Buttermilk Subsitute

Asked by Levanah1. Answered on 20th November 2010

Full question

I cannot seem to find buttermilk in supermarkets. Is there anything I can use as a substitute or a recipe to make my own?

Our answer

There are a few things that can be used to stand in for buttermilk if it is not available. If you have some regular, plain yogurt to hand then use 200mls (2/3 cup) yogurt to 50mls (1/3 cup) milk. If you have Greek yogurt only then use equal quantities of Greek yogurt and milk. The yogurt/milk combination is particularly good as a substitute for buttermilk in marinades.

Alternatively you can sour some milk by adding some acid. Pour 250mls (1 cup) milk into a jug and stir in 1 (15ml) tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. Stir well and leave to stand for 5 minutes before using as directed in the recipe. Full fat (whole) milk or semi-skimmed (reduced fat) milk work best here as skimmed (non fat) milk tends to turn a little watery.