt is satisfying and will make you feel fuller longer, a benefit to those trying to eat less. When unsweetened, it is good for gut health as it contains probiotics; keep in mind that any Greek yogurt with added ingredients such as sweeteners and artificial coloring will negatively affect its healthy profile. In addition, Greek yogurt made with whole milk will have more fat and calories than that made with low-fat or fat-free milk; however, this doesn't mean it is necessarily an unhealthy option.
Can I cook with Greek yogurt?
Whether a recipe calls for yogurt or you are in need of a substitute for sour cream or mayonnaise, Greek yogurt is a good ingredient to cook with (unless the recipe states otherwise); it adds a boost of nutrition and creaminess to whatever you are making. There are just a few things to keep in mind when heating Greek yogurt to avoid curdling and separating. It is best to let it come to room temperature before adding to a recipe and tempering it before stirring it into a hot liquid. Dairy products have a tendency to separate when cooked, but using a full-fat Greek yogurt will help prevent this; it will also ensure a thicker end result as lower-fat yogurt will thin as it cooks.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best Greek yogurts on the market, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, consistency, and flavor—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Lindsay Boyers is a certified holistic nutritionist with extensive gut-health knowledge and yogurt-testing experience. She’s developed over 1,000 original recipes and is constantly on a mission to find the healthiest, best-tasting options across all food categories.
Amanda McDonald is an editor at The Spruce Eats and has over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing about all things food — from what new products are at the grocery store to chef-approved hacks that keep tricky leftovers fresh for days. She updated this story to include the most up-to-date information.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/AmyGordon-f84faf70e18a4983bd82d2f78ebcd683.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/best-ranch-dressings-of-2023-99cb18a05e694b64b8ec1dfdf772a800.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-pancake-mixes-4175938-3aa5021c2c1a4b32a0eb6cbcd7dcd7fc.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Keto-Ice-Creams-5113134-892ea18f42664b67b30f115c12f3713d.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Bone-Broths-4843938-79fbc3712af142d480fb84163720a64c.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-peanut-butters-4795797-add19e8cc97342f9874f249cc4d2f38c.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-beef-jerky-4847379-60332fa638fd44edb7713965afbe1213.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-best-meat-substitutes-plant-based-alternatives-5113018-v1-8dfff73ae15343e8a28146c1f897b201.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-689421935-588cac935f9b5874ee90b1bc.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-instant-oatmeal-5092567-eda7e91a234144248f13d6fbe2fd0072.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-store-bought-teriyaki-sauces-5088358-379b5b70068f4c08b11576899535beef.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-canned-soups-4685889-f28f1b8ecb324ecf8cae858a115e46b8.jpg)
:strip_icc()/kodiak-cakes-power-cakes-tout-5dd8e2eededb42c383d2c4736adf1768.jpg)
:strip_icc()/KetoBreads-882f917a03084ef2b0005e8eab26ba48.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-gluten-free-pasta-4691001-b02cdf24e7834abbbbfaaf0c9cb5e456.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-vegan-chocolates-5217615-c7838d8aeac743f6910455de2ca3138d.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-places-to-order-ham-online-5090478-e85b6c3139914bd89394e86ea5a933dc.jpg)