Yogurt, Plain, Whole Milk: How Many Grams in a Tablespoon?
Plain whole milk yogurt is produced by culturing whole milk with live bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) until it thickens and acidifies. At 1.036 g/ml, it is slightly denser than the milk it was made from (1.031 g/ml) — fermentation slightly increases the density by consuming some lactose and producing lactic acid. A cup weighs approximately 245 g; a tablespoon weighs about 15.3 g. Unlike Greek yogurt (which is strained to remove whey and becomes denser — typically 1.05–1.10 g/ml), regular whole milk yogurt retains its liquid whey and pours almost like a thick liquid. Used in marinades, dressings, dips, baked goods, and as a base for tzatziki and raita.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Reference table
| tbsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 31 |
| 3 | 46 |
| 4 | 61 |
| 5 | 77 |
FAQ
- How is plain whole milk yogurt different from Greek yogurt in terms of density?
- Regular whole milk yogurt (1.036 g/ml, ~245 g/cup) is less dense than Greek yogurt, which is strained to remove most of the liquid whey — resulting in a much thicker product at approximately 1.05–1.10 g/ml (roughly 250–260 g/cup). If your recipe specifies Greek yogurt, do not assume regular yogurt will yield the same weight per cup.
- Can I substitute plain whole milk yogurt for buttermilk by weight in baking?
- They have similar densities (yogurt 1.036 g/ml vs. buttermilk 1.036 g/ml) and both are acidic, so weight-for-weight they are structurally compatible in baking. Thin yogurt by adding 2–3 tablespoons of water per cup to match buttermilk's viscosity. The fermentation by-products are similar, so leavening reactions with baking soda work comparably.
- Does the yogurt temperature affect its weight per cup?
- Negligibly. Cold yogurt is slightly more viscous and may pack marginally more firmly into a measuring cup, but the density difference between refrigerator temperature (4°C) and room temperature (20°C) is less than 0.5% for yogurt — under 1 g per cup. For precision baking, use a scale regardless of temperature.