This is a buttermilk substitute or alternative recipe, also called sour milk. It’s perfect for adding to cakes, cupcakes, cornbread, pancakes, fried chicken batter, and more!

A vertical image. A marble background; A clear milk bottle of buttermilk sitting next to a small round dish of vinegar and a whole lemon and a half lemon.

Have you ever started a recipe and realized you’re out of buttermilk? This recipe helps you substitute with only two ingredients!

Ingredients for Buttermilk Substitute

Milk
White Vinegar or Lemon Juice

What is Buttermilk?

Believe it or not, it does not contain butter! It is fermented, “sour milk” that separates after churning butter and has very little fat in it.

It’s also safe to drink because it has been pasteurized!

A wood tabletop with a two cup measuring cup half filled with buttermilk.

What Does it Do For Cooking and Baking?

It’s slightly acidic and adds a bit of tang to your baking recipes.

It also helps things like breads and cakes rise and remain moist, especially if your recipe calls for baking soda (sodium carbonate) as well!

Buttermilk chicken, anyone? If you have heard of this delicious sounding meal you might be wondering what it’s doing for the chicken.

The acid in it helps tenderize your chicken.

Because of this, it’s also used as brine or marinade for all kinds of meats and not just chicken.

What Buttermilk is Used For:

How long does buttermilk last?

According to the USDA, buttermilk can last in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Because we are recreating it using milk, the USDA recommends keeping milk in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

A marble background; A clear milk bottle of buttermilk sitting next to a small round dish of vinegar and a whole lemon and a half lemon.

Can buttermilk be frozen?

Yes, both real buttermilk and buttermilk substitutes using milk can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight.

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Buttermilk Substitute

Tiffany

This is a buttermilk substitute or alternative recipe, also called sour milk. It's perfect for adding to cakes, cupcakes, cornbread, pancakes, fried chicken batter, and more!

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 0

Total Time 5

Course Cooking Substitutes

Cuisine American

Servings Cup

Calories 152 kcal

Equipment

Pyrex 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup

Ingredients

1 cup Milk
1 tablespoon White Vinegar or Lemon Juice

Instructions

Add a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup and fill to 1 cup with milk.
Stir and let stand for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 322mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 277mgIron: 1mg