Wondering how to use kefir? The fermented drink Kefir has an increasing fan base, so many of us are looking for different ways to consume it.
Kefir is a versatile drink and there are many sweet and savoury ways in which you can include kefir in your diet. In this blog, I take you through some of the most delicious uses of kefir.
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How to Use Kefir | 19 Delectable Uses of Kefir
Loaded with all the nutrients of milk and the additional good bacteria or probiotics, Kefir is a drink you must try if you still haven’t. Here are some ways you can enjoy the benefits of this super nutritious drink.
1. Drink Your Kefir, Straight Up!
The simplest and most convenient way to consume kefir is to just drink it up straight from a glass. Kefir has a creamy and tart taste which is very similar to buttermilk.
You can consume kefir as such or add a pinch of salt to it along with spices such as cinnamon, dried mint, etc.
2. Blend The Kefir In Your Fruit Smoothies
This is one of my favourite uses of kefir. Just add a fruit of your choice – banana, blueberry, strawberry, peach, etc. along with kefir in a blender and enjoy a tangy smoothie.
Just make sure that you consume the smoothie as soon as possible. The longer you leave it, the more sour it will get.
3. Add Kefir to Your Morning Cereal
Kefir can also be put in your morning cereal in place of milk. Kefir is rich in essential vitamins and minerals and can thus be a good nutritious start to your day.
Kefir in place of milk also has an added advantage of being low in lactose. For lactose intolerant people, kefir is much better digested than milk.
4. Try the Spreadable Kefir Cheese
Kefir can be used to prepare a soft type of cheese. All you need to do is strain kefir through a cheesecloth to remove the excess whey. The leftover product is of a thick and spreadable texture.
Use kefir cheese as a spread for your crackers and bread slices. You can garnish this toast with something savoury like salt, rosemary and olive oil or something sweet like freshly chopped strawberries and honey.
5. Use Kefir Instead of Yogurt/ Milk for Your Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a very convenient, healthy and filling breakfast option for many people. It involves soaking oats in milk or yogurt overnight along with some seeds/ nuts.
Kefir can be a great replacement for milk or yogurt in your kefir. Soak your rolled oats along with some chia seeds overnight in the refrigerator. Top it up with some nuts and/ or fruit and enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast the next morning
6. Make Use of Kefir in Your Salad Dressing
Kefir can also be used to make a creamy and delicious salad dressing. If you are using sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk for this purpose, replacing it with kefir is just fine.
Add your favourite seasonings like garlic, pepper, or cumin along with the spices in your kefir. Give it a good mix and add it to your bowl of fresh salad. Enjoy!
7. Kefir Popsicles, Beat the Heat, Deliciously
In summers, one of the best uses of kefir is to freeze it into popsicles. Blend kefir with your favourite fruit and sweetener and freeze it in your refrigerator.
Enjoy the delicious popsicles and get a nutritious respite from the heat. This is also a great way to introduce kefir to your little ones.
8. Introduce Your Kids to Kefir Ice Cream
Another yummilicious way to incorporate kefir into your diet is by using it to prepare ice creams.
The easiest way to do so is adding kefir to a custard which is made with eggs and cream. Combine them well and freeze them. You will have a creamy, melt in the mouth nutritious ice cream at the end.
9. Prepare Sour Cream Using Kefir
Love sour cream? Mee too! What if I tell you you can make sour cream using kefir. It definitely is possible. All you got to do is add kefir to fresh cream and let it ferment for 18-24 hours.
The resulting kefir made sour cream can be used as a topping or as a base for your sauces and dips.
10. Baking Cakes & Muffins Using Kefir
Kefir makes for a wonderful addition to breads, cakes and muffins. You can replace kefir in all recipes that require the use of buttermilk, yogurt or milk.
Baking with kefir will get you some incredibly soft and smooth bakes with a slightly tart flavour.
11. Enjoy A Kefir Parfait or Pudding
You can also make parfait or pussing using kefir. Here, instead of yogurt or cream, add kefir to your mix of soaked oats, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, etc.
Kefir made parfaits and puddings are slightly on the tangier side but they are high on nutrition value. Consume them fresh to avoid over souring.
12. Sauces & Dips Can be Made Using Kefir
Kefir can also be used for making a number of sauces and dips. The thick and creamy consistency of kefir makes it a good base for adding a variety of spices and flavours.
If you want a thick consistency use a strained version of kefir for this purpose.
13. Ever Tried the Water Kefir Lemonade?
If you love lemonades, you will definitely love lemonade made from water kefir. Water kefir lemonades are great options for vegans who would like to experiment with their water kefir.
Just squeeze a lemon into your glass of water kefir. You can drink it right away or let it ferment in the refrigerator for a few days.
14. Give Water Kefir Fruit Punch a Try
This is another vegan friendly drink. The method of making a fruit punch with kefir is the same. To water kefir add ¼ th or 12/ cup of fruit juice.
Now let this mixture ferment for a few days in the fridge or for upto a day at room temperature. Serve chilled and enjoy.
15. Use Kefir in Cooking
Kefir like other fermented milk products can be used for cooking. You can use it for marinades, as a base for gravies and more.
You can also use kefir to soak flour or grain overnight using it for cooking or baking.
16. Make Fluffy Pancakes With Kefir
For vegetarians, kefir can be an excellent replacement for buttermilk in pancakes.
Pancakes made with kefir turn out to be really soft and fluffy, give them a try!
17. Make Cold Soups With Kefir
If you like cold soups, kefir can be your best friend. Kefir.
Kefir can make for an excellent and creamy base for your cold summer soups.
18. Relish a nutritious Kefir Fruit Bowls
Kefir pairs very well with fruits and is thus a really good choice for making fruit bowls. It is a pretty good snacking and breakfast option.
All you got to do is whisk up some kefir and then add some soaked nuts and fresh fruits into it. Relish this nutritious and filling treat for your gut health.
19. Use Kefir in a Face Mask
Kefir, we are aware, is full of probiotics or healthy bacteria that keep the gut healthy, but its uses are not limited to consumption alone.
The fermentation of milk in kefir produces lactic acid. This lactic acid can be really good when applied on your skin. So, don’t shy away from using that leftover or fresh kefir in a face mask.
I hope you found your answer to the question, “how to use kefir”. Give these ideas a try and let me know your reviews in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uses of Kefir
1. Can Kefir be used in cooking?
Ans. Yes, kefir can be used in cooking. In fact you can use kefir in any recipe that requires the use of sour milk, buttermilk or yogurt.
2. How to use Kefir for weight loss?
Ans. Try to consume 1 to 2 cups of kefir a day. Kefir can help you stay full for a longer time and prevent cravings. You can opt for low fat milk made kefir instead of the one made from whole milk.
3. Does cooking kefir kill probiotics?
Ans. Yes, heating kefir at a high temperature or for longer hours can kill the good bacteria or probiotics in it.
4. What is the best time of the day to drink kefir?
Ans. The best time to consume kefir is either in the morning or in the afternoon. As per Ayurveda, you should avoid consuming kefir or any fermented drink at night
5. How to use kefir for gut health?
Ans. Kefir is rich in a variety of gut friendly bacteria. Regular consumption of kefir can thus help you effectively deal with digestive issues.