29 Recipes That Put Greek Yogurt to Work

Greek yogurt earns its place in any kitchen. Denser, richer, and more intensely flavored than regular yogurt, it behaves differently in cooking—adding structure, moisture, and brightness in ways other dairy can’t always match. It’s essential in many of our favorite baked goods, creamy sauces, tangy marinades, and chilled desserts.
The Greek yogurt recipes below show just how versatile it can be. Whether you’re looking for easy weeknight upgrades or ways to use up an almost-empty container, these recipes make Greek yogurt a true pantry workhorse, not just a breakfast staple.
Read more: What Is Greek Yogurt →

Read more: The Best Greek Yogurt, According to Our Taste Test →

Alex Lau1/29Overnight Oats With Cashews, Seeds, and Turmeric
Overnight oats get a boost of creaminess and extra protein in this Greek yogurt recipe that’s packed with flaxseeds, wheat bran, and warming spice.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Dayna Seman, Food Styling by Jesse Szewczyk2/29Creamy-Dreamy Strawberry-Banana Smoothie
This Greek yogurt smoothie uses fresh—not frozen—fruit for an extra-creamy texture that drinks less like a milkshake and more like strawberry milk.
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Drew Aichele, Prop Styling by Maggie DiMarco3/29Turkish-Style Eggs and Tomatoes
Garlicky Greek yogurt anchors this savory brunch dish inspired by çılbır, topped with fried eggs, spiced butter, and peak-season tomatoes.
Photograph by Victoria Jane, Food Styling by Mallory Lance, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon4/29BA’s Best Banana Bread
This banana bread recipe uses Greek yogurt for extra moisture, tenderness, and subtle tang. Want to take it a step further? Use strawberry-flavored Greek yogurt.
Ted Cavanaugh5/29Whole Grain Salad With Jammy Eggs and Shallot Yogurt
This is what we like to call a brunch salad: savory, healthy-ish, filling, and even better with a glass of white wine. Leftover yogurt dressing is great with roasted veggies (sweet potatoes, carrots)—reason enough to make a double batch.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling Maggie DiMarco6/29Garden Wedding
This brunch-ready cocktail combines gin, peaches, basil, and seltzer with a spoonful of Greek yogurt for a subtly creamy, lightly fizzy finish.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, Prop Styling Christine Keely7/29Chocolate-Date Bran Muffins
“This will be my third time making these,” reports one satisfied BA reader. “They dry out after day two, but still [taste] great [crumbled over] yogurt.” New way to eat muffins, unlocked.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Drew Aichele, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka8/29Frozen Greek Yogurt Blackout Pie
Greek yogurt adds richness and tang to both the chocolate filling and the whipped topping in this frozen no-bake dessert recipe.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Pearl Jones, Prop Styling by Beth Pakradooni9/29Mango-Yogurt Mousse
Inspired by the sweet-tart flavors of mango lassi, this sublimely creamy Greek yogurt mousse hits all the right spots.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Sean Dooley, prop styling by Marina Bevilacqua10/29Blueberry Fool With Toasted Coconut
This simple dessert creates a light, tangy Greek yogurt base that’s lightened with whipped cream and studded with berries.
Photo by Emma Fishman11/29Shrikhand
This impossibly easy traditional Indian pudding consists of strained Greek yogurt with saffron, cardamom, and sugar. (Yes, that’s it.)
Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott12/29Maraschino Cherry Parfaits
This dessert combines Greek yogurt and sour cream for a tangy, lush base, then layers in stewed cherries and meringue cookies for a nostalgic finish.
Photograph by Scott Semler, Food Styling by Judy Kim, Prop Styling by Stephanie Yeh13/29Mango-Sumac Yogurt Semifreddo
Frozen yogurt just got an upgrade. This version is studded with juicy mango slices, tart sumac, and chocolate shavings—and you don't even need an ice cream freezer to make it.
Photograph by Alex Lau, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio14/29Sour Cherry Cheesecake
New York–style cheesecake is often enriched with sour cream. Swapping the ingredient out for Greek yogurt gives this version a tangier flavor and lighter, more mousse-like texture.
Photograph by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr., Food Styling by Emilie Fosnocht, Prop Styling by Christine Keely15/29Matcha-Berry Frozen Yogurt
A blender-friendly frozen Greek yogurt recipe that delivers a naturally tangy, creamy frozen dessert perfect for summer snacking.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Kalen Kaminski16/29All Day Every Day Sauce
If you’re a meal prep kind of person, we suggest working this simple sauce of Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, and salt into your routine. It will last the whole work week, and it goes with everything.
Bobbi Lin17/29Yogurt With Raisins, Cucumber, and Walnuts
Tzatziki’s Persian cousin, this style of compound yogurt is a staple side dish in Iran, often served with rice. If you’re having it as part of a feast, note that it can be made one day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Photographs by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr. & Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne18/29Smoky Lamb With Spiced Yogurt
This quick lamb dinner pairs deeply spiced, smoky meat with a cooling Greek yogurt sauce for tang, richness, and balance in every bite.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Pearl Jones and Thu Buser, prop styling by Sean Dooley19/29Creamy Coconut Curry Meatballs
Blending Greek yogurt into meatballs keeps them tender and juicy, while finishing the sauce with another dollop adds a subtle, cooling tang to the spicy curry.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell20/29Spinach Pilaf Pie
This savory pie hides Greek yogurt in both dough and sauce, adding moisture, tang, and richness to a greens-packed filling.
Photograph by Yudi Ela, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk21/29Yogurt-Marinated Mushrooms With Flatbread
A Greek yogurt marinade tenderizes mushrooms in this grill-friendly recipe, creating caramelized edges and a tangy coating.
Photo by Yudi Ela, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio22/29Yogurt-Marinated Chicken With Borani
A classic cooking-with-Greek-yogurt recipe where yogurt tenderizes chicken while also becoming a creamy, herbaceous sauce for serving.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Rebecca Jurkevich, prop styling by Amy Wilson23/29Grilled Salmon Steaks With Cilantro-and-Garlic Yogurt Sauce
This spicy, herby Greek yogurt sauce will work with virtually any protein: shrimp, black bass or snapper fillets, chicken, lamb chops, or even tofu.
24/29Three-Pea Chicken Salad
This chicken salad swaps mayonnaise for Greek yogurt, creating a lighter, tangier version that’s still creamy and satisfying.
Photographs by Elliott Jerome Brown Jr. & Travis Rainey, Prop Styling by Emma Ringness, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne25/29Chickpea Tachin With Herb Salad
Greek yogurt enriches the rice mixture in this crispy-bottomed tachin, helping create a golden crust while keeping the interior tender and fragrant.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Sean Dooley, Prop Styling by Allison Ritchie26/29Wedge Salad With Toasted Sesame-Seaweed Ranch
We love this mixture of mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, chives, lemon juice, and toasted nori. If seaweed isn’t your thing, here’s a Greek yogurt ranch. Both can be considered a yogurt dip or salad dressing.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton, Prop Styling by Christine Keely27/29Tandoori-Style Roasted Cauliflower
Coat cauliflower in a spiced yogurt marinade with garlic and ginger, then roast until tender, caramelized, and deeply flavorful. Serve as a side dish with grilled meats or make it the star of lunch in a hummus bowl.
Peden & Munk28/29Aloo Chaat
Whole-milk Greek yogurt that’s been sweetened with a pinch of sugar is just one of three sauces drizzled atop this flavor bomb of an Indian street-style snack.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Thu Buser, Prop Styling by Alexandra Massillon29/29Beet-Salmon Salad With Horseradish Yogurt
Mix Greek yogurt with garlic, horseradish, and extra-virgin olive oil for a sharp, creamy sauce for endive, seared salmon, and roasted beets with dill.

