Out of buttermilk? Want to make buttermilk pancakes or waffles? Need a buttermilk substitute? No problem, here’s a recipe for homemade buttermilk with only two ingredients that’s ready in 10 minutes!
Who would have thought that you have the ingredients on hand to make your own homemade buttermilk, no need to run to the store.
Eliminate waste. How often have you bought buttermilk and then found it in the back of the refrigerator long after it’s expiration date? With homemade buttermilk you can make just the amount you need for your recipe. This is a great basic recipe everyone should know.
How To Make Homemade Buttermilk
Two ingredients and you are ready to go. Mix 1 cup milk with 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice or white vinegar.
Let the mixture set for about 5-15 minutes, you’ll see a little curdling starting to happen on the top of the milk. Stir and use for your baking recipe.
There won’t be huge curds but you will see a little curdling and a discoloration of the milk.
Make only what you need, homemade buttermilk does not store well. You should toss after an hour of making it. The easiest buttermilk substitute around.
Why Use Buttermilk?
Buttermilk lightens and adds tenderness to baked goods. It adds a tangy zest to any recipe.
Recipes That Do Well With Homemade Buttermilk or Buttermilk Substitutes
Pound Cake or Muffins
Recipes That Do Better With Store-Bought Buttermilk
Dressings, dips or anything that really needs that tangy kick or the thickness viscosity. If you need to use a buttermilk substitute for these type of recipes then I would use Method #2 or #3 from below, using either yogurt, sour cream or kefir.
Homemade buttermilk will not be quite as strong (tanginess) as store-bought. It also is thinner in consistency.
Other Buttermilk Substitutes
There are many different buttermilk substitutes that use readily available ingredients you probably have on hand. I found some other buttermilk substitutes from Epicurious.
1)Yogurt – Add some water or milk to thin the yogurt down. The thicker the yogurt (aka Greek yogurt) the more water or milk you will need to add. Bring it to what you think of as a store-bought buttermilk consistency. Use right away.
2) Sour Cream – Same idea as the yogurt, typically equal parts sour cream to water or milk. Use right away.
3) Kefir – Unsweetened and unflavored. Substitute equal parts kefir for buttermilk. If your recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk, substitute with 1 cup kefir.
4) Cream of Tartar – Mix 1 3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar with 2 Tablespoons or so of milk, stir, and then add the rest of the 1 cup of milk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
How To Make Homemade Buttermilk
Homemade buttermilk is a lifesaver and eliminates waste. Two ingredients and 10 minutes and you'll be making buttermilk pancakes, waffles, whatever!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Milk or heavy cream
- 1 Medium Lemon zested and juiced or 2 Tablespoons white or cider vinegar
Instructions
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You don’t need to be ultra precise here, these are rough measurements.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice (or white vinegar), add to milk, stir, and let sit for 5-10 minutes or up to an hour. You will start to see a few curds forming on top of the milk, they will not be noticeable in your baked goods.
Homemade buttermilk does not store well, toss whatever you don’t use within an hour.
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