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Home » Recipes » How to Make Buttermilk

How to Make Buttermilk

Published on February 12, 2020 by Fiona | 2 Comments

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This easy buttermilk substitute works perfectly when making pancakes, biscuits, cakes or cupcakes. Learn how to make buttermilk at home and save yourself a trip to the grocery store! 

A cup of milk with 2 lemons for making buttermilk

Have you ever had a serious craving for some delicious Homemade Waffles, only to realize that it calls for buttermilk and there’s none in your fridge? Even though I bake and cook a lot – I don’t typically keep buttermilk on hand. It always goes bad way sooner than I’m able to use it up, and I hate throwing away food. So today, we’re talking all about buttermilk and how to make it at home for an easy substitution in all of your baking and cooking.

What is Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is soured milk. It’s thick, creamy and tangy but surprisingly low in fat. Traditionally, it was the milk leftover after churning butter.  Today, the product you buy in the store is cultured milk. Buttermilk can make so many recipes way more delicious. It makes pancakes, biscuits, and other baked goods fluffy and moist. It can also be used in fried chicken to make the coating extra flavorful.

Why is It Important?

Buttermilk is a key ingredient in so many baked goods. Whether you’re making fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes or a Moist Red Velvet Cake, buttermilk adds a creamy, tangy flavor. It also gives baked goods a moist and tender crumb. The acid reacts with baking soda, helping cakes, cupcakes, and pancakes to rise and become super fluffy.

Can I just use Regular Milk?

Maybe. Honestly, it depends on the recipe. But typically speaking – I do not recommend substituting milk for regular buttermilk unless it’s specifically stated in the recipe. Buttermilk is a lot creamier and tangier than plain milk, so it adds a lot more flavor. Also, a lot of recipes rely on the acid to help the baked goods rise. So you could end up with flat or sunken cupcakes or cake.

Overhead shot of a measuring cup of buttermilk.

How to Make Buttermilk At Home

Don’t worry though – you can easily make your own using a simple substitution. Basically, we need to add acid to milk to make it sour (remember that buttermilk is acidic?). So you’ll need either freshly squeezed lemon juice or distilled (white) vinegar as your acid.

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (or vinegar) to a liquid measuring cup.
  2. Pour in the milk until you reach the 1 cup line.
  3. Stir the mixture, and let the milk sit on the counter for 10 minutes before using.

You’ll see the milk start to thicken as it sits. For this recipe, I typically use 1% or 2% milk because that’s what I have on hand, but really any kind of milk works well – anywhere from skim milk to whole milk. I don’t recommend using lemon juice from the bottle, however, because I find it has an overly bitter, sour flavor that you don’t want.

*Note that if your recipe only calls for 1/2 cup of buttermilk, add 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice/vinegar and then pour your milk to the 1/2 line of the measuring cup.

How to make buttermilk - using lemon juice and milk

Recipes with Buttermilk

Now that you don’t have to run to the store for buttermilk, how about making some Irish Soda Bread or Cranberry Orange Scones? If it’s something sweet you’re craving, try a Lemon Pound Cake or some Cranberry Muffins!

Milk in a glass measuring cup

How to Make Buttermilk

Fiona
This easy buttermilk substitute works perfectly when making pancakes, biscuits, cakes or cupcakes. Learn how to make buttermilk at home and save yourself a trip to the grocery store! 
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 min
Resting Time 10 mins
Total Time 11 mins
Course Tutorial
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cup
Calories 152 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar
  • 1 cup milk skim, 1%, 2% or whole milk

Instructions
 

  • Add the lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup.
  • Pour the milk to the 1 cup line.
  • Stir the mixture, then let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before using it.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 5 days (or until the milk goes bad if sooner). Do not freeze. 

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 322mgSugar: 13gVitamin A: 395IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 276mg
Keyword How to Make Buttermilk
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About Fiona

Fiona blogs over at Just So Tasty where she shares easy, classic recipes for desserts & sweet treats. A peanut butter lover, chocolate connoisseur, and sprinkle addict - she hopes to make your life sweeter, one cookie at a time. She also teaches yoga, because life is all about balance.

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  1. Manuel Ortega says

    July 23, 2020 at 9:53 am

    I don’t have lemons can I use limes?

    Reply
    • Kristin Maxwell says

      July 23, 2020 at 8:17 pm

      Limes have a different flavor that I wouldn’t recommend. White vinegar would work though if you have that.

      Reply

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