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    Home » Comfort Food Recipes

    Published: Mar 21, 2019 · Modified: Feb 3, 2023 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Homemade Buttermilk Alternative

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    With only two ingredients, that I'll bet you already have on hand in your pantry and fridge, you can make a homemade buttermilk alternative in the blink of an eye!

    A look at homemade buttermilk inside a measuring cup with a whisk with a lemon, vinegar, and a milk jug in the background.

    You have my guarantee that using this homemade buttermilk substitute for all your recipes, both sweet and savory, will ensure deliciousness each and every time. Want to know more? Of course, you do! Read on...

    Jump to:
    • The dilemma:
    • The solution:
    • Only two ingredients:
    • Can White Vinegar be used in place of Apple Cider Vinegar?
    • Did you know that raw apple cider vinegar:
    • Can fresh lime juice be used in place of lemon juice?
    • Can buttermilk alternative be made using dairy-free milk?
    • Additional recipe using buttermilk or buttermilk alternative:
    • The easy instructions for making 1 cup of buttermilk alternative:
    • Measurements for making specific amounts of buttermilk replacement:
    • How long will buttermilk alternative keep in the refrigerator?
    • Printable Recipe Card

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    Overhead picture of buttermilk in a measuring cup with a whisk, measuring spoon, and wooden spoon in the foreground.

    The dilemma:

    Your recipe calls for buttermilk but you don't have any on hand, and don't want to run to the store!

    The solution:

    Homemade buttermilk alternative to the rescue!!

    Only two ingredients:

    • Milk (full fat, reduced fat, or skim) (See below for dairy-free options)
    • Fresh Lemon Juice OR Apple Cider Vinegar (See below for more acidic suggestions)

    Can White Vinegar be used in place of Apple Cider Vinegar?

    Sure, but if you have raw, organic apple cider vinegar on hand (the one with the mother), then I suggest using it over white vinegar.

    Raw apple cider vinegar has a multitude of health benefits that white vinegar does not.

    Did you know that raw apple cider vinegar:

    • Helps lower blood sugar levels and fights diabetes.
    • Helps to reduce belly fat.
    • Lowers cholesterol and improves heart health.

    Check out this article for additional information regarding all the health benefits of raw apple cider vinegar.

    Can fresh lime juice be used in place of lemon juice?

    Yes! Lime juice will also work in place of lemon juice or vinegar.

    The key here is to use something acidic so the milk changes its structure to thicken and curdle slightly and be mildly tangy in flavor.

    Can buttermilk alternative be made using dairy-free milk?

    Yes! Go for it. Almond milk or even soy milk will work wonderfully well when using the same process.

    Straight overhead shot of buttermilk in a glass measuring cup with a tan and black check napkin, a wooden spoon, whisk, and a measuring spoon.

    Additional recipe using buttermilk or buttermilk alternative:

    • Aloha Oatmeal Cookies
    • Cast Iron Grilled Skillet Cornbread
    • Reuben Roll
    • Blueberry Banana Muffins (pictured below)

    Overhead picture of 23 muffins on a cooling rack with a blue background.

    • Healthier Blueberry Peach Pancakes
    • Cream Cheese Biscuits with Strawberry Butter
    • Cocoa Coconut Banana Bread
    • Italian Herb and Parmesan Quick Bread (pictured below and highlighted in the featured video)

    Sliced loaf of bread with melted butter.

    • Focaccia Muffins
    • Cornbread Crackers
    • Better Cheddar Bay Biscuits
    • Tart and Tender Lemon Blueberry Scones (pictured below)

    Scone on a white plate with fresh blueberries and a lemon in the background.

    • Buttermilk Cinnamon Sugar Raisin Loaf
    • Whole Wheat Banana Bourbon Pancakes
    • Strawberry Bread with Rhubarb and Bananas
    • Crispy Crunchy Homemade Fried Tilapia (pictured below)

    Closeup picture of flaky fried fish on a brown plate with parsley and lemon slices.

    • Buttermilk Honey Bread
    • Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
    • Banana Pecan Breakfast Cake with Coconut Topping
    • Orange Bundt Cake with Poppy Seeds and Orange Glaze (pictured below)

    Bundt cake with a thick white icing and orange zest on a white plate with a orange ribbon.

    Orange Poppy Seed Bundt Cake with Orange Icing[/caption]

    The easy instructions for making 1 cup of buttermilk alternative:

    • Assemble your equipment and ingredients. In this case, I'm using 2% milk and apple cider vinegar.
    • Add 1 cup of milk to a measuring cup along with one tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
    • Whisk or stir to completely combine.
    • Allow the mixture to sit at least 7-10 minutes until it becomes thicker in consistency and slightly curdled. Do not worry, this is what you're looking for.
    • Use as you would regular buttermilk in any given recipe, sweet or savory.
    How to make homemade buttermilk substitution.
    How to make homemade buttermilk substitution.

    Measurements for making specific amounts of buttermilk replacement:

    •  For 1 cup buttermilk  = 1 cup milk + 1 Tablespoon acid  
    •  For ¾ cup buttermilk  = ¾ cup milk + 2½ teaspoons acid 
    •  For ⅔ cup buttermilk  = ⅔ cup milk + 2 teaspoons acid 
    •  For ½ cup buttermilk  = ½ cup milk + 1½ teaspoons acid 
    •  For ¼ cup buttermilk = ¼ cup milk + ¾ teaspoon acid 

    How long will buttermilk alternative keep in the refrigerator?

    • Store this buttermilk replacement, well-sealed, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    Vertical image of a measuring cup with buttermilk, whisk, vinegar, lemon, and milk in the background.

    ⭐If you've made this recipe, or are excited to make this recipe, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave it a star rating on the recipe card, along with a comment if you're so inclined. Thank you. 🙂

    Printable Recipe Card

    Buttermilk alternative inside a measuring cup with a lemon, apple cider, milk, spoons and a whisk surrounding it.

    Homemade Buttermilk Alternative

    Renee Goerger
    This fast and easy buttermilk alternative will work perfectly for any time a recipe calls for buttermilk.
    4.50 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 1 min
    resting time 9 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course ingredient
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 121 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk the ingredients together and allow to sit for 7-10 minutes before using as a buttermilk substitution in all your recipes.

    Notes

    Measurement calculations:
    • For 1 cup buttermilk  = 1 cup milk + 1 Tablespoon acid  
    •  For ¾ cup buttermilk  = ¾ cup milk + 2½ teaspoons acid 
    •  For ⅔ cup buttermilk  = ⅔ cup milk + 2 teaspoons acid 
    •  For ½ cup buttermilk  = ½ cup milk + 1½ teaspoons acid 
    •  For ¼ cup buttermilk = ¼ cup milk + ¾ teaspoon acid 
    Whole milk, reduced fat milk, skim milk, almond milk, soy milk may be used for the milk.
    Lemon or lime juice, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar may be used as the acid.
     
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cupCalories: 121kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 330mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 240IUCalcium: 283mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.

    I hope you've enjoyed today's method for making homemade buttermilk alternative, plus all the recipes I've included to scratch your baking and cooking-with-buttermilk itch.

    Closeup and overhead picture of homemade buttermilk in a measuring cup with a whisk, wooden spoon, and measuring spoon.

    Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!

    Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.

    Custom Renee Signature

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lisa says

      July 01, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      Yes, I learned this from my mom as we always made our own buttermilk. I have great memories of cooking and baking with my mom! Thanks for the reminder.❤️

      Reply
      • Renée says

        July 02, 2020 at 8:50 am

        Aren't memories the best?
        I'm happy to have helped with the reminder, Lisa.
        Thanks so much for the sweet comment!
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Barbara L Belt says

      March 22, 2019 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for all your ideas.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 22, 2019 at 12:23 pm

        My pleasure!!

        Reply
    3. Nellie Tracy says

      March 21, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      I love a good alternative recipe! So versatile!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 21, 2019 at 4:28 pm

        You got that right!

        Reply
    4. Noelle says

      March 21, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      Love how simple this recipe is and you can use it for many things! Love this

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 21, 2019 at 4:29 pm

        I use this alternative buttermilk recipe ALL THE TIME! I never buy buttermilk anymore.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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