Learn how to make vegan buttermilk with just 2 ingredients in less than 2 minutes! Great to make all kinds of recipes such as pancakes.
I was making a delicious vegan recipe the other day and I realized I didn't have any buttermilk in my fridge, so I made it from scratch and I want to share this super simple recipe with you.
Buttermilk is not easy to find in some countries, or maybe you want to make some recipe that calls for buttermilk, but you don't have any at home. That's why I love this recipe so much, as it's made with ingredients we already have in our pantries!
If you want to make buttermilk from scratch, you just need two ingredients: dairy-free milk and an acid (lemon juice or white vinegar). It's ready in less than 2 minutes as you only need to mix those ingredients. Then wait for 10 minutes and voilà, you have your buttermilk ready to use.
To make a vegan version of the classic recipe, just use any unsweetened plant milk instead. Soy milk is my favorite choice, but you can make your vegan buttermilk with any type of milk you have on hand.
Use it to make any recipe that calls for buttermilk, like pancakes, muffins, cakes, bread, cookies, biscuits, dressings, or just drink it plain if you want! You can even use it in savory recipes.
How to make vegan buttermilk – Step by step
- Mix the milk and the lemon juice or white vinegar in a jar or bowl until well combined (photo 1).
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes. After this time, the milk will thicken and curdle (photo 2).
- Use your vegan buttermilk immediately.
Pro tips
- Most recipes call for lemon juice or white vinegar, but I prefer to use lemon juice as it's what I always have on hand.
- Some people also use apple cider vinegar, but I've never tried it myself.
- I don't think using other types of vinegar is a good idea, balsamic or sherry vinegar for example, as your buttermilk will change its flavor and won't taste like the real thing.
- Soy milk is my favorite choice to make this vegan substitute to buttermilk as its consistency is similar to cow's milk, but any unsweetened plant milk will do, such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
Is buttermilk vegan?
No, regular buttermilk is not vegan because it is made from dairy milk. But remember, there are alternatives, like this dairy-free buttermilk recipe!
How long does homemade vegan buttermilk last?
You can keep it in a mason jar or any kind of container in the fridge for about 3-4 days, but the time may vary, depending on the type of milk you're using. If it lasts longer, your buttermilk will last longer as well.
If you're using store-bought milk, just read the package instructions to know how long your buttermilk is going to last.
Remember to give the container a shake or stir the vegan buttermilk before adding it to your recipe.
Can you freeze vegan buttermilk?
Yes, you can! I prefer to make the exact amount I'm going to use as it's ready in just 2 minutes (you have to wait another 10 minutes to thicken, though), but if you have leftovers or want to make big batches of non-dairy buttermilk, just freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Remember, frozen liquids expand, so don't overfill, or you will end up with a cracked container or jar. You can also freeze the buttermilk in ice cube trays and store the cubes in a container once they're frozen hard.
To defrost the vegan buttermilk, just transfer the container to the fridge the night before, that way it will defrost by itself.
Keep in mind, frozen buttermilk is best used for cooking or baking. It won't maintain its qualities for drinking or using in uncooked recipes after you have frozen it.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Buttermilk
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened plant milk of your choice, I used soy milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
Instructions
- Mix the milk and the lemon juice or white vinegar in a jar or bowl until well combined.
- Let the mixture rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes. After this time, the milk will thicken and curdle.
- Use your vegan buttermilk immediately.
- Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3-4 days (time may vary depending on how long the milk you're using lasts) or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- Most recipes call for lemon juice or white vinegar, but I prefer to use lemon juice as it's what I always have on hand.
- Some people also use apple cider vinegar, but I've never tried it myself.
- I don't think using other types of vinegar is a good idea, balsamic or sherry vinegar for example, as your buttermilk will change its flavor and won't taste like the real thing.
- Soy milk is my favorite choice to make this vegan substitute to buttermilk as its consistency is similar to cow's milk, but any unsweetened plant milk will do, such as almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in November of 2019, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in February of 2022.
Sandy says
Hello,
I am trying to find a vegan buttermilk to veganize a dressing recipe. Have you tried using this in a dressing? And if you have, is it necessary to use it all up or can it be stored in the fridge for a day or two if you have leftovers?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! I haven't tried to use it in a dressing, sorry 🙁
Ellen says
Hi! Does your vegan buttermilk help pancakes (and other baked goods) rise? The pancakes I made with dairy buttermilk were fluffy, but the vegan version (I use almondmilk) are flat.
What do you think?
Iosune Robles says
Hi Ellen! I've never tried to make pancakes with vegan buttermilk, sorry!
Alyssa says
I just need 3 tbsp of buttermilk for my recipe - how would I convert your suggestions?
Iosune Robles says
Hi Alyssa! This recipe is for 1tbsp of buttermilk so you will need to triple the quantities 🙂
Alishba says
Hi! Could I use unsweetened almond milk? Thanks!
Iosune Robles says
Hi! Feel free to use your favorite one 🙂
Les says
Thank you, I feel empowered.
Iosune Robles says
That's good! 🙂
Mr.S M JALLOH says
It is a great one I gave it a good try on my vegan buttermilk it works perfectly with unsweetened soy milk and fresh lemon juice. Many thanks.
Iosune Robles says
I'm glad you liked our vegan buttermilk 🙂
Savanah says
Hi! Thank you very much for this recipe!!
In my country buttermilk is used in many recipes, and even consumed daily I0ve having a really hard time trying to look something to replace it. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome so I'm not allowed to eat any dairy products nor cafeine, not red meat and basically... Is so depressing... all of a sudden there are a lot of things I can't eat... pills and ... and I don't know what else to cook... and is very frustrating!! So thank you!! This helps me a lot! Blessings! 🙂 Best wishes!
Iosune Robles says
Hi Savanah! So glad our recipes help you 🙂 Have a nice day!
Chelsea says
Can powdered soy milk be used to make this buttermilk?
Iosune Robles says
Hi Chelsea! I haven't tried it myself, sorry. But, feel free to make it with powdered soy milk and tell me if it works 🙂 Have a nice day!
Hilary says
Thank you, just what I was looking for.
Iosune says
Hi Hilary! You're so welcome 🙂
Phil Willie says
So funcy to see the article within this blog. Thank you for posting it
Joshua Howard says
Made it for the first time and it turned out perfect! thank you for the share!
Iosune says
Hi Joshua! You're so welcome 🙂 SO glad to hear that!