How to Make Buttermilk (6 Substitutes for Buttermilk)

Learn all about substitutes for buttermilk as well as how to make buttermilk. It’s easier than you’d think to make your own buttermilk! Once you’ve learned about common buttermilk substitutes, check out my favorite recipes using buttermilk.

When to Make Your Own Buttermilk

I love the tangy flavor that buttermilk adds to baking recipes like buttermilk pancakes, scones, and of course buttermilk biscuits. Sometimes I realize that I forgot to pick up buttermilk at the grocery store. Or what I had is actually way past the expiration date and I’m quickly in need of a homemade buttermilk substitute.

We’ve all been there. Mid-recipe you realize that the ingredients call for buttermilk and there’s none in the refrigerator. You’re stuck googling things like how to make buttermilk, substitutes for buttermilk, or buttermilk substitute.

And you’re hoping that you can still salvaged your already started recipe. No one wants to make a special trip to the grocery store for just one item, so occasionally you have to make do with a buttermilk replacement.

Having an easy buttermilk substitute recipe up your sleeves is also great when you only need a small amount of buttermilk and don’t want to purchase an entire container of traditional buttermilk.

Buttermilk Substitute Video

For kitchen mishap situations it is nice to have this kitchen tip for how to make buttermilk up your sleeve. With common ingredients, you can easily make homemade buttermilk to use in your recipes. Here’s a quick video overview of how to make some of these substitutes for buttermilk.

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How to Make Buttermilk 6 Ways

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Out of buttermilk? No worries! Some of these buttermilk substitutes are easier than others in a pinch. My most commonly used method is to make homemade buttermilk with milk and lemon or vinegar, but the others are helpful as well.

Most of the methods for homemade buttermilk that I’ve outlined below start with regular milk (whole milk works best), so you’ll need to at least have that on hand.

Cream of Tartar Buttermilk Substitute

Wondering how to make buttermilk from milk using cream of tartar? It couldn’t be simpler!

Measure 1 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk. Whisk to combine and let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, until curdled and then stir.

Now you’ve made your own substitute for buttermilk. This milk and cream of tartar mixture becomes your buttermilk replacement — you can use the same measurement you need for your given recipe.

Lemon Juice Buttermilk Substitute

To make your own buttermilk using lemon juice,  you are going to add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a liquid measuring cup. Then, add regular milk (whole milk works best) until the amount reaches one cup.

Let the milk and lemon juice mixture stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. The milk should look curdled after about 10 minutes. Stir and you have a homemade buttermilk subsitute to use in your recipe!

Alternatively, if you don’t have fresh milk, you can combine 1/3 cup powdered milk + 1 cup water. Then, add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. For best results when making your own buttermilk substitute, let the combination of milk and lemon juice sit for 10 minutes before using. This allows it to reach a thicker consistency.

Plain Yogurt Buttermilk Substitute

Another way to make buttermilk at home is the following: 2 tablespoons of regular milk plus enough plain yogurt to equal one cup. Whisk well to combine and you have a buttermilk substitute. Then, use as your recipe instructs.

If you are using plain GREEK yogurt, you’ll want to use 3 – 4 tablespoons of milk because Greek yogurt tends to be a bit thicker than plain traditional yogurt. Either type of yogurt works well as a buttermilk substitute.

Sour Cream Buttermilk Substitute

You might have wondered can you use sour cream in place of buttermilk. Well, the answer is YES – you can substitute sour cream for buttermilk.

Sour cream can also be used as a buttermilk substitute. It is pretty similar to the method for using plain yogurt. However, I add slightly more milk since sour cream tends to be thicker than plain yogurt (unless you’re using Greek yogurt).

To make a sour cream buttermilk substitute, combine 3-4 tablespoons of regular milk plus enough sour cream to equal 1 cup. Whisk well to combine and you have a buttermilk substitute. Stir to combine and then use your as your buttermilk subsistute in your recipe.

White Vinegar Buttermilk Substitute

This method for making a buttermilk replacement is identical to the lemon juice buttermilk substitute, except you’re going to use white vinegar instead.

1 cup of buttermilk = 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice + 1 scant cup of milk

What is a scant cup of milk? The simplest way to measure this, in my opinion, is to first add the 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or vinegar) to a glass measuring cup. Then, fill the the glass measuring cup with enough milk to reach the 1 cup line.

Basically, a scant cup of milk is about 1 tablespoon less than 1 cup of plain milk.

After combining the milk and vinegar, let the mixture stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. It should look curdled. Stir and you have homemade buttermilk for your buttermilk substitute!

Alternatively, if you don’t have fresh milk, you can combine 1/3 cup powdered milk + 1 cup water. Then, add 1 tablespoon white vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes before using.

Buttermilk Powder Buttermilk Substitute

Buttermilk powder is buttermilk that has been pasteurized, then concentrated with an evaporator, and then dried to produce a powder. You can purchase buttermilk powder at most any grocery store.

To make buttermilk using buttermilk powder, follow the instructions on the buttermilk powder container. The instructions on the buttermilk powder that I have state to combine 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup powder to equal 1 cup of fresh buttermilk.

Bonus Buttermilk Substitute

Depending on the recipe, I have used canned coconut milk as a substitute for the buttermilk.

BUT you have to use your personal discretion on this one because the flavor is certainly different, plus some recipes need the acidity of buttermilk (or one of the substitutes mentioned above) to react with the leavening agent.

Can You Freeze Buttermilk?

YES! You can freeze buttermilk! If you do buy a large quart of buttermilk and don’t use it all, I recommend freezing the leftovers. Freeze in portions that makes sense for the recipes you typically prepare.

For small portions, an ice cub tray make sense – just measure in tablespoons as you fill the ice cube trays. Once frozen, remove the frozen buttermilk cubes and place in a freezer bag. Make sure to label the bag with the amount of the frozen portions.

For the full tutorial with all the tips for freezing buttermilk and thawing buttermilk, check out this post: How to Freeze Buttermilk.

Tips for Making Buttermilk Replacements

If you’re trying to make buttermilk from milk (i.e. adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to it), whole milk is best. Skim milk doesn’t contain nearly enough fat or flavor to work as a buttermilk substitutes. In a pinch, 2% milk should work, but whole is best.

If you don’t have white vinegar on hand, do not try to substitute another vinegar that has a strong flavor. For example, you can NOT make homemade buttermilk with something like balsamic vinegar. In a pinch, you might be able to try Apple Cider Vinegar, but I like white vinegar best.

Lastly, you need to give all of these buttermilk substitutes time to curdle. Wait a good 10 minutes or so before adding the homemade buttermilk into your dish. If you don’t wait the full 10 minutes, your buttermilk substitute may not work.

More Buttermilk Recipes:

Now that you have learned how to make buttermilk and know all about some common buttermilk substitutes, try your hand at a few delicious recipes featuring buttermilk. These recipes will all work just fine with any of the main homemade buttermilk methods I’ve outlined above.  

These Toasted Almond and Coconut Scones are just sweet enough that they could pass as either breakfast or a mid-day snack. Pair with a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy!

Another delicious brunch treats are these Coconut Lemon Poppyseed Muffins. The coconut adds a unique taste and texture to these muffins that’s hard to resist!

Take your biscuits up a notch with these Parmesan Chive Buttermilk Biscuits. Perfect for brunch or breakfast for dinner!

I love making Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls during the cooler months. They’re a comforting side dish that are actually quite easy to whip up.

If you prefer heartier muffins, make a batch of these Apple Cranberry Oat Muffins. These just scream fall and are incredibly easy to make.

Chicken Pot Pie with Buttermilk Biscuit Crust is comfort food and it’s finest! Creamy chicken filling is topped with tender buttermilk biscuits.

Did you know how to make buttermilk or is this your first time learning about homemade buttermilk?

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Did You Try any of these Buttermilk Substitutes?

Leave a comment below and give the recipe card a review for others to see what you thought of these ways to make homemade buttermilk. On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see what you made using your buttermilk substitute!