Easy Homemade Milk Kefir

Name: Easy Homemade Milk Kefir
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1440 min
Total time: 1445 min
Yield: 500
Ingredients: 500 ml whole or semi-skimmed milk; 0.5 tsp kefir grains; 1 slice lemon; 1 drop lemon oil; 1 piece clip-top jar with gasket for fermenting; 1 piece Sieve

Unlock the power of probiotics with this simple, two-ingredient milk kefir recipe. This tangy, creamy fermented drink is a gut-healthy alternative to yogurt and is incredibly easy to make right on your kitchen counter.

Servings500 Portions

Prep Time5 Mins

Cook Time1440 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

500

whole or semi-skimmed milk
500 ml
kefir grains
0.5 tsp
lemon
1 slice
lemon oil
1 drop
clip-top jar with gasket for fermenting
1 piece
Sieve
1 piece

Step-by-Step Instructions

Place the kefir grains into a clean glass jar. Pour in the milk, leaving about 2-5 cm of headspace at the top to allow for expansion and gas buildup during the fermentation process.

Cover the jar with a breathable cloth or coffee filter secured with a rubber band. If using a clip-top jar, remove the rubber gasket or leave it slightly unlatched to let gases escape. Set the jar aside at room temperature (20-25°C) out of direct sunlight.

Allow the milk to ferment for 18 to 24 hours. The kefir is ready when the milk has thickened and developed a tangy aroma. You may notice small pockets of yellowish whey forming or slight separation; this is perfectly normal.

If you cannot strain the kefir immediately once it has thickened, move the jar to the refrigerator to slow down the fermentation and prevent the flavor from becoming too sharp.

Strain the kefir through a non-metal sieve or straining funnel into a clean jug or bottle. The grains are quite sturdy, so you can gently stir them with a plastic or wooden spoon to help the liquid pass through.