Make buttermilk with lemon juice at home with just 2 ingredients and in 5 quick minutes. This kitchen hack will save you stress and money since it is expensive to keep on hand at all times. Gone are the days of avoiding recipes just because they call for this ingredient!
Original post: May 2019 | Updated: June 2021
Why This Recipe Works
I can’t possibly be the only human who avoids recipes that call for buttermilk. I know there are more of you out there! It is such an obscure ingredient that is only needed for a handful of recipes, namely baked goods. It is not something that I have just hanging out in my fridge at all times. Plus, it’s kind of expensive!
My life became so much easier the moment I discovered how easy it is to make buttermilk with just two simple ingredients (both of which are likely in all kitchens at any given moment) and in just a matter of minutes. No more avoiding recipes that call for this ingredient and no more buying it at the grocery store.
Recipe Ingredients
Lemon juice or white vinegar – Use one or the other of these ingredients. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best, but the refrigerated from-a-plastic-lemon variety works, too.
Milk – Use any variety of milk, including almond milk, skim, whole or anything in between.
How To Make Buttermilk With Lemon Juice
Keep this cooking tip handy when you prepare to bake your next delicious batch of cupcakes or your favorite pancake recipe!
Combine fresh lemon juice OR vinegar and a cup of milk (at room temperature, preferably) in a small bowl. Mix well and let sit 5-10 minutes, or until mixture begins to curdle.
That’s it! Now go pour it into your recipe! This recipe makes 1 cup of buttermilk. Feel free to double the recipe for 2 cups.
Recipe Notes
- Do you know the difference between old-fashioned (churned) and cultured buttermilk? The churned version is the acidic liquid that remains after churning butter out of fresh milk. The buttermilk you will find packaged in the grocery store and what you will make by following this recipe is cultured.
- If you are looking for a vegan or dairy-free substitute, almond milk will get the job done. In fact, coconut, soy and rice milks all work well, too! Use 1 cup of non-dairy milk and increase the amount of lemon juice/white vinegar to 2 tablespoons.
FAQ About Buttermilk
Buttermilk is made by combining 1 Tbsp of lemon juice (or white vinegar) and 1 cup of milk in a small bowl. Mix well and let sit 5-10 minutes, or until mixture begins to curdle.
Buttermilk can be frozen and freezes very well. Freeze in 1 cup portions so it is easy to thaw and use in a recipe.
Store-bought buttermilk will last in the fridge for 2 weeks and homemade buttermilk will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. A super lumpy texture, discoloration and a sour smell are indications that it is spoiled.
Use milk as a replacement for buttermilk only in a pinch. The end result will be a less fluffy baked good. The buttermilk helps baked goods and pancakes to fluff beautifully and perfectly, use it when it is called for in a recipe.
Buttermilk is a common ingredient in pancakes and baked goods to give them an extra fluffy texture. It can also be used to tenderize meat before cooking it or to make salad dressings extra tangy and creamy.
In tandem with baking soda and/or baking powder, buttermilk can act as a no-yeast leavening agent in cakes and other baked goods. It also addes a characteristic “tang” to the final product while adding very little fat to the recipe.
Recipes That Use Buttermilk
- Chocolate Chip Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes
- Amazing No Yeast Cinnamon Rolls
- Chocolate Berry Ice Cream Cake
- Chocolate Cupcakes
- Buttermilk is also great for helping to tenderize meat before cooking. Both Chicken Fried Steak and fried chicken tastes DELICIOUS when soaked in a buttermilk mixture before frying. Add a tiny bit of sour cream to the mixture for added flavor!
- Add 1/4 cup of it to your next batch of Avocado Ranch Dressing for an extra splash of flavor.
What To Do With Lemons
Lemons are such a magical and versatile citrus fruit. If you are wondering what to do with lemons that might be sitting in your kitchen, read on for a variety of delicious ideas!
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Buttermilk With Lemon Juice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Combine lemon juice (or vinegar) and milk in a small bowl. Mix well and let sit 5-10 minutes, or until mixture begins to curdle. Use in a recipe that calls for buttermilk!
Notes
- If you are looking for a vegan or dairy-free substitute, almond milk will get the job done. In fact, coconut, soy and rice milks all work well, too! Use 1 cup of non-dairy milk and increase the amount of lemon juice/white vinegar to 2 tablespoons.
I needed buttermilk for seeded soda bread. Thank You.
Making quick batch of cornbread. Only had 1/2&1/2 on hand! No worries, fresh lemon juice turned one cup in minutes! Buttermilk to the rescue.
Thank you for sharing that Reba!
THANKS FOR THIS TIP HAVE JUST MADE MY BUTTERMILK SCONES” CAME OUT A TREAT IN SOTH AFRICA
BUTTERMILK ONLY COMES IN 500ML AND YOU WASTE SO MUCH
Thank you. Am gonna piggy back from previous comment about letting us no how much vinegar/lemon juice to put in the milk. What a great solution. They cost of Buttermilk is ridiculous when we have the ingredients in our house. I use it to marinate all my meats
It is the perfect marinade for meat – chicken especially! Thank you for commenting!
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I looked at several and yours was the first one to tell me how much lemon juice/vinegar to use in a cup of milk.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for sharing this DIY, yes it is hard to find buttermilk in India. Thank you for sharing this easy fix!!!
Thank you for sharing this. In India we do not get buttermilk easily and this solves the problem now 🙂
Yes, it’s such an easy fix! I’m glad that it was useful! What recipe would you enjoy trying it out with – pancakes or something else?
Thank you for sharing this DIY, yes it is hard to find buttermilk in India. Thank you for sharing this easy fix!!!
Well then I’m glad you found this – it’s a great ingredient to be able to have for certain recipes! But not hard to recreate. Enjoy!