Buttermilk Equivalents and Measures

• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk PLUS 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice (let stand for 10 minutes before using in recipe)
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk PLUS 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar

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Full
Answer

Is Buttermilk the same as whole milk?

Whilst it depends on what kind of pasteurized milk you have, the below comparisons are related to regular, whole milk vs buttermilk. Both milks weigh about the same, and so comparing them is quite easy. One cup of whole milk contains the following: Calories: 156; Protein: 8g; Fat: 9g; Carbohydrates: 11g; One cup of buttermilk contains the following: Calories: 99

What is a good substitute for buttermilk?

The top non dairy subs for buttermilk are almond milk, oat milk, vegan yogurt, vegan sour cream, tofu, cream of tartar, or nut cream. But be sure to read on for how to prepare each of these options to provide a similar flavor and texture to buttermilk.

Can I use normal milk instead of buttermilk?

Using regular milk will increase the fat content of whatever you are making. It will also have a creamier, sweeter flavor than buttermilk. However, if you are working with gluten and decide to use regular milk instead of buttermilk, you will end up with a denser final product due to the lack of gluten breakdown.

How to make your own buttermilk substitute?

Other Buttermilk Substitutes:

• Yogurt: Mix 3/4 cup plain yogurt with 1/4 cup water to thin. Use as you would buttermilk.
• Sour cream: Mix 3/4 cup sour cream with 1/4 cup plain water to thin. …
• Kefir: Thin kefir as needed with milk or plain water until it reaches the consistency of buttermilk. …
• Cream of tartar: Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar. …

What happens if you use milk instead of buttermilk?

Using milk instead of buttermilk could potentially change the entire taste and flavor of your recipe. Buttermilk has a very distinct sour taste and…

How do I substitute milk for buttermilk?

When you are substituting milk for buttermilk, it is not recommended that you use milk alone. Not only is the consistency a little different, but i…

How do you make your own buttermilk?

To make your own buttermilk, the best method is to use plain milk and something sour. We like using lemon juice best. Simply grab a cup of fresh re…

1. Milk and vinegar

Adding vinegar to milk gives it an acidity similar to that of buttermilk. You can use various kinds of vinegar, such as apple cider or distilled white vinegar, but the latter has a more neutral flavor.

2. Milk and lemon juice

Lemon juice is an acid that you can use instead of vinegar to make buttermilk.

3. Milk and cream of tartar

Another acidic substance that can be combined with milk to make a buttermilk substitute is cream of tartar, chemically known as potassium bitartrate.

4. Lactose-free milk and acid

Buttermilk is lower in lactose than regular milk, so people with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate it ( 3 ).

5. Sour cream and water or milk

Sour cream is made by using lactic acid bacteria to ferment cream, giving it a tangy flavor similar to buttermilk ( 5 ).

6. Plain yogurt and water or milk

The tangy, acidic flavor and thick texture of yogurt is similar to buttermilk, so plain yogurt makes for a good substitute.

7. Plain kefir

Unflavored kefir is a fermented milk beverage that looks and tastes like buttermilk ( 6 ).

What is Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is fermented milk that has a tart and sour flavor. It is a common ingredient in most baking recipes, including pancakes, muffins, and biscuits. The creamy texture is also used in salad dressings and creamy sauces.
Buttermilk doesn’t actually contain any butter.

What You Can Cook With Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a great ingredient to use in baking and cooking as it is so versatile. It is also very easy to substitute with an array of ingredients that can be found in any cupboard or pantry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using milk instead of buttermilk could potentially change the entire taste and flavor of your recipe.

Final Words

There is a multitude of substitutes for buttermilk that can be found in everyone’s pantry or cupboard.

No Buttermilk? Try These Recipe Hacks

You’ve got a recipe that calls for buttermilk, but your fridge hasn’t stocked that staple since 1940. What to do? No worries! You can make your own substitute. Here are a number of ways to get around buttermilk in a recipe, as well as ways to incorporate buttermilk into recipes calling for regular “sweet” milk.

Why Cook With Buttermilk?

Buttermilk brings a slightly tangy flavor to recipes and adds fluffiness (think pancakes) and a wonderful rise to baked goods. That’s because the lactic acid in buttermilk—a product of fermentation—reacts energetically with baking soda, which is usually included in leavened recipes.

Buttermilk Substitutes

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can get by with yogurt , another fermented dairy product that’s high in lactic acid. Yogurt may be substituted for buttermilk, volume for volume, meaning 1 cup of yogurt may be substituted for 1 cup of buttermilk.

Buttermilk Equivalents and Measures

Recipe calls for buttermilk but none in the fridge? Here are several ways to replace buttermilk.

No buttermilk? No problem! Get cooking with these buttermilk substitutions

Buttermilk pancakes just wouldn’t be the same without buttermilk. But for some people, it’s rarely stocked in the fridge. Luckily, there are a number of substitutes you can use in place of buttermilk. Here are some standbys.

Yogurt

Yogurt is great for baking and all your applications. Substitute an equal amount of plain yogurt for the buttermilk needed. Check out these cream cheese substitute ideas, too.

Sour Cream

Yes, you can substitute sour cream! Thin it with milk or water to get the right consistency: For each cup of buttermilk needed, use 3/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup liquid. Note: Sour cream has a higher fat content, so this will result in richer-tasting foods. Use this in dips and dressings for a delicious taste.

Dairy-Free Buttermilk Substitute

If you need a dairy-free version, try this: Combine 3/4 cup plain or vanilla almond milk yogurt, 1/4 cup almond milk and 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar. Let stand for 5–10 minutes before using in any recipe that calls for 1 cup buttermilk.

Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes

At our house, Saturday morning always means pancakes for breakfast. I make the menu special by servings up stacks of these fluffy buttermilk treats studded with mini chips. —Julianne Johnson, Grove City, Minnesota

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Christine loves to read, curate, sample and develop new recipes as a book editor at Taste of Home. A CIA alumna with honors, she creates cookbooks and food-related content. A favorite part of the job is taste-testing dishes. Previous positions include pastry chef at a AAA Five Diamond property.

1. Acidified Milk

Add one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, and add enough milk until it measures 1 cup. Stir, and let sit for five minutes before using. This buttermilk replacement can also be replicated with non-dairy milks.

2. Watered-Down Yogurt

Whisk a bit of milk or water into plain, unsweetened yogurt until you get a buttermilk-like consistency. The proportion will depend on the thickness of your yogurt, but generally it’ll be around 1/4 liquid with 3/4 cup yogurt. (Only have Greek yogurt? You’ll need a little extra water to thin it out.)

3. Watered-Down Sour Cream

Whisk together equal parts sour cream and water. This hack is particular good in pancakes and coffee cakes. (Another cool sour cream trick? Use it to stabilize whipped cream if you’re making it ahead of time.)

4. Kefir

No tinkering needed for this one: substitute equal parts kefir for buttermilk in any recipe—just make sure it’s unsweetened, unflavored kefir. (Use any additional leftover kefir to make this lovely beet soup .)

5. Cream of Tartar and Milk

Have some cream of tartar in the house from the last time you made meringues? Bingo! Whisk 1 3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar into one cup of milk.

Can you freeze buttermilk?

Absolutely yes! You can freeze buttermilk in ice cube trays, but I find them to be too small.

Buttermilk Substitute

Two quick and easy ways to make buttermilk substitute with just 2 ingredients or less!

But First: What Is Buttermilk?

Traditionally, buttermilk was a by-product of making butter. Cream was churned into butter, and the remaining liquid was left to ferment for a few hours—enough time for the milk sugars to convert into lactic acid, thereby allowing the buttermilk to keep for longer without refrigeration (which was very handy back in the day).

7 Vegan Substitutes for Buttermilk

1. Lemon juice. Add one to two tablespoons lemon juice to a plant-based milk alternative (such as soy milk or almond milk) to measure one cup. Stir the mixture, let it stand for five to ten minutes or until thickened (aka curdled) and you’re good to go.

How to Cook with a Vegan Buttermilk Substitute

If you need some kitchen inspiration for using all that vegan buttermilk, why not start with breakfast? Cornmeal bacon waffles or blueberry buttermilk scones would be a good start. If you’re in a savory mood, try a fried chicken and waffle sandwich (with a side of buttermilk skillet cornbread with tomatoes and green onions, naturally).