To make a cold dip to share at a barbecue, choose a large pot of plain yoghurt if you’ll use the whole amount; opt for individual portions if you’re serving people separately or making several different dips. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product rather than relying on the term “mature”: add more flavour to your dip by adjusting the ingredients in your recipe. Keep the yoghurt chilled and follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the packaging.
A 1 kg pot of plain yoghurt can be used as the base for a cold dip for several people. Carrefour Extra and Délisse offer this size; choose the quantity to suit your recipe and how you’ll use the leftovers once the pot is open.
If the ingredients matter to you, check the ingredients list and nutritional values per 100 g for each product. Carrefour Extra, Délisse and Danone product listings show different recipes and fat contents, so the words “Greek-style” aren’t enough to compare them.
A plain yoghurt base lets you choose the ingredients for your dip, such as herbs, lemon, garlic or cucumber, depending on the recipe. For this, check the product name and ingredients rather than looking for a “mature” or “aged” label.
First decide how much dip you’ll make, then choose a plain yoghurt that suits your seasoning. Finally, compare the ingredients and nutritional values on the same basis: per 100 g.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity to prepare | Net weight of the pot or portions; storage instructions after opening. | If I’m serving dip to several people, I want enough yoghurt without opening lots of pots or buying more than I’ll use. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise this need for a larger quantity. |
| Savoury dip base | “Plain” on the label, the ingredients list and the stated texture of the product you choose. | If I’m making tzatziki or an herby dip, I want a plain base whose flavour I can adjust. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise being able to create their own seasoning. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients and values per 100 g, including energy, fat and sugars. | Before choosing, I’d rather compare exactly what two products contain than rely on their names. Around 22% of consumers would prioritise the ingredients. |
Plain products don’t necessarily have the same product name, and their ingredients and nutritional values can vary. For example, Auchan and Danone product listings show different fat contents.
Compare the product name, ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g for the product you plan to buy.
This isn’t an established comparison criterion for the plain products considered here, so it won’t tell you how your barbecue dip will taste.
Choose a plain base, then adjust the amount of herbs, garlic, lemon, cucumber or other ingredients to suit your recipe.
A 1 kg pot may suit a dip for a group, but you need to be able to use the amount you’ve opened in line with the storage instructions on the packaging.
Work out how much you need before buying, and follow the use-by date and any instructions for after opening.
A dip made with a chilled dairy product needs to be kept cold, including when you’re serving it outdoors.
Serve small amounts and put the rest back in the fridge or a suitable cool box between servings.
The plain product listed by Auchan comes in 8 × 110 g pots: an option to consider for individual servings or making several small dips.
Plain varieties are available in packs of 4 × 150 g and in 1 kg pots, giving you a choice between individual portions and making a larger batch.
The 1 kg plain Greek yoghurt listed by E.Leclerc is an option to consider for making a larger quantity of dip.
The plain Greek-style product in a pack of 4 × 150 g pots makes it easy to measure out what you need.
Lidl presents its Greek-style yoghurt as a base for savoury or sweet dishes and lists tzatziki as one possible use.
These terms aren’t defined criteria for the plain products compared here. To make a dip with a more pronounced flavour, start with a plain base and adjust the seasoning; check the product name and ingredients for the specific product.
A 1 kg pot is suitable if you’re making a dip for several people and plan to use the amount you’ve opened; individual portions are handy for serving people separately or making several small dips. Carrefour Extra and Délisse offer 1 kg products, while multipacks let you prepare smaller quantities.
Read the product name, ingredients and nutritional information for both, using the same basis: per 100 g. In particular, compare energy, fat and sugars, without assuming you know the ingredients from the words “Greek-style” alone.
Keep the dip chilled until you’re ready to serve, then put out a small amount and return the rest to the fridge between servings. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the yoghurt you’ve used.
No. If the packaging gives a use-by date with the wording “Use by”, you should follow it. Manger Bouger points out that this date also assumes the product has been stored correctly; once opened, follow the instructions for that specific product.