You don’t have to buy buttermilk at the store. You can make it right at home with simple ingredients. Below are two versions: a true, old-fashioned cultured buttermilk and a fast buttermilk substitute for recipes. Both work beautifully in biscuits, pancakes, waffles, cornbread, and anything that calls for buttermilk.
Real Cultured Buttermilk (Old-Fashioned Style)
This version gives you a thick, tangy buttermilk similar to the real churned kind our grandparents used. No store-bought ingredients are required.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
Directions
- Add the vinegar or lemon juice to a clean jar.
- Pour the milk into the jar and stir gently.
- Cover the jar with a coffee filter or a clean cloth and secure with a rubber band.
- Let it sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
- When it has thickened slightly and smells tangy like buttermilk, it is ready.
- Refrigerate after it reaches the consistency you want.
This makes real cultured buttermilk you can use in any recipe calling for buttermilk.
Quick Buttermilk Substitute (Fast Stove-Free Version)
This is a fast version that will not get thick like cultured buttermilk, but it works perfectly in every baking and cooking recipe that calls for buttermilk.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice
Directions
- Add the vinegar or lemon juice to a measuring cup.
- Pour in the milk until it reaches the 1-cup mark.
- Stir and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- The milk will thicken slightly and curdle lightly. This is exactly what you want.
Use this mixture in place of store-bought buttermilk in any recipe.
Which One Should You Use?
- Baking (biscuits, pancakes, waffles, cornbread): Both versions work.
- Marinades or thick recipes: Use the cultured version for better flavor.
- When you are in a hurry: Use the quick substitute.
- When avoiding store-bought ingredients: The cultured version is your best option.
Safety Note: I am NOT a medical professional. Please research ingredients, check for allergies, and confirm pet safety. Use gently and at your discretion.
.png)
