Out of buttermilk? No need to run to the store anymore, when you can easily make your own with only two ingredients in less than ten minutes!
Heyaaaaa friends! Welcome back to my series of Kitchen How-To’s! We took a little hiatus from me forcing you to learn last week but we’re coming back strong today with one of my favorite things on earth….
*cue the curtains.* Enter buttermilk!
The only thing I need in life. ♥
It’s no secret that this baker looooooves her buttermilk. It’s easily one of my most-used, absolutely-gotta-have baking ingredients. I swear it’s a magic ingredient! It makes everything moister plus adds a subtle tang that contributes a nice punch of flavor.
Buttermilk > Regular milk. Always.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering, uh NO! I don’t go so far as to drink buttermilk straight. There is a line and that is definitely crossing it.
Come to think of it though, my mom once told me that HER grandma/my great-grandma used to drink buttermilk from a glass. By itself.
That is an excellent way for one to kill one’s love for buttermilk. Eeeek!
I clearly got MY love from buttermilk from my great-grandma, but thankfully not ALL of it.
So I’m pretty sure we all know that as awesome as buttermilk is, it’s kinda an inconvenient ingredient and definitely not one that everybody has on hand regularly, right?
I have the solution: Make ‘yer own! (you totally did not see that coming)
Here’s what you’ll need: Milk and lemon juice (you can also use white vinegar in place of the lemon!). Whisk it all in a bowl and then let ‘er sit for about 10 minutes. During this time, the acidity from the lemon juice will somewhat “curdle” the milk and make it slightly thick and give it that unmistakable tangy buttermilk flavor.
Then you can use it in anything and everything you desire! Not from a glass though, puhhhhhleeeeze. 😉
Just a feeeeeew of my favorite things to use buttermilk in…
- Fluffiest-Ever Buttermilk Pancakes —-> see more pancakes!
- These biscuits and THESE biscuits.
- Perfect Scrambled Eggs (secret ingredient alert!!)
- Glazed Lemon Poppyseed Bread —> and these other quick breads!
- Mashed potatoes (!!!)
- Family-Favorite Cornbread
- Bakery-Style Blueberry Almond Crumble Muffins
Okay that might have been more than a few, but that just goes to show that you can use buttermilk in such a HUGE variety of things! And it’s total game-changer in flavor + texture department.
Liquuuuuuuuuuid gold. It’s pretty much the only word that comes to mind.
I ♥ buttermilk.
You ♥ buttermilk.
We all ♥ buttermilk. The eeeeeeend, thanks for coming. 😉
How To Make Homemade Buttermilk (with just 2 ingredients!)
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk I used skim, but 2 percent or whole milk would work too
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice*
Instructions
- Place milk in a small bowl and pour lemon juice over top. Allow milk to stand 5 minutes or until milk is somewhat "curdled" and slightly thick. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week.
Notes
NOTE: White vinegar may be used instead of lemon juice.
See more recipes using buttermilk here! —–>
Kathy Mader says
Guess who drinks buttermilk straight up? I do! Mainly, though, just to use up extra buttermilk…they need to sell it in 8 ounce cartons. Try it, you’ll like it!
Sarah says
No wayy!! Maybe I should give straight buttermilk another chance! 😉
Heidi Banks says
I drink Buttermilk and love it!
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
I’ve never made buttermilk before!! Wow I didn’t know it was so easy to make like that. Thanks for sharing, Sarah 😉
Sarah says
It’s so easy to make buttermilk it’s almost scary! 😉
Mira says
Love your tutorials Sarah! So helpful! I’ve been following this method for a while and works perfect for me!
Sarah says
Thanks Mira!! Isn’t homemade buttermilk just SO stinkin’ easy?!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
What a great post, Sarah! I had no idea you could make buttermilk from just milk and lemon juice. I’ve heard of using milk and vinegar before, but this sounds a lot better! I’m definitely going to try this out the next time I need some!
Sarah says
Milk and vinegar works in a pinch, but I definitely prefer the nearly-identical buttermilk flavors the lemon juice gives it! 😉
Renee @ Two in the Kitchen says
ok, I love you for this Sarah!! Because everytime I have a cake recipe and it calls for buttermilk I just cringe because I hate stocking it in my fridge because it goes bad so fast and I hate spending the money on it for just one recipe. Brilliant!!
Sarah says
Ahhhh! Problem just solved FOREVER! 😉 Thanks Renee! xoxo
Sam @ SugarSpun says
I love this, I don’t think I’ve ever bought buttermilk because I always use this trick, thank you for sharing it because a lot of people aren’t aware you can do this!
Sarah says
Same deal with me! Ever since I learned of this simple trick, I haven’t bought buttermilk since! 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love this post, Sarah! This is my favorite way to make buttermilk too. So easy and better than having to run out and buy some. Yay for buttermilk 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly!!
Lori says
Good morning Sarah:) I grew up with this method but down home we call this sour milk. When my daddy was stationed in Alaska, fresh buttermilk was hard to come by. Thank you for sharing!!
Sarah says
It’s such a simple DIY, isn’t it?? Nobody even needs the “real” stuff anymore! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
This is amazing!!! I’ve got to try this!! Thanks, Sarah!
Sarah says
LMK if you do, girl!! You will love it. 🙂
Joanne says
I actually tried this for the first time right before we went on vacation – worked like a charm!
Sarah says
Isn’t it the best trick EVER, Joanne?!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Lovely tutorial of making homemade buttermilk. Loved this amazing share!
Sarah says
Thanks Anu!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
I love adding buttermilk to everything from baked goods to meatballs. It gives recipes such a nice tang and tons of moisture. Love this tutorial for how to make it!
Sarah says
Yes! It’s totally my most-used ingredient around here! 😉
Rachel @ Bakerita says
This is the best trick ever! I use it all the time, because I rarely need a whole container of buttermilk.
Sarah says
Right?? Best hack ever!!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Ick, my grandma drinks buttermilk too! Cold, straight from the fridge! I don’t know how she does it . Must b a southern thing. Love your trick of making buttermilk from regular milk! I always hate to have to buy a big quart of buttermilk when all I really need is just 1 cup. This will be much easier!
Sarah says
Ewww I can’t even imagine being able to do that! Believe it or not, my mom once accidentally put buttermilk in her coffee! She thought it was half-and-half! LOL.
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
I am so trying this next time I need some buttermilk! I always buy it then it goes bad and then when I really need it, I don’t have any! Love your kitchen how to’s. Keep’em coming! Pinned! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Cyndi! I’m glad that you love my kitchen how-to’s!! xoxo 🙂
Ashley says
haha as much as I love buttermilk for baking, I am with you. I could not just drink it! Yuck!
Love this tutorial – I have to do this all the time when I forget to buy it! Which seems to happen more often than not… whoops!
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks Ashley!! Happy Friday. 🙂