Best Yogurt Makers for Goat and Sheep Milk Yogurt: Instant Pot and More (2026)

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If you follow a Dr. Gundry-inspired, lectin-light way of eating, yogurt is one of the trickier foods. Most yogurt in American grocery stores is made from the milk of Holstein-type cows that produce A1 beta-casein, a protein Dr. Gundry says behaves in a lectin-like way and recommends avoiding. Instead, his food lists point to plain, unsweetened goat and sheep yogurt. Those products can be hard to find, they’re expensive, and they often come sweetened or thickened.

Making your own goat or sheep milk yogurt solves all three problems. All it takes is milk, a starter culture and a way to hold a steady, warm temperature for several hours. This guide covers the best tools for the job: Instant Pot multicookers with a Yogurt program, dedicated yogurt makers, a Greek-style strainer and starter cultures. It also shares tips for getting goat milk yogurt to set up thick.

How we compared: We did not hands-on test these specific products for this article. We compared each Amazon listing’s specifications (yogurt function, temperature and timer control, capacity, jar material, warranty), checked that each listing was live and in stock on November 1, 2026, and reviewed extension-service guidance on home yogurt making, cited below.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If you have a health condition, a milk allergy or are considering a major dietary change, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.

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Quick Picks: Best Yogurt Makers for Goat and Sheep Milk at a Glance

Product	Best for	Key spec	Where to buy
Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt	Best overall (yogurt + pressure cooking)	7-in-1 with Yogurt program, 6 qt	Check price on Amazon
Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker	Best for long, low-temp ferments	Adjustable temp and time, up to 48 hrs	Check price on Amazon
Instant Pot Pro 6 Qt	Best upgrade multicooker	10-in-1 incl. yogurt and sous vide, 1200W	Check price on Amazon
Instant Pot Rio 6 Qt	Best value Instant Pot	7-in-1 incl. yogurt, anti-spin pot	Check price on Amazon
Euro Cuisine YMX650	Best for single-serve jars	7 x 6 oz glass jars, digital timer	Check price on Amazon
Euro Cuisine YM80	Best budget yogurt maker	7 x 6 oz glass jars, simple on/off	Check price on Amazon
Euro Cuisine GY50 Strainer	Best for thick, Greek-style goat yogurt	Strains up to 2 qt, fine mesh	Check price on Amazon
Yogurt starter cultures	Best for consistent results	Heirloom Greek or direct-set sachets	Check price on Amazon

Short answer: If you already cook lectin-reduced beans in a pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo does double duty and makes excellent goat yogurt. If yogurt is your main goal, and especially if you want longer, lower-temperature ferments, the Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker gives you the most control. Add a Euro Cuisine GY50 strainer if you like your goat yogurt thick.

Why Goat and Sheep Milk Yogurt on a Lectin-Free Diet?

Lectins come from plants, so dairy isn’t a lectin source in the strict sense. Dr. Gundry’s concern is with A1 beta-casein, a protein variant common in milk from many North American and Northern European cow breeds, which he describes as having lectin-like effects. Goat and sheep milk contain the A2 type of beta-casein, which is why Gundry MD’s dairy guides and shopping lists favor goat and sheep yogurt, goat and sheep kefir, and cheeses from those animals.

The research on A1 vs. A2 milk is still limited. One small, short-term randomized trial published in Nutrition Journal found that people who drank A2-only milk reported fewer digestive symptoms than when they drank conventional milk with both A1 and A2. That’s interesting, but it’s not definitive. Goat and sheep milk still contain lactose and other milk proteins, so they aren’t safe for people with a true milk allergy. Making yogurt at home lets you skip the added sugars, gums and thickeners common in store-bought versions.

1. Instant Pot Duo 6 Qt 7-in-1 — Best Overall

The Instant Pot Duo is the multicooker most lectin-free kitchens already own, because pressure cooking is the go-to method for reducing lectins in beans and legumes. It’s also a capable yogurt maker. The Yogurt program is one of 13 Smart Programs, and the Duo’s 7 functions are pressure cook, slow cook, rice, yogurt, steam, sauté and warm.

For goat or sheep yogurt, you can heat the milk right in the stainless steel inner pot (the tri-ply bottom helps prevent scorching), cool it, add your starter and incubate, all in one vessel. Or set glass jars on the included steam rack with a little water. The 6-quart size easily handles a half-gallon batch. If you’re choosing a size, see our guide on which Instant Pot size to buy.

Key specs

• Functions: 7-in-1 (pressure cook, slow cook, rice, yogurt, steam, sauté, warm)
• Smart Programs: 13, including Yogurt
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Power: 1000W, 120V
• Inner pot: stainless steel with tri-ply bottom
• Safety: over 10 safety features, overheat protection
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• Doubles as a pressure cooker for lectin-reduced beans
• Makes large batches
• Stainless steel pot, no nonstick coating
• Huge library of recipes and accessories

Cons

• Less precise temperature control than a dedicated yogurt maker
• Takes up more counter space than a jar-style maker

Best for: Anyone who wants one appliance for pressure-cooked beans and homemade goat yogurt.

Watch: Eggers n Bacon shares the Instant Pot goat milk yogurt method they refined over six months, including how they get a thick, creamy set.

2. Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker — Best for Long, Low-Temperature Ferments

This yogurt maker was designed around long ferments, like the popular 36-hour L. reuteri recipes, but its adjustable temperature and time control is just as useful for goat and sheep milk. Its TruTemp heat regulation is designed to hold a steady temperature for up to 48 hours without overheating delicate cultures.

It comes with two 1-quart glass containers with BPA-free lids, which make about eight 1-cup servings per batch, so you could ferment goat milk in one and sheep milk in the other. The maker says you can save one ounce from each batch to start the next. It weighs about 4.5 lb, includes a recipe eBook and is backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. The marketing promises many health benefits from probiotics, but take those with a grain of salt. Evidence varies widely by strain.

Key specs

• Control: adjustable temperature and time
• Max run time: up to 48 hours
• Containers: 2 x 1-quart glass, BPA-free lids
• Batch size: about 8 cups
• Size / weight: about 14.4″ x 7.6″ x 5.7″, 4.45 lb
• Warranty: lifetime manufacturer warranty

Pros

• Set the exact temperature your culture needs
• Handles very long ferments
• Glass containers
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Doesn’t heat milk, so you’ll do that step on the stove
• Only does one job

Best for: Serious home fermenters and anyone experimenting with specialty cultures in goat or sheep milk.

3. Instant Pot Pro 6 Qt 10-in-1 — Best Upgrade Multicooker

The Instant Pot Pro is a step up from the Duo, with 10 functions: pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilize, yogurt, rice, bake, steam and warm. It also has 28 one-touch programs and a 1200W heating element that Instant Pot says preheats 20% faster.

For yogurt makers, the sterilize function is handy for jars and utensils. The sous vide function is another way to hold a set water temperature if you like to incubate in jars. A gentle steam-release switch and a dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make the rest of your pressure cooking easier too.

Key specs

• Functions: 10-in-1, including yogurt, sous vide and sterilize
• Smart Programs: 28
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Power: 1200W, 120V
• Cleanup: dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• Sous vide and sterilize functions are useful for yogurt
• More programs and faster preheating
• Quiet steam release

Cons

• Costs more than the Duo or Rio
• More features than some cooks need

Best for: Cooks who want the most capable Instant Pot for both yogurt and everyday lectin-free meals.

4. Instant Pot Rio 6 Qt 7-in-1 — Best Value Instant Pot

The Rio is Instant Pot’s newer 7-in-1 model, covering pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt and warm, with 13 one-touch programs. Its 18/8 stainless steel pot has a tri-ply bottom and an anti-spin design that keeps the pot from twisting while you stir. That’s helpful when you’re gently heating milk on Sauté.

It uses 1000W, holds 6 quarts and has a dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot. If you don’t own an Instant Pot yet and mainly want yogurt plus pressure-cooked beans, the Rio covers both. For add-ons like extra sealing rings and glass lids, see our roundup of the best Instant Pot accessories.

Key specs

• Functions: 7-in-1, including yogurt
• Smart Programs: 13
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Power: 1000W, 120V
• Inner pot: 18/8 stainless steel, tri-ply, anti-spin
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• Yogurt plus pressure cooking
• Anti-spin pot for stirring milk
• Dishwasher-safe parts

Cons

• Fewer functions than the Pro
• Same basic yogurt controls as the Duo

Best for: First-time Instant Pot buyers who want a reliable yogurt function.

5. Euro Cuisine YMX650 Digital Yogurt Maker — Best for Single-Serve Jars

If you like grab-and-go portions, the YMX650 incubates yogurt in seven 6 oz glass jars, and each jar has a rotary date-setting lid so you know when it was made. It’s an easy way to try plain goat yogurt in some jars and add-ins in others.

Operation is simple. Heat 42 oz of milk, add a starter culture (or a few teaspoons of plain yogurt), and set the digital timer. The blue LED display beeps when your yogurt is ready, and the machine shuts off automatically after 15 hours. Euro Cuisine notes that Greek-style yogurt requires straining, which is where the GY50 below comes in. The jars are BPA-free, top-rack dishwasher safe and covered by a 3-year warranty.

Key specs

• Jars: 7 x 6 oz glass with date-setting lids
• Batch: about 42 oz of milk
• Controls: digital timer with beep; auto shut-off after 15 hours
• Size: about 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 7″
• Weight: about 4 lb
• Warranty: 3 years

Pros

• Built-in portion control
• Glass jars, dishwasher safe
• Timer and auto shut-off

Cons

• Smaller batches than an Instant Pot
• You heat the milk separately

Best for: Meal-preppers who want single servings ready for lunchboxes.

6. Euro Cuisine YM80 — Best Budget Yogurt Maker

The YM80 is the no-frills version of the same idea. It also uses seven 6 oz glass jars with BPA-free lids, but it has a simple on/off switch, an indicator light and a manual time reminder instead of a digital timer. The transparent lid lets you watch your yogurt set.

It’s an inexpensive way to start making goat or sheep yogurt without buying a multicooker. You will need to remember to turn it off and refrigerate the jars when the yogurt is done. It includes a 3-year warranty.

Key specs

• Jars: 7 x 6 oz glass, BPA-free lids
• Controls: on/off switch, indicator light, time reminder
• Size: about 9.5″ x 9.5″ x 6″
• Weight: about 4 lb
• Cleanup: dishwasher-safe jars
• Warranty: 3 years

Pros

• Very affordable
• Glass jars
• Simple to use

Cons

• No automatic shut-off
• No temperature adjustment

Best for: Beginners who want to try homemade goat yogurt on a budget.

7. Euro Cuisine GY50 Greek Yogurt Strainer — Best for Thick Goat Yogurt

Goat milk yogurt often comes out softer and more drinkable than cow milk yogurt. Many home cooks love that, but if you want a thick, spoonable texture, straining is the simplest fix. The GY50 turns up to 2 quarts of regular yogurt into Greek-style yogurt using an ultra-fine mesh basket that lets the whey drain away.

It’s designed to fit in the refrigerator while it strains, and it stacks for storage. Clean the mesh by rinsing it with hot water. Strain longer and you can make labneh-style goat cheese for dips. It’s BPA-free and has a 3-year warranty.

Key specs

• Capacity: up to 2 quarts of yogurt
• Strainer: ultra-fine mesh basket
• Design: fits in the fridge, stackable
• Weight: about 1.5 lb
• Warranty: 3 years

Pros

• Thickens goat yogurt without additives
• Fridge-friendly design
• Easy rinse cleaning

Cons

• Straining reduces your yield
• One more item to store

Best for: Anyone who wants Greek-style goat or sheep yogurt or homemade labneh.

Starter Cultures: Cultures for Health Greek and Yogourmet

A fresh, active starter makes the biggest difference in how reliably goat milk sets. You can use a few spoonfuls of a good plain goat yogurt from the store, but a dedicated starter gives you more consistent results.

Cultures for Health Greek Yogurt Starter is an heirloom-style culture. With proper care, you can reuse it indefinitely by saving 2 tablespoons of each batch to start the next. Each batch is pathogen tested by a third-party lab, and it’s gluten free and non-GMO.

Yogourmet Yogurt Starter is a freeze-dried, direct-set culture. The 16-pack has 3 g sachets, and each sachet makes 1 quart (1 liter) of yogurt. Yogourmet lists a 24-month shelf life and halal, kosher, gluten-free and non-GMO certifications. Direct-set starters are a good choice if you only make yogurt now and then and don’t want to maintain an heirloom culture.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Make (and Choose Gear for) Goat or Sheep Milk Yogurt

1. Instant Pot or dedicated yogurt maker?

An Instant Pot makes sense if you’ll also use it to pressure cook beans and legumes, which is a key lectin-reducing step. A dedicated yogurt maker is smaller and more precise. Models with adjustable temperature, like the Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker, are better for experimenting with specialty cultures or long ferments.

2. Heat the milk first, even if it’s pasteurized

Washington State University Extension recommends heating milk to 180°F and holding it there for 10 minutes (thinner yogurt) to 20 minutes (thicker), then cooling it to 108–112°F before adding the starter. The heat denatures whey proteins for a firmer set, and it’s especially helpful with goat milk, which tends to set softer. The National Center for Home Food Preservation also advises pasteurizing any non-commercial (raw) milk before you make yogurt with it.

3. Hold a steady temperature

Yogurt bacteria grow best at about 108–112°F. Too hot inactivates them, and too cool slows them down. Incubate for about 6–8 hours, and longer for a tangier yogurt, then refrigerate right away to stop fermentation. This is why temperature control and a timer matter more than any other feature.

4. Tips for thicker goat yogurt

• Hold the milk at 180°F for the full 20 minutes.
• Use a fresh, active starter culture.
• Strain the finished yogurt with a fine-mesh strainer like the GY50.
• Try sheep milk, which is naturally richer and usually sets thicker than goat milk.

5. Choose glass and stainless steel

Glass jars and stainless steel pots are easy to sanitize and don’t hold onto odors. Every pick on this list uses glass jars or a stainless steel inner pot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make goat milk yogurt in an Instant Pot?

Yes. Any Instant Pot with a Yogurt program, including the Duo, Rio and Pro, can incubate goat milk yogurt. Heat the milk to about 180°F, cool it to 108–112°F, stir in your starter, and run the Yogurt program for about 6–8 hours or longer for more tang.

Why is my goat milk yogurt runny?

Goat milk naturally sets softer than cow milk. Holding the milk at 180°F longer, using a fresh starter, incubating at a steady temperature and straining the finished yogurt all help. Sheep milk usually sets thicker on its own.

Is goat or sheep yogurt lectin-free?

Lectins come from plants, so plain yogurt isn’t a lectin source. Dr. Gundry recommends goat and sheep yogurt over most American cow yogurt because those milks contain A2 rather than A1 beta-casein. Choose plain and unsweetened, and watch out for lectin-containing add-ins.

Do I need a special yogurt maker for sheep milk?

No. The same tools work for goat, sheep and A2 cow milk. Sheep milk has more protein and fat, so it tends to set thick and creamy with the same method.

Can I use raw goat milk?

Food-safety experts, including the National Center for Home Food Preservation, recommend pasteurizing raw milk before making yogurt. Heating the milk to 180°F as part of the yogurt process also improves texture.

How long does homemade yogurt last?

Extension guidance generally puts homemade yogurt at about 1–2 weeks in the refrigerator at 40°F or below. Always use clean equipment and discard any batch with an off smell, mold or unusual color.

Final Thoughts

Homemade goat or sheep yogurt is one of the easiest ways to keep cultured dairy in a Gundry-inspired diet without paying premium prices for small store-bought cups. For most kitchens, the Instant Pot Duo is the best all-rounder, since it also pressure cooks your beans. Choose the Ultimate Probiotic Yogurt Maker for precise, long ferments, the Instant Pot Pro or Rio for a new multicooker, or a Euro Cuisine jar maker for grab-and-go portions. Add the GY50 strainer for thick, Greek-style goat yogurt.

Subscribe to My Lectin Free Lunchbox on YouTube for more lectin-free kitchen tips, quizzes and Instant Pot ideas.

Sources

• Gundry MD — Differences Between Casein A1 and A2 Milk
• Gundry MD — Consuming Dairy Products on a Lectin-Free Diet
• Jianqin S, et al. Effects of milk containing only A2 beta casein versus milk containing both A1 and A2 beta casein proteins on gastrointestinal physiology, symptoms of discomfort, and cognitive behavior of people with self-reported intolerance to traditional cows’ milk. Nutr J. 2016
• Washington State University Extension — Yogurt Made Simple
• National Center for Home Food Preservation — Making Yogurt at Home (PDF)
• Manufacturer specifications from each product’s Amazon listing, checked November 1, 2026

Not medical advice. This content is for general informational purposes and does not replace guidance from a qualified health professional.