Today I wanna show you a delicious alternative to traditional yogurt. It's much healthier, is full of probiotics (good bacteria for your gut) and is also cruelty-free, yay!!! The only bad thing about this recipe is that young coconuts may be expensive in some countries or areas, but if you can afford them, you need to tray this yogurt, if not, you can make it once in a while as I do or take a look at the soy yogurt recipe I shared, it's so good!
Yogurt is made with milk, probiotics and some thickener. The bad thing about many store-bought yogurts is that they're really processed, so they don't have as many bacterias as they could and the heat can destroy part of the nutrients, that's why I love this recipe because is raw and homemade.
To make this yogurt you don't need to use a thermometer, a yogurt maker or an over, you just need young coconuts and probiotics, nothing else.
Probiotics have changed and improved my life. As I told you in another post, I used to love dairy products, I ate milk, cheese and yogurt every single day, but since I'm vegan, I don't eat non-dairy yogurt very often because I don't usually have desserts and I prefer to eat other things for breakfast or as a snack.
I love to read health books or blogs, and many of them speak about the importance of probiotics to be healthy and heal some illness or diseases (you should read Gut: The Inside Story of Our Body's Most Underrated Organ by Giulia Enders) and I decided to give them a try.
Since I take probiotics my bowel movements, digestion and skin have improved and I feel better. You can find them in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi or sauerkraut (I'd love to share some recipes on the blog soon), or you just can take a supplement as I do.
This yogurt tastes amazing and you can add granola, fresh or dried fruits, nuts, seeds or even make some savory recipes like the yogurt sauce I will share with you next Friday.
*I buy my probiotic supplements from iHerb and they're vegan. I love iHerb because I can buy some products it's hard to find here in Spain and they are also so affordable. If you're going to buy for the first time, you can use my coupon code: JWT081, you can save 5 or 10$ on your first order and they'll give a little discount on my next order.
Tips:
- To open the coconuts use a big knife. Place the coconut in a flat and firm surface like a table or a kitchen countertop and make 4 cuts forming a square, as you can see in the picture above. Keep your hands away from the coconut.
- If you don't have probiotics, you can make the yogurt anyway, although it won't be the same, it will taste different and it won't have good bacteria.
PRODUCT I USED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE (AFFILIATE LINK):
Simple Vegan Coconut Yogurt
Ingredients
- ¾ cup young coconut meat
- 2 tablespoon coconut water
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 probiotic supplements
Instructions
- Once the coconut is open (read the tips I shared with you above), pour the coconut water in a jar and set aside. We're gonna need only 2 tablespoons, so you can drink the rest, it's really delicious and healthy.
- Scoop the meat out of the coconut using a spoon. Clean the meat and take out any brown things.
- Place the meat, coconut water and lemon juice in the blender and blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add more coconut water. It has to have a yogurt consistency.
- Place the yogurt in a bowl, add the 2 probiotic supplements (we need probiotic powder, so empty the capsules). Mix well.
- Cover with a cheesecloth and let it sit in a dark, cool room for at least 12 hours. Then you can enjoy the yogurt or keeping it in the fridge until it's cold.
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment below or tag a picture #simpleveganblog on Instagram (or any other social network).
Hima says
I wonder the function of lemon juice inside. can you explain this? thank you
Iosune Robles says
Hi! It acts as a stabilizer 🙂 Have a nice day!
Brie says
Can you use canned young coconut for this? Otherwise it would be $50 yougurt because the coconuts are very expensive where I live. Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Brie! No, you can't, but try to make this recipe instead: https://simpleveganblog.com/2-ingredient-vegan-coconut-yogurt/ Hope you like it!
Denise says
What do you recommend as a good probiotic capsule? If you'd mention several brands/types please to help me find something similar based on the ingredients.
I prefer something vegan based (non-dairy) for sensitivity issues. Thank you.
Iosune says
Hi Denise! You can see the brand I use on the blog post, but pretty much any plant-based brand is okay 🙂
Courtney says
Hey! I was just wondering if you know if it freezes well? or if you have tried sticking it in an icecream machine once developed?
Thanks!
Iosune says
Hi Courtney! I'm so sorry, but I've never frozen it or tried sticking it in an ice cream machine. Have a nice day!
susy says
Iosune, i was also curious if you've ever used Coconut Cream or full fat coconut milk to do this. I just recently tried to make some, and it's so runny :-/ So I'm looking for new recipes and I'm going to keep experimenting! but let me know if you have and how that turned out. GRACIAS!
Iosune says
Hi Susy! I'm so sorry, but I've never used any of them. De nada 😀
Susy says
Ah bueno! Tendre que comprar un coco y hacerlo como hiciste tu! de las pastillas de probioticos, cuantos billones tiene cada una? por curiosidad. Hay tanta variedad!
Iosune says
Hola de nuevo! Pues ahora mismo no estoy en casa y no te lo puedo mirar, lo siento, pero en este enlace tienes toda la información: https://eu.iherb.com/Nutrition-Now-PB8-Pro-Biotic-Acidophilus-For-Life-120-Veggie-Caps/5930 Un saludo!
Susy says
Gracias!
Ymani says
Can I use coconut cream instead of a young coconut?
Iosune says
Hi Ymani! I've never made this recipe using coconut cream, so I can't help you, sorry!
Airyfairycelt says
Lovely recipe but I cannot get coconuts, nor open them (arthritis) if I had them.
Could I use desiccated coconut please
And...ps the felafel waffles are inspired!
Iosune says
Hi! I've never tried to use it, but I think it won't work, sorry! 🙁 You could try to make this recipe using soy or coconut milk: http://simpleveganblog.com/homemade-soy-milk/ Have a nice day!
Kristine says
I live in Thailand so coconuts - yes, .. cool room - no.. can I just put it in the fridge?
Iosune says
Hi Kristine! You should leave the yogurt rest at room temperature and then you can store it in the fridge 🙂
Mia says
Hello Iosune, i just found your website and i love it.
For this recipe Is it OK if i skip the "probiotic supplements"?
Iosune says
Hi Mia! Thanks a lot 😀 Of course you can! I hope you like it 😉
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Coconut yogurt sounds fabulous! Never made anything like it before so I would love to try this recipe.
Iosune says
Hi Thalia! It's absolutely delicious! Hope you like it 😉
Kelly says
How much are import taxes for getting products from iherb shipped to Spain? Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Kelly! I don't have to pay taxes, just the order and the shipping costs 🙂 Have a nice day!