What is Buttermilk? How to make,Substitutes,Benefits,Uses

Buttermilk is a very popular dairy product. Most people use it in various baking recipes to get fluffy, light and tangy texture. In this article we will learn about the buttermilk. What is buttermilk, it’s taste, ingredients, and how to make it at home. We’ll also learn Buttermilk substitutes, storing process and various ways to use it. Let’s start.

What is Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is a traditional dairy product which does not contain butter. It is just a liquid leftover after whole milk has been churned into butter.

What is Buttermilk made of?

Buttermilk is usually made of whole milk and acidity. There are two main types of buttermilk traditional and cultured buttermilk.

Traditional buttermilk results from churning whole milk to make butter. The liquid left behind is buttermilk.

But cultured buttermilk is made by fermenting whole milk with lactic acid bacteria, giving it a tangy flavor and thicker consistency.

What does Buttermilk taste like?

The taste of Buttermilk is tangy and sour. This tanginess can vary, especially in cultured buttermilk, depending on the fermentation process.

Buttermilk Nutrition Facts

Buttermilk has a lot of nutrients in a small serving. For a typical one serving 245ml (1 cup) buttermilk contains around

Calorie: 100

Protein: 8 grams

Carbs: 12 grams 

Fats: 3 grams

Calcium: 22% of daily value

Sodium: 16% of daily value

Riboflavin: 29% of daily value

Vitamin B12: 22% of daily value,

Pantothenic acid: 13% of daily value.

Benefits of Buttermilk

Buttermilk has several health benefits.

• May be easier to digest: The lactic acid in the buttermilk helps the lactose content easier to digest than other dairy products.

• May help strong bones: Buttermilk has good source of calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. These nutrients help to maintain strong bone.

• May help to lower cholesterol levels: According to the study it is found consuming 45 grams or 1/5 cup of buttermilk water and water daily helps to reduce total cholesterol and triglyceridies 3% and 10 % each.

Where to Buy Buttermilk?

You can buy buttermilk at most grocery stores in the dairy section. Otherwise, many online retailers offer convenient home delivery options. Make sure to check the best before us date before buying

Ingredients of Buttermilk

To make buttermilk at home, you’ll need two ingredients: milk and lemon juice or white vinegar.

How to Make Buttermilk: Step-by-Step Instructions

Before preparing homemade buttermilk, remember this basic formula: 1 cup milk ( of your choice ) +1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice = 1 cup buttermilk .

Here is the step-by-step guide on buttermilk recipe.

• At first pour one cup of milk of your choice into a bowl.

• Next add one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Alternatively, you can use 3 teaspoons of lemon juice or white vinegar.

• Stir the mixture and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and curdles.

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8 Easy Buttermilk Substitutes

Sometimes, you may find yourself without buttermilk. In such cases, you can use alternatives like yogurt, sour cream, or even milk with lemon juice or vinegar. These substitutes maintain the desired texture and taste in your recipes.

 Yogurt Substitute:

     Measurement: 1 cup of plain yogurt

     Instructions: Use plain yogurt as a 1:1 replacement for buttermilk in your recipes. It gives a similar tangy taste and creamy texture.

Sour Cream Substitute:

     Measurement: 3/4 cup of sour cream + 1/4 cup water or milk = 1 cup buttermilk

     Instructions: Sour cream has a similar tangy flavor to buttermilk. For this, replace buttermilk with 3/4 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of water.Stir, then let sit for 5 minutes to make buttermilk like.

Milk and Lemon Juice Substitute:

     Measurement: 1 cup of milk + 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

     Instructions: For this mix one tablespoon of lemon juice with one cup of milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens and curdles.

Milk and White Vinegar Substitute:

     Measurement: 1 cup of milk + 1 tablespoon of white vinegar

     Instructions: For this mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with one cup of milk. Allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle.

Milk and Cream of Tartar Substitute:

     Measurement: 1 cup of milk + 1.5 teaspoons of cream of tartar

     Instructions: To avoid lumps in buttermilk solution. First mix 1.5 teaspoons of cream of tartar with 4 tablespoons milk. Then add this mixture with one cup of milk. Stir, then let sit for 5 minutes to create a buttermilk-like texture.

Kefir Substitute:

    Measurement: 1 cup of kefir

     Instructions: Kefir is a probiotic-rich substitute with a thinner consistency. Use it as a 1:1 replacement for buttermilk.

Milk and Plain White Yogurt Substitute:

     Measurement: 1 cup of milk + 2 tablespoons of plain white yogurt

     Instructions: Combine two tablespoons of plain white yogurt with one cup of milk. Stir well for a creamy buttermilk alternative.

Buttermilk Powder Substitute:

     Measurement: Follow the package instructions to reconstitute buttermilk powder with water. Typically, it’s 1/4 cup of powder to 1 cup of water.

     Instructions: Mix the buttermilk powder with water according to the package instructions to achieve the desired buttermilk flavor and consistency.

You can use these substitutes instead of buttermilk in your recipes. Each of these substitutes has it’s own unique taste and texture. It varies based on your preference and the dish you’re preparing.

How to make dairy-free and vegan Buttermilk

If you can’t have dairy or are vegan, you can make a dairy-free buttermilk substitute. For this use 1 cup of almond milk, soy milk, oat milk or any non-dairy milk, and add 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in it. Rest it for some time. You will get dairy free buttermilk substitute.

How to store Buttermilk?

To extend buttermilk’s shelf life, keep it refrigerated. Ensure the lid is tightly sealed to prevent air from getting in.

If you are not using it immediately, freezing buttermilk is an option, although the texture may change slightly upon thawing.

Can I freeze Buttermilk?

Yes, you can freeze buttermilk for later use. For this, first pour 1-2 tablespoons buttermilk into an ice cub tray. Freeze them well for an hour.

After that keep the frozen buttermilk cubes into a freezer bag and store them in the freezer .

Thaw them in the refrigerator or melt them on the lowest power setting in your microwave when needed.

How to use Buttermilk?

Buttermilk is a multipurpose ingredient. You can use it in many various ways. You can bake with it, use it in marinades and dressings, and even put it in buttermilk lassi.

FAQs and Troubleshooting related to Buttermilk

For our baking community, Buttermilk is a kitchen essential you must consider. Now you can become an expert in using buttermilk by making your own or using substitutes when needed.