How To Make Homemade Buttermilk At Home in 3 Easy Steps- never buy a container of buttermilk again! Making it yourself at home is so much easier! And I bet you have the 2 ingredients needed to make it!
You’re in the middle of making some one bowl red velvet cupcakes and you realize the recipe calls for buttermilk. You don’t even have to peek in the fridge, because you know that isn’t going to be in there. Shoot. So what do you do? Stop what you’re doing, wake the little ones, and rush out to the grocery store? Text your husband, hoping he sees it on his way home? How about this instead. Make your own buttermilk.
Yup, make your own. Seriously with two ingredients you can make your own. Save your sanity, a trip to the store and a few bucks while you’re at it. Before I show you how easy it is.
What ingredients do you need to make your own buttermilk at home?
To make your own buttermilk you really just need milk and then some sort of acidic ingredient to turn it sour.
- Milk (or heavy cream works as well)
- Lemon juice or vinegar
What kind of milk is best to use for buttermilk?
Nope! I’ve used all kinds of milk to make my own buttermilk. I’ve used whole milk, 2%, 1&, and skim with great results. I’ve even used almond! Use what you have on hand or normally buy. No need to buy a special kind of milk.
Does it matter what kind of vinegar I use?
Yes (to some degree). I usually use white vinegar, but also have been known to use apple cider vinegar. I’ve never strayed from those two. Other vinegars might impart flavor into your buttermilk, and that’s something you wouldn’t want going on in your cake. So stick to using white or apple cider vinegar for best results.
How long does homemade buttermilk last?
Homemade buttermilk can be used right away or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a couple of weeks. Use the expiration date on the milk used to make it for a good guideline on how long to keep your homemade buttermilk. Stir the homemade buttermilk before adding it to your recipe.
Now the part you’ve been waiting for…
How do you make buttermilk?
- Measure out a cup of milk
- Add 1 tablespoon of your vinegar and stir. You can also use lemon juice!
- Allow to sit for 10 minutes (the milk will begin to curdle).
- Then give it one final stir before using.
Yea, that’s it. Seriously. Don’t you feel silly now for buying that expensive container of buttermilk at the store?
If you need more or less, just simply adjust your recipe accordingly. Just always keep the ration of 1 cup of milk to 1 Tbs. of vinegar and you will have perfect results each time.
What if I don’t have milk?
No milk. No problem! You can also substitute the amount called for in your recipe and replace it with equal parts yogurt.
You can also use heavy cream instead of milk when making your own buttermilk. It will have a much thicker texture similar to store bought buttermilk.
Now what to do with that homemade buttermilk? How about make some…
Red Velvet Nutella Stuffed Cupcakes
Red Velvet Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze
For more baking basics related posts, be sure to check these out these:
8 Reasons Your Cookies Spread Too Much
10 Must Have Pans Every Baker Needs
Baking 101: Getting To Know Your Oven
How and Why To Measure Your Flour Correctly
Homemade Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream (227 g)
- 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
Instructions
- Stir together the milk and vinegar (or lemon juice) and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Nutrition
Meg says
I keep hearing one can use Apple cider vinegar to make buttermilk.
Wouldn’t have that give an after taste to dish.
If so, which type of dishes would you use it in
I use white vinegar or the lemon juice or 1/2 of each depending on the recipe when I make buttermilk
Thank you
Heather says
Hi Meg! I usually use white vinegar or lemon juice usually too, but definitely have used apple cider vinegar in a pinch as well – I find it’s perfectly fine to use. I don’t find it to have an after taste. I use it any of my baked goods that call for buttermilk no problem 🙂
MyYellowApron says
Thats a great tip. I really didn’t know the method to making buttermilk at home. Thank you so much!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
You’re welcome! I hate buying it because I always end up wasting it..glad you found it useful!
Marisa @ All Our Way says
I’ve been making buttermilk for years! It is great to know especially if you don’t have regular buttermilk. Now, we do use purchased buttermilk if we’re picking about the consistency. Great information.
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Thanks Marissa! Glad you found it useful 🙂
Cindy Gordon says
That is very cool, I didn’t realize how easy it is to make buttermilk!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Thanks Cindy! It’s so easy right? 🙂 So much easier than making special trips to the grocery store!
Katherine Hackworthy says
Thanks for the great tips for buttermilk! I look forward to the baking basics series 🙂
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Thanks Katherine! If you have any topics you would like to see covered let me know! 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Well I love making vegan buttermilk that way with vinegar or lemon juice!
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says
Lemon juice is another great option too agreed! 🙂