How to Make Homemade Soy Yogurt (Without A Yogurt Maker)

Friends, this is the best homemade soy yogurt I’ve tasted (and created). Being vegan and dairy-free, finding a good yogurt is bloody hard. Some are ridiculously overpriced, and some are full of sugar and flavourings. Some taste good but way too rich for everyday consumption (and yes I’m looking at you CoYo).  But this…this is perfect.

Homemade soymilk

It’s creamy, tart, and thick (it can be made even thicker if you could be bothered draining the whey, which I don’t). But more importantly, it is super easy to make.

You don’t need even need a special equipment or a yogurt maker or a thermometer. It’s almost foolproof.

The Steps. It’s easier than you think

Here’s my steps to making this homemade soy yogurt.

  1. Get a good non-dairy starter culture. I highly recommend Belle+Bella which you can get from Iherb. You can also get a probiotic capsule from the pharmacy.
  2. Use a good quality soy milk. I used Vitasoy Soy Milky for this recipe. It’s my favourite at the moment.  Bonsoy also work great
  3. Get an insulated lunch bag and a mason jar. The bag will act as your ‘incubator’ and the mason jar filled with hot water will act as your heat pack to keep the temperature inside the bag nice and warm for your culture.

The secret to making Homemade Soy Yogurt without a yogurt maker

When I was making this soy yogurt for a first time, I was worried that I don’t have a yogurt maker to make it. But then I was reminded of my time as a Microbiologist. Bugs grow… even if the temperature is not optimum. The colder or hotter temperature will just make them grow slower or faster (unless it’s too hot in which case, they will die). So as long they in an ‘okay’ temperature, they will be ok. I know a lot of people are nervous about not having everything in perfect condition for these little bugs but trust me… they’re tougher than you think.

Without a yogurt maker to keep the temperature at the optimum level for the bugs to grow, we need to do something in order to get the same result. And that is by doubling the amount of starter required.

That’s it. That’s the secret.

Homemade soymilk

There you go!

Homemade Soy Yogurt (Without A Yogurt Maker)

  • 500 ml soy milk
  • One packet of non-dairy yogurt starter or one probiotic capsule (I use Belle + Bella.)
  • 2 clean mason jars
  • An insulated lunch bag
  1. Heat up 500 ml soy milk in a pan until it almost come to a boil. Set aside to cool to about 35 C (warm to touch).
  2. Add a packet of non-dairy yogurt starter
  3. Pour into one of the jars and place it inside the lunch bag
  4. Pour hot water into the other jar and place it inside the lunch bag
  5. Close the bag and let it sit in a dark warm place for 2 days. Taste and if it’s ready, place in the fridge to cool.
  6. Add your flavourings.
  7. I use a teaspoon Beyond Latte Ginger Latte Mix to give it a nice spicy ginger flavour.

Let me know how you go

If you make this homemade soy yogurt, I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @passionatelykeren so I won’t miss your post.

Keren x

7 replies
  1. Lisa
    Lisa says:

    Hi there. Can u tell me if u refill your mason jar with hot water again once it cools down? Also do u screw a lid on the jar or put cheese cloth on the top?
    I’m Really struggling in our cold temperatures at the moment with making soy yoghurt

  2. Sue Williams
    Sue Williams says:

    Hi Keren, thanks so much for this simple recipe. I tried another (quicker) method a few times using a probiotic and agar agar as a thickener but the texture was more like junket. Using your recipe the result is soft and creamy so I’m delighted. Only thing is, it’s not tart. I’m presuming this is because I used strawberry flavoured soy yoghurt as my starter – where I live I cannot access plain soy yoghurt – so do you think the slight sweetness will dissipate over time if I continue to use some of each new batch as the next starter?
    Appreciate your thoughts.

  3. Keren
    Keren says:

    Hi Sue, I think the slight sweetness will dissipate over time. Give it a go for the next few batches – just don’t add any sweet flavouring :D. You can also add probiotic to boost the tartness.

  4. Tania L'Estrange
    Tania L'Estrange says:

    Hi Keren, I’m wanting to make soy yoghurt and LOVE Bonsoy for my morning latte! With your recipe here, do you think it could also be made in a yoghurt maker?? (I’m a yoghurt novice, sorry for such a basic question!!). Cheers, Tania.

  5. Chels
    Chels says:

    I just love playing with cultures, sourdough bread is my absolute love I’ve been making starter for years. Now for a new challenge I am trying this today wish me luck

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  1. […] only ingredient that might be difficult for some to find, is dairy-free yogurt. I make my own soy yogurt so I’m overflowing with this stuff but you can use either use Coyo or any other type dairy-free […]

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