Here is a trick that I learned many moons ago on how Make Your Own Buttermilk Substitution with just two ingredients and a Measuring Spoon.
What do you do when a recipe calls for Buttermilk and you don’t have it in your refrigerator? You really want to make some yummy Southern Style Old Fashion Buttermilk Biscuits or maybe a loaf of my Simply Delicious Banana Bread, but, you have no Buttermilk.
What’s a person to do? Don’t fret! Well, here is an easy substitute that works so well, I rarely use real Buttermilk anymore.
Before you go all, well, she lied to me, she said I only need two ingredients to Make My Own Buttermilk Substitution, let me tell you, I am giving you choices. There are several recipes to Make Your Own Buttermilk Substitution.
Either use White Vinegar or Lemon Juice. Add either One Tablespoon of White Vinegar or One Tablespoon of Lemon Juice to your liquid measuring cup.
Here is another nifty trick. If you don’t have fresh lemons on hand and/or it is a seasonal citrus where you live, make sure you have a bottle of True Lemon in your cabinet at all times.
One teaspoon of True Lemon, equals one teaspoon Tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. True Lemon is crystalized real lemon and tastes freshly squeezed. If you use True, add one teaspoon to your liquid measuring cup.
Always add your acidic preference first. Then fill the liquid measuring cup to the one cup mark with milk. Whisk it all together and set it aside for about five minutes.
The White Vinegar and Lemon Juice mixed with milk, will curdle after a few minutes. You can see the difference in the above photo.
You now have a cup of Buttermilk, which can be used in any recipe calling for Buttermilk.
This Buttermilk Substitution is an equal substitution. One cup of Buttermilk = One cup of this Make Your Own Buttermilk Substitution recipe.
For smaller quantities of Buttermilk, just cut this recipe down, as needed.
For another thrifty and nifty trick, check out my How to Make Your Own Self Rising Flour recipe.
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
- Rösle Stainless Steel Flat Whisk – a MUST have, probably my most used utensil
- True Lemon
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Here is the handy printable recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Milk minus 1 Tablespoon
- 1 Tablespoon Vinegar or Lemon Juice or 1 teaspoon of True Lemon Crystalized Lemon
Instructions
- Add Vinegar or Lemon Juice to measuring cup and then add fresh Milk to the one cup line.
- Whisk and set aside for five minutes.
Pamela Schramek says
Do you notice any difference in the finished product when not using real buttermilk i.e. Cakes, biscuits etc.?
Pamela
Nann says
I’ve been doing this for over 50 years. Works great. I dont even measure anymore.
Jill says
Hi Nann. I don’t measure much either. So much easier to pull out a scale and just weigh all ingredients. Only one bowl to clean too. Jill
Tzinorah Goldberg says
I am wondering if this method can be used on nut milks in order to achieve a similar ‘buttermilk’ result. I am lactose intolerant and am looking for a reasonable substitute for ‘buttermilk’ in your recipes. Thanks for any help. 😀
sally says
Thanks for the Buttermilk Recipe, a lot of recipes I see call for a low fat version, have you ever made a low fat one and how, I appreciate your help, Thanks
Jill says
Hi Sally~
We do non-fat or low fat milk in this house, so when I make buttermilk, I use whatever we have.
Jill