An easy Buttermilk Substitute recipe and a guide for How to Make Buttermilk including dairy free and vegan buttermilk.
We’ve all been in the middle of making a recipe when we realized we didn’t have buttermilk on hand! Luckily, making your own buttermilk is so easy and only requires two simple ingredients. If your looking for ways to use your buttermilk (or buttermilk substitute), try these perfect buttermilk pancakes, biscuits, or my favorite Hershey’s “perfectly chocolate” Chocolate Cake.
Buttermilk Substitute
Tell me I am not the only person who seems to constantly forget to add buttermilk to my shopping list. It’s one of those ingredients that seems to go bad in my fridge when I do buy it and is never around in the moments I need it! It’s almost embarrassing how often I have to use this buttermilk substitute recipe. You’ll likely have this easy recipe memorized after just one use.
What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
There are a few popular methods for substituting buttermilk. Pick which one is best for you, based on what you have on hand:
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to measure 1 cup
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to measure 1 cup
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 and 3/4 teaspoon cream of tarter + 1 cup of milk
How to substitute Buttermilk
The simplest way to substitute buttermilk is to pour 1 Tbs. of vinegar into a 1 cup measurer and then fill the rest of the measuring cup with milk. Then gently stir the mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
If you don’t have vinegar, lemon juice and cream of tarter also work as great buttermilk substitutions. Use them in the same way described above.
Dairy free buttermilk substitution:
If you have a dairy allergy you can also use this buttermilk substitute recipe with a small adaptation. Instead of using 1 cup of milk, use coconut milk! So add vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measurer and then fill the rest of the measuring cup with coconut milk. Voila! I dairy-free buttermilk substitute.
Vegan buttermilk substitution:
If you are vegan, you can use the dairy-free substitute described above or you can also use soy milk! To use soy-milk as a vegan buttermilk substitute, simple add 1 tablespoon of vinegar (or lemon juice) to a 1 cup measurer and fill the rest of the cup with buttermilk. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before using.
Can you freeze buttermilk?
Yes! Buttermilk freezes well. Just be sure to store it in a sealed container and it will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can also freeze buttermilk by using and ice cube tray and freezing it in 1 tablespoon portions! This makes it really convenient when you need to use just a small amount.
More buttermilk recipes:
- Hershey’s “perfectly chocolate” Chocolate Cake
- Peach Crumb Cake
- Banana Bran Muffins
- Buttermilk Pancakes
- Biscuits
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!
Buttermilk Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon white vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 cup milk (scant cup)
Instructions
- Pour the tablespoon of vinegar into a 1 cup measurer.
- Fill the rest of the 1 cup measurer with milk.
- Gently stir and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This will allow the milk to slightly curdle, giving it a buttermilk-like texture and taste.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Edna Czyz says
What to do if your milk doesn’t curdle… add more vinegar?
Lauren Allen says
Did you give it time to rest? You could add a splash more.
cynthia says
Hello I do not have white vinegar or Lemon Juice, but I do have Apple Cinder will that work?
Lauren Allen says
Yes, that would be fine.
Peggy says
Can you use almond milk instead of coconut milk?
Lauren Allen says
Yes, that would be fine.
Matthew keller says
Is distilled white vinegar ok as well?
Lauren Allen says
Yes!
Chloe Norman says
Hi Lauren
Can I make the milk and vinegar mixture the night before or is it best not to store?
Thanks!
Lauren Allen says
Yes, that would be fine. 🙂
Aimee Anderson says
Could I use almomd milk instead of coconut milk?
Lauren Allen says
Yes, that would be fine.
Shannon Leecy says
Will fat free milk work or is it better to use whole milk?
Lauren Allen says
Fat free milk will work fine.
Patricia A Hirt says
Can you use skim milk
Lauren Allen says
Yes, you can.
Gwen says
Could you use a flavored yogurt if making a dessert cake? I think it would give it a nice taste
Lauren Allen says
Sure!
Lise McCaffrey says
Can I reduce my quantities to 1/2 cup of mild and 1/2 tbs. of vinegar?
Lauren Allen says
Yes, that’s fine!