5 Best Buttermilk Substitutes That Actually Work

Buttermilk is one of those ingredients that recipes call for just often enough to be annoying. You buy a carton, use a cup, and the rest sits in the fridge until it expires. The good news is that buttermilk is one of the easiest ingredients to substitute with things you already have at home.

1. Milk and white vinegar

Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to 1 cup of whole milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes until it curdles slightly. Works perfectly in pancakes, cakes, and quick breads.

2. Milk and lemon juice

Replace the vinegar with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Produces the same result with a slightly different flavour profile.

3. Plain yogurt thinned with water

Thin plain yogurt with a little water until it reaches a pourable consistency. Particularly good in muffins and cakes.

4. Sour cream thinned with water

Similar to yogurt, thin sour cream with water until pourable. Adds a slightly richer flavour.

5. Kefir

Plain kefir can be used as a direct 1 to 1 substitute for buttermilk with no modification needed.

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