How to Make Vegan Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a common ingredient in many recipes, with practically no vegan substitutes commercially available. It’s easy to make your own buttermilk with just 2 very basic ingredients. But, did you know that the same trick works with most plant-based milks as well? Let me show you how to make your own vegan buttermilk in under 10 minutes!

Buttermilk is not an ingredient most of us would keep in the fridge “just in case”. It doesn’t look very appetising and you probably don’t want to pour yourself a glass of buttermilk to go with your cookie. But, it does work miracles for some recipes!

So, what do you do when you come across an easy homemade soda bread recipe, or a delicious looking stack of buttermilk pancakes? You make your own buttermilk. All it takes is 2 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time. And the best part is, this recipe works not only with dairy milk, but with most plant-based milks as well.

What is Buttermilk?

Traditionally, buttermilk is the liquid that is leftover after churning butter, which makes it super low in fat, and high in protein retained from the original milk. However, what makes it great for baking actually has nothing to do with its fat or protein content, and everything to do with buttermilk’s slightly acidic nature. Acid helps to break down long, tough strands of gluten, resulting in moist and tender baked goods.

Is Buttermilk Vegan?

Traditional buttermilk, as described above, is not vegan, as it is made from cow’s milk. However, this recipe has been tested with several plant-based milk alternatives, and delivers a vegan buttermilk alternative that can be used in virtually any recipe that calls for buttermilk.

How to Make Vegan Buttermilk

To make your own plant-based buttermilk, you’ll need:

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

White wine vinegar works too, but I prefer to use lemon juice because of the more pleasant aroma, and because I always have it at hand. I’ve seen people use apple cider vinegar as well, but I’ve never tried it personally (I don’t like the smell). I wouldn’t recommend using other types of vinegar, such as balsamic, as they tend to have a much stronger taste and colour, so your buttermilk won’t look or taste like the real thing.

1 cup of plant-based milk

In my experience, soy milk works the best because its consistency is very similar to cow’s milk, but you can just as easily use unsweetened almond milk as well.

Here's how you can make vegan buttermilk at home:

1. Pour one cup of milk into a measuring cup.
2. Measure one tablespoon of either lemon juice or white vinegar, and add to the milk. Stir well.
3. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes. You know it’s ready when the milk looks grainy and curdled. Give buttermilk one last stir before using it in your recipe.

Vegan Buttermilk FAQs

Which plant-based milk works best?

Not all non-dairy milks will curdle when lemon juice or white vinegar is added. For example, coconut milk will not curdle when any kind of acid is added.

I have tried this successfully with soy and almond milk, and I can state for a fact that it works like a charm.

How long does homemade vegan buttermilk last?

Store-bought buttermilk will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks once opened, but unfortunately that’s not the case with homemade buttermilk. You can keep it in the fridge for about 3 to4 days, but this may vary, depending on the type of milk you’re using. Store it in an airtight container or sealed mason jar. Give it a shake or stir the buttermilk before you use it in your recipe.

Can you freeze vegan buttermilk?

Yes! Even though vegan buttermilk is super quick and easy to make, sometimes, especially before holidays and big events, it’s good to know you’re stocked up on everything you might need.

To freeze vegan buttermilk, prepare a big batch and freeze it in an airtight container. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Keep in mind that liquids expand when frozen, so make sure you don’t overfill the container. You can also freeze the buttermilk in ice cube trays and store the cubes in a container once they’re frozen hard.

To defrost vegan buttermilk, simply transfer the container to the fridge the night before and let it defrost by itself.

Looking for More How-To Recipes?

If you like making your own vegan substitutes, make sure to check out my articles on how to make vegan yogurt, how to make flax eggs, how to make aquafaba - the ultimate vegan substitute for egg whites, or how to make the creamiest homemade hummus.