Easy Buttermilk Substitute
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Learn How to Make Buttermilk with just two ingredients for a buttermilk substitute for cooking and baking! Helpful guide with more substitutes, along with dairy-free and vegan options.
Buttermilk is one ingredient that I love to have on hand. But, sometimes, I think I have plenty in the fridge, only to realize that I don’t. And if I’ve got the urge to make a Caramel Cake and I’m out of buttermilk, then I’m making my own!
It is easy to do and only takes two ingredients that work perfectly in baking and cooking. It tastes just like store-bought buttermilk!
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.
Here’s how you’ll make a simple homemade buttermilk substitute for baking or cooking:
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:
- Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of regular or dairy-free milk.
- Allow the milk to sit for about 5 minutes to thicken. You can expect it to appear to be slightly curdled.
- 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.
Tenderizes
It’s great for soaking meats and vegetables to make them more tender before cooking, generally frying.
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.
Here’s how to make my easy buttermilk substitute. I hope you find this helpful!
How to Make Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk, or 2% or 1%
- 1 tablespoon vinegar , or lemon juice
Instructions
- Pour milk into a glass measuring cup. Add vinegar OR lemon juice and allow to sit for about 5 minutes before use. You can expect it to appear curdled. Stir it and then use as you would store-bought buttermilk.
Notes
Additional Buttermilk Substitution options:
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain kefir
- 1 cup buttermilk = ¾ cup sour cream + ¼ cup water or milk
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup water + 1/4 cup buttermilk powder
Dairy-Free Buttermilk:
For dairy-free buttermilk, substitute your preferred non-dairy milk (coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, oat milk, etc.) with the whole milk called for in the recipe.Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
If you’re making a larger batch say 8 cups of buttermilk, should you let it sit longer than 10 minutes? Just wondering as the batch size grows, should you allow for more time? Thanks!
Hi Libby,
I’ve not made that much at one time so I’m not certain of the exact time it will take for it. I usually make a smaller amount as I need it for a recipe. Thanks!
Can you use heavy cream to make the buttermilk
Yes, you can use heavy cream to make the buttermilk, Katherine.
Sorry, how is this vegan, exactly?
Bob, there is a section in the post How to Make Dairy-Free and Vegan that explains how to use dairy free milk substitutes.
Can you substitute the buttermilk with sour cream?
Why not use the very convenient powdered buttermilk available in the bake aisle. Long shelf life and easy to use. Great pancake recipe on label! I have used it for years in all recipes.
Buttermilk is actually expensive in my country and I have never heard of powdered buttermilk before. This recipe is great for us who can’t afford or dont have access to the real thing.
Is homemade buttermilk good to use in your hush puppies
You can use this buttermilk substitute anywhere you would use buttermilk. Enjoy Charlene! Thanks!
Can I add cheese to this buttermilk recipe to make cheese biscuits?
You may want to try my Cheddar Biscuit Recipe, Karin.
How long does this buttermilk last? Btw this substitute was perfect!
Can i use almond breeze (unsweetened) instead? With the lemon juice? I’m lactose intolerant, but still want the great benefits.
I’ve never tried to make buttermilk with almond milk, Mae, so I can’t say how it turns out. I do know that this Homemade Buttermilk Substitute recipe works with Lactaid milk (lactose free milk). I hope this helps! Thanks Mae!
Best substitute recipe for buttermilk ever!!!
I’m so happy it worked so well for you Jannie! Thanks!
I’ve always used the vinegar method. Is fresh lemon juice just as effective? Is there a difference for example using lemon is better for cakes? Thanks!
I use lemon juice often when I need to make this, Gina, and I love the results. Thanks!
Easy. Worked just fine. Convenient substitte for the real thing, and no waste!
Glad to hear it, Lynn! Thanks! xo
Hi !
I’m wondering if there’s any substitution without cow milk (never heard this expression in English, but in French, we say “lait de vache” which translates to “cow milk”). Is there any buttermilk substitution I could make with almond milk, soy milk, etc., I thought maybe coconut milk because it’s richer?
Thanks! And, by the way, I love your website 🙂
Hi Audree,
I’ve not tried buttermilk substitute made from either of those other milks, so I can’t say how they would taste. Thanks so much for your comment – so glad to hear you enjoy the site. Nice to have you here! xo