Add a Pinch | Recipe Index | how to
Easy Buttermilk Substitute
Robyn Stone
Updated Mar 20, 2025
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.
- 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
Here’s how to make my easy buttermilk substitute. I hope you find this helpful!
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
- 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
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Join today & start saving your favorite recipes
Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes.
Enjoy! Robyn xo
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.
Video
Notes
- 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
Nutrition
How to Make Buttermilk https://addapinch.com/homemade-buttermilk-substitute-recipe/
