This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Easy Buttermilk substitute for cooking and baking! Learn How to Make Buttermilk with just two ingredients! Dairy-free and vegan, too!
Buttermilk Substitute
Buttermilk is one ingredient that I love to have on hand. I use it in so many recipes, from buttermilk pancakes to biscuits to buttermilk pie! I never like being without it. But, sometimes I think I have plenty only to realize that I don’t. This is when it is great to know how to make your own! It is so easy to do and only takes two ingredients that work perfectly in baking and cooking.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
There are a few of the popular buttermilk substitutions. Pick the best option that works for you based on what you have available.
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup buttermilk = ¾ cup sour cream + ¼ cup water or milk
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
How to Make Buttermilk Substitute
The simplest way to make your own substitute is to add lemon juice or distilled white vinegar to a cup of milk or dairy-free milk (see below). Allow the milk to sit for about 10 minutes to thicken.
How to Make Dairy-Free and Vegan
Enjoy this dairy-free version to use in so many of your recipes. This is perfect for those who have dairy allergies or who follow a vegan diet and lifestyle.
To make a dairy-free and/ or, you simply use your favorite non-dairy milk such as soy, coconut, almond, rice or oat milk in place of the milk called for in the recipe! It’s that easy!
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, soy, rice, oat) + 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, soy, rice, oat) = 1 tablespoon vinegar
Can You Freeze Buttermilk?
Yes! Simply spoon any that has not been used by the tablespoon into an ice cube tray. 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.
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, which is produced by adding cultures to milk during the fermentation process to simulate the lactic acid that would naturally occur in the traditional kind.
My homemade substitute works the same in cooking and baking. It’s such a time saver to be able to make your own.
Uses
Adds Flavor
It adds a tangy flavor to many dishes such as salad dressings and dips.
Tenderizes
It’s great for soaking meats and vegetables to tenderize them before cooking, generally frying.
Leavens Baked Goods
It reacts with other chemical leaveners in recipes to produce gas bubbles which then helps cakes, cookies, and other baked goods to rise.
Here’s how to make my homemade substitute. I hope you find this useful!
How to Make Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar OR lemon juice
Instructions
- Pour milk into a glass measuring cup. Add distilled white vinegar OR lemon juice and allow to sit for about 10 minutes before use. The milk will thicken. Use as you would in a recipe that calls for buttermilk.
Video
Notes
Dairy-Free Buttermilk:
For dairy-free buttermilk, substitute your preferred non-dairy milk (coconut, soy, almond, rice, oat, etc) in place of the whole milk called for in the recipe.ÂEnjoy!
Robyn xo
Is plain kefir a substitute for buttermilk?
Jackie, you can substitute plain kefir for buttermilk.
How long do buttermilk last? thank you. LOVE YOUR RECIPES. WRITE HAPPY FACE
Gentora, the homemade buttermilk should last in the refrigerator about 2 weeks if it in a tightly sealed container.
Would a teaspoon of espresso powder enhance a chocolate cake mix?
Espresso powder should enhance the chocolate flavor in anything you bake, Jean.
can whole milk be used to make buttermilk?
Yes, Sandra, I use whole milk to make buttermilk.
Forgot to say thank you. came out perfect
Can you use fat free milk or 2% to make buttermilk?
Irene, you can use fat free or 2% milk, if you prefer. Be sure to allow it to sit about 10 minutes until it has thickened before you use.
I’ll be changing my milk for buttermilk for now on when it call for it! So easy! Added it to your chocolate cake recipe and loved it!
I’m so happy this worked well for you, Ashley. Now, you don’t have to keep buttermilk on hand.
Can I use heavy whipping creme and distilled vinegar?
You can use heavy cream and distilled vinegar to make buttermilk.
Can I use sour cream or yogurt in lieu of buttermilk? I’m planning to make vanilla cake with your recipe.
Gabie, I haven’t made the vanilla cake with sour cream or yogurt but they are good substitutes for buttermilk.
Easy and perfect! Thank you, you saved the day 🙃
Thanks, Sherry. I’m so glad this helped you.
Can you use fat free milk?
Yes, Dee, you can use fat free milk.