How to Make Buttermilk

Someone scooping a spoonful of buttermilk out of a small glass bowl.

Buttermilk is crucial in classic recipes like ranch dressing, fried chicken, and pancakes, but almost no one has it when they need it! Here’s how to make buttermilk at home with just two ingredients and 10 minutes.

Course Pantry

Cuisine American

Cook Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings (1/4 cup each)

Calories 38kcal

Author Meggan Hill

Ingredients

1 cup whole milk or 2% (see note 1)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (see note 2)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For every 1 cup of whole or 2% milk, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes to thicken.

Notes

Milk: To make dairy-free buttermilk, substitute an equal amount of almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
Lemon juice: Or substitute lime juice, white vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
Yield: This recipe makes about 1 cup of buttermilk.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Stir or shake to recombine before using.

Nutrition