Buttermilk Substitutes (5 Options)

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Published: Mar 31, 2023 by Allison · 30 Comments

Learn how to make buttermilk substitutes with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen right now. Five options, ready in minutes!

Buttermilk is an essential ingredient in many recipes, but if you’re anything like me, it is not an ingredient that you have on hand at all times. The good news is, you can make a buttermilk substitute at home with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. I’m sharing FIVE options that I have tested with many of my favorite recipes.

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What is buttermilk?

Store bought buttermilk is a slightly sour milk that comes from a combination of milk and lactic acid. It is thicker than plain milk, with a subtle tang. In recipes that call for buttermilk, it is not recommended to replace buttermilk with plain milk, because the absence of acid will not produce the same end result. But using an acidic ingredient combined with plain milk will create a substitute with properties closer to that of buttermilk.

Note: Buttermilk is not plain milk that is going bad. If you have regular milk that smells sour, or is thick and curdled, do not use it.

FAQs

Why is buttermilk used in baking?

The extra acid in buttermilk tenderizes gluten, helping to create baked goods that are light and fluffy. Buttermilk also helps with leavening. When combined with baking soda, the acid in buttermilk helps to create a high rise. Buttermilk can also impart a subtle tangy flavor that can take a recipe from good to great.

Can I make my own buttermilk?

These “recipes” do not make actual buttermilk rather they serve as an adequate substitute in recipes calling for buttermilk.

Which buttermilk substitute is the best?

I use these substitutes most often in baking recipes. Without a doubt, my favorites (and most used), are the sour cream option or the kefir option. I find that there is no noticeable difference in the baked goods when using these 2 substitutes.

What milk and vinegar ratio replaces buttermilk?

For each cup of buttermilk, use one scant cup of milk combined with one tablespoon of vinegar.

Can I use regular milk for buttermilk?

This will vary based on the recipe. Using regular milk alone as a 1:1 substitute will likely change the texture of the final product. Using one of these buttermilk substitutes will get you as close as you’re going to get to the real deal.

My #1 tip for using buttermilk substitutes

If a recipe relies heavily on buttermilk for flavor, texture, and rise (like these Buttermilk Biscuits), it is probably best to buy actual buttermilk. That being said, I have used buttermilk substitutes many times in various recipes with success.

TIP: The less buttermilk there is in a recipe, the easier it is to substitute. If a recipe calls for a small amount of buttermilk, you likely won’t notice any difference in making this substitution. If the buttermilk is a key player in a recipe, I recommend using actual buttermilk.

More ingredient substitutions

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