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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 10 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. Taryn

    April 23, 2019 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    I like how you give so many options to make a substitute for buttermilk. Very helpful!

    Reply
  2. Sandi

    April 23, 2019 at 9:29 am

    5 stars
    This is such a great idea…I never have buttermilk on-hand.

    Reply
  3. Teri

    April 23, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    5 stars
    Thanks for all the different options since buttermilk is an item I don’t always have stocked in my refrigerator.

    Reply
  4. eddie

    June 17, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    always needing tips like this!! thank you!!

    Reply
  5. Debra

    September 08, 2019 at 9:58 am

    Thanks for your answers. I had the milk, lemon and sour cream. You saved me and my meal.

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      September 11, 2019 at 9:34 am

      You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  6. Natasha Tomlinson

    March 08, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Can you use non dairy milk to substitute for 2% milk?

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      March 13, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for sure. But I have heard that other readers have done so with success.

      Reply
  7. Bruce Boutin

    March 23, 2020 at 3:30 pm

    5 stars
    I noticed on the ratings and comments none of the people who did, told what recipe they used was it the lemon and vinegar? Yogurt?

    Reply
  8. Muriel Toerien

    April 19, 2020 at 7:15 am

    This was just so easy to understand all the substitutes ,Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  9. Júlia

    May 09, 2020 at 2:40 am

    Would I be able to use 1% milk and use a little heavy cream then do one of these substitute

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      May 11, 2020 at 11:05 am

      That should work.

      Reply
  10. Sherry

    May 23, 2020 at 3:34 am

    Know of anyone trying with Oat milk? Or canned milk (evaporated)? Thanks for the recipes!!!

    Reply
    • Celebrating Sweets

      May 26, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      I have not tried that yet. Let me know how it goes. 🙂

      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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