Easy Buttermilk Substitute

What is Buttermilk?

Traditionally, it was the leftover liquid from churning cream to make butter. This is now referred to as traditional buttermilk. What you buy in the grocery stores is now cultured, produced by adding cultures to milk during fermentation to simulate the lactic acid that would naturally occur in the traditional kind.

Buttermilk adds a rich, tangy flavor and a thicker consistency than other kinds of milk. It works to tenderize meat and vegetables. The lactic acid also reacts with other ingredients like baking powder and baking soda in recipes and acts as a leavening agent. This helps batters and doughs to rise and be more tender.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar (distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice

How to Make Buttermilk Substitute

The simplest way to make your homemade buttermilk substitute:

1. Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of regular or dairy-free milk.
2. Allow the milk to sit for about 5 minutes to thicken. You can expect it to appear to be slightly curdled.
3. Stir the mixture to combine and use where buttermilk is needed in your recipe. The texture and consistency will be very similar to traditional buttermilk once it’s mixed as described.

You can use either combination I’ve provided above to make one cup of homemade buttermilk substitute. If you need more or less buttermilk, you can quickly scale the recipe to fit your desired amount.

Also, reference Other Homemade Buttermilk Substitutes to follow.

Other Substitutions for Buttermilk

You can use a few different homemade substitutions when a recipe calls for buttermilk. Pick the option that works for you based on what you have available.

Each of these substitutions equals 1 cup of buttermilk:

• 1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
• 1 cup plain kefir
• ¾ cup sour cream + ¼ cup water or milk
• 1 cup milk + 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup water + 1/4 cup buttermilk powder

Make Dairy-Free and Vegan Buttermilk Substitutes

You can also make an easy dairy-free buttermilk substitute in your recipes. This is perfect for those with dairy allergies or who need a vegan buttermilk substitution.

To make a dairy-free and/ or, use your favorite non-dairy milk such as almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, rice milk, or oat milk in place of the store-bought buttermilk called for in the recipe! It’s that easy!

• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, soy, rice, oat, almond) + 1 tablespoon  lemon juice
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, soy, rice, oat, almond) = 1 tablespoon vinegar (distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar)

Then, follow the same recipe steps as those for regular dairy milk.

Storage Tips

To store. Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

To freeze. Spoon any unused buttermilk substitute into an ice cube tray with a tablespoon. Place the tray into the freezer until frozen well, about an hour. Remove from the freezer and dispense the frozen cubes into a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Ways to Use Buttermilk

Adds Flavor

It adds a rich, tangy flavor to dishes like salad dressings and dips.

• Ranch Dressing
• Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Tenderizes

It’s great for soaking meats and vegetables to make them more tender before cooking, generally frying.

• Chicken Strips Recipe
• Onion Rings Recipe

Leavens Baked Goods

It reacts with other chemical leavening agents in recipes to produce gas bubbles, which then help cakes, cookies, and other baked goods to rise.

• Biscuits Recipe
• Pancake Recipe
• Butter Cake Recipe