Homemade Coconut Yogurt

Yogurt is a favorite dietary source of probiotics, but if you avoid dairy your yogurt options are often limited. Store bought vegan yogurts are usually expensive and full of sugar, fillers, stabilizing agents, and preservatives. 

Fortunately, it’s super easy to make your own vegan yogurt! No special equipment required, just five recognizable and easy-to-find ingredients. The hardest part is waiting for your homemade yogurt to set and chill. 

Supplementing a healthy, diverse diet with a high-quality probiotic may help protect your liver against oxidative stress caused by environmental pollutants, antibiotics, acetaminophen, and alcohol. (1, 2) For our simple and tasty yogurt recipe, we combine organic coconut milk -- either full-fat or lite works -- with tapioca starch (a favorite gluten-free thickener), probiotic powder, maple syrup, and a vanilla bean. The resulting yogurt is rich, sweet, and flecked with real vanilla. 
Pair homemade yogurt with a good source of prebiotic fiber, such as blueberries, apples, chia seeds, or oats. This will give your body the opportunity to utilize probiotics effectively. While this yogurt makes for a great parfait, it’s also a natural addition to smoothies, baked goods (use it to replace sour cream, buttermilk, or cow’s milk yogurt), and overnight oats. 

Homemade Coconut Yogurt

Makes 1 pint of yogurt 

Ingredients

• 1 can BPA-free organic coconut milk (full-fat or lite)

• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch

• 2 probiotic capsules

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup 

• 1 vanilla bean 

Step 1:

Sterilize a quart size glass jar by running it through the dishwasher on high heat or filling it with boiling water for a few minutes. 

Step 2:

Whisk coconut milk and tapioca starch together in a medium saucepan. Heat to a simmer over medium-low heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until thickened. Allow the mixture to cool until slightly warm. 

Step 3:

Open the probiotic capsules and add the powder inside to the coconut mixture (discard the plastic casings). Add the maple syrup as well and whisk. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise with a sharp knife and scrape the seeds and paste inside the pod into the yogurt mixture. Whisk well. 

Step 4: 

Pour yogurt mixture into the sterilized jar and screw on the lid. Leave undisturbed in a warm place for 24 hours. After the yogurt has set, refrigerate for at least 4 hours before eating. Stir well and enjoy! Yogurt will keep in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to ten days. 

Grab All My Best Liver-Detox Recipes!

The liver is responsible for hundreds of tasks in your body, including elimination of waste products (detox), regulating energy, supporting metabolism, and so much more. But it can be hard to know what to eat to support your liver! These recipes include foods that will give your liver just what it needs to thrive and help your body detox.

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Bridgit Danner, LAc, FDNP, is trained in functional health coaching and has worked with thousands of women over her career since 2004. She is the founder of Women’s Wellness Collaborative llc and HormoneDetoxShop.com.

Check out her easy 5-Day DIY Detox Guide here!

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