Skyr (pronounced “skeer”) is a traditional Icelandic cultured dairy food that’s been eaten in Iceland for over 1,000 years. It looks like yogurt and is usually sold next to yogurt in grocery stores, but technically it’s closer to a fresh soft cheese because it’s made with cultures plus rennet and then heavily strained.
What skyr is like
- Very thick and creamy
- Mild, slightly tangy flavor
- High in protein
- Usually low in fat and relatively low in sugar
- Often contains live probiotic cultures
Because it’s strained more than regular yogurt, it takes a lot of milk to make — often about 4 cups of milk for 1 cup of skyr.
People often compare it to Greek yogurt, but there are differences:
| Skyr | Greek Yogurt |
|---|---|
| Milder flavor | More tangy |
| Usually thicker | Creamier/less dense |
| Technically a fresh cheese | Strained yogurt |
| Often slightly higher protein | High protein too |
Is it healthy?
Generally yes. Skyr is popular because it’s:
- high in protein,
- rich in calcium,
- filling,
- and often lower in fat than many yogurts.
A plain serving commonly has around 15–20g of protein.
Can you get it in the United States?
Yes — it’s widely available now.
Common U.S. brands include:
- Siggi’s
- Icelandic Provisions
- Thor’s Skyr
- Painterland Sisters (some products)
You can usually find it at:
- Whole Foods
- Trader Joe’s
- Kroger
- Safeway
- Target
- Walmart
- Costco (sometimes)
- many regional grocery chains
The two easiest brands to find nationally are:
- Icelandic Provisions
- Siggi’s (not from Iceland anymore, but Icelandic-style)
If you can’t find skyr, good substitutes are:
Best substitute: plain Greek yogurt
Especially:
- Fage
- Chobani Greek
- Oikos Pro
Greek yogurt is the closest in:
- texture,
- protein,
- and tartness.
Other substitutes
- Quark (German-style fresh cheese)
- Labneh (thicker, tangier Middle Eastern strained yogurt)
- High-protein yogurt products
- Plain strained yogurt you make yourself
How people eat skyr
Common ways:
- plain with berries and honey,
- with granola,
- in smoothies,
- as a sour-cream substitute,
- in desserts,
- or mixed into dips and sauces.
Plain skyr with fruit and nuts is one of the classic Icelandic breakfasts.
If you want, I can also:
- recommend the best-tasting skyr brands,
- compare skyr vs Greek yogurt nutritionally,
- or show you how to make homemade skyr.