Greek yogurt is simply yogurt that is made by removing the whey from cultured milk. The finished product is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt and has a tangy flavor. Greek yogurt can easily be substituted for sour cream in cheesecake recipes because the two have similar textures and flavors. Regular yogurt is too thin to stand in as a substitute. However, you can make your own Greek yogurt by straining regular yogurt through a strainer for 2 or 3 hours to remove most of the liquid.

To substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream in a cheesecake recipe, use the same amount of Greek yogurt as you would sour cream. In some recipes, Greek yogurt can even replace some of the cream cheese. If the yogurt is a bit watery, drain off the water or stir the yogurt before measuring it.

You might want to substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream simply because it's the only option you have on hand; however, convenience isn't the only reason to use Greek yogurt. Most Greek yogurts have active yogurt cultures, which can aid in healthy digestion. Greek yogurt is also much lower in fat and calories than sour cream. Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt has 0 grams of fat and only 130 calories per cup, while regular sour cream has 45 grams of fat and 444 calories per cup. In addition, a cup of Greek yogurt contains 23 grams of protein, while a cup of sour cream contains only 5 grams.

The calorie and nutrient content of Greek yogurt varies considerably, depending on the brand and the flavorings added. For the most benefits, use plain, non-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. You can also use flavored Greek yogurt to add flavor to the cheesecake, but you are probably also adding additional sugar and calories. Greek yogurts that contain fruit puree may be slightly thinner than plain Greek yogurt, potentially altering the texture of the cheesecake.