Savory Yogurt

These savory Greek yogurt recipes turn plain yogurt into a protein-packed snack or light meal. Skip the sweet parfait and try three easy topping ideas – Everything Bagel, Mediterranean-Inspired, and Harissa Chickpea.

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“I never comment on these things but I felt compelled to here. OMG thank you! I am more of a savory girl and these recipes make my Fage 0% a total treat. Amazing and delicious.”

—Laura

Savory Greek Yogurt Recipes That Make Plain Yogurt Exciting

Let’s talk about when you open the fridge, see a tub of Greek yogurt, and realize . . . you’re hungry, but you absolutely are NOT in the mood for something sweet, like a fruit and granola parfait.

You, my friend, are in the market for savory yogurt. It’s basically the love child of a dip and a snack bowl (because it really is kind of both). Once you start seeing Greek yogurt as a base for bold, savory toppings (instead of something more akin to dessert), it becomes one of those snacks you can throw together in a few minutes but feel oddly proud of.

Today, we’re making savory Greek yogurt three ways: an everything bagel version that tastes like brunch, one with Mediterranean mezze plate vibes, and a harissa chickpea version for when you’re in the mood for something with a bit of heat.

Grab some naan or pita, and let’s do this.

How To Make Savory Yogurt

A full recipe card, including exact ingredient amounts, appears at the bottom of this post.

The Base

Plain Greek yogurt is the thick, creamy foundation. Make sure it’s plain and unsweetened so that it plays nicely with savory toppings. Full-fat will be the richest and keep you full the longest, but any plain Greek yogurt works. We highly recommend Fage Total 5% – it’s all we buy.

The Toppings

Choose one of the styles below as a starting point, based on what you have on hand and what you’re in the mood for. The styles below are just inspiration – let your imagination go wild with this.

For Serving

This is optional, but naan or pita bread is a great accompaniment for any variety of savory yogurt. Scoop it, dip it, enjoy it. Warm the bread before eating for maximum enjoyment.

Everything Bagel Savory Yogurt

This one tastes like brunch from your favorite bagel shop. In fact, if you dip bagel chips right into this, we won’t judge. Here’s what you’ll need:

• everything bagel seasoning – our Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe is salty, crunchy, and has caraway seeds for that Midwestern vibe. Make your own, or buy a bottle of pre-made seasoning.
• cucumbers – thinly sliced mini cucumbers are crisp, refreshing, and work so well with yogurt.
• pickled red onions – buy a jar or make a batch of our Quick Pickled Red Onions – they last for weeks in the fridge.
• dill – fresh and herby and so good.
• olive oil – a drizzle to make everything even more satisfying.

Mediterranean-Inspired Toppings For Greek Yogurt

This bright and briny version tastes like a restaurant appetizer with hardly any effort. Eat it for lunch, or serve it as an appetizer dip.

• kalamata olive tapenade – this salty, briny condiment instantly makes this version taste super fancy. We can recommend Divina brand kalamata spread.
• blistered tomatoes – if you have a few minutes, use our recipe for Blistered Tomatoes to make grape tomatoes extra juicy and add a little char to them for contrast. Or, simply halve some fresh grape tomatoes instead.
• pine nuts – toast them for extra buttery flavor. Hazelnuts or almonds are also great here.
• za’atar – this Middle Eastern spice blend is earthy, citrusy, and instantly gives the whole bowl huge flavor. We recommend Penzey’s brand!
• olive oil – for extra richness.

Harissa Chickpea Savory Yogurt

This one is bold, spicy and filling. It works great as a scoopable dip, or a lunch bowl when you’re wanting something hearty but not heavy.

• harissa – this chili pepper paste has smoky heat and deep flavor. A little goes a long way, so start small and adjust once you’re familiar with the brand you’ve chosen. We like Les Moulins Mahjoub brand – it’s great, and fiery!
• chickpeas – these add heartiness and texture. You can use canned chickpeas (rinse them first) or crunchy chickpeas that are widely available in the snack aisle.
• pistachios – these add a nice crunch. Use them whole (out of the shell) or chop them up a bit.
• mint – this brightens the whole bowl and keeps it from feeling heavy. Parsley works well, too!
• olive oil – rounds everything out and makes it nice and smooth.

Savory Yogurt Recipes: Endless Variations

• ADD ROASTED VEGETABLES – roasted veggies like cauliflower, radishes, sweet potatoes and carrots work really well with savory yogurt.
• GO EXTRA CREAMY – swirl in a spoonful of tahini or hummus to any version of this dish.
• ADD MORE PROTEIN – add a bit of leftover cooked chicken or salmon, or a jammy egg on top.

Make-Ahead And Storage

For the best results, store the yogurt and toppings separately and build your bowl right before eating (prepping it in the morning right before work is also fine). Some good-to-knows for the toppings above:

• pickled red onions keep in the fridge for a week or two, and actually get better with time. Prep these in advance!
• cucumbers are crispest when freshly sliced, if possible.
• fresh herbs (dill and mint) will wilt quickly once chopped, so if possible, chop them right before serving.
• blistered tomatoes keep well in the fridge for a few days. They may release some of their juices as they sit, but this is fine (and still delicious) as long as they’re stored separately from the yogurt.
• olive tapenade and harissa both keep in the fridge for several months after their jars are opened.
• toasted pine nuts are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can make a bigger batch and keep them up to a week.
• canned chickpeas can be rinsed, drained and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.