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 soy milk. 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.
Tammy says
Thank you Lauren, I made corn dogs for my hubby last night and the recipe called for buttermilk. I found your buttermilk recipe right away with great reviews so I went with it. My hubby enjoyed the corn dogs and wants me to make them again soon. Thank you for posting this for us. 😁
Paul says
If I add more vinegar will it make it thicker?
Jenn says
This was a life save because I had just run out and needed it for a cobbler I was making!! Do you know how long it can be stored for in the refrigerator?
grln says
not more than 3 days
leon kuwata says
i tried it it worked pretty well actaully
Sarah says
I didn’t know how to make butter milk yet I wanted to use it during cooking. Now I’ve got it.
Thank you. Sarah, Uganda
Kerrie says
Thank you very much! This was perfect.
Craig Tomlinson says
Clearly explained! Thank you for posting this info: I’m in New Zealand, and a fan of ‘American regional cooking’… The term “Buttermilk” turns up regularly in recipes – and now I know how to replicate it! Cheers
Lorraine Skeates says
Can you use semi skimmed milk to make butter milk or does it have to be full fat milk
Lauren Allen says
Skim will work, it just wont be as thick.
Mesoe says
So simple and smart. I’ve lost count on how many times I needed buttermilk and had none! I have used all 3 options and I must say the vinegar works best for me taste wise!
MICHAEL PORTER says
THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION 👍 REALLY APPRECIATE IT, WORKS GREAT WITH2% MILK!