Cooking with Yogurt

Published May 20, 2013 7:00 PM

Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki)
Grated cucumber marries with chopped herbs and aromatics in this iconic Greek yogurt condiment. Get the recipe for Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki) » André Baranowski

Whether you make your own or buy it at the store, yogurt enhances a variety of dishes with its cool tang—try it as a marinade, in dressings, or as the base for refreshing drinks. We’ve gathered some of our favorite recipes using yogurt, from cold soups to spicy curries.

At her restaurant, Heather Carlucci-Rodriguez offers eight variations on lassi, the classic sweet-tart, creamy Indian yogurt drink, ranging from aam (mango) and nariyal (coconut) to gulab (rose) and nimbu (lemon). The elaichi (cardamom-flavored) variety is our favorite. See the recipe for Cardamom Lassi »

Turnips with Yogurt and Tomatoes

Marinating turnips in salted yogurt draws out their excess moisture.
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See the Recipe André Baranowski

Okra in Yogurt

This vibrant okra stew is thickened with chickpea flour.

Chicken and Onion Curry

Sweet Walla Walla onions, which we profiled in the SAVEUR 100 list in our January/February 2010 issue, are ideal for this Indian dish.

Tandoori Salmon

These Indian-style salmon filets are marinated in a spice-infused yogurt sauce, then baked until perfectly crisp.

Sweet Yogurt with Saffron and Pistachios (Shrikhand)

Pistachios, cardamom seeds, and saffron are mixed into yogurt to make this cool and creamy dessert.

Lentil Soup with Caraway and Minted Yogurt

In this Indian-inspired dish lentils are flavored with caraway and coriander to make a quick, fragrant soup. Get the recipe for Lentil Soup with Caraway and Minted Yogurt »

Persian Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

This refreshing yogurt dipping sauce is a perfect counterbalance to savory dishes.

Cold Beet Yogurt Soup

Earthy beets, cooked and chilled, and blended with yogurt, dill, and lemon, make for a bright, perfectly balanced borscht-inspired bowl.

Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup

The classic combination of raw cucumber, yogurt, lemon, and mint is perfect for the hottest summer days. Get the recipe for Cold Cucumber Yogurt Soup »

Eggplant and Yogurt Dip (Borani-e Bademjan)

Garnished with walnuts and garlic chips, this creamy dip makes a great appetizer.

Yogurt and Cucumber Dip (Mast-o Khiar)

Topped with rose petals and golden raisins, this simple dip is an elegant mezze.

Mango Lassi (Indian Mango Yogurt Drink)

Use the ripest, sweetest, smoothest mangos you can find, such as Champagne or Haitian varieties, for this creamy and refreshing yogurt-enriched fruit shake. Get the recipe for Mango Lassi (Indian Mango Yogurt Drink) »

Spiced Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Shish Taouk)

Redolent of garlic, cumin, and mint, these Middle eastern chicken kebabs can be served with basmati rice or flatbread. Get the recipe for Spiced Chicken Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Shish Taouk) »

Kohlrabi and Watercress Salad

For a twist on the classic Waldorf salad, try tossing sweet apples with crisp watercress and nutty kohlrabi in a sumac-infused yogurt dressing.

Bangladeshi Spiced Yogurt Drink (Burhani)

Cumin and other savory spices combine with mint, cilantro, and chile to flavor this Bangladeshi yogurt drink. Get the recipe for Bangladeshi Spiced Yogurt Drink (Burhani) »

Turkish Poached Eggs in Yogurt (Cilbir)

Looking for a March breakfast? This egg dish is perfect. Pair it with warm bread to mop up extra egg yolk and yogurt.

Grilled Yogurt-Marinated Lamb Chops

These lamb shoulder chops tenderize in a yogurt marinade flavored with cumin and cardamom before grilling.

Curried Yogurt Stew (Kadhi)

Chickpea flour acts as a stabilizer, preventing yogurt from curdling in this aromatic soup.

Labneh Tart

Labneh, a thick strained yogurt, is the base for this vanilla-spiked tart.

Red Leaf Salad with Ranch Dressing

Light, tangy yogurt replaces rich mayonnaise in the herb-laced dressing for this salad.

Spiced Persimmon Frozen Yogurt

Classic frozen yogurt gets a boost from floral persimmon and toasted spices.

Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki)

Grated cucumber marries with chopped herbs and aromatics in this iconic Greek yogurt condiment. Get the recipe for Cucumber Yogurt Dip (Tzatziki) »

Beet Raita

This cooling yogurt mix can be served as relish, dip, salad, or side.

Tagliatelle with Yogurt and Fried Onions (Rishta bi Laban wa Bassal)

Copious amounts of lightly caramelized onions are piled atop pasta and served with yogurt and herbs in this recipe inspired by Claudia Roden’s The New Book of Middle Eastern Food. Get the recipe for Tagliatelle with Yogurt and Fried Onions (Rishta bi Laban wa Bassal) »

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