Did you wake up wanting Buttermilk Pancakes for breakfast? Yeah, me too. Did I have Buttermilk in the refrigerator? No, of course not. Luckily, I have a simple Buttermilk Substitute recipe, and I’m going to teach you How To Make Buttermilk | Buttermilk Substitute

So you don’t have buttermilk in the refrigerator? Bummer! That’s pretty normal, no one has buttermilk in the refrigerator unless they have planned well in advance, or went to the store specifically to buy buttermilk. It’s just not something you normally buy unless there is a reason. And then that one day you wake up craving Buttermilk Pancakes slathered in melting butter and dripping with maple syrup, and the last thing you want to do is get dressed and go to the store.

What Does Buttermilk Do in Baking?

• Buttermilk is slightly acidic. Similar to the way ‘shortening’ acts to prevent gluten from creating long tough strands, a slightly acidic batter will make baked goods moist and tender.
• Buttermilk’s flavor is tangy, making your recipe taste more like it’s homemade, rich and creamy.
• One downside is that Buttermilk will reduce some of the carbon dioxides from forming and making your recipe rise. If using Buttermilk in a recipe that doesn’t call for it, ensure you increase the amount of Baking Soda to compensate.

 Two Simple Buttermilk Substitute recipes

• Can I easily make Homemade Buttermilk? Yes!!! I have two very easy recipes for Buttermilk substitutes listed below
• Is it really easy to make Homemade Buttermilk? Yes!!! Easier than falling off a log
• What kind of milk do you use to make buttermilk? Any cow’s milk will work, from whole, 2% or low-fat, whatever you have on hand.
• How do you make a Buttermilk Substitute? Lucky for you I have two recipes listed below.

The Buttermilk you buy in the store today and what is needed for most recipes is actually ‘Cultured Buttermilk’ rather than the liquid that is leftover after churning butter.

The first Substitute Buttermilk recipe we are making is technically referred to as ‘Acidified Buttermilk’. The addition of an acid, such as lemon juice or white vinegar causes a chemical reaction curdling the milk and causing it to sour in only around 5-10 minutes.

The second Substitute Buttermilk recipe is even easier, it is a 50/50 mixture of Plain Greek Yogurt and Milk. I like this option the best, it’s the Substitute Buttermilk I would actually just eat plain by itself, and I feel it’s a more authentic Cultured Buttermilk Substitute.

If it’s me, and I am using this as a Buttermilk Marinade for chicken or pork, I would use the 50/50 yogurt and milk recipe. Many Chicken Marinade recipes use yogurt already, so you’re not doing anything weird or unusual.

If it’s for Buttermilk Pancakes, biscuits or other baked goods, either the acidified Buttermilk Substitute recipe or the 50/50 Yogurt recipe is fine.

• How long does a Buttermilk Substitute last? Stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container both of these recipes will last as long as the expiration date listed on the milk (or yogurt). Simply give it a good stir before using and you are good to go.

How to Make Buttermilk:

Acidified Buttermilk Substitute Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice or White Vinegar

PROCESS:

-Add the lemon juice to a 1-cup measuring cup then fill the remainder of the cup with milk

-Let sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature, until curdled

-Stir briskly until thick

Yogurt & Milk Buttermilk Substitute Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
• ½ Cup Milk

PROCESS:

-Add together in a bowl, whisk together until smooth

And just for fun, Here is my Buttermilk Pancake recipe:

Buttermilk Pancakes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Large Eggs
• 3 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted
• 2 Cups Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for skillet

PROCESS:

-Preheat oven to 300F, place a cast-iron skillet on medium-low heat, skillet needs at least 5-minutes to heat up before cooking

-Sift together all dry ingredients and mix, create a well in the center

-Beat the eggs well and mix with the buttermilk and melted butter

-Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently combine, careful not to overmix

-Add 1 tablespoon oil to the hot skillet

-Use either a ¼ cup or 1/3 cup measure, put the batter into the hot pan

-Bubbles will form on the top of the pancake batter as it cooks, as the bubbles pop, the pancake is ready to turn when the batter doesn’t close the popped bubble, approximately 2 minutes on the first side

-Flip the pancake and cook for 1-minute on the second side

Thanks for visiting my Food Blog, I hope my Buttermilk Substitute recipe helps you with whatever you’re making and saves you a trip to the grocery store! Please come back again soon! Cheers, Steven