Buttermilk
We have all heard of buttermilk biscuits and buttermilk fried chicken, but do you really know what buttermilk is? Fear not, we will talk about it all. The first thing to know is that it is a fermented dairy product.
Way back when, buttermilk was actually a by-product of churning butter. This is how it gets its name. It was essentially, the thin liquid leftover from butter making. When left at room temp for a bit, the natural and health-filled cultures developed even more.
Shelf (Fridge) Life
How long does buttermilk last? If you are buying it at the grocery store, it should last for about two weeks in your fridge. That said, sometimes the containers are rather large and you find yourself with leftover buttermilk.
If that is the case, consider using it in coleslaw, mashed potatoes, soups, quiche, gravies, salad dressings, and so much more. Its texture and tang are great for many dishes.
Buttermilk Substitutions
Back to our original conundrum. You don’t have buttermilk lying around in the dark corners of your fridge. But… if you have ONE of the following ingredients (and I am betting money you do,) you are good to go:
- Lemon Juice
- Vinegar
- Cream of Tartar
Last thing: Do you have milk? Perfect. You are all set. Making substitute buttermilk at home is easy. Or you can make homemade buttermilk- recipe is below.
Making Substitute Buttermilk with Lemon Juice
The idea behind this is that the acid from the lemon is going to slightly curdle the milk and thicken it giving you a tangy and thick mixture that is the perfect substitute for real buttermilk.
1 cup of buttermilk = 1 tablespoon lemon juice + 1 cup milkÂ
Fresh lemon juice is better than bottled and whole is better than skim milk, although both can be used in a pinch.
Stir it in and let it sit for five minutes at room temperature. This will have a subtle lemony flavor and is great for anything but really wonderful for things like cakes, muffins, biscuits, and more.
You can use storebought lemon juice, but I like to have fresh lemons on hand and they have a bit of a brighter flavor. Be sure to strain the juice for any seeds or pulp before you add it to the milk.
Making Substitute Buttermilk with Vinegar
Same process as the lemon juice here. In terms of what type of vinegar, I prefer cider vinegar or white vinegar. Both have a relatively neutral flavor while still getting the job done. Cider vinegar will definitely add a touch of sweetness while the white vinegar will be more neutral.
1 cup of buttermilk = 1 tablespoon vinegar + 1 cup whole milkÂ
A quick stir and five minutes and you are ready to start cooking or baking.
Making Substitute Buttermilk with Cream of Tartar
Last but not least, cream of tartar. For this one, you are going to whisk it into the milk to make sure the powder is evenly distributed and then let it sit for five minutes.
1 cup of buttermilk = 1 ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar + 1 cup whole milkÂ
How to Make Buttermilk – The Real Kind
If you are like me, you like to understand the process of making an ingredient and afterwards, will totally buy it premade at the store. Turns out that when you make homemade butter, the by product is buttermilk. So they happen to be the same exact instructions!
Here are some great recipes using buttermilk:
- Housemade Ranch Dressing
- French Fried String Onions
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Berry Buttermilk Pound Cake
- Hush Puppies
How do you make buttermilk?
When you get to the grocery store and they are completely out, don’t sweat it. You can make your own at home in a pinch. All you need is a cup of whole milk, 2%, or heavy cream and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice OR white vinegar.
Stir your mixture up and let it stand for about ten minutes or so. You will know it Is ready when the milk is a little bit thicker and you see some small curdled bits. Keep in mind that this will not get as thick as the store-bought variety.
Once ready, use this as you would the regular stuff.
You can also make old fashioned homemade buttermilk using heavy cream.
Can you drink buttermilk?
You can use it in your biscuits, ranch dressing, or your fried chicken, but you can also pour yourself a glass. It might be a bit of an acquired taste, but it is thought to help aid digestion and build up good gut bacteria much like yogurt.
What is the difference between milk and buttermilk?
While they are both in the dairy family, the latter is a fermented product. The lactic acid fermentation of the milk gives it a tangy taste versus the very neutral and almost sweet taste of milk.
What does buttermilk do in baking?
It is giving so much to your baking. Not only are you going to get a little fat, but your recipe will have a delicious tang. In addition to that, it is tenderizing your gluten which means softer and more tender crumb when everything is all baked.
