Skyr vs. Greek Yogurt: What's the Difference?
Skyr and Greek yogurt are both strained for a thicker texture. It takes nearly four cups of milk to make one cup of Icelandic Provisions Traditional Skyr, compared to about three cups for Greek yogurt, concentrating more protein into every serving. In the U.S., skyr is classified as a yogurt.
Skyr vs. Greek Yogurt, Side by Side
| Nutrient | Icelandic Provisions Plain Skyr | Plain Low-Fat Greek Yogurt (USDA average) |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 12g | 10g |
| Sugar | 2g | 3.6g |
| Calories | 82 | 73 |
| Milk per cup of yogurt | Nearly 4 cups | About 3 cups |
Skyr and low-fat Greek yogurt run close on calories per 100g. Where skyr pulls ahead is protein, thanks to its extra straining, while still landing lower in sugar.
The Straining Process
Both skyr and Greek yogurt start the same way milk does with any cultured dairy: pasteurized, then fermented, then strained to remove whey and thicken the texture. The difference is how far that straining goes.
It takes nearly four cups of milk to make just one cup of Icelandic Provisions Traditional Skyr, compared to about three cups for a cup of Greek yogurt. That extra straining concentrates skyr's protein and gives it a denser, thicker texture.
Protein, Side by Side
Icelandic Provisions Skyr contains 11-20 grams of protein per serving depending on the flavor, with Plain Skyr at the top of that range at 20 grams. Plain low-fat Greek yogurt typically runs closer to 10 grams of protein per 100 grams. The gap comes directly from skyr's straining process: more straining concentrates more protein into the same amount of food.
For the full macro and micronutrient breakdown across every Icelandic Provisions flavor, see Skyr Nutrition.
Sugar, Side by Side
Plain skyr and plain Greek yogurt both start with only the natural sugar in milk called lactose, no added sugar in either. Icelandic Provisions Plain Skyr has 4 grams of sugar per serving, and our flavored dairy skyr contains 30% less sugar than other flavored yogurts. Flavored Greek yogurts vary widely on sugar since it depends on how much is added, so plain-to-plain is the fairer comparison, and that's where skyr's straining process gives it a natural edge: less milk sugar carried through into the final product.
Texture and Taste
Icelandic Provisions skyr has a thick, dense, spoonable texture.
Icelandic Provisions skyr uses our heirloom culture, Streptococcus Thermophilus Islandicus™, combined with Lactobacillus Bulgaricus and Bifidobacterium, for a mild, delicate flavor.
Which Should You Choose?
If you're comparing on protein per serving, sugar content, or texture, skyr comes out ahead of Greek yogurt on all three, and it does it with a shorter path back to real Icelandic tradition: heirloom cultures, family-owned dairy farms, and a recipe that's stayed the same for nearly 1,000 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is skyr healthier than Greek yogurt?
Skyr generally has more protein and less sugar per serving than Greek yogurt, thanks to its more intensive straining process.
Why does skyr have more protein than Greek yogurt?
Skyr is strained more than Greek yogurt, nearly four cups of milk go into one cup of skyr compared to about three cups for Greek yogurt, which concentrates more protein into every serving.
Is skyr the same as Greek yogurt?
No. Skyr and Greek yogurt are both cultured dairy, but Icelandic Provisions Skyr is made with our own Certified Heirloom Icelandic Cultures, which give it its distinctive flavor and texture.
Does skyr taste different from Greek yogurt?
Icelandic Provisions Skyr's Heirloom Icelandic Cultures give it a mild, delicate flavor.
Is skyr better than regular yogurt for breakfast?
Skyr’s higher protein and lower sugar content make it a filling breakfast option that keeps you full longer.
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