How To Make Buttermilk

If you've ever started pulling together ingredients for biscuits and discovered the bottle of buttermilk you thought you had wasn't there, try stirring together some homemade buttermilk with just two ingredients, milk and lemon juice (or vinegar).

Homemade buttermilk won't be a good replacement if you're trying to make something fresh, like Buttermilk Coleslaw, but for baking, when you need the acidic dairy drink for its tangy flavor and acidity, this two-ingredient homemade buttermilk is a fine choice.

Learn how to make buttermilk, and read our tips on the best types of ingredients to use in this easy recipe.

What Does Buttermilk Do in a Recipe?

Besides acting as a liquid ingredient, buttermilk adds flavor and acidity to a recipe. In baked goods, the acid in buttermilk can react with baking soda to provide lift.

Is Homemade Buttermilk the Same as Store-bought?

No, homemade buttermilk won't be exactly the same as store-bought. The flavor will not be the same, and this shouldn’t be used in a recipe that relies heavily on the flavor or function of the buttermilk, like Buttermilk Glaze.

Instead, it would work best if you're in a pinch and want to make recipes like Buttermilk Waffles, Buttermilk Biscuits, or Buttermilk Drop Biscuits. The real thing is the best option, though, if you can get it.

Ingredients for Homemade Buttermilk

To make buttermilk at home, you'll only need two ingredients:

• Milk: This is the bulk of the homemade buttermilk. You can use any type of milk, but we suggest whole milk. Lower-fat milks may separate.
• Either lemon juice or vinegar: Both will work for this technique, so use whichever you have on hand.
  

How To Make Homemade Buttermilk

There are only two steps and two ingredients needed to make this buttermilk substitute.

• Step 1: First, combine milk and lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup or bowl. For every cup of milk, use 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar (and for every 1/4 cup, use 1/2 tablespoon or 1 1/2 teaspoons).
• Step 2: After stirring, let sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
• Step 3: Then, simply use as you would in the recipe. We recommend making just enough to use in your recipe.

What Kind of Milk Is Best for Homemade Buttermilk?

Whole milk is the best milk to use in this recipe. Using low-fat or skim milk can lead to too much separation when adding the vinegar or lemon juice.

Is Vinegar or Lemon Juice Better for Homemade Buttermilk?

Either will work! You can use whichever you have on hand. If using vinegar, be sure to use something with a fairly neutral flavor profile, like white wine or plain old white vinegar.

Can I Use Nondairy Milk To Make Buttermilk?

Yes! As noted above, it’s not a perfect substitute for the dairy version, but it will work if you’re avoiding dairy. Be sure to use an unsweetened milk, such as soy, cashew, or almond.

What Other Substitutes Can I Use for Buttermilk?

Other cultured dairy products, like sour cream, yogurt, or kefir can make good substitutes for buttermilk. If using sour cream or yogurt, you may need to add some milk to thin it out to a similar consistency of buttermilk.