Can You Make Yogurt With Store Bought Almond Milk

Yes, you can make yogurt with store bought almond milk, but it takes a little more care than using dairy milk.
 
Store bought almond milk isn’t naturally thick like dairy milk, and many brands contain additives that can interfere with fermentation.
 
So while it’s definitely possible to make yogurt from store bought almond milk, the results depend heavily on which almond milk you buy and how you handle the process.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through whether you can make yogurt with store bought almond milk, what to look for on the label, and how to get a thick, tangy batch every time.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

Can You Make Yogurt With Store Bought Almond Milk?

You can make yogurt with store bought almond milk, and plenty of home cooks do it successfully.
 
But there’s a catch you need to know about before you start.
 

1. Store Bought Almond Milk Can Culture Into Yogurt

Store bought almond milk contains the same basic components needed for fermentation, namely water, ground almonds, and often added sugars or starches that bacteria can feed on.
 
When you add a starter culture or a spoonful of existing yogurt, the live bacteria begin converting sugars into lactic acid.
 
That acid is what thickens the mixture and gives yogurt its tangy flavor.
 
So yes, store bought almond milk can turn into yogurt as long as the milk itself is fresh and hasn’t been sitting in the fridge for weeks.
 

2. Not Every Brand Works the Same Way

Some store bought almond milk brands are better for yogurt making than others.
 
Unsweetened, unflavored almond milk is your safest bet because added flavors and sweeteners can throw off fermentation.
 
You’ll also want to avoid brands with lots of gums and thickeners like carrageenan, since these can make the yogurt gummy instead of creamy.
 
Plain almond milk with a short ingredient list usually ferments most reliably, so read that label before you buy.
 

3. Homemade Almond Milk Gives You More Control

If you’ve ever made yogurt from homemade almond milk, you know the texture tends to be richer and thicker.
 
That’s because homemade almond milk has more natural fat and fewer stabilizers.
 
But store bought almond milk still works fine when you use the right technique, so don’t feel like you have to blend your own almonds just to make yogurt.
 

How to Make Yogurt With Store Bought Almond Milk

Making yogurt with store bought almond milk follows the same basic steps as dairy yogurt, just with a few adjustments.
 
Here’s how to do it.
 

1. Start With a Clean Jar and Fresh Milk

Pour your store bought almond milk into a clean glass jar or container.
 
You’ll want about four cups of almond milk for a standard batch.
 
Make sure the jar is sterilized so unwanted bacteria don’t compete with your yogurt culture.
 

2. Add a Starter Culture

Stir in two tablespoons of plain yogurt with live active cultures, or use a powdered vegan yogurt starter.
 
Mix it thoroughly so the culture spreads evenly through the almond milk.
 
This step is essential because store bought almond milk doesn’t contain the bacteria needed to ferment on its own.
 

3. Keep It Warm for 8 to 12 Hours

Fermentation needs warmth, ideally between 100°F and 110°F.
 
You can use a yogurt maker, an oven with the light on, or a warm spot near a heating pad.
 
Let the almond milk sit undisturbed for eight to twelve hours, then check for a tangy smell and slightly thickened texture.
 

4. Thicken It If Needed

Store bought almond milk yogurt tends to be thinner than dairy yogurt, so don’t panic if yours looks runny at first.
 
You can stir in a tablespoon of tapioca starch or strain it through cheesecloth for a thicker result.
 
Chilling it in the fridge for a few hours also helps it firm up.
 

Common Mistakes When Making Yogurt With Store Bought Almond Milk

You can make yogurt with store bought almond milk successfully, but a few common mistakes can ruin a batch.
 

1. Using Ultra-Pasteurized Milk With Additives

Some ultra-pasteurized almond milks contain preservatives that inhibit bacterial growth.
 
If your yogurt never thickens or smells off, the milk itself may be the problem.
 
Try a different brand with fewer additives next time.
 

2. Fermenting at the Wrong Temperature

Too cool and the culture won’t activate, too hot and it dies off.
 
Keep your almond milk yogurt in that sweet spot of 100°F to 110°F for the best results.
 

3. Skipping the Starter

Store bought almond milk won’t ferment into yogurt without a starter culture.
 
Always add live active cultures or a spoonful of existing yogurt to get fermentation going.
 

So, Can You Make Yogurt With Store Bought Almond Milk?

Yes, you can make yogurt with store bought almond milk, and with the right brand and a good starter culture, it turns out tangy and creamy.
 
Store bought almond milk ferments just fine when it’s unsweetened, unflavored, and free of heavy additives, and keeping it warm for eight to twelve hours does the rest.
 
So if you’ve been wondering whether store bought almond milk can become yogurt, the answer is yes, it absolutely can.