No buttermilk? No problem! Get cooking with an easy buttermilk substitute or replacement.
How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute 5 Ways
Updated on Aug. 13, 2023
If a recipe calls for buttermilk, it’s a must-include ingredient. You can’t have buttermilk pancakes without buttermilk, after all! While we love how delicious it makes our bakes, we’ve all run into recipes that need buttermilk and realized we don’t have any in the fridge. Luckily, there’s always a buttermilk substitute you can use in its place. Here are some standbys.
How to Make a Buttermilk Replacement
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Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar
This stellar way to make buttermilk at home is our all-time favorite. For each cup of buttermilk needed, use 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand for 5 minutes. If you’re out of milk, these are the best milk substitutes.
Cream of Tartar + Milk
In the event you’re caught without lemon juice or vinegar, use this buttermilk substitute. For 1 cup buttermilk in baked recipes, use 1 cup milk plus 1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar.
Yogurt
Yogurt is great for baking and all your applications. Substitute an equal amount of plain yogurt for the buttermilk needed. If using thick yogurt, like Greek yogurt, thin it with some water and measure out a cup.
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.
Editor’s Tip: 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
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.
Check out even more genius baking substitutes.
Tips for Making a Buttermilk Substitute
When baking, can I just use milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, but it will make a difference in the finished recipe. Buttermilk brings a pleasant tang to baked goods like buttermilk pound cakes, breads, buttermilk biscuits and other treats while adding very little fat. Like yogurt and sour cream, this acidic ingredient also helps tenderize gluten, giving baked goods a softer texture and more body. Plus, it helps quick breads rise.
What is most similar to buttermilk?
The milk and lemon juice buttermilk substitute is most similar to the store-bought version. But each of these substitutes will be a good stand-in for any recipe that calls for buttermilk.
What is a replacement for 1/2 cup buttermilk?
If your recipe only calls for half a cup of buttermilk, follow the same guide for the milk and lemon juice substitute but adjust the measurements. You’ll need 1/2 tablespoon distilled vinegar or lemon juice and then milk for the remainder of the 1/2 cup.
Ways to Use Your Buttermilk (or Buttermilk Substitute)
Chocolate Chip PancakesAt 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
Learn why buttermilk makes recipes taste so much better.
Homemade Confetti CakeThis is a moist and fluffy vanilla cake with lots of sprinkles and a whipped vanilla buttercream. It's almost impossible not to feel happy when you see the fun pop of rainbow confetti! —Courtney Rich, Highland, UT
Out of buttermilk? Here's how to make buttermilk substites at home.
Buttermilk Fried ChickenMaking buttermilk fried chicken from scratch is easy! Brining the chicken with buttermilk ensures it stays juicy and tender, and letting the chicken rest in the seasoned flour creates a crispy coating that actually sticks to the meat.
Buttermilk Mashed PotatoesMy sister-in-law, who is a dietitian, shared these buttermilk mashed potatoes with me. The garlic and buttermilk in these smooth mashed potatoes that are better for you than typical versions that include lots of butter. —Stephanie Bremson of Kansas City, Missouri
Old-Fashioned Buttermilk DoughnutsGuests will have a touch of nostalgia when they bite into one of these old-fashioned doughnuts. Accents of nutmeg and cinnamon, along with a subtle burst of lemon, make them hard to resist. — June Jones, Harveyville, Kansas
Mexican CornbreadRamp up the heat and the flavor with this Mexican cornbread, simple to share and elevating a classic dish.
Ranch DressingWhy buy bottled ranch dressing when this recipe is so easy to make—and tastes so much better! Fresh chives are a colorful addition if you have them on hand. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Blueberry PancakesThe blueberries in our blueberry pancakes aren’t the only star of the show: cornmeal, oats, buttermilk and nutmeg give these pancakes an extra oomph of complex flavor and a hearty-yet-fluffy tenderness.
Red Velvet CheesecakeFestive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your Christmas dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
Orange Buttermilk CupcakesSimple and delicious, this is our all-time favorite low-fat dessert. You'll be surprised how well the citrus flavor comes through in every bite.
Grilled Buttermilk ChickenI created this recipe years ago after one of our farmers market customers, a chef, shared the idea of marinating chicken in buttermilk. The chicken is easy to prepare and always turns out moist and delicious! I bruise the thyme sprigs by twisting them before adding them to the buttermilk mixture; this tends to release the oils in the leaves and flavor the chicken better. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Old-Fashioned Whoopie PiesWho can resist soft chocolate sandwich cookies filled with a layer of fluffy white frosting? Mom has made these for years. They're a treat that never lasts very long with me and my two brothers around. —Maria Costello, Monroe, North Carolina
Corn and Green Bean SaladI love the crunch of veggies, so I combined them with a buttermilk Caesar dressing in this corn and green bean salad. It's good served immediately, but it's even better after chilling for a few hours. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel IcingThis fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
Chicken-Fried SteaksMy husband asks me to prepare this easy chicken fried steak recipe regularly. I like it because it's so simple to make. —Denice Louk, Garnett, Kansas
Blueberry Zucchini SquaresI saw a bar recipe using apple and lemon zest on a muffin mix. I tried it from scratch with shredded zucchini and fresh blueberries instead. It’s a nifty combo. —Shelly Bevington, Hermiston, Oregon
Air-Fryer Nashville Hot ChickenI live in Tennessee and absolutely love our state's famous Nashville hot chicken. To make cooking it easier, I thought I’d try air-frying. I’m so glad I did—this Nashville hot chicken recipe is almost better than the original. —April Lane, Greeneville, Tennessee
Southern DressingThis homemade Southern dressing is a marvelous side dish for both holiday and everyday dinners. Crumbled cornbread is mixed with seasonings, vegetables, cream of chicken soup and broth to create a dish that can easily serve a crowd.
Devil’s Food Snack CakeMy husband and his friends request this devil's food snack cake for camping trips because it’s easy to transport. That makes it great for taking to potlucks and other events, too, as there's no frosting involved. —Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kansas
Utah Buttermilk SconesButtermilk makes these classic Utah scones so delightful that you'll most likely eat too many. The texture is light and airy and the taste is delightful. It's a family favorite we eat often. Don't forget the honey butter—it's the perfect addition to the perfect scone. —Nichole Jones, Pleasant Grove, Utah
German PancakesWhip up a show-stopping centerpiece for your breakfast spread with our recipe for German pancakes.
Pineapple Carrot CakeThis pineapple carrot cake is sweet, tangy, fluffy and soft. It's perfect for snacking or when you want a dessert that isn't as sweet as other cakes or cookies.
Angel BiscuitsAngel biscuits aren't the same old, same old. They use yeast for leavening, along with the usual baking powder and baking soda, giving them a uniquely light texture and flavor.
Pink Velvet CupcakesMy daughter loves all things pink, so this recipe was just right for her birthday. Even my teenage son (not a fan of pink) ate his share, too. —Paulette Smith, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Homemade Irish Soda BreadSome people consider bread to be the most important part of a meal...and this Irish bread satisfies such folks! This recipe is by far the best soda bread I've ever tried. With the addition of raisins, it is moist and delicious! —Evelyn Kenney, Trenton, New Jersey
Mom’s Buttermilk CookiesThese soft, tangy buttermilk cookies are topped with creamy frosting are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Buckwheat PancakesThis buckwheat pancake recipe uses buckwheat flour instead of the wheat-based variety, giving the light and tender pancakes a nutty flavor and hearty texture.
Buttermilk DressingThis restaurant-style buttermilk dressing is similar to a classic ranch and dresses up basic green salads, pasta salads and potato salads.
Spicy Fried OkraThis fried veggie is a southern delicacy that's sure to add excitement to any summer meal. — Rashanda Cobbins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Tangy Potato Salad with RadishesSummer's approach makes my family think of potato salad. This tangy side is also great in the winter when it's served hot with cubed ham. —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Jalapeno CornbreadWhip up our spicy jalapeño cornbread with ease, blending the sweetness of fresh corn with the savory sharpness of cheddar and a spicy jalapeño kick for a delectably balanced treat.
Avocado Salad DressingButtermilk and plain yogurt create the base for this thick avocado salad dressing, which gets its color from avocado and parsley. The mild mixture is refreshing when dolloped over a tossed green salad. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Pumpkin WafflesMade with pumpkin puree and warming spices, these buttermilk pumpkin waffles are a cozy addition to any fall breakfast.
Chicken & DumplingsAfter a very long week, I needed some comfort food, so I made this meal on a whim. Cayenne pepper gives it a little kick and rotisserie chicken drastically cuts the prep time, so we don't have to wait long for dinner to be ready. — Jessica Rehs, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Up Next: Baking with Buttermilk Will Change Your Bakes for Good
