This Greek Yogurt Lemon Cream Pie is one of the most refreshing desserts you can make in summer. The filling is creamy, tangy, and surprisingly light. It is made with plain Greek yogurt, prepared lemon curd, and fresh lemon juice, set with a little gelatin and folded with whipped cream. It goes into a buttery graham cracker crust and chills in the refrigerator until it is perfectly firm and sliceable.
The whole thing comes together in under 20 minutes of active time. Make it the night before and it is ready when you need it. It tastes like a lot more effort than it is.
At a Glance
20 min active
3 hours chill
8 servings
Make-ahead friendly
No baking the filling. The gelatin does the setting work in the refrigerator. Lighter than a traditional cream pie and genuinely more interesting.
Jump To
Why Greek Yogurt Makes This Pie Special
How to Choose a Good Greek Yogurt
The Ingredients
The Recipe
Tips and Troubleshooting
Variations Worth Trying
Storage and Make-Ahead
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Greek Yogurt Makes This Pie Special
Most lemon cream pies rely on sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks for richness and set. This one uses Greek yogurt instead, which does something different and better. Greek yogurt contributes a natural tang that sharpens the lemon flavor rather than muddying it. It also adds protein and a creamy texture that feels lighter than a traditional cream pie, even though it tastes just as satisfying. You may also enjoy our Easy Air Fryer Donuts, made with Greek yogurt too!
The combination of Greek yogurt plus prepared lemon curd plus folded whipped cream creates a filling that is airy and smooth, with a bright lemon flavor that is not overly sweet. The gelatin step is what binds it all together and gives it enough structure to slice cleanly.
This is genuinely one of the easiest impressive desserts you can make. There is no baking the filling, no tempering eggs, no double boiler. The refrigerator does the work.
How to Choose a Good Greek Yogurt
The Greek yogurt you choose makes a real difference in this recipe, so it is worth spending 30 seconds reading the label at the store.
Look for a Short Ingredient List
Real Greek yogurt contains milk and live active cultures and nothing else. If the label lists thickening agents like guar gum, milk protein concentrate, corn starch, or tapioca starch, the manufacturer is using shortcuts to mimic the thick texture that proper straining creates. The result is a yogurt that looks similar but behaves differently in recipes and has a slightly off texture. Look for yogurt with two or three ingredients on the label maximum.
Strained, Not Thickened
Authentic Greek yogurt is made by straining regular yogurt to remove the whey, which is the watery liquid that separates in the container. This straining process concentrates the protein, reduces the sugar and lactose, and produces that characteristic thick, creamy texture. Double-strained yogurt is even thicker and works especially well in
