From keeping bakes moist and dishes tender, buttermilk is a common secret ingredient in many recipes – but is it suitable for vegans? If not, what are some good plant-based alternatives for buttermilk? Keep reading to discover all.
Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a traditional by-product from making (you guessed it) butter. Originally it referred to the liquid left over from churning cultured or fermented cream where the sugars have turned into lactic acid.
Today it’s made with fresh milk that has cultures inserted into it producing something thicker than milk but not as heavy as cream.
What does buttermilk do?
Sometimes buttermilk is mainly used for its creamy sweet flavour, lifting desserts or enhancing savoury dishes, but it can also be used for its reactive properties. Its acidity acts as a powerful leavening agent, reacting with soda and even breaking down gluten.
Is buttermilk suitable for vegans?
No, unfortunately, buttermilk is not vegan-friendly as it’s made from dairy-based milk. But are there any vegan options?
What is a vegan substitute for buttermilk?
A quick search might have already told you that vegan buttermilk doesn’t exist (yet, at least – we have full faith that there will be one before too long). So what are some plant-based alternatives that do the same job?
There are a few home-cook tricks worthy of note here –
- Mix an acid with plant-milk – either add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to unsweetened plant-milk and allow it to curdle over 10 minutes
- Whip plant-based yoghurt or sour cream (something that already has cultures)
- Make your own vegan nut-cream and add a little lemon juice or vinegar
Keep your plant-based questions coming our way via the comments section below!
FAQs
Simply stir together your favorite dairy-free milk (we like almond or oat milk) with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, and the mixture should curdle slightly from the acidity. It won't thicken quite like buttermilk, but it has a similar effect in recipes!
What is a plant based alternative to buttermilk? ›
Simply stir together your favorite dairy-free milk (we like almond or oat milk) with lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, and the mixture should curdle slightly from the acidity. It won't thicken quite like buttermilk, but it has a similar effect in recipes!
Do they sell vegan buttermilk? ›
Mill It's vegan buttermilk is low in sugar, priced between $4.99 and $5.99 for a 32-ounce bottle and can be used in recipes such as baked goods, pancakes, and smoothies, along with more savory applications such as coleslaw, corn bread, and curry.
What is a substitute for buttermilk in baking addiction? ›
All you need to make a substitute to use in place of buttermilk in your baking recipes is milk and white vinegar, or lemon juice. I typically opt for 2% or whole milk and fresh lemon juice, but bottled will also do the trick.
What can I use instead of buttermilk or sour milk? ›
For kefir, substitute it cup for cup for the buttermilk. To sour milk, place 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice in a 1-cup measure and add enough milk (whole or low-fat) to equal 1 cup. Other substitutes for buttermilk include sour cream, yogurt or a combination of half yogurt and half milk.
Can you buy non cultured buttermilk? ›
Few commercial manufacturers today sell buttermilk that's truly a byproduct of the butter-making process, and the only one we found locally was Kate's Real Buttermilk. (Even Kate's, though, is made by adding bacterial cultures, since its butter is churned from pasteurized cream.)
What is a keto substitute for buttermilk? ›
Dairy-free buttermilk: Unsweetened almond or coconut milk mixed with a bit of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can mimic the tangy flavor and acidity of buttermilk with fewer carbs.
How can I make my own buttermilk? ›
For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. You can scale the recipe up or down depending on how much you need.
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for buttermilk? ›
Yogurt. Plain yogurt is a great 1:1 substitute for buttermilk. If you're using a thicker Greek-style yogurt, you'll need to thin it out: Whisk 3/4 cup Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup water or milk.
Can I use almond milk instead of buttermilk? ›
Combine almond milk and apple cider vinegar, and whisk together. Let sit for 5-7 minutes to “curdle”. Use as a substitute to buttermilk in a variety of recipes!
Vegan Buttermilk FAQs
Not all non-dairy milks will curdle when lemon juice or white vinegar is added. For example, coconut milk will not curdle when any kind of acid is added. I have tried this successfully with soy and almond milk, and I can state for a fact that it works like a charm.
Is buttermilk OK for dairy intolerance? ›
Buttermilk contains lactose, a natural sugar to which many people are intolerant. Although buttermilk appears to be more easily digested by some people with lactose intolerance, many may still be sensitive to its lactose content. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include upset stomach, diarrhea, and gas.
What is the best buttermilk substitute? ›
SAM'S TIP: While I haven't tried these myself, here are a few other substitutes that should work well for replacing one cup of buttermilk: 1 cup of plain yogurt; ¾ cup sour cream (or full fat Greek yogurt) + ¼ cup water or milk; 1 ½ teaspoons cream of tartar + 1 cup milk; or buttermilk powder (follow package ...
What to do if I don't have buttermilk? ›
The simplest way to substitute buttermilk is to pour 1 Tbs. of vinegar into a 1 cup measurer and then fill the rest of the measuring cup with milk. Then gently stir the mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes. If you don't have vinegar, lemon juice and cream of tarter also work as great buttermilk substitutions.
What is the best vegan substitute for buttermilk in baking? ›
Any plant-based milk alternative will work great when making non-dairy substitutes for buttermilk. However, make sure the milk is plain and unsweetened. My favorite milk varieties to use for vegan buttermilk are unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened soy milk, pea milk, and hemp seed milk.
Is there a buttermilk plant? ›
Buttermilk can be cultured quite easily using a buttermilk plant. This version is adapted and updated from Florence Irwin's 1949 recipe.
What does buttermilk do in baking? ›
Buttermilk is made up of a variety of acids – the results of the fermentation process, which give baked goods a couple of benefits. First, the acidity provides tangy flavor to balance all kinds of sweet baked treats. Second, it activates baking soda, producing the gas that makes dough or batter rise.
