Buttermilk is commonly used for baking purposes. When it is combined with baking soda or powder, it releases bubbles that add a lightness to biscuits, bread, and other baked goods. It’s popular in the marination of chicken & pork. Buttermilk contains lactic acid that helps to tenderize the chicken before frying or roasting.
If you are in between the preparation of your baked goods & you are running out of buttermilk, don’t worry! we have a huge list of substitutes for buttermilk. You can choose according to what you have in your kitchen/refrigerator/pantry.
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What is Buttermilk?
Basically, buttermilk is fermented milk that is left behind after churning the butter. Modern buttermilk is made by adding bacterial cultures and has pasteurized. It’s commonly a dairy drink that is mostly consumed in the summer season instead of fresh.
Nutrient Profile of Buttermilk:
- 110 calories
- 9 grams of protein
- 3 grams of fat
- 13 grams of carbohydrates
- Less than 1 gram of fiber
- 12 grams of sugar
Health Benefits of Buttermilk:
- Buttermilk prevents dehydration.
- It helps to maintain our digestive system.
- It relieves acidity.
- Buttermilk is good for immunity also.
- It also helps to reduce cholesterol.
What can I Substitute for Buttermilk?
If you are making a batter or something else that required buttermilk, but you don’t have it right now, you can use its substitutes without ruining the whole recipe. Here, we have a huge list of the best substitutes for buttermilk that you can choose accordingly.
1. Milk & Vinegar:
The combination of milk and vinegar becomes a good buttermilk replacement. Vinegar gives a similar acidity to that of buttermilk. You can use any type of vinegar such as apple cider vinegar or white vinegar. It doesn’t matter which type of milk you are using to make a buttermilk substitute either high fat or low fat, but using a similar type of milk to make a substitute will be a good option.
You can easily make a substitute by adding 1 cup (240 ml) of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar (15 ml) in a bowl and mixing well. Let the mixture rest for about 5-10 mins. before using it in a recipe.
2. Milk & Lemon Juice:
Milk & lemon juice works pretty well when it comes to making a substitute for buttermilk. Lemon Juice is an acid just like vinegar. This is the most common and always available substitute in the kitchen that can be used in your baking recipe. You can use either fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice. You can take 1 cup (240 ml) of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (15 ml) in a bowl in a recipe to make a perfect substitute.
3. Milk & Cream of Tartar:
When it comes to making a handy buttermilk alternative, adding cream of tartar to milk hit my mind. The cream of tartar is another acidic substance that is also known as potassium bitartrate chemically. It’s just a fine white-colored powder having a neutral flavor. It makes clumps when directly added to the milk, so it’s better to add it to another dry ingredient that going to add to your recipe, then add milk.
You can also whisk the cream of tartar with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of milk, then add this mixture to the rest of the milk to avoid clumping. You can take 1 3/4 teaspoon (5 g) of cream of tartar with 1 cup (240 mL) of milk.
4. Lactose-free Milk & Acid:
If you are lactose intolerant and looking for a lactose-free buttermilk replacement, using lactose-free milk would be a great option. Lactose-free milk might be a little sweet. You just have to mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice or vinegar in a cup (240 ml) of lactose-free milk.
5. Sour Cream & Water or Milk:
Sour cream is made by a bacterial process in which lactic acid bacteria form a fermented cream and give a tangy flavor. It has a thick texture, you can dilute it with water or milk. You can easily replace a cup (240 ml) of buttermilk with a combination of 3/4 cup (172 ml) of sour cream and 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water or milk. Whisk them well before using them in a recipe for a good result.
6. Plain Yogurt & Water or Milk:
Plain yogurt is a very similar substitute for buttermilk. You can easily replace buttermilk with this substitute maintaining the ratio of 1:1. The consistency of yogurt should be thin which works best to replace buttermilk. You can add water to achieve a similar consistency that will really help in a thin batter. For 170 gm of plain yogurt, you can add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water or milk to get a similar consistency.
7. Plain Kefir:
Plain Kefir is another fermented product that looks and tastes like buttermilk. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk, you can easily replace it with 1 cup of kefir. It contains many more beneficial bacterias than buttermilk, but they die when in contact with heat.
8. Buttermilk Powder & Water:
Buttermilk powder or dehydrated buttermilk can be another buttermilk alternative. If you are using this substitute instead of buttermilk in baking, it’s better to use powdered buttermilk with other dry ingredients, then add water to avoid clumps. You can easily substitute 1 cup of buttermilk with 1/4 cup of buttermilk powder and 1 cup of water in baking.
9. Unsweetened Soy Milk and Acid:
If you are looking for a non-dairy buttermilk substitute, you can choose unsweetened soy milk. Not all non-dairy milk will curdle and thicken when adding any acidic substance, but some will just be like unsweetened soy milk. You can easily replace 1 cup of buttermilk with 1 cup of soy milk and 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. This is a good substitute for non-dairy lovers.
10. Vegan Sour Cream and Water:
Vegan sour cream is made from any non-dairy milk substitute such as coconut milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc. If you are looking for a perfect vegan buttermilk substitute, vegan sour cream and water would be a good choice. You can easily replace 1 cup of buttermilk with 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vegan sour cream. You can adjust the proportion of both water as well as vegan sour cream according to your desired thickness.
11. Tofu, Water, and Acid:
When you don’t find any above substitute for buttermilk, but you have silken tofu in your refrigerator, you can make your own substitute. Just take a blender to make a puree of 1/4 cup (62 g) of tofu with 3/4 cup of water, and a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
12. Unsweetened Coconut Milk and Lemon:
Coconut milk contains low carbs and is best for the paleo diet. The consistency of coconut milk is similar to that of buttermilk so, it can also be a good substitute. You just have to add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of coconut milk to replace buttermilk.
13. Unsweetened Almond Milk and Lemon:
Almond Milk is also a good vegan substitute for buttermilk that you can use in your baking recipe. You just have to mix 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon to replace 1 cup of buttermilk.
14. Unsweetened Cashew Milk and Lemon:
Cashew Milk can also be a good buttermilk replacement. You just have to mix 1 cup of unsweetened cashew milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon to replace 1 cup of buttermilk.
15. Unsweetened Almond Milk and Apple Cider Vinegar:
Almond is the most popular plant-based milk. It’s a good substitute for a vegan. You just only need a cup of unsweetened almond milk with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to replace 1 cup of buttermilk in a baking recipe.
FAQ:
Is Buttermilk Healthier than Normal Milk?
Yes, buttermilk is healthier than normal milk. In Indian villages, it is consumed as a morning drink for a refreshing start to the day.
How Long Does Buttermilk Last?
Buttermilk can last up to 14 days in the refrigerator. If it is stored in an air-tight container in the freezer, it can remain fresh for about 3 months. You must avoid consumption or use in a recipe in case, you observe any kind of changes in its smell and texture.
Now, you know the best Buttermilk Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also buy from amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
