Plain yogurt

yogurt · दही dahi · yoğurt

Flavor and role

Unsweetened yogurt made by fermenting milk with lactic acid bacteria; its acidity tenderizes meat and helps marinades cling. It splits easily when boiled, so keep the heat low.

Typical dishes and uses

Marinating meat for butter chicken and biryani, Turkish yogurt pasta, raita

Substitutes

100 g plain yogurt = 100 g sour cream, or 100 ml milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice (for marinating).

Storage

Refrigerate and eat within 5-7 days of opening.

Main countries

India · Türkiye · BG

Used in this book

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)Turkish Yogurt Pasta (Yalancı Mantı)Chicken BiryaniAloo Paratha (Potato-Stuffed Indian Flatbread)BasbousaBircher MuesliChapli KebabChicken KarahiChicken Tikka MasalaChole BhatureHome-Style Döner KebabFatteh (Lebanese Chickpea and Yogurt Pita)Garlic NaanGenfoHaleemİskender KebabJareeshJoojeh Kabab (Persian Saffron Chicken Kebab)Baked Kibbeh (Kibbeh bil Sanieh)Kibbeling (Dutch Battered Fish Bites)Kuku SabziMantiMastava (Uzbek Rice Soup)Mujaddara (Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions)Rogan JoshChicken ShawarmaShish TawookThiakryAloo Gobi Tortilla Española (Spanish × Indian)Lahori Bhuna Lamb Aloo KeemaAloo Keema Puff Triangles with Mint Yogurt DipDhaba-Style Aloo Paratha with Homemade White Butter and Mint RaitaButter Chicken Pie (Indian × Australian)Basbousa bil Ishta with Orange Blossom SyrupBasbousa Tres Leches with Toasted Coconut CreamMicrowave Basbousa Mug Cake with Pistachio YogurtButter Chicken RigatoniBombay Potato Breakfast Hash with Masala Eggs (Indian × American)Za'atar, Feta and Olive Oil Damper (Australian × Lebanese)Crispy Chakalaka Fritters with Lemon Yogurt DipChana Masala Cheese ToastiePeshawari Hand-Chopped Chapli KebabChapli Kebab Flatbread Pizza with Mint YogurtHyderabadi Chicken Dum BiryaniChicken Biryani BurritoBiryani Chicken Rice BowlDesi Ghee Chicken Karahi with Charcoal SmokeKarahi Chicken Cheese Naan MeltCrispy Machboos Popcorn Chicken with Black-Lime YogurtPaprikash Chicken Skewers with Dill Sour Cream DipChicken Tikka Masala QuesadillasChicken Tikka Masala Cheesy Baked RiceAmritsari Chole with Paneer-Stuffed BhatureMini Bhatura Chole Sliders with Mint-Onion SlawMasala Cornbread with Green Chilli, Cumin and Coriander (American x Punjabi)Cumin Lamb Tacos with Lime Yogurt Crema (Chinese × Mexican)Crispy Cumin Lamb Rice-Paper Dumplings with Chilli YogurtCrispy Dal Bhat Rice Cakes with Tomato-Timur AcharLamb and Beef Dürüm Döner with Homemade LavashDöner Pizza (Turkish × Italian)Masala Shakshuka (Indian × Middle Eastern)Egusi Chicken Korma (Nigerian x North Indian)Butter Chicken EnchiladasFatteh with Slow-Cooked Chickpeas, Fried Pita and Ghee-Toasted NutsChana Chaat Fatteh with Tamarind and Mint Yogurt (Levantine × Indian)Mini Frikadeller Skewers with Dill RemouladeKimchi Cheese Stuffed Naan with Gochujang Garlic ButterGarlic Naan Pull-Apart BreadShahi Haleem with Bone-In Shank and Ghee BagharChicken Haleem Rice BowlOven-Stacked Döner İskenderLamb Shoulder Jareesh with Garlic TashaSaffron Joojeh Chicken Tacos with Sumac Onions (Persian × Mexican)Saffron Joojeh Chicken Caesar Salad with Sumac Pita CroutonsMasala Kartoffelpuffer with Mint Raita (German x Indian)Cold-Fermented Three-Cheese Adjarian KhachapuriLazy Khinkali Noodle Soup with Peppery Meatballsİskender köfteKhichdi-Style Koshari with Ghee TadkaSucuk Kumpir with Homemade Russian SaladCrispy lahmacun bulgur bowlHoney-Walnut Loukoumades Yogurt Parfait CupsSaffron-Rose Syrup Luqaimat with PistachioManti Puff RollsCrispy Dosa Chaat BowlKofta Meatloaf with Pomegranate Glaze and Tahini Yogurt (Levantine × American)Nihari Puff Pastry Pot Pie with Lemon-Chilli YogurtOhn No Khao Swe Wonton NachosCharcoal-Smoked Paneer Tikka with Mint ChutneyKeema Pastel de Choclo (Indian-Spiced Beef under a Sweet Corn Crust)Peri-Peri Popcorn ChickenPollo a la Brasa Shawarma Wraps (Peruvian × Levantine)Tandoori-Spiced Roast Turkey Thighs with Cranberry-Mint Chutney (Indian × American)Slow-Braised Lamb Shank Rogan JoshRogan Josh Birria-Style TacosRogan Josh Keema Loaded FriesMasala Rösti with Mint-Yoghurt ChutneyCharcoal Lamb Seekh Kebab with Fresh Mint ChutneyBaked Seekh Kebab Scotch Eggs with Mint YogurtChicken Sekuwa Crispy Chiura Bowl with Cucumber-Sesame AcharTandoori Chicken Shashlik with Mint Chutney (Uzbek × North Indian)Keema Shepherd's Pie with Bombay MashShish Tawook Quesadillas with Toum Crema and Pickled Onions (Lebanese × Mexican)Shish Tawook Salad with Toum-Caesar Dressing and Pita CrispsMasala Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Mint RaitaSaag Feta Phyllo SamosasSaag Stoemp with Masala Fried Eggs (Belgian × Indian)Saffron-Yogurt Tahdig with PistachiosCharcoal-Smoked Tandoori Chicken with Mint ChutneyTandoori Chicken Tray Pizza with Mint Raita DrizzleGochujang Butter Yogurt Pasta

Updated 2026-10-10