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Yogurt, Plain, Skim Milk
Plain skim milk yogurt is an unflavored, fat-free cultured dairy product with a density of 1.036 g/ml. One US cup weighs approximately 245 g and one tablespoon about 15.3 g. Without added sugars or flavorings, it delivers a clean, tangy taste that works in both sweet and savory applications. It is widely used as a marinade base for tandoori chicken, as a lighter substitute for sour cream in dips and dressings, and as the liquid component in whole-grain pancake and waffle batters where its lactic acid activates baking soda for lift.
What is Yogurt, Plain, Skim Milk?
Plain skim milk yogurt is an unflavored, fat-free cultured dairy product with a density of 1.036 g/ml. One US cup weighs approximately 245 g and one tablespoon about 15.3 g. Without added sugars or flavorings, it delivers a clean, tangy taste that works in both sweet and savory applications. It is widely used as a marinade base for tandoori chicken, as a lighter substitute for sour cream in dips and dressings, and as the liquid component in whole-grain pancake and waffle batters where its lactic acid activates baking soda for.
Volume measurements can drift because settling, packing, and texture change the amount of ingredient inside the same spoon or cup. When gram values look surprising, structure is usually the reason rather than an error. Use the same fill method each time and verify by weight.
Chef note:Chef-level consistency starts when one reference cup is matched to a gram baseline.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Kitchen Conversion Chart
Cups, tbsp, tsp, mL and oz — all in one printable reference for oils, liquids, dairy and sauces.
Dairy specifics
Dairy products (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese) have different fat and water percentages. Volume hides these differences; weight keeps sauces, batters, and doughs consistent.
- Fat content shifts density; pick the correct milk/cream/fat level if variants exist.
- For cheese, shredded vs grated vs cubed changes volume—prefer grams.
FAQ
- How does plain skim milk yogurt differ from Greek yogurt in density and weight?
- Plain skim milk yogurt (1.036 g/ml, ~245 g/cup) is thinner and less dense than Greek yogurt (~1.06-1.08 g/ml, ~250-255 g/cup) because Greek yogurt is strained to remove whey. If substituting Greek yogurt for plain skim yogurt by volume, the recipe will receive about 5-10 g more mass per cup.
- Why is plain skim yogurt preferred for tandoori marinades?
- Plain skim yogurt's lactic acid (pH ~4.3) tenderizes proteins without adding fat, which would inhibit surface browning. At 1.036 g/ml, 100 g of yogurt provides consistent coating coverage. Its neutral, unflavored profile allows spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili to dominate the flavor.
- Can I use plain skim yogurt to replace buttermilk in baking by weight?
- Yes. Both have similar densities (yogurt 1.036 g/ml, buttermilk ~1.03 g/ml), so a gram-for-gram substitution works well. Plain skim yogurt is slightly thicker, so thin it with a splash of milk if the recipe needs a pourable consistency. The acidity is comparable, so leavening reactions with baking soda will be similar.