7 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do With Greek Yogurt

Place 3-4 layers of cheesecloth in the bottom of a colander set over a large bowl. Put the Greek yogurt in the cheesecloth (feel free to add salt, herbs, or spices to the yogurt first for flavored cheese) and put the bowl in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning you'll have soft, spreadable yogurt cheese. 

The fat in Greek yogurt makes a great moisturizer. Use it as a deep-conditioning treatment by applying plain Greek directly to your hair. Cover your head with a shower cap and let the Greek yogurt soak into your hair for 30 minutes. Then, wash your hair as you regularly would.

Greek yogurt is also a great moisturizer for your skin. You can buy a number of beauty products with Greek yogurt in them or make your own moisturizing mask by combining plain Greek yogurt with a little bit of honey. Leave the mixture on your face for 15 minutes before rinsing it off with warm water and a washcloth. 

More research is needed but preliminary studies suggest that, when applied topically, the probiotics in Greek yogurt can help heal acne and may also create a barrier that prevents new acne-causing bacteria from reaching the skin.

Even though more research is needed to confirm the restorative effects of topically-applied probiotics we guarantee you that creamy, cold Greek yogurt will feel great when applied to sun-burned skin.

Just about any recipe that calls for mayonnaise or sour cream can use plain Greek yogurt instead. Try it in mayonnaise-based salads and sour cream-based dips for an extra punch of protein.

If you're looking for ways to reduce fat in homemade baked goods, try swapping some of the butter for low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt. As an added bonus, Greek yogurt will also make your baked goods incredibly tender and moist.