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Substitute for Buttermilk

What it does in a recipe: Adds acidity and tenderness; its acid activates baking soda for lift.

4 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Milk + lemon juice or vinegar

per 1 cup buttermilk

US1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to reach 1 cup; rest 10 min
Metric240 ml milk + 15 ml acid
Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Gluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-freeSesame-freeContains dairy

The acid curdles the milk, mimicking buttermilk's tang and soda-reactivity.

What changes: Slightly thinner than real buttermilk

Best for: Any recipe calling for buttermilk

Plain yogurt, thinned

per 1 cup buttermilk

US3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk, whisked smooth
Metric180 ml yogurt + 60 ml milk
CommonBaking-safe ✓Gluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-freeSesame-freeContains dairy

Cultured yogurt carries the same lactic acid tang.

What changes: Slightly thicker result

Best for: Cakes, muffins, dressings

Soy or almond milk + acid

per 1 cup buttermilk

US1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + enough soy or almond milk to reach 1 cup; rest 10 min
Metric240 ml plant milk + 15 ml acid
CommonBaking-safe ✓VeganDairy-freeGluten-freeEgg-freeAlcohol-freeContains nutContains soy

The acid curdles plant milk the same way.

What changes: Faint plant-milk flavor

Best for: Dairy-free baking

Milk + cream of tartar

per 1 cup buttermilk

US1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar + enough milk to reach 1 cup
Metric8 g cream of tartar + 240 ml milk
SpecialtyBaking-safe ✓Gluten-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-freeAlcohol-freeSesame-freeContains dairy

Cream of tartar is a dry acid — same reaction, no added flavor.

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Buttermilk?
Milk + lemon juice or vinegar: 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to reach 1 cup; rest 10 min. Plain yogurt, thinned: 3/4 cup plain yogurt + 1/4 cup milk, whisked smooth.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Buttermilk?
Milk + lemon juice or vinegar (per 1 cup buttermilk) — US: 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to reach 1 cup; rest 10 min. Metric: 240 ml milk + 15 ml acid.
What changes when you substitute Buttermilk?
Slightly thinner than real buttermilk. Slightly thicker result.

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