Best Yogurt Starter Cultures of 2026
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Yogurt starter cultures are essential for making homemade yogurt. These cultures contain a blend of bacteria strains that ferment milk to produce a thick and tangy yogurt. They come in freeze-dried or liquid form and can be used with any type of milk, including cow's milk, goat's milk, and plant-based milk. Yogurt starter cultures are a great option for those who want to control the ingredients in their yogurt and avoid additives or preservatives. They are also cost-effective and easy to use, making them a popular choice for home cooks and health-conscious consumers alike.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
#TOP 1
9.8
#TOP 2
9.7
#TOP 3
9.5
Top 10 Yogurt Starter Cultures
Coolinario L Reuteri Yogurt Starter 10-Pack
The Coolinario L Reuteri Starter makes homemade yogurt easy and enjoyable. You can quickly prepare fresh yogurt by heating and cooling your milk, then adding the starter culture before incubating it. This process allows you to enjoy creamy, delicious yogurt whenever you want. With Lactobacillus Reuteri probiotics, this starter supports your digestive health and immune system, helping you feel better from the inside out. Plus, you can tailor your yogurt’s texture to your liking—make it thick and creamy or light and smooth depending on how long you incubate. The natural ingredients ensure a fresh, tangy taste you won’t find in store-bought options.
Yogourmet Yogurt Starter (16 Pack)
Make homemade yogurt with ease using the Yogourmet Yogurt Starter. This bulk version includes 16 packs of freeze-dried yogurt starter, with each 3 g sachet making 1 liter of yogurt. The result is always smooth and creamy, thanks to the high content of Lactobacillus probiotics. These good bacteria promote gut wellness and help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health and well-being. Making homemade yogurt has never been easier or more economical with this natural product. It's free from GMOs, harmful preservatives, coloring agents, and chemicals. Plus, the Yogourmet Starters have a guaranteed long shelf life of 24 months, ensuring freshness and quality. Enjoy the convenience and benefits of homemade yogurt with Yogourmet Yogurt Starter.
Coolinario Yogurt Starter Culture 10-Pack
The Coolinario Yogurt Starter makes homemade yogurt easy and enjoyable. You just heat your milk, mix in the starter, and let it incubate for a few hours to get fresh, creamy yogurt right at home. This starter helps you create probiotic-rich yogurt that supports your digestion and gut health, offering a nutritious and affordable option. It’s versatile too, allowing you to make traditional or Greek-style yogurt, so you can adjust the thickness and texture to your liking. Plus, it’s made from pure, high-quality ingredients, giving your yogurt a natural tangy taste and creamy feel that you won’t find in store-bought versions.
LR SuperFood Starter Culture L. Reuteri ProBiotic
LR SuperFood Starter ProBiotic is a high-quality probiotic culture recommended by Dr. William Davis, MD in his best-selling book, Super Gut. It contains a concentrated amount of Lactobacillus reuteri, a beneficial microorganism that can significantly increase the levels of probiotics in cultured dairy products. Unlike standard yogurt fermenting, this culture creates billions more beneficial bacteria. LR SuperFood Starter ProBiotic is easy to make and can be used to create both dairy and vegan versions. With its exceptional microorganism and versatility, LR SuperFood Starter ProBiotic is an excellent choice for those looking to boost their gut health and enjoy the benefits of probiotics.
Cultures for Health Greek Yogurt Starter Culture
Cultures for Health Yogurt Starter is a DIY probiotic yogurt that allows you to make delicious and healthy Greek yogurt at home. This heirloom style starter can be reused indefinitely, and it only requires 2 tbsp of the previous batch. The yogurt is protein-rich, low-carb, and packed with Vitamin B12 and riboflavin, providing numerous health benefits. Its creamy texture and tart taste make it perfect for eating with granola and berries, blending into smoothies, or adding to a plethora of recipes. Maintaining the starter is completely optional, making it beginner-friendly. Each batch is pathogen tested by a trusted third-party laboratory, ensuring a safe and high-quality starter. This product is gluten-free and non-GMO.
oxiceutics MyReuteri™ LRDR Starter Culture
The oxiceutics MyReuteri Starter is an easy-to-use culture mix that combines probiotics and prebiotics in one sachet, making yogurt-like fermented dairy at home simple and convenient. Each sachet includes 13 grams of FOS prebiotic, so you don’t need to add extra fibers, saving you time and effort. Developed by Dr. William Davis, a trusted expert and author, this starter culture uses a human-origin Lactobacillus reuteri strain to ensure a tasty and healthy fermentation. You just ferment the mix at about 100°F for around 36 hours, following a proven method that yields a rich amount of live cultures for your homemade dairy treats.
Yogourmet 16 Pack Freeze Dried Yogurt Starter
Make homemade yogurt with ease with Yogourmet 16 Pack Freeze Dried Yogurt Starter. With 100 billion live and active bacteria per 100 g serving, this all-natural and gluten-free yogurt starter promotes gut wellness by improving lactose digestion and acting on the immune system. The presence of “live cultures” also keeps your gut populated with healthful microflora that keep you healthy. Additionally, this starter has a long shelf life of 25 years or more in an unopened can.
Chobani Low-Fat Vanilla Greek Yogurt Mixed Berry 5.3oz 4-pack
The Chobani Vanilla Mixed Berry Yogurt offers a tasty way to enjoy a nutritious snack. It’s packed with protein, which helps keep you full and supports muscle health. You’ll also benefit from live and active cultures that promote a healthy digestive system. Made with only natural, non-GMO ingredients, this yogurt gives you a wholesome choice without artificial additives. The delicious vanilla flavor combined with mixed berry makes it a convenient and enjoyable option for breakfast or a quick snack anytime.
Yogourmet Yogurt Starter
Make homemade probiotic yogurt with ease using the Yogourmet Starter. Each pack contains 12 sachets of freeze-dried yogurt starter, allowing you to make 1 liter of smooth and creamy yogurt. With the addition of 4 probiotic strains, this starter not only improves your digestive health but also boosts your immunity. The easy and economical process of making yogurt at home eliminates the need for store-bought options. The Yogourmet Starter is a natural product, free from GMOs, harmful preservatives, coloring agents, and chemicals. It has a long shelf life of 24 months and is produced within the highest quality and safety standards. Certified as Halal, Kosher, Gluten-free, and Non-GMO, this Yogourmet Starter is a reliable choice for homemade yogurt enthusiasts.
Belle + Bella Vegan Non-Dairy Yogurt Starter
Belle + Bella Vegan Yogurt Starter is a non-dairy and gluten-free yogurt starter that allows you to make your own yogurt at home. With no added sugars, preservatives, thickeners, artificial colors, or flavors, this yogurt starter provides a healthier option compared to store-bought yogurt. Each box of Belle + Bella Vegan Yogurt Starter makes 4 quarts of yogurt, saving you money by making yogurt at about half the price. Additionally, this yogurt starter is non-GMO, making it a great choice for those looking for a genetically modified organism-free product. By using Belle + Bella Vegan Yogurt Starter, you can also contribute to reducing plastic waste by avoiding the use of plastic containers that come with store-bought yogurt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use store-bought yogurt as a starter culture?
Yes, you can use store-bought yogurt as a starter culture for making yogurt. Just make sure that the yogurt you choose contains live, active cultures and does not have any additives like sweeteners, flavors, or thickeners. Save 2-3 tablespoons of yogurt from each batch to start the next one.
2. How many times can you use yogurt as a starter?
Direct-set yogurt starters are one-time-use cultures. While it is possible to use yogurt made with a direct-set starter to make a new batch, the culture will weaken after a few batches. To maintain the quality and consistency of your yogurt, it is recommended to use a new dose of direct-set starter.
3. Can I use kefir as a yogurt starter?
Yes, you can use kefir as a yogurt starter. However, using kefir will result in a more tart yogurt from the start. If desired, you can substitute plain yogurt with live active cultures for kefir. Remember to save 1/2 cup of yogurt to use as a starter if you choose to use kefir. Consume the yogurt within a week.
4. Can you use Greek yogurt for yogurt starter?
Yes, you can use Greek yogurt as a yogurt starter. Look for any jar of store-bought yogurt that mentions 'active cultures' on the label. Make sure the yogurt is plain, without any sweeteners, and full-fat for the best results. It is also possible to use low-fat Greek yogurt as long as it has active cultures.
5. Can you use Chobani as a yogurt starter?
Yes, you can use Chobani or any other store-bought yogurt as a starter for making yogurt. Just ensure that the yogurt you choose contains live cultures and does not have stabilizers or other additives. Once you make your own yogurt, you can use that to make more yogurt and have a continuous supply.
6. What can I use instead of yogurt starter?
If you don't have a yogurt starter, you can use another finished yogurt as a starter for your next batch. Store-bought yogurt will also work if you have never made yogurt before. There are many dairy-free yogurt options available, made from coconut milk, nuts, oats, soy, and rice, which can be used as alternatives to traditional yogurt starters.
7. Can I freeze yogurt to use as a starter later?
Yes, you can freeze yogurt to use as a starter later. Thaw the yogurt and add a thawed yogurt cube to the milk prepared for making yogurt, following the instructions for your starter culture. Keep in mind that the longer the yogurt is frozen, the less potent it will be as a starter culture. You may need to use up to twice the amount if the yogurt was frozen for 3-4 weeks.
8. What happens if you use too much starter in yogurt?
Using too much starter culture in yogurt can result in overcrowding of bacteria, causing them to run out of food (lactose) before the yogurt is fully set. This can lead to a sour taste in the yogurt instead of the desired tart taste. It is important to follow the recommended proportions of starter culture to milk for best results.
During our yogurt starter culture research, we found 24 yogurt starter culture products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 70,459 customer reviews through our big data system to write the yogurt starter cultures list. We found that most customers choose yogurt starter cultures with an average price of $18.20.
The yogurt starter cultures are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of yogurt starter cultures, including Coolinario, Yogourmet, Cutting Edge Cultures, Cultures For Health, oxiceutics. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 163 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!