Description
Learn how to make buttermilk from milk in minutes using lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt so your pancakes, cornbread, and fried chicken stay tender, fluffy, and tangy.
Ingredients
1 cup whole or 2% milk, cold
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or distilled white vinegar
Optional: 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream for richer buttermilk
Optional: pinch of salt for savory recipes
Instructions
1. Add the lemon juice or vinegar to a liquid measuring cup.
2. Pour in cold milk until you reach the 1 cup line, then stir gently.
3. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened and lightly curdled.
4. Taste and, if needed, add a splash more acid for extra tang or a spoon of cream for richness.
5. Use immediately in your recipe, or refrigerate in a clean jar for up to 3–5 days, stirring before each use.
Notes
Scale the recipe using the same ratio: about 1 teaspoon acid per 1/4 cup milk, or 1 teaspoon per 100 ml milk.
For vegan buttermilk, use unsweetened soy, oat, or almond milk with the same amount of lemon juice.
Freeze leftover buttermilk in ice cube trays; 4 cubes are roughly 1/2 cup for future pancakes or cornbread.
Always discard homemade buttermilk if it smells unpleasant, looks slimy, or shows any signs of mold.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Basics, Breakfast
- Method: Stir & Rest
- Cuisine: American, Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: how to make buttermilk from milk, homemade buttermilk, buttermilk substitute, how to make buttermilk from whole milk, how to make buttermilk from milk without vinegar, quick homemade buttermilk recipe for pancakes
