Homemade Buttermilk Alternative

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!

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

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.

Additional recipe using buttermilk or buttermilk alternative:

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

• 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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

⭐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

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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.