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Home » How To (Cooking & Baking Resources) » Buttermilk Substitutes (5 Options)

Buttermilk Substitutes (5 Options)

Published: Mar 31, 2023 by Allison · 30 Comments

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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.

Three jars of buttermilk with text overlay that reads 5 buttermilk substitute
Jump to:
  • What is buttermilk?
  • How to make buttermilk substitute
  • FAQs
  • My #1 tip for using buttermilk substitutes
  • More ingredient substitutions
  • Recipe

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.

How to make buttermilk substitute

Milk and Lemon Juice

Measure out a scant cup of whole or 2% milk and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir, then allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. The acid from the lemon juice will curdle the milk slightly.

Buttermilk substitute and two lemons on a wooden board.

Milk and White Vinegar

Measure out a scant cup of whole or 2% milk and add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Stir, then allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. The acid from the vinegar will curdle the milk slightly.

Buttermilk substitute and a jar of vinegar on a wooden board.

Milk and Plain Yogurt OR Sour Cream

Whisk milk into plain yogurt or sour cream until you get the consistency of buttermilk (thickened milk). The measurements are around ¾ cup yogurt plus ¼ cup milk, but will vary slightly based on how thick your yogurt/sour cream is.

Yogurt in a bowl next to a jar of milk for making buttermilk substitute.

Milk and Kefir

Kefir is a fermented milk drink, similar to a drinkable yogurt. Kefir is already fairly similar in consistency to buttermilk, but I recommend thinning it out a bit by whisking in a splash of milk.

Kefir next to a jar of milk on a wooden board for making buttermilk substitute.

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

  • Vanilla extract in a glass container with vanilla beans next to it.
    Vanilla Extract Substitutes
  • Milk being poured into a jar
    Half and Half Substitute
  • Brown sugar in a white bowl
    Brown Sugar Substitute
  • Sour cream in a white bowl with a wooden spoon.
    Sour Cream Substitute

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Recipe

Jar of buttermilk substitute on a wooden board with a wooden spoon.

Buttermilk Substitutes (5 Options)

Make buttermilk in minutes with ingredients you already have. Five different options! 
4.91 from 11 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 cup (approx)
Calories: 13kcal
Author: Allison – Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

Option 1:

  • 1 scant cup whole or 2% milk
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Option 2:

  • 1 scant cup whole or 2% milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Option 3:

  • approx ¾ cup plain yogurt
  • approx ¼ cup whole or 2% milk

Option 4:

  • approx ¾ cup sour cream
  • approx ¼ cup whole or 2% milk

Option 5:

  • 1 scant cup plain kefir
  • 1 tablespoon whole or 2% milk, more or less, to thin

Instructions

Option 1 or 2:

  • Stir lemon juice or vinegar into milk and set at room temperature for 10 minutes. Milk will begin to curdle slightly. 

Option 3 or 4:

  • Whisk milk into yogurt or sour cream until you get the consistency of buttermilk (thick milk). Adjust quantity of milk based on how thick your yogurt or sour cream are. Use immediately. 

Option 5:

  • Whisk milk into kefir to thin it out to the consistency of buttermilk. This typically only takes about 1 tablespoon of milk per cup of kefir. Adjust depending on the consistency of kefir. Use immediately.  

Video

Notes

Tip: If a recipe relies heavily on buttermilk for flavor, texture, and rise, it is probably best to buy actual buttermilk. That being said, these buttermilk substitutes can be used in many recipes with success. 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 13kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 7mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 5.8mg | Calcium: 17mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

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Comments

  1. Allie Penaluna

    June 03, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    Hello, my name is Allie and I’d like to make sour dough bread. The recipe calls for buttermilk. But during this covid19 thing it’s impossible to find it here. Now also I am a very sensitive diabetic so cannot have milk, so my question is can I put the sour cream into Silk? My Email is n7raaap@gmail.com, will this work? Please dont say “Well I’ve never tried this so dont know” but rather see if you can find out for me. I have no other idea as to where to look or whom to ask. It may be important to many others to, interesting thought. Thank you so much, Allie.

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      June 06, 2020 at 10:57 am

      Hi, Allie. I think your best bet is to ask the author of the sourdough bread recipe if this substitution will work. Anytime you’re making a substitution there is a chance it might not turn out. I would start with the author of the bread recipe, if its a forgiving recipe you might not have any problems.

      Reply
    • Rebecca

      September 30, 2022 at 8:59 am

      Used the whole milk and lemon juice made a great vanilla cake. Thank you so much for your substitute it helps a lot. I’m great ful.The cake was great 😃😃

      Reply
  2. Janet

    June 09, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    Does buttermilk substitute work okay when using it as a dipping for southern fried chicken and its flour counterpart? Thanks..Janet

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      June 12, 2020 at 10:18 am

      I’ve only used these substitutes in baking, but I would assume that they would work just fine for chicken. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Jerry

    September 10, 2020 at 3:06 am

    5 stars
    This buttermilk substitue recipe is really an amazing recipe. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us.

    Reply
  4. Leeann

    November 17, 2020 at 5:13 am

    Can you use 1% milk or half and half?

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 18, 2020 at 10:27 am

      I’d recommend the half and half so that it is a bit thicker.

      Reply
  5. Yannick Challah-Franke

    November 17, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    4 stars
    Great to replace buttermilk
    not the same as real buttermilk but hey, it does the job

    Reply
  6. Heather Campbellpbell

    March 16, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    Wanted to use up some ripe bananas and got everything ready..then it called for 1/2 C of buttermilk and I had none. So I googled and got your substitutes. No problem…everyone said it was the best banana bread I ever made! It is really good. So now I’m going to try the pancakes. What fun and good eating .
    I used the milk and fresh lemon juice. Yummy.

    Reply
    • Allison

      March 17, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      Perfect! I’m glad it worked for you. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Kathleen

    August 03, 2021 at 8:49 am

    Can I use Greek yogurt as the plain yogurt?

    Reply
    • Allison

      August 05, 2021 at 1:13 pm

      Yes, you might just need a little more milk to thin it out since it is thicker.

      Reply
  8. Charles Relan

    December 08, 2021 at 11:58 pm

    If you have heavy whipping cream, make butter with a hand mixer or in stand -up mixer, well past the formation of whipped cream. 1 cup heavy cream should give you 3/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup buttermilk

    Reply
  9. Brandi

    March 31, 2023 at 3:29 pm

    5 stars
    This is such a great post with the perfect tips and explanations. I often need a substitute when making cornbread. These ingredients are always on hand in my home!

    Reply
  10. Ashley

    April 03, 2023 at 7:22 am

    5 stars
    I’ve used this many times when I didn’t have buttermilk. Thank you so much for explaining the options. It has saved me a trip to the store!

    Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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