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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.
Our Buttermilk Substitute hack saves me time and time again.
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.
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:
- Buttermilk Pancakes
- Buttermilk Cornbread
- Buttermilk Biscuits
- Skillet Cornbread
- Ranch Dressing
- Homemade Pancake Syrup
- Cinnamon Roll Biscuits
- Hershey's Chocolate Cake
- Cannoli Cake
- Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
- English Muffins
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Buttermilk Substitute
Equipment
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
-
- 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
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe March 2019. Updated August 2024.
This recipe worked just like store-bought buttermilk.
Could whey be used instead of vinegar to make buttermilk?
Really easy and good
Where I live, the only kind of butter milk available anywhere is cultured non-fat butter milk. I have found that a cup of sour cream is a great subs for butter milk. My cakes come out moist and delicious when I use sour cream.
Can I make the buttermilk the day before or is it best on the day I make my chicken dish?
Yes, that should be fine.
Store-bought buttermilk will last for three or four months in the refrigerator. Pay no attention to the expiration date on the bottle. Thanks My only suggestion Is to shake before using. It tends to separate and shaking it restores to the way it should be.
This is what I was about to say, I keep it in the fridge for a long time. Shake it up and good to go.
Very clear instructions for understanding.
How long I this safe to set aside?
Could I use this buttermilk to make a homemade Crème fraîche?
Can low fat or 2% milk be used? If yes, do I need cut down on the lemon juice/vinegar?
Yes, that’s fine. No changes needed.
would this receipe for buttermilk be good just for drinking it….
You can drink it, if you want.
Why would you want to???
I got a really good laugh from your reaction, LOL! Thanks for that!
My great uncle, would pour a cup of buttermilk and crumble cornbread in it. Of course he was raised in the south and picked cotton, they made the best of what was available being poor. He loved it.
I love buttermilk in the summer it is just refreshing and I also crumble some cornbread in it.
Hi
I use buttermilk for the enzymes to tenderize my chicken before I cook it. If I make buttermilk by combining milk and vinegar will that still tenderize my chicken?
Yes it sure will