Chicken, Mandarin & Avocado Pasta Salad

Greek Yogurt Buying Tips

Greek yogurt is the creamy, protein-packed star of this salad dressing, bringing richness and tang without weighing things down. 

It’s thick, silky and has twice the protein of regular yogurt, making it a fantastic base for dressings.

But before you grab just any tub, beware of the Greek yogurt imposters.

“Real” Greek yogurt is made by straining regular yogurt to remove excess whey, which is how it ends up so thick and creamy. The ingredient list is simple—just milk and bacterial cultures. That’s it.

Then there’s the other stuff—which I believe is technically called “Greek-style” yogurt. 

These brands spend less time straining the yogurt and, instead, thicken it up with milk protein concentrates, cornstarch or gums. 

So, is this really Greek yogurt? I mean, I could call myself a classically trained chef, but that doesn’t make it true. I’m not saying they’re unhealthy, I’m just saying they cheat a bit.

Greek yogurt costs more than regular yogurt because it takes longer to prepare and uses 3 times more milk due to all that straining. 

If you’re thinking “No WHEY!” W-H-E-Y—then you’re absolutely right! 

For dressings like my creamy orange-poppy seed, I use plain 0% Greek yogurt because I’m also adding a little mayo for extra creaminess. But if you want to go into full luxury mode, you can grab the 2% or even full-fat kind.

When it comes to buying Greek yogurt, don’t get duped by the wannabes. Grab the real stuff: no fillers or thickeners, no funny business, just rich, creamy goodness.