Whether you’re making a dip, tzatziki or a dessert to share, choose fresh, plain Greek yoghurt in a pack size that suits your recipe and the number of guests. A strained dairy product designed for an individual portion serves a different purpose: straining does not mean you can ignore the storage instructions for the product you choose. For an outdoor buffet, plan to keep the pots chilled and serve small quantities at a time.
For tzatziki, a spread or crudités, a plain yoghurt gives you the freedom to choose your own seasoning. Auchan recommends its plain Greek-style yoghurt for savoury dishes, while Lidl lists tzatziki as one of the ways to use its Eridanous product.
The pack size should suit the number of guests, while also making it easy to keep the rest chilled during serving. Both the fresh Auchan and Lynos products specify that they should be refrigerated.
For an individual portion, nutritional information can help you decide. Danone’s HiPRO Lemon pot contains 15 g of protein per portion, but its flavoured recipe isn’t a substitute for plain yoghurt in a savoury dip.
First, decide whether you’re making one dish to share or serving individual portions. Then compare pack sizes and ingredients, and above all, check the storage instructions for each product.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping it chilled | Check the temperature shown on the pot and plan how to keep the products cool during transport and serving. Auchan specifies 0 °C to +6 °C for its plain yoghurt multipack; Lynos specifies 2 °C to 6 °C. | If I’m serving yoghurt outdoors, I want to keep unopened pots chilled and top up the table as needed. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this approach. |
| A base for recipes | Choose a plain product for a savoury dip and check its ingredients list. Auchan suggests serving its plain Greek-style yoghurt with vegetables; Lidl lists tzatziki as a use for Eridanous. | If I want to season a sharing dish myself, I’m looking for a plain base above all. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Quantity and pack size | Compare the total weight, not just the number of pots. The products mentioned include an Auchan multipack of 8 × 125 g and a 450 g Delisse pot listed by E.Leclerc. | Once I know how many guests I’m catering for and what I’m making, I want to choose an amount that’s easy to portion out. Around 25% of consumers would put pack size first. |
| Nutritional content | Compare protein per portion and per 100 g, as well as fat, sugars and the ingredients in the exact product. HiPRO Lemon contains 15 g of protein per pot, but also includes flavouring ingredients. | If I’m mainly looking for an individual portion with a specific nutritional profile, the ingredients matter more to me than whether it works in a sauce. Around 19% of consumers would put this criterion first. |
Danone describes HiPRO as being more heavily strained than Greek yoghurt. That doesn’t change the storage instructions for fresh Greek yoghurt: the Auchan and Lynos products mentioned need to be kept chilled.
Check the product description and storage temperature on each pack. Follow these instructions when serving, and keep any pots you’re not using chilled.
HiPRO Lemon contains ingredients including lemon, flavourings and sweeteners. It’s made for a different purpose from plain yoghurt that you season yourself for tzatziki.
For a savoury dip, start with a plain product, then add the ingredients in your recipe.
A multipack of 8 × 125 g and a 450 g pot don’t provide the same quantity or work in the same way when serving.
Work out how much you need for your recipe, then choose between a pot to mix in a serving bowl and individual portions to serve separately.
Ingredients and nutritional values vary from product to product. The description on the shelf alone won’t tell you what’s in the pot you’re going to use.
Check the ingredients list and nutritional information for the exact product, particularly if fat or sugar content is part of your decision.
These products show how pack sizes and uses can vary. Choose based on the label of the specific product, rather than the brand name alone.
Carrefour offers plain Greek-style yoghurt under its Carrefour Extra brand, as well as Mavrommatis Greek yoghurt made in Greece.
The retailer offers its plain Greek-style yoghurt in a multipack, as well as plain Greek yoghurt by Lynos in a pot.
E.Leclerc offers Delisse Greek-style yoghurt in multipacks and larger pots, including a 450 g plain option.
Lidl recommends Eridanous Greek-style yoghurt for eating plain or using in cooking.
HiPRO is better suited to anyone looking for an individual portion with specific nutritional values than to those after plain Greek yoghurt for a buffet.
Don’t assume fresh Greek yoghurt is safe to store at room temperature. The Auchan and Lynos products mentioned specify storage between 0 °C and +6 °C and between 2 °C and 6 °C respectively. The Ministry of Agriculture also stresses the importance of maintaining the cold chain. Keep pots chilled until needed and serve small quantities at a time.
A pot of plain Greek yoghurt works well if you’re mixing the whole recipe in a serving bowl. The products mentioned include a 450 g Delisse pot at E.Leclerc and a 500 g Lynos pot at Auchan. Choose the amount to suit your recipe and keep the product chilled until serving.
No. Straining alone doesn’t determine how a product should be stored. Danone describes HiPRO as more heavily strained than Greek yoghurt, but that comparison doesn’t mean you can store pots of fresh yoghurt in the same way as a UHT drink. Follow the instructions on the product you buy.
Check the product and pack size with the shop where you plan to buy it. For its 450 g pot of plain Delisse Greek-style yoghurt, E.Leclerc specifically advises customers to contact their local store to check availability.