If you’ve been alive lately, you’ve picked up on the fact that Greek yogurt is popular. At Greatist, we think this stardom is well earned.
We consider the tangy stuff a superfood thanks to its high protein and probiotic content. But frankly, we’re bored with the same old Greek yogurt and granola combo, our breakfast since forever.
So we’ve rounded up 40 healthy recipes from around the web that use Greek yogurt to boost the health benefits of our favorite foods.
Whether it’s the main ingredient in a smoothie or dip, subbing for less healthy ingredients in a salad dressing, or adding its essential acidity to baked goods and desserts, Greek yogurt is welcome on our table any time of day.
1. Berry medley smoothie
With blueberries and raspberries, this is a powerhouse of healthful sipping. The secret ingredient is secret because you won’t notice it, but it’s there (oats!).
2. Greek yogurt green smoothie
Cucumber, pear, and kiwi bring sweet flavors to this smoothie, which gets its green color from fresh spinach and baby kale.
4. Greek yogurt coffee smoothie
Turn your caffeine break into a healthier experience with this cold brew.
5. Kale, spinach, and artichoke dip with Greek yogurt
This delicious artichoke dip is already so full of veggies that we’re tempted to suggest eating it with a spoon. Superfoods kale and spinach combine with carrots, red onion, artichoke hearts, and garlic in a hearty Greek yogurt base.
6. Greek yogurt tzatziki
This is the only tzatziki recipe you’ll ever need, and once you’ve made it a few times, you won’t need this recipe either. The trick here is to squeeze excess moisture from the grated cukes (save that juice — it’s delicious in a co*cktail).
This is a thicker (rather than soupier) yogurt-cucumber sauce. With garlic, lemon, and fresh mint, the flavors sing.
7. Chocolate chocolate chip yogurt dip
Yup, you read that right: This fruit dip is full of creamy, chocolaty richness (but still relatively low in sugar) thanks to unsweetened cocoa powder, a small handful of chocolate chips, vanilla extract, just 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, and (of course) Greek yogurt.
8. Creamy avocado yogurt dip
Guacamole, meet Greek yogurt. This creamy, delectable dip is full of protein, healthy fats (thanks to our favorite superfood, avocado), garlic, and loads of flavorful seasonings, including cilantro, lime juice, and cumin.
9. Apple dip
Dip apple slices in this peanut butter flavored Greek yogurt with additions of honey and cinnamon. It almost qualifies as dessert.
10. Skinny Greek yogurt chicken
This melt-in-your-mouth chicken couldn’t be easier. Chicken breasts are coated in a mixture of Greek yogurt and Parm and baked. The simple seasonings (garlic powder, salt, and pepper) just need to be sprinkled in.
11. Greek yogurt baked lemon chicken
Bake up some boneless chicken breasts in a lemony yogurt and panko coating. Top them with a slice of lemon while they cook.
12. Yogurt-marinated chicken kebabs with Aleppo pepper
Yogurt has a tenderizing effect on the chicken, which makes these grilled chicken kebabs mighty tasty. Especially since the marinade is seasoned with lemon, olive oil, and Aleppo pepper.
13. Greek yogurt chicken salad
This healthier take on chicken salad replaces mayo with Greek yogurt and adds a whole bunch of produce (celery, grapes, and apples) for a vitamin kick. A sprinkle of walnuts adds some healthy fats.
Eat the salad on its own or roll it up in a whole wheat tortilla for a more filling lunch.
14. Cheesy chicken quesadillas
For a healthier take on crispy-creamy quesadillas, swap in whole wheat tortillas, a bunch of veggies, and some good-for-you cumin. Top with salsa and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Ah, it’s lunchtime.
15. Greek yogurt pancakes
These pancakes aren’t just yummy, they’re also loaded with protein and antioxidant-rich blueberries. To increase the health oomph even more, substitute whole wheat flour.
16. Breakfast berry enchiladas
Fill a warm whole wheat tortilla with heaping spoonfuls of berries and Greek yogurt and sprinkle on superfood cinnamon. Then top with almonds for a dash of protein, healthy fat, and fiber.
17. Scandinavian eggs Benedict with yogurt sauce
Research suggests that a protein-rich breakfast has benefits, and this meal delivers a lot of them.
Salmon and poached egg await their destiny on a whole wheat English muffin. But first, they’re smothered in a healthier (butterless) version of hollandaise sauce that uses Greek yogurt.
18. Pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and creamy lemon-yogurt sauce
This colorful bowl of pasta uses whole wheat linguine, protein-rich Greek yogurt, and hearty doses of zucchini, tomatoes, and garlic, which contains vitamins C and B-6 and manganese.
19. Broccoli-cheddar twice-baked potatoes with Greek yogurt
Take a plain ol’ baked potato into a state of cheesy deliciousness. Greek yogurt is a healthier alternative to sour cream, of course. Two cups of broccoli contributes fiber, vitamin C, and folate. And cheddar cheese makes it taste gooooood.
20. Healthy mac and cheese
This lighter take on a childhood classic uses whole wheat macaroni, a bunch of onions and garlic, and spicy cayenne pepper, which contains a compound that may help boost metabolism.
This calls for much less cheese than the traditional version, but it still tastes plenty creamy thanks to our dear friend Greek yogurt. We swap in whole-milk cheese and yogurt for the low fat versions called for here.
21. Roasted eggplant and tomatoes with tangy cucumbers and yogurt
This fancy, colorful dish is chock-full of good-for-you ingredients, including eggplants, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, shallots, olive oil, Greek yogurt, rosemary, and pine nuts. It’s light but hearty enough for a filling lunch.
22. Stuffed grape leaves
These beauties are remarkably simple (provided you know where to get some ground goat meat… yeah, go ahead and substitute lamb, pork, or chicken). Cook the meat with onions, garlic, sweet corn, and red pepper sauce and then wrap ’em up in grape leaves.
If you don’t grow grapes like this blogger does, check the international aisle of the supermarket for pickled grape leaves in jars.
23. Roasted eggplant salad with saffron yogurt
We couldn’t find something wrong with this recipe if we tried. Roasted eggplant is topped with a creamy saffron sauce, basil, and pine nuts. They’re all good with us.
24. Steak salad with chive-yogurt dressing
This hearty salad calls on Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a tiny bit of mayo to make a light, flavorful dressing that complements the grilled steak’s rich flavor.
25. Garlic-yogurt mashed potatoes
This healthier take on total comfort food uses only 2 tablespoons of butter and gets the rest of its protein and (healthy) fats from Greek yogurt and olive oil. Garlic, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper are the spot-on seasonings.
26. Creamy tomato orzo soup
This hearty lycopene-rich vegetarian soup brings back memories of childhood. We admit we grew up on canned soups, but now that we’re adults (or masquerading as them), we know how easy it is to make tomato soup from scratch.
Here, Greek yogurt swaps in for cream. Perfect alongside a grilled cheese sandwich.
27. Butternut squash soup
This creamy, flavorful, low-sugar soup is stuffed with produce (celery, squash, leeks, and shallots) and seasonings (garlic, black pepper, lime juice, and cilantro). A quarter cup of Greek yogurt adds protein and a smooth texture.
28. Creamy mashed cauliflower
It looks like mashed potatoes, but don’t be fooled — it’s cauliflower. When you mash it up with Greek yogurt, a little bit of butter and cheese, and some garlic, shallots, and scallions, you just might think they’re taters.
29. Spicy tuna salad with Greek yogurt
You’ve been warned: This recipe means spicy. Three tablespoons of pickled jalapeños ratchet up the heat while tuna and Greek yogurt add a heap of protein and salt, pepper, and chopped onion bring on the flavor.
30. Creamy lighter macaroni salad
Surprise! This healthier take on macaroni salad swaps almost all the mayo for Greek yogurt. Celery and radishes provide light crunch and flavor, and hard-boiled eggs add protein.
For a healthier option, substitute whole wheat macaroni. We’ve been known to add canned chickpeas to this salad.
31. Lemony roasted potato salad
Speaking of remaking classic potluck dishes: This light, citrusy take on potato salad uses Greek yogurt, olive oil, and fresh mint to add bright flavors and creaminess. We promise you won’t miss the mayo.
32. Cucumber, fennel, and roasted potato salad with parsleyed yogurt
Check out this Mediterranean take on a classic potato salad with lots of fresh veggies — like green beans, celery, cucumber, red onions, and fennel — to balance the roasted potatoes. It’s all dressed in a lemony sauce filled with parsley.
33. Lemon tart with rosemary crust
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This is a special tart. The simple spelt flour crust is infused with rosemary and filled with a light, citrusy, sweet-tart Greek yogurt custard. The tart is baked and then sets in the fridge and is served cold.
34. Baked pears with maple Greek yogurt and granola
This little dish gets its sweetness from pears, apples, and a dash of honey and maple syrup. Add Greek yogurt, half a cup of granola, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and you’ve got a “dessert” fit for breakfast.
35. Homemade frozen Greek yogurt
Make-your-own frozen yogurt? We’re in. We love a fun cooking project. For this one, you’ll need an ice cream maker. And get ready to make an Italian meringue — that’s the one where you beat a stream of boiling syrup into stiffly beaten egg whites.
This luscious, fluffy meringue is mixed with our pal Greek yogurt, and then the ice cream maker does its thing.
36. Greek yogurt brulee
This pretty dessert for two is simple and fun. Just drizzle honey and sprinkle sugar over Greek yogurt. Now fire up the kitchen blowtorch and transform the sweeteners into glistening caramelized goodness.
Garnish with almonds and fresh fruit.
37. Greek yogurt cheesecake
We dare you to look at the picture for this recipe without salivating. Once you see how delicious it looks, you might be surprised to learn that it’s not made with cheese at all.
The filling is a blend of Greek yogurt and tofu(!), flavored with lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. And the filling holds together lightly with the help of cornstarch or arrowroot flour.
What a creamy, protein-rich, delectable dessert.
38. Greek yogurt frosting
This healthier take on frosting throws the butter out the window. Greek yogurt’s tangy goodness is mellowed by a half cup of powdered sugar, for a much less sugary (but still delicious) frosting.
The thickening agent here is gelatin, but try agar-agar if you’re looking for a plant-based product.
39. Greek yogurt dinner rolls
These airy rolls are made with whole wheat flour and just a touch of honey or agave. Greek yogurt replaces milk and helps create the light texture.
40. Greek yogurt biscuits
As much as we love biscuits — and making them — we tend to shy away because most of them rely on butter or cream. These scrumptious biscuits are back in our kitchen thanks to Greek yogurt. Eat them warm, straight from the oven.
For a healthier take, swap the all-purpose flour for whole wheat.
Protein-rich Greek yogurt is full of bright, tangy, acidic flavors and has legendary health benefits. It’s an awesome ingredient at every meal. Keep a quart or two in your fridge and you’ll be ready when hunger strikes.
