The Best Plain Greek Yogurt: Our Taste Test Results

Greek yogurt, also known as strained yogurt, yogurt cheese or labneh, has become increasingly popular of late. Several of us are fans of its creaminess, but we've discovered that some brands are so sour that they're not worth test driving. So, to save our readers precious time and money, we put 18 different brands of Greek yogurt to a blind taste test to find the best -- we're presenting you with our top 10 performers.

What makes Greek yogurt different from unstrained yogurt? Greek yogurt is strained to remove its whey, giving even nonfat versions an incredibly creamy texture. And there's good news for the health-conscious -- strained yogurt has a higher protein content and a lower sugar content than unstrained yogurt.

We were surprised to discover that among the winners were low-fat (and even fat-free!) versions, meaning we're free to indulge in these winners to our hearts' content.

Check out the results below. How did your favorite fare? Let us know in the comments section below.

As always, this taste test is in no way sponsored or influenced by any of the brands included.

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Comments

[yearofthecity2274]

2 hours ago ( 8:50 AM)

Sorry, but Noosa Yogurt beats all of those, hands-down.

[julieintx]

12:02 PM on 05/24/2012

It's easy to make your own yogurt and then strain it. Still, I'm glad these are available. I prefer full fat yogurt, which is hard to find at regular grocery stores. I have to go to Whole Foods or Central Market to get the brands I like in full fat.

[DavidMG]

09:37 AM on 05/24/2012

For lots of ways to use thick yogurt take alook at "Eat Well the YoChee Way." (YoChee is homemade thickened yogurt often called laban.)

[AuntLoonie]

05:33 PM on 05/23/2012

You can make your own by just straining (cheap) yogurt for at least two hours. I line a colander with coffee filters.

[goatini]

01:40 AM on 05/21/2012

Life is too short for "no-fat" yogurt. Blecccch. Fage is great, but the 0% is just wrong. Terrible.

[Clamdip LobsterClaws]

04:59 PM on 05/20/2012

Fage makes really good ice cream too.

[crimminy]

12:49 AM on 05/19/2012

I've tried a few in this list, and I have to say the Fage 2% is my favorite. I've tried the 0% fat, but it's a little sour, and the 2% has a better flavor/texture. It's so good I don't need to sweeten it, although I do enjoy it mixed with cottage cheese and sliced bananas.

[ReadyForMyCloseup]

01:08 PM on 05/18/2012

I'm not a fan of this style of yogurt; it's a little too stodgy for me. But there's no reason to pay more for it: just drain regular yogurt overnight through a colander lined with a coffee filter, and voila! "Greek" yogurt!

[luckylily88]

11:51 AM on 05/17/2012

If you're willing to take on the calories, the Fage total is like whipped cream. The most indulgent breakfast food I can think of that won't take you back 500 calories!

[crimminy]

12:50 AM on 05/19/2012

I agree. Not only is it like a desert, but I use it in place of sour cream. It's wonderful on blintzes, and I even put it on tacos.

[julieintx]

12:04 PM on 05/24/2012

Yes, and it's great on fresh berries or cherries.

[bi-partizan]

09:55 AM on 05/17/2012

Just for the general knowledge, there is No such a thing called" Greek Yogurt" Like there is no such a thing FRENCH Hamburger. Yogurt that you will make at home will be the best yogurt you have taste it. You can use 2% Milk or whole milk. Trick to it is to use HORIZON whole yogurt when you first begin. There is a little history "Yogurt is a Turkic food" for thousands of years, they took that to India everywhere else they went and lived or occupied.
There are three types of yogurt ;what is wrongly called Greek yogurt in USA is SUZME which means normal yogurt kept more than 12 hours in fermentation and strained during. Yogurt becames fit for your taste according to its milk base. Sheep, Goat, Cow, and water-buffalo milk. My preference is watr buffalo or sheep Milk. CHOBANI mean 'SHEPHERDS"S which is 100% Turkish and similar taste to sheperdes yougurt that they make while they are on mesas with their cattle or sheep. Enjoy yogurt everyday. Yogurt is one of the healtiest foods that people can eat. if you are intersted I will even give you the recipe how to make your own yogurt at home...so easy. & plus you save bundles of money.

[missirish9]

03:52 AM on 05/26/2012

Not exactly true. Fage, a Greek company, was the first company to really bring their style of strained yoghurt/suzme to the US. It is literally greek yoghurt.

[bi-partizan]

04:52 PM on 05/26/2012

Dear Madam or sir,

Please make your due dilligence better...results will be better...THERE IS NO SUCH A THING CALLED GREEK YOGURT....Yogurt is yogurt...SUZME (stained yogurt) belongs to central asian Turkic nations and Kefir and Katik are variations of yogurt...please do your search globally not USA wide. For GOD's sake There is no RUSSIAN PIZZA or RUSSIAN HAMBURGER...TRUTH IS TRUTH. There is also a law in USA Truth in Marketing...remember?
Best regards

[1swimmom]

04:15 PM on 05/16/2012

the best Greek yogurt was in Greece. With really good honey drizzled into it.

[inkongirl]

01:49 PM on 05/16/2012

Fage is great. I also like Siggi which is really thick and creamy, although I don't think it counts as Greek.

[David Robert]

09:43 PM on 05/20/2012

Siggi's is delishhhhhh

[ecotopian]

10:25 AM on 05/16/2012

The best Greek yogurt I have had is a brand called Zoi. It's fairly regional, which might explain why it's not on this list. If you live in Eugene, OR, go to Market of Choice. They carry it.

[dhrynio]

04:23 AM on 05/16/2012

Greek yogurt is great, problem in the states is that it is nearly impossible to find full fat. Good fat is great for you!!

[julieintx]

12:06 PM on 05/24/2012

Yes, I have the same complaint. I have to go to the organic/gourmet stores for it.

[no exit]

11:23 PM on 05/15/2012

The best Greek yoghurt I've ever tasted is call Noosa Yoghurt. Greek Yoghurt is a staple for me, I eat it every day. Fage' is my second favorite with Chobani close behind. I occasionally try other brands, but nothing by Dannon or Yoplait...too much sugar and other "unGreek-like yoghurt" ingredients.

[yearofthecity2274]

2 hours ago ( 8:53 AM)

Noosa Yoghurt from Australia and Colorado (Not Greece, but inspired by) IS the BEST yogurt in the world! Second is Siggi's followed by Vostok. But no need for any other than Noosa.

[no exit]

1 hour ago ( 9:17 AM)

Haven't seen either Siggis or Vostok, but if I do I'll give them a try!