Skip the trip to the store and learn How to Make Buttermilk substitute at home with simple pantry ingredients, including dairy-free and vegan options!

I love learning simple how-to swaps for my kitchen, like how to make your own Vanilla Extract, How to Ripen Bananas, or make some Playdough for the kids.

An easy buttermilk alternative being poured from a liquid measuring cup to a white bowl to use in a recipe.

Our Buttermilk Substitute hack saves me time and time again.

We've all been there–you're several ingredients deep in a recipe and realize it calls for buttermilk, which you don't have. Instead of making a trip to the store, just make your own buttermilk substitute! It's easy, inexpensive, and I'm sure you already have everything you need.

Buttermilk Substitute:

Any of these options will work great in a recipe, just pick the best one for you based on what you have in your pantry and fridge. 

  • 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 ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar + 1 cup of milk

How to make Buttermilk:

For the vinegar option, simply pour 1 Tablespoon vinegar into a measuring cup for 1 cup, then fill the rest of the cup with milk. Carefully stir the mixture then let it sit for 5 minutes. If you don't have vinegar, check out other easy alternatives above.

Two images showing how to make buttermilk by pouring a tablespoon of vinegar into a cup of milk, then letting it sit before using it as a buttermilk substitute.

Dairy Free & Vegan Substitute:

Instead of dairy milk, use coconut milk or soy milk. Just add 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with coconut or soy milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using in a recipe.

Buttermilk Freezing Instructions:

Buttermilk freezes great for up to 3 months. You could even pour in an ice cube tray so it's easy to use small amounts as needed.

Use Buttermilk In:

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Recipe

An easy buttermilk alternative being poured from a liquid measuring cup to a white bowl to use in a recipe.
Prep 3 minutes
Total 3 minutes
Save Recipe

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar (or lemon juice) (15 ml)
  • 1 cup milk (scant cup) (240 ml)

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

More buttermilk substitute options:
    • 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 ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar + 1 cup of milk
Dairy-Free and Vegan: Instead of dairy milk, use coconut milk or soy milk! Just add 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with coconut or soy milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes then use in recipe!
How to Freeze Buttermilk: Buttermilk freezes great for up to 3 months. You could even pour in an ice cube tray so it's easy to use small amounts as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 93mgPotassium: 366mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 301mg

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I originally shared this recipe March 2019. Updated August 2024.

This post contains affiliate links.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Molly
3 years ago

5 stars
This recipe worked just like store-bought buttermilk.

Joan Pauls
3 years ago
Reply to  Molly

Could whey be used instead of vinegar to make buttermilk?

Lise McCaffrey
5 years ago

Can I reduce my quantities to 1/2 cup of mild and 1/2 tbs. of vinegar?

Gwen
5 years ago

Could you use a flavored yogurt if making a dessert cake? I think it would give it a nice taste

Patricia A Hirt
5 years ago

Can you use skim milk

Shannon Leecy
5 years ago

Will fat free milk work or is it better to use whole milk?

Aimee Anderson
5 years ago

Could I use almomd milk instead of coconut milk?

Chloe Norman
5 years ago

Hi Lauren
Can I make the milk and vinegar mixture the night before or is it best not to store?
Thanks!

Matthew keller
5 years ago

Is distilled white vinegar ok as well?

Peggy
5 years ago

Can you use almond milk instead of coconut milk?

cynthia
5 years ago

Hello I do not have white vinegar or Lemon Juice, but I do have Apple Cinder will that work?

Edna Czyz
5 years ago

What to do if your milk doesn’t curdle… add more vinegar?