What can I use instead of Kefir?

Buttermilk: 1:1. Plain yogurt + milk: 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup milk, whisked.

What changes when you substitute Kefir?

Slightly less tart. Thicker body.

Substitute for Kefir

What it does in a recipe: Fermented milk drink: thinner than yogurt, tangier than buttermilk, alive with cultures.

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

Buttermilk

per 1 cup kefir

US1:1

Metric1:1

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeContains dairy

Nearly identical acidity and thickness — use interchangeably in baking and smoothies.

What changes: Slightly less tart

Plain yogurt + milk

per 1 cup kefir

US3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup milk, whisked

Metric180 g + 60 ml

Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeContains dairy

Matches the pour.

What changes: Thicker body

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Kefir?: Buttermilk: 1:1. Plain yogurt + milk: 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup milk, whisked.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Kefir?: Buttermilk (per 1 cup kefir) — US: 1:1. Metric: 1:1.
What changes when you substitute Kefir?: Slightly less tart. Thicker body.

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