How Much Ricotta to Substitute for Greek Yogurt
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Ricotta comes across milder than Greek Yogurt.
How much ricotta equals one cup of greek yogurt?
Use 1 cup ricotta per 1 cup Greek yogurt.
Health notes
Compared with Greek Yogurt, Ricotta has: more calories (150 vs 97 per 100g in Greek Yogurt), more fat (10.2g vs 5g per 100g in Greek Yogurt), more saturated fat (6.4g vs 2.4g per 100g in Greek Yogurt), less protein (7.5g vs 9g per 100g in Greek Yogurt), and more carbs (7.3g vs 4g per 100g in Greek Yogurt).
Using ricotta as a greek yogurt substitute in baking
1:1 swap in cakes, muffins, and cheesecake fillings. Crumb turns denser and moister with a milder tang.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
1:1 stirred into pan sauces for creaminess. Won't loosen the way yogurt does, so add a splash of liquid.
- Slow Cook
1:1 stirred in near the end for body. Holds up better to heat than yogurt without splitting.
- Steaming
1:1 in steamed puddings or dumplings needing a soft, moist filling.
- Raw Cold
Use 3/4 cup ricotta per 1 cup yogurt in dips; thin with a little milk to loosen the curds.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: too wet and curdy to coat or crisp in oil.
- Grilling
Not recommended: no surface to marinate onto, curds fall through or slide off.
- Drinks
Not recommended: too thick and curdy to blend smooth in drinks.
FAQ
- How much ricotta equals one cup of greek yogurt?
Use 1 cup ricotta per 1 cup Greek yogurt.
- Can I substitute ricotta for Greek Yogurt in baking?
Yes. 1:1 swap in cakes, muffins, and cheesecake fillings. Crumb turns denser and moister with a milder tang. Not recommended: too wet and curdy to coat or crisp in oil.
- How much ricotta to use as a greek yogurt substitute?
Milder and less tangy; add lemon juice or zest to bring back brightness.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta comes across milder than greek yogurt.
- How does texture change when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta denser and slightly grainy, with less smoothness and no pourable quality.
- What else should I know about substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
For baked cheesecakes, pasta fillings, and pancake batters. Expect a denser, slightly grainy result with far less tang and a milder finish. Skip dressings, dips, and drinks where a smooth pourable texture matters. Add lemon juice to bring back acidity and thin with milk if the curds feel too thick.
- What still works when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta still works as a fat, moisture, and texture.
- What won't work when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta won't work as a acid and flavor carrier.
- How well does Ricotta match Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta is okay on structure, okay on heat, and stretch on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
Ricotta is slightly lower in protein, and has about x2 more calories and fat and x3 more sat. fat.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Ricotta for Greek Yogurt?
The flavor shifts toward less acidic and more umami notes.