Skyr vs Greek Yogurt: Which Is Healthier?

Most people are familiar with Greek yogurt—the thick, creamy breakfast staple that can now be found in almost every grocery store. 

But there’s a newer contender in the high-protein cultured dairy world: Skyr. 

Pronounced like “skeer,” Skyr is an Icelandic dairy product that looks and tastes a lot like Greek yogurt but has a few key differences that slightly alter its nutritional value. 

In this article, we’ll break down what sets Skyr and Greek yogurt apart and which is healthier—including nutritional profiles, benefits, taste, and cost.  

What is Skyr vs Greek Yogurt?

Although the term “Greek yogurt” is widely used to describe a thick and creamy cultured dairy product, this type of yogurt is not unique to Greece. Many regions around the world have been creating and consuming strained yogurts for centuries—and Skyr is one of them. 

Skyr is an Icelandic cultured dairy product that has been consumed for over 1,000 years, dating back to the Viking ages when Nordic settlers arrived in Iceland circa the year 874.

Greek yogurt is thought to have an even longer history, dating back to Hippocrates’ time in ancient Greece. 

Both Skyr and Greek yogurt are strained yogurts, meaning they get strained after the culturing or fermenting process—but they have a handful of key differences in their processing methods.

How Is Greek Yogurt Made?

Greek yogurt is made when heated dairy milk (whole, low-fat, or non-fat) is combined with bacteria called Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus—a process known as fermentation or culturing.

Over time and heat (not too hot: 108-112° F), the bacteria convert the lactose sugar in milk into lactic acid, thickening the milk and giving yogurt its tangy flavor.

Traditional yogurt-making involves bringing the milk to a higher temperature (180°F) first, then bringing it down to about 110°F for several hours to facilitate bacterial fermentation. However, you can also make yogurt using a “cold start” method, but this is typically reserved for at-home yogurt making.

At this point, regular yogurt is completed, with its smoother and more runny consistency. 

To make Greek yogurt, an extra straining process removes the liquid—mostly whey, which contains water, lactose, and some minerals—from the yogurt. 

This process results in a thicker, creamier yogurt that is richer in casein protein than regular unstrained yogurt.

However, commercial Greek yogurt now often uses mechanical straining instead of the hand-straining of the past (which is still used in many cultures today). Some Greek yogurt brands may also add back milk protein concentrates to elevate protein content and make it thicker.

How Is Skyr Made?

Skyr is also a strained yogurt, with the same process of adding bacteria, heat, and then straining.

Skyr always uses Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, but may also include bacteria like Lactococcus lactis subsp. Cremoris or Lactobacillus acidophilus. These other bacteria can change the flavor, making Skyr taste more mild and less tangy than Greek yogurt.

The straining process for Skyr is also more extensive, as rennet (animal-based, plant-based, or microbial) is added to help separate the curds and whey.

The addition of rennet means that Skyr (when made using the traditional method) is often called “yogurt cheese” due to its thick texture, even though it looks and tastes more like yogurt than cheese.

Rennet is a set of enzymes that separates milk into curds and whey, and it’s traditionally derived from the stomachs of young ruminants like calves, lambs, and kids. Now, plant-based or microbial rennet exists, which most Skyr brands use instead. In fact, it’s pretty rare to see a modern Skyr brand that uses animal rennet.

Another main difference is that Skyr is traditionally made with skim milk. However, many modern Skyr brands now use whole milk or non-fat, too. 

Overall, the additional straining and rennet mean that Skyr is often even thicker than Greek yogurt and a bit less tangy.

Skyr Vs. Greek Yogurt

So, how do these changes in processing methods affect factors like nutritional profiles, health benefits, taste, and cost? Let’s find out.

Nutritional Value

The main nutritional differences between Skyr and Greek yogurt are that Skyr is lower in fat (if it is made in the traditional way with skim milk) and higher in protein. 

A typical container (5.3 ounces or 150g) of unsweetened plain Skyr contains:

• 120 calories
• 2.5g fat
• 1.5g saturated fat
• 8g carbohydrates
• 3g sugar (0g added sugar)
• 17g protein 
• 190mg calcium

The same size container of 2% plain Greek yogurt contains:

• 100 calories
• 3g fat
• 2g saturated fat
• 5g carbohydrates
• 5g sugar (0g added sugar)
• 15g protein
• 180mg calcium

As you can see, Skyr contains a bit more calories, but 2 grams more protein per serving. However, this is pretty negligible in the grand scheme of your daily food intake.

Overall, Skyr and Greek yogurt have relatively similar nutritional profiles, especially if you choose 2% Greek yogurt. Of course, if you opt for full-fat Greek yogurt (or Skyr), the calorie count and fat levels will increase.Although we mentioned that Skyr is traditionally made with skim milk, other varieties of Skyr can be found today, including non-fat and whole milk Skyr from Siggi’s.

Health Benefits

There are many health benefits associated with eating yogurt, including both Skyr and Greek yogurt. Most research on yogurt does not differentiate between the different types, and no studies have been done looking specifically at Skyr.

However, as Skyr and Greek yogurt are so similar, their health benefits are also alike. 

Some of the main benefits of yogurt include:

• Healthy Digestion: Both Skyr and Greek yogurt contain probiotics (as long as the yogurt was not pasteurized after culturing—look for “Live and active cultures” on the label), which benefit digestion and a healthy gut microbiome.
• Weight management: Full-fat yogurt can support weight management by promoting satiety, which may help reduce overall calorie intake. Even if you purchase non-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr, the high protein content still helps you to feel more full. That said, yogurt or Skyr with a higher fat content tends to be more filling.
• Bone health: Calcium is known to help support bone health, and Greek yogurt and Skyr have similar amounts. Regular (unstrained) yogurt has a bit more calcium than Greek yogurt and Skyr do due to the straining process that removes some minerals.
• Blood sugar management: The higher protein content of Skyr and Greek yogurt helps to regulate blood sugar by slowing digestion and preventing rapid glucose spikes. Whole milk Greek yogurt or Skyr may further support blood sugar control due to its healthy fat content that also attenuates glucose spikes.
• Reduced cancer risk: Fermented dairy products (including Skyr and Greek yogurt) are linked to a lower risk of certain cancers. One very large systematic review of 108 studies found consistent associations between fermented milk consumption and a reduced risk of breast and colorectal cancer.

Overall, both Greek yogurt and Skyr have similar health benefits, although Skyr has not been well-researched. Full-fat Greek yogurt and Skyr may provide more benefits to weight management, appetite control, and metabolic health than non-fat Greek yogurt and Skyr.

Taste and Texture

Both Greek yogurt and Skyr are thicker and creamier than regular unstrained yogurt.

However, Skyr tends to be a little thicker and creamier because of the additional straining and addition of rennet. 

In terms of taste, Skyr tends to be a bit more mild-flavored and less sour because it often uses different probiotic bacterial strains that are less acidic.

Cost

In the United States, the most well-known brands of Skyr are Siggi’s and Icelandic Provisions, while Greek yogurt is more widespread.

Due to the lower availability in some areas, Skyr may be more expensive than Greek yogurt—but as we’ll see, this is not always the case. 

Here’s a look at some of the most popular Skyr and Greek yogurt brands available today: 

• Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr: $6.89 for 24oz ($0.29/oz)
• Icelandic Provisions Plain Low-Fat Skyr: $7.99 for 30oz ($0.27/oz)
• Fage 2% Greek Yogurt: $7.39 for 32oz ($0.23/oz)
• Chobani Whole Milk Greek Yogurt: $6.19 for 32oz ($0.19/oz)
• Stonyfield Organic Grass-Fed Greek Yogurt: $9.99 for 24oz ($0.41/oz)

As you can see, Skyr is not always more expensive than Greek yogurt—in fact, the most expensive option from this selection is the Stonyfield organic, grass-fed Greek yogurt. Overall, the two most popular Skyr brands are relatively on par with Greek yogurt prices. 

The Bottom Line

Greek yogurt and Skyr are very similar to one another, with the main difference being the processing method that leads to Skyr having slightly more protein.

Skyr tastes more creamy and thick than Greek yogurt and has a more mild, less tart flavor.

Overall, you should sample various types of both Skyr and Greek yogurt to see which you prefer—the 2 grams of protein likely won’t make or break your nutrition goals, so go with whichever taste and texture you prefer. 

That said, we’d recommend choosing an unsweetened option when possible to reduce your added sugar intake, and a higher-fat yogurt or Skyr will be better at boosting satiety.

Greek Yogurt vs Skyr FAQs