Are you looking for some delicious and healthy ways to add more probiotics to your diet? Probiotics are live microorganisms that can improve your gut health, immune system, mood and skin health.
They are found in fermented foods and drinks, such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and sauerkraut. But did you know that there are many other probiotic products that you can enjoy as well?
Here are some of the best probiotic foods and drinks recipes you can try at home:
Probiotic cottage cheese
Love creamy cottage cheese? Take it up a notch by making your own probiotic version at home! It’s simple – just add live cultures from yogurt, kefir, or even probiotic capsules to the milk before curdling. This easy trick infuses your cheese with gut-friendly bacteria for an extra health boost.
Just heat the milk to about 180°F (82°C), then let it cool to about 110°F (43°C). Stir in the starter culture (about 1/4 cup of yogurt or kefir, or 2 capsules of probiotics per quart of milk), and transfer the mixture to a glass jar. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and let it sit at room temperature for about 24 hours. The milk will separate into curds and whey. Strain the curds through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth, and transfer them to a bowl. Add some salt and herbs to taste, and enjoy your homemade probiotic cottage cheese!
Probiotic cream cheese
Craving a healthy twist on your favorite spread? Making probiotic cream cheese at home is easier than you think! Similar to cottage cheese, simply introduce live cultures from yogurt, kefir, or capsules to heavy cream or half-and-half before letting it thicken. To achieve that creamy texture, add a touch of lemon juice or vinegar (around 1 tablespoon per cup of cream) before gently heating the mixture. Enjoy your gut-friendly creation on bagels, toast, or even incorporated into delicious desserts!
After heating the cream to 180°F (82°C), let it cool to 110°F (43°C), and stir in the starter culture (about 2 tablespoons of yogurt or kefir, or 4 capsules of probiotics per cup of cream). Transfer the mixture to a glass jar, cover it with a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and let it sit at room temperature for about 12 hours. The cream will become thick and tangy. Strain the cream through a fine-mesh sieve or a cheesecloth, and transfer it to a bowl. Add some salt and sugar to taste, and enjoy your homemade probiotic cream cheese!
Probiotic cashew milk yogurt
Craft your own creamy, gut-friendly yogurt alternative at home with cashew milk yogurt! This dairy-free delight is simple to make. Just soak raw cashews for 4 hours, then blend them with fresh water until smooth (about a 1:2 cashews to water ratio). Once you have a cashew milk base, stir in live cultures from yogurt, kefir, or probiotic capsules to transform it into a probiotic powerhouse. Enjoy it in smoothies, parfaits, or on its own with fruit!
Transfer the mixture to a glass jar, and stir in the starter culture (about 2 tablespoons of dairy-free yogurt or kefir, or 4 capsules of vegan probiotics per cup of cashew milk). Cover the jar with a cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and let it sit at room temperature for about 24 hours. The cashew milk will become thick and sour. Refrigerate the yogurt before eating it, and enjoy your homemade probiotic cashew milk yogurt!
Probiotic coconut yogurt
This creamy and tangy yogurt is made from coconut milk and a probiotic starter culture. You can flavor it with vanilla, honey, or fruit.
To make it, you’ll need a blender, a glass jar, and a warm place to ferment it. Blend 4 cups of coconut milk with 2 tablespoons of probiotic powder or 4 capsules of probiotics. Pour the mixture into a jar and cover it loosely with a lid or a cloth. Let it ferment in a warm place for 24 to 48 hours, until it thickens and becomes sour. Refrigerate it before eating and enjoy!
Probiotic energy drink
Quench your thirst and nourish your gut with homemade water kefir! This bubbly probiotic drink is surprisingly easy to make. All you need are water kefir grains (a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast, available online or at health food stores), some sugar, and your favorite fruit juice. The magic happens in a glass jar – simply combine the ingredients, let it ferment, and strain to enjoy a refreshing and gut-friendly beverage!
Dissolve 1/4 cup of sugar in 4 cups of water and add 1/4 cup of water kefir grains. Cover the jar with a cloth and let it ferment in a dark place for 24 to 48 hours, until it becomes slightly bubbly. Strain the liquid and transfer it to a bottle. Add 1/4 cup of your favorite fruit juice and seal the bottle tightly. Let it ferment in the fridge for another 24 hours, until it becomes carbonated. Be careful when opening the bottle as it may overflow.
Probiotic Greek yogurt
Craft your own yogurt masterpiece at home! From classic cow’s milk to trendy almond milk options, the choice is yours. This thick and creamy treat requires just a pot, thermometer, glass jar, and a warm environment (your oven or a yogurt maker will do). Heat the milk to the perfect temperature, introduce a yogurt starter culture, and let the magic of fermentation do its work. Don’t forget to add a touch of sweetness with honey or maple syrup for a delightful tastebud experience!
Heat 4 cups of milk in a pot until it reaches 180°F (82°C). Let it cool down to 110°F (43°C) and stir in 2 tablespoons of yogurt starter culture or plain yogurt with live cultures. Pour the mixture into a jar and cover it with a lid. Place the jar in an oven or a yogurt maker and keep it at 110°F (43°C) for 8 to 12 hours, until it sets. Strain the yogurt through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove the whey and make it thicker. Refrigerate it before eating and enjoy!
Probiotic ice cream
Beat the heat and boost your gut health with delicious probiotic nice cream! This easy recipe transforms frozen bananas into a creamy, probiotic-packed treat. Simply blend frozen bananas with your choice of probiotic powder or capsules (lactobacillus or bifidobacterium work great!). For a flavor twist, add cocoa powder, peanut butter, or vanilla extract. Top it off with your favorite ingredients and enjoy a guilt-free, gut-friendly frozen delight!
To make it, you’ll need a blender or a food processor, a freezer-safe container, and a freezer. Peel and chop 4 ripe bananas and freeze them for at least 4 hours. Blend them with 2 tablespoons of probiotic powder or 4 capsules of probiotics until smooth and creamy. Transfer the mixture to a container and freeze it for another hour or until firm. Scoop out some ice cream and top it with your favorite toppings, such as nuts, chocolate chips, or berries.
Probiotic kombucha
Brew your own bubbly gut booster with kombucha! This tangy, fermented tea drink is surprisingly simple to make at home. You’ll need just a few ingredients: tea, sugar, water, and a probiotic.
You brew the tea, add the sugar, let it cool down, and then transfer it to a glass jar. Cover the jar with a cloth and let it ferment in a dark place for about a week or more, depending on how sour you like it. You can then flavor it with fruits, herbs, or spices and enjoy it cold or at room temperature.
Probiotic kefir
Transform milk into a tart and creamy probiotic powerhouse with homemade kefir! This fermented beverage boasts a unique flavor profile and requires minimal effort. The key ingredient? Kefir grains, clusters of beneficial bacteria and yeast resembling miniature cauliflower florets. You can find them online or at specific health food stores. Simply combine the grains with milk (organic and full-fat for best results) and let the fermentation magic work its wonders!
You simply add the kefir grains to a glass jar with the milk, cover it loosely with a lid or a cloth, and let it ferment at room temperature for about 24 hours. You can then strain out the kefir grains and use them again for another batch. You can drink the kefir plain or flavor it with fruits, honey, or vanilla.
Probiotic lemonade
Give your summer lemonade a gut-friendly upgrade! This classic recipe can be transformed into a probiotic powerhouse with a simple addition: whey. Whey, the liquid leftover from straining yogurt or cheese, contains beneficial bacteria that can ferment your lemonade, adding a touch of fizz and a boost of probiotics.
To make it, you need some lemons, sugar, water, and whey. You squeeze the lemons, add the sugar and water, and stir until dissolved. Then you add the whey and transfer the mixture to a glass jar or bottle. Seal it tightly and let it ferment at room temperature for about two days. You can then refrigerate it and enjoy it cold.
Probiotic soda
Ditch the sugary sodas and fizz up your gut health with homemade probiotic soda! Here’s the secret weapon: ginger bug. This natural starter culture, crafted from ginger, sugar, and water, generates carbonation for any sweetened beverage. Choose your favorite flavors, combine them with the magic of ginger bug, and enjoy a bubbly probiotic pick-me-up without the artificial nasties.
To make it, you need some ginger, sugar, water, and a glass jar. You chop the ginger (no need to peel it), add the sugar and water, and stir well. Then you cover the jar with a cloth and let it ferment at room temperature for about a week, feeding it daily with more ginger and sugar. You can then use the ginger bug to make soda by adding some of it to a bottle with your favorite juice or herbal tea. Seal the bottle tightly and let it ferment for another day or two until bubbly. You can then refrigerate it and enjoy it cold.
Probiotic water
Water might sound boring, but you can make it more interesting and beneficial by adding some water kefir grains. Water kefir grains are similar to milk kefir grains, but they ferment sugar water instead of milk. They produce a mildly sweet and fizzy drink that can be flavored in many ways.
To make it, you need some water kefir grains, sugar, water, and a glass jar. You dissolve the sugar in the water, add the water kefir grains, and cover the jar with a cloth. Then you let it ferment at room temperature for about 24 to 48 hours. You can then strain out the water kefir grains and use them again for another batch. You can drink the water kefir plain or flavor it with fruits, herbs, or spices.
These are just some examples of probiotic drinks you can make at home with simple ingredients and methods. They are not only delicious but also good for your health. Try them out and see which ones you like best!