What is skyr and how do you eat it?
July 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Skyr is the Icelandic thick-strained dairy that's become easier to find in US stores in the past few years. It's been made in Iceland for over a thousand years and is eaten as a daily staple — not a specialty food.
The comparison to Greek yogurt is useful as a starting point. Both are strained, tangy, and high in protein. Skyr is typically thicker, slightly more tangy, and made from skim milk (which means it's low in fat, unlike full-fat Greek yogurt). Nutritionally they're close enough that Greek yogurt is an acceptable substitute when skyr isn't available.
What skyr tastes like
Plain skyr is thick enough to hold its shape on a spoon, with a mild tang. The flavor is cleaner than many yogurts — not as sweet, not as creamy, with a protein-forward quality that settles quickly.
The texture is distinctive: denser than most yogurts, closer to a very thick cream cheese in consistency, but lighter-tasting. When you spoon it into a bowl and top it with berries, the berries sit on top rather than sinking in.
How it's made
Skyr is made by heating skim milk, adding cultures, and then straining the result through cloth to remove the whey. The straining is what makes it thick and concentrates the protein. Traditional skyr used rennet and a small amount of skyr from the previous batch as a starter culture; commercial versions use similar cultured milk processes.
Because it's made from skim milk, plain skyr is naturally low in fat — about 0–1 g per cup in most commercial versions. Some brands add cream for a creamier version.
Nutrition
| Per 3/4 cup (175 g, approximate) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | ~15–17 g |
| Carbs | ~7–9 g |
| Fat | ~0–2 g (plain skim) |
| Calories | ~90–120 kcal |
The protein content is high relative to the calories — that's why it's useful as a breakfast base. The carbohydrates come from milk lactose; they're not particularly high for a dairy product.
How to eat it
In Iceland, skyr is eaten plain or with a little sugar and cream stirred in — the traditional preparation. In a Nordic diet context, the more common presentation is:
As a breakfast bowl: spoon into a bowl, top with berries, rolled oats, and seeds. A teaspoon of honey is optional. This is the fastest Nordic breakfast on the list and takes five minutes. See Nordic skyr breakfast bowl for the full recipe.
As a snack: straight from the container with a spoon, sometimes with fruit stirred in.
As a sauce base: thinned with a little water or lemon juice, mixed with herbs, it works as a dressing or dipping sauce for fish. Higher-protein than sour cream.
In baking: substituted for sour cream or buttermilk in some recipes.
Where to find it in the US
Skyr is now carried by many mainstream US grocery stores — Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, most large supermarkets, and many Walmarts and Targets. Brands: Siggi's, Icelandic Provisions, Skyr.is (available through some specialty stores and online). The Siggi's brand is widely available and closest to traditional taste.
If you can't find skyr, plain full-fat or 2% Greek yogurt is the practical substitute. Go for an unsweetened, unflavored variety with a short ingredient list.
Nordic Diet Companion tracks fermented dairy as part of the Nordic pattern — tell it "skyr with berries and oats" and it notes how the morning hit the pattern across multiple food groups. See the Nordic diet pantry for more core staples, and Nordic breakfast ideas for other morning options.
FAQ
Is skyr the same as Greek yogurt? Close but not identical. Both are strained, tangy, and high in protein. Skyr is traditionally made from skim milk and has a slightly tangier flavor; Greek yogurt comes in full-fat, 2%, and non-fat versions and is usually a bit creamier. For cooking and eating purposes, they substitute for each other well.
Is skyr good for you? Skyr is a whole-food fermented dairy product with high protein and moderate carbs. It's regarded as a healthy food in mainstream nutrition terms. This is general information, not medical advice — your doctor is the right person for questions specific to your health.
Does skyr have probiotics? Skyr is made with live cultures, similar to yogurt. Whether meaningful probiotic activity survives to the consumer depends on how it's made and stored.
Can you use skyr in cooking? Yes. It works as a substitute for sour cream, crème fraîche, or buttermilk in many recipes. It will separate if overheated, so add it off heat or at a low temperature.