How to Eat Icelandic Yogurt

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 12, 2023 References

Icelandic yogurt, also called skyr (pronounced skeer), is a thick, cultured dairy product similar in consistency to Greek yogurt. It is described as creamy, tangy, and fruit flavored versions can be very sweet. Skyr is naturally high in protein, minerals, and is fat-free, which makes it an excellent health food.^{[1]
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Research source} Enjoying skyr won't take much more than a spoon, though there are many ways you might indulge in it. Beyond these, there are also variations of skyr you might enjoy, as well as skyr based recipes, like a healthy shake.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Enjoying Skyr

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Purchase skyr, if necessary. Skyr is becoming more common internationally, but depending on where you live, it may be somewhat difficult to find. Skyr is often stocked in the dairy or yogurt section of grocery stores, like Whole Foods and Aldi. Some flavors that might be available include:
- Blueberry
- Papaya
- Peach
- Plain
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Vanilla^{[2]
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Use a spoon to eat skyr. If you have a large container of skyr, spoon out a portion for yourself into a bowl. If your skyr came in a single serving pack, open this. Then spoon the skyr from the container up to your mouth and enjoy.
- There's no special trick or dining etiquette for eating skyr. Generally, traditional Icelandic dining is relaxed and similar to most European countries.^{[3]
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- Be careful not to take too much on the first bite. Skyr is quite thick, and can be a little overwhelming in large quantities.
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3
Eat skyr as a main dish, a side, or a snack. Due to the wide range of flavors and its nutritional value, skyr is a flexible food. Much like yogurt, it can be served with breakfast as a side. You might even mix it with granola or cereal to give a healthy start to your day. However, since many Icelanders consider skyr an on-the-go treat, single serving cups equipped with a disposable spoon are common.
- You can add ingredients to your skyr to transform its flavor. For example, you might add berries, a splash of cream, a sprinkling of brown sugar, and so on to your skyr.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Appreciating Variations of Skyr

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Try drykkur, a drinkable king of skyr. This thinned out version of skyr retains its creaminess. Drykkur tends to be sweeter, and is often flavored with fruits like blueberries, peach, raspberries, papaya, and so on. Some flavors, like vanilla, may be more dessert oriented.
- You can find drykkur at most stores and gas stations in Iceland, though it may be more difficult to find elsewhere.
- You may have the best luck of finding this drink at either a traditional Icelandic restaurant or a store with a large selection of international foods.^{[4]
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- If you have difficulty finding this product, you can also order it online through a marketplace, like Amazon, or you could buy it directly from a skyr producer.
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Use skyr as a dipping sauce. Using skyr in this fashion is referred to as skyr-nnaise. Take a small side dish or bowl and dollop a thick glob of skyr onto it, then use the skyr as a dipping sauce. You may want to choose the flavor of skyr according to what you'll be dipping into it. For example:^{[5]
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- Sweet flavored crackers and cookies might pair better with sweeter flavored skyr, like vanilla or strawberry.
- When dipping foods that are more savory into the skyr, a plain or savory flavor will likely pair best. Try mixing a little olive, salt, and pepper into it and eating it with crackers.
3
Top desserts with sweet skyr. Much like whipped cream and ice cream are often used to top pies, cakes, and other desserts, skyr can also be used in this way. Keep in mind that skyr is very dense. Top your desserts with skyr sparingly to prevent it from overpowering the dessert.^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Healthy Skyr Smoothie

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Gather your ingredients. This recipe combines various fruits with skyr to create a convenient, nutrient rich drink. If you are a person who participates in athletic activity, this drink might be the perfect thing to help your muscles recover quickly. You'll need:
- Blender
- Drinking glass
- Fresh mango, pineapple, strawberries (¼ cup each)
- Ice
- Knife (for cutting fruit)
- Skyr (at least 2/3 cup)^{[7]
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Wash and cut your fruit. Rinse your fruit under a stream of cool water then pat it dry with a clean dishcloth or paper towel. You can also let the fruit air dry.^{[8]
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Research source} After it dries, measure out ¼ cup each of mango, pineapple, and strawberries.
- Larger fruit, fruit with a rind, and stone fruit will have to be peeled, pitted, and cut into pieces with a knife. Then measure ¼ cup of the pieces.
- Feel free to add different combinations of fruit, like blueberries, bananas, and so on to your smoothie to create new flavors.
3
Blend your ingredients in your blender. Measure and add 2/3 cup of skyr to your blender. Then add your washed and measured fruit, each a total of ¼ cup, to the blender. Last, put in three to five ice cubes. Then seal the top of the blender, plug it in, and press the "blend" button.
- Blend your mixture until it becomes the consistency you desire. Blending your drink for longer will make a smoother mixture.
- If you cannot find skyr, you can substitute Greek yogurt for a comparably healthy alternative.^{[9]
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Pour the blended mixture into a glass and enjoy. The pitcher of most blenders disengages from the motor with a simple twist release. Release the pitcher, then pour the mixture into a glass or bottle. Extra smoothie can be transferred to a container, put in the refrigerator, and saved for later.
- Generally you can expect your smoothies to stay good, when refrigerated when stored in an airtight container, for 12 hours to a day, depending on the ingredients you've used.
- When storing your smoothie, fill its storage container to the very top. Excess air in the container will cause nutrients to oxidize and break down.^{[10]
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