How to Make Super Cultured Dairy with L. reuteri in the Instant Pot

Learn how to make this super cultured dairy using lactobacillus reuteri, also known as L. reuteri (pronounced root-awry), in the Instant Pot. This cultured dairy is so abundant in gut-loving good probiotic bacteria that it can’t be beat. It’s rich, creamy, and thicker than Greek yogurt without the need to strain it. Best of all, it’s tasty too!

Benefits of L. reuteri

As I discuss in today’s recipe video, when L. reuteri flourishes in our digestive tracts, we help to increase the oxytocin hormone in our bodies, and oxytocin also has the nickname the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone.” In addition to helping our levels of oxytocin and our digestive system, you can also find L. reuteri in our urinary tract and skin, where this beneficial probiotic can also contribute to the health of those regions.

To learn more about L. reuteri and its benefits, visit my earlier How to Make Super Cultured Dairy with L. reuteri post, which also includes a recipe to make this super cultured dairy with a yogurt maker.

Note: Lactobacillus reuteri was reclassified in 2020 as Limosilactobacillus reuteri, but you may often see it still referred to by its old name.

Why isn’t L. reuteri Called Yogurt?

You may notice that I refer to this recipe as L. reuteri “cultured dairy” and not L. reuteri “yogurt.” For a food to be called yogurt in the United States, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require that the food must contain two specific strains of good bacteria:

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus
• Streptococcus thermophilus

However, that said, many home cooks refer to this cultured dairy as “Super Yogurt” or “Super Gut Yogurt” for its thick consistency and high count of beneficial L. reuteri bacteria.

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional. If you are not feeling well, please seek professional medical attention and medicine. And if you are thinking of supplementing your treatment with home remedies, be sure to talk to your medical professional about them. It’s important that you get the medicine and treatments you need to get back to good health.

Note: If you are pregnant, Dr. William Davis recommends that you not eat this type of L. reuteri super yogurt since the oxytocin hormone could cause you to give birth, and maybe not at the time that you’re supposed to. Dr. Davis describes other cultured dairies in his book, Super Gut, that he recommends for pregnant women.

• Mary’s Nest Website Disclaimer Text

Equipment Needed to Make L. reuteri Cultured Dairy in the Instant Pot

If you do not have a yogurt maker, the next best equipment to use for making L. reuteri cultured dairy is an Instant Pot. Making L. reuteri cultured dairy in the Instant Pot is easy. All you need is the following equipment:

• 1 8-quart Instant Pot Pro – or another Instant Pot model that can be pre-programmed to 100°F (38°C) for 36 hours.
• 2 quart-size glass jars with lids
• Glass bowl or large glass measure cup
• Flat mallet, mortar and pestle, or small clean spice grinder
• Whisk

Ingredients Needed to Make L. reuteri Cultured Dairy in the Instant Pot

As I show in my recipe video, you’ll need to make two batches of L. reuteri cultured dairy to create a cycle where you can use your last batch to culture your next batch. Your second and subsequent batches will come out creamier too.

To make your FIRST BATCH of L. reuteri cultured dairy, you will need:

• 10 L. reuteri tablets – I use the brand described in Dr. Davis’ book.
• 2 tablespoons inulin powder – Choose from any variety, such as those made from chicory root or Jerusalem artichoke.
• 1 quart (32 ounces) ultra-pasteurized half and half – You can also substitute ultra-pasteurized whole milk.

To make your SECOND BATCH of L. reuteri cultured dairy, you will need:

• 2 tablespoons from your first batch – This L. reuteri will culture your second batch.
• 2 tablespoons inulin powder – As before, you can choose from any variety, such as chicory root or Jerusalem artichoke.
• 1 quart (32 ounces) ultra-pasteurized half and half – You can also substitute ultra-pasteurized whole milk.

Note: To learn about the different types of inulin powder, read about The Best Prebiotic to Use to Make L. reuteri Cultured Dairy.

What is Half and Half?

Half and Half is a dairy product consisting of half whole milk and half heavy cream. It’s sold in the United States and in other countries and is often poured into coffee. If half and half is not available to you, you can make your own homemade version by mixing equal parts of whole milk (full-fat milk) and heavy cream.

Depending on where you live, the term heavy cream may be new to you. If so, you might see it labeled as heavy whipping cream or double cream.

How to Make L. reuteri Cultured Dairy in the Instant Pot

Follow these steps to make L. reuteri cultured dairy:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of inulin to a large glass bowl or large glass measuring cup.
2. Crush 10 L. reuteri tablets and add them to the inulin.
3. Add a small amount of half and half to the inulin/L. reuteri mixture and whisk to make a smooth slurry.
4. Add the remaining half and half to the slurry and whisk well.
5. Divide the half and half mixture evenly between 2 quart-sized jars.
6. Loosely place the lids on the jars.
7. Carefully transfer both jars down into the liner of the Instant Pot.
8. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and lock it in place and make sure that the vent is open.
9. Set the Instant Pot for 100°F (38°C) and 36 hours.

Variations

• Can I make L. reuteri cultured dairy with ultra-pasteurized whole milk in the Instant Pot? Yes, but the consistency will not be as thick as if it had been made with half and half.
• If I can’t find ultra-pasteurized half and half, an I use pasteurized half and half? Yes, but you will have to heat the pasteurized half and half to 180°F and hold it at the temperature for 30 minutes. (By heating your pasteurized half and half, you are essentially turning it into ultra-pasteurized half and half, which will make it a more hospitable and less crowded environment to help L. reuteri grow.)

Recipe Tips

• Leave the Instant Pot vent open – We are not pressure cooking, so you do not want to seal the Instant Pot.
• The FIRST BATCH of L. reuteri cultured dairy made in the Instant Pot will curdle. It will look like curds and whey. This is normal. Mix it back together and then refrigerate it. You can eat it. Just remember to save at least 2 tablespoons to make your next batch of L. reuteri cultured dairy.
• Your SECOND BATCH of L. reuteri cultured dairy made in the Instant Pot will be smooth and creamy. Remember to save at least 2 tablespoons to culture your third batch of L. reuteri. Continue this pattern with all subsequent batches of L. reuteri by always saving at least two tablespoons of your previous batch to culture your next batch.

How to Store L. reuteri Cultured Dairy

You should refrigerate each batch of L. reuteri cultured dairy, and it will be at its peak within the first 10 days of being made. If you keep it past 10 days of being made, the L. reuteri bacteria will not be strong enough to successfully culture your next batch, so be sure to make a new batch within 10 days.

If you want to take a break from making L. reuteri cultured dairy, you will need to start your next batch using the L. reuteri tablets, as described earlier.

How to Use L. reuteri Cultured Dairy

L. reuteri cultured dairy is best eaten as is. You do not want to heat it as this would destroy the beneficial bacteria. You can sweeten your L. reuteri or mix it with fruit. You can also use your super cultured dairy in place of traditional yogurts when making dips or salad dressings.

Learn More About L. reuteri from Dr. William Davis

If you have read the Wheat Belly series of books, you’ll already be familiar with Dr. William Davis. But did you know Dr. Davis has a new book titled Super Gut?

Dr. Davis’ Super Gut book is one of the best I have read on gut health, and part of his book focuses on the importance of making L. reuteri cultured dairy.

As mentioned earlier, Dr. Davis does not recommend L. reuteri cultured dairy for pregnant women; his book mentions other cultured dairy recipes that would be more suitable.

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Shop for items used in this blog post or video

Favorite L. reuteri Yogurt Making Supplies

• Favorite Aprons
• L. reuteri tablets
• Prebio Plus
• Jerusalem artichoke inulin
• Chicory inulin
• 8-Quart Instant Pot Pro
• LynTorin Yogurt Maker
• Suteck Yogurt Maker
• 8-cup glass measuring cup
• Measuring spoons
• Magic whisk

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Recommended Reading

• The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
• Nourishing Traditions
• Super Gut
• Cultured Food for Life
• Cultured Food for Health