How to Make Buttermilk? – Easy & Quick

Buttermilk is a fermented milk that has a slightly tangy taste. They are frequently utilized in baking soda and food preparation since the acidic content reacts with baking soda to make your pancakes, biscuits, or bread softer and lighter.

Nowadays, most buttermilk is cultured buttermilk, which is milk to which amiable bacteria have been added. However, in the absence of the store-bought one, one can simply make homemade buttermilk using lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt, or even cream.

The Classic 2 Ingredient Buttermilk Substitute

This is the easiest way to make buttermilk from milk in just 5–10 minutes:

You’ll need:

• 1 cup regular milk (whole milk is best, but any milk works)
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider) or lemon juice

How to make:

• Pour the milk into a cup or bowl.
• Add the vinegar or lemon juice.
• Stir and let it sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes.

It will begin to curdle slightly; that is when it is ready! Put it in your recipe immediately.

Want to make 1/2 cup buttermilk? Just use ½ cup milk + 1¾ teaspoons of vinegar.

Make Buttermilk with Yogurt or Sour Cream

• No vinegar or lemon? No problem!
• Mix ¾ cup plain yogurt with ¼ cup water or milk. Stir well. That’s it!
• You can also use sour cream the same way. This version is perfect for baking or dressings.

Wish to do things in the opposite direction? There is also sour cream available in the form of buttermilk, which you can prepare by combining cream and cultured buttermilk and keeping it overnight.

How to Make Buttermilk From Cream or Heavy Cream

If you want a richer texture:

• Use 1 cup heavy cream + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice.
• Let it sit for 10 minutes.

This is ideal for desserts like buttermilk pie or buttermilk frosting.

Vegan Buttermilk? Yes!

If you’re dairy-free, you can make vegan buttermilk too:

Use almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice per cup.

Let it rest for 10 minutes.

​ You’ll get the same tangy flavor and texture perfect for vegan pancakes, cornbread, or cake.

Best Recipes Using Buttermilk

Now that you know how to make buttermilk, here’s how to use it:

Savory Recipes:

• Buttermilk fried chicken makes the chicken juicy and tender.
• Buttermilk ranch dressing creamy, tangy salad dressing.
• Buttermilk biscuits fluffy and buttery.
• Buttermilk cornbread is moist and full of flavor.

Sweet Recipes:

• Buttermilk pancakes are super soft and airy.
• Buttermilk cake, muffins, and donuts with perfect texture.
• Make a Southern-style creamy buttermilk pie dessert.

Buttermilk also works great in mashed potatoes, scones, marinades, and more.

Quick Storage Tips

• Keep homemade buttermilk in the fridge and use it within 2 – 3 days.
• You can freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw when needed.
• Shaking or stirring before using it may separate a bit.

Buttermilk powder works better and lasts longer when you need a more lasting alternative. Simply mix with water and use it when required.

BONUS: Just for Fun

• If you’re in a DIY mood, check out some fun slime recipes, too.

• homemade slime recipe
• butter slime
• slime activator