Skip the trip to the store and learn How to Make Buttermilk substitute at home with simple pantry ingredients, including dairy-free and vegan options!

I love learning simple how-to swaps for my kitchen, like how to make your own Vanilla Extract, How to Ripen Bananas, or make some Playdough for the kids.

An easy buttermilk alternative being poured from a liquid measuring cup to a white bowl to use in a recipe.

Our Buttermilk Substitute hack saves me time and time again.

We’ve all been there–you’re several ingredients deep in a recipe and realize it calls for buttermilk, which you don’t have. Instead of making a trip to the store, just make your own buttermilk substitute! It’s easy, inexpensive, and I’m sure you already have everything you need.

Buttermilk Substitute:

Any of these options will work great in a recipe, just pick the best one for you based on what you have in your pantry and fridge. 

  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to measure 1 cup
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to measure 1 cup
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 and ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar + 1 cup of milk

How to make Buttermilk:

For the vinegar option, simply pour 1 Tablespoon vinegar into a measuring cup for 1 cup, then fill the rest of the cup with milk. Carefully stir the mixture then let it sit for 5 minutes. If you don’t have vinegar, check out other easy alternatives above.

Two images showing how to make buttermilk by pouring a tablespoon of vinegar into a cup of milk, then letting it sit before using it as a buttermilk substitute.

Dairy Free & Vegan Substitute:

Instead of dairy milk, use coconut milk or soy milk. Just add 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with coconut or soy milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes before using in a recipe.

Buttermilk Freezing Instructions:

Buttermilk freezes great for up to 3 months. You could even pour in an ice cube tray so it’s easy to use small amounts as needed.

Use Buttermilk In:

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Recipe

An easy buttermilk alternative being poured from a liquid measuring cup to a white bowl to use in a recipe.
Prep 3 minutes
Total 3 minutes
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar (or lemon juice)
  • 1 cup milk (scant cup)

Instructions
 

  • Pour the tablespoon of vinegar into a 1 cup measurer.  Fill the rest of the 1 cup measurer with milk. 
  • Gently stir and let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This will allow the milk to slightly curdle, giving it a buttermilk-like texture and taste.

Notes

More buttermilk substitute options:
    • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon white vinegar + enough milk to measure 1 cup
    • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Tablespoon lemon juice + enough milk to measure 1 cup
    • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 and ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar + 1 cup of milk
Dairy-Free and Vegan: Instead of dairy milk, use coconut milk or soy milk! Just add 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest of the way with coconut or soy milk. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes then use in recipe!
How to Freeze Buttermilk: Buttermilk freezes great for up to 3 months. You could even pour in an ice cube tray so it’s easy to use small amounts as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 8gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 93mgPotassium: 366mgSugar: 12gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 301mg

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I originally shared this recipe March 2019. Updated August 2024.

This post contains affiliate links.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Molly
3 years ago

5 stars
This recipe worked just like store-bought buttermilk.

Joan Pauls
3 years ago
Reply to  Molly

Could whey be used instead of vinegar to make buttermilk?

LaShawn
2 months ago

Does it have to be whole milk?

Admin
2 months ago
Reply to  LaShawn

It can be any kind of dairy milk. The higher fat you use, the creamier the buttermilk substitute will be.

pattikdove7@gmail.com
2 months ago

5 stars
Thank you

Stephanie
6 months ago

2 stars
The milk did not curdle.

Sandra Weiner
7 months ago

This is NOT buttermilk. It’s to make sour milk for bisquits and stuff. It’s not drinkable like buttermilk and yet everyone refers to as that because it thickens the milk.

Admin
6 months ago
Reply to  Sandra Weiner

This is a buttermilk substitute recipe.

Tina
7 months ago

Can you use sour cream?

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