Updated on April 9th, 2023
You’re all set to make a batch of pancakes when you realise you don’t have any buttermilk in the refrigerator. Is it time to cancel your breakfast plans? Not so quickly! It’s simple to produce a convincing buttermilk substitute with components you probably already have on hand.
The good news is that there are various good buttermilk alternatives available for any recipe. Which one you should use is determined by the type of dish you’re preparing.
There are various ways to substitute buttermilk for frying, whether you’re trying to cut down on your dairy intake or simply enjoy fried meals. Before frying, several recipes call for soaking the chicken in buttermilk. The acidity of buttermilk can help tenderise the meat and make a moist dish. If you’re wanting to cut down on fat and calories, though, whole milk is a good option. Make sure to include baking soda and/or powder in your recipe.
What are Some Substitutes for Buttermilk for the Purpose of Frying?
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Unflavored Kefir
In baking, frying, and other preparations, kefir can be used instead of buttermilk. It has a buttermilk flavour and is high in probiotics, which are good for your gut. The calories in one cup of unflavored kefir are the same as in 3/4 cup of buttermilk. Unflavored kefir has a sour cream-like flavour, so it can be used in place of buttermilk in recipes.
You can substitute simple kefir, yogurt, or sour cream for buttermilk in baking. Kefir is inherently acidic, making it an excellent option for yogurt. To change the flavour, you can add lemon juice or vinegar. Kefir is a great buttermilk substitute in baked goods, but it should only be used in little amounts and never in excessive proportions. If you don’t have flavoured kefir, you can use unflavored kefir for buttermilk in a 1:1 ratio.
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Unsweetened Soy Milk
If you want to use a dairy-free buttermilk substitute at home, it’s simple to do. Simply combine a teaspoon of white vinegar with one cup of unsweetened soy milk. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for it to settle before using. Using varying amounts of vinegar will produce somewhat different curdled milks, but you should be able to tell if the milk has curdled enough by looking at the colour. Soy milk is generally the best choice for baking projects that require structure.
If you want to fry using non-dairy buttermilk, you can prepare it at home with basic soy milk, cold water, or chicken moisture. When frying with a wet batter, however, keep in mind that the moisture will evaporate, leaving only the solids on the chicken. You can also use apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar as a buttermilk alternative without sacrificing flavour. Because both have neutral flavours, they perform well as buttermilk substitutes, and one tablespoon of vinegar equals one cup of buttermilk.
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Unflavored Sour Cream
When replacing buttermilk with a vegan product like unflavored sour cream, your fried food will taste better. Sour cream has a somewhat sour flavour and can be used in place of buttermilk in baking recipes. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make salad dressings, dips, and fries with sour cream instead. It should not, however, be used as a topping in baked goods like conventional buttermilk. It is made from milk fermentation and contains bacteria.
Buttermilk is thickened into sour cream. It contains bacteria that ferment the cream, giving it a sour flavour. Sour cream can be substituted for buttermilk in baking recipes, but it must be diluted beforehand.
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Plain Kefir
You can use plain kefir instead of buttermilk in recipes. Kefir has a sour flavour and, like diluted yoghurt, can be utilised in a variety of ways. Kefir is a fermented milk drink that contains lactic acid bacteria as well as a dozen other bacterial types. It has about the same calorie count as buttermilk.
Kefir has a similar flavour and consistency to buttermilk, which is a typical component in baking and cooking. You can use plain kefir in recipes or make it curlier by adding a little acid. Kefir is frequently sold in huge containers, allowing you to utilise it in lesser amounts than required in most recipes. To make kefir a buttermilk substitute, use it in recipes that call for buttermilk in a one-to-one ratio.
What is a Good Substitute for Buttermilk?
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Buttermilk Substitute for Baked Goods and Pancakes
Sour milk works well as an ersatz buttermilk in baked items like pancakes, waffles, and muffins. To make your own soured milk, combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with 1 cup milk in a measuring cup. Stir well and set aside for 5 minutes, or until it curdles. In place of buttermilk, use this mixture in your recipe.
Sour milk can also be made with cream of tartar. For every cup of milk, use 1 3/4 tablespoons cream of tartar. Because cream of tartar can clump when mixed with liquids, some individuals choose to combine it with the dry components in their recipe. In this scenario, replace the buttermilk with an equivalent amount of milk.
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Buttermilk Substitute for Dips and Dressings
If you’re making a dip, sauce, or marinade, plain yoghurt works great. Thin it with a little water or milk to make it similar to ordinary buttermilk, then use it in your recipe cup for cup.
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Buttermilk Substitute for Marinades and Brines
If you want to brine chicken in buttermilk, fry it, or roast it, you can use thinned yoghurt or soured milk instead. Choose a scant cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for the greatest tenderising flavour, then season with salt, freshly ground pepper, paprika, and minced fresh garlic or a dab of garlic powder.
What are the Similarities Between Buttermilk vs. Milk for Fried Chicken?
Although buttermilk and milk are different in many ways, they can both be used to make the same item. Here are some buttermilk and milk similarities:
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Regular milk can be substituted for buttermilk by adding a few drops of lemon juice
To tenderise chicken before frying, use buttermilk. You can, however, completely replace it with milk and a sour agent such as lemon juice or vinegar, at a ratio of one cup of milk to one teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Although the texture will differ slightly because buttermilk is thicker, they will function similarly and have a comparable flavour. So if you only have one of these ingredients on hand, go ahead and make some fried chicken.
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Buttermilk and milk are affordable and easy to buy
Another resemblance is that buttermilk and milk are both readily available in any grocery store or supermarket in the United States or around the world. They’re also reasonably priced, with milk costing around $2.5 per gallon and buttermilk costing roughly $5.
If flavour and aesthetics are most important to you, use buttermilk, which has a tangier flavour and is lower in calories and fat. Milk, on the other hand, is higher in vitamins and also a little less expensive. To substitute buttermilk, you can use milk with a dash of lemon juice or vinegar; the result will be the same. Give them both a shot and see which one makes your fried chicken taste better in your opinion.
Can you Fry Chicken Without Using Milk?
This fried chicken without buttermilk will give you new perspectives on a tasty chicken dish, especially if you’re a fan of southern fried chicken. This Fried Chicken dish is one you’ll want to make again and again because it’s made with only a few common cupboard components.
Fried chicken is a piece of chicken that has been heavily coated and then fried in oil until crispy and cooked through. While most fried chicken recipes call for buttermilk for a variety of reasons, this simple recipe does not. Not requiring buttermilk or a buttermilk substitute is a terrific way to avoid a quick trip to the shop and can allow you to enjoy the process of preparing chicken without having to look for obscure ingredients.
Whisk together the ketchup, soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a large mixing basin. Then, in the large basin with the marinade, toss the chicken pieces to thoroughly coat them. After that, cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour. In a Dutch oven, heat 3 inches of oil over medium-high heat (you want it to be about 350 degrees F). Fill a medium bowl halfway with water and set it aside. Combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, turmeric, salt, and chilli powder in a large shallow dish (like a pie plate) (if desired).
Place the breaded chicken in the frying pan that has been heated. Small batches of chicken should be fried for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the juices flow clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Allow the chicken to cool for a few minutes on paper towels before serving. Enjoy!
How Long can you Marinate Chicken in Buttermilk?
According to the USDA, marinating chicken in buttermilk for up to 48 hours in the fridge is safe. It’s crucial to realise that just because it’s safe to store chicken marinated in butter for two days doesn’t mean it’s the greatest option. In most circumstances, simply marinating chicken in buttermilk for 1-3 hours will be enough.
The longer you keep the chicken in the marinade, the more likely the protein structure of the meat will be broken down and the meat will become mushy. However, if your recipe calls for it to be marinated for longer, that is great as well. Yes, for 48 hours, but maybe for 72 hours. According to the USDA, marinating chicken in buttermilk for up to 48 hours is safe. Anything more than that could be dangerous.
Please keep in mind that the majority of these times are just suggestions; chefs all over the world have successfully experimented with extended marination times with chicken. However, there is always the possibility that the flesh will get mushy. As a result, unless you are completely certain, it is preferable to stick to a shorter time frame.
What are Some Recipes Using Buttermilk Substitute?
If a recipe calls for buttermilk for flavour, texture, or rise, it’s definitely preferable to use real buttermilk, but I’ve used buttermilk substitutes successfully in a variety of recipes. The finished outcome may differ somewhat from using real buttermilk, but as far as replacements go, this is as near as you can get.
It’s easy to substitute buttermilk in a recipe with less buttermilk. If a recipe calls for a modest amount of buttermilk, you’re unlikely to notice a difference if you use this alternative. When buttermilk is a vital ingredient in a dish, I strive to use the real thing. Here are a few of my favourite buttermilk recipes:
Pumpkin Carrot Cake: – A delicious, savoury layer cake with carrots, pumpkin, and toasty spices.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Homemade Strawberry Syrup:- Tender and fluffy chocolate chip pancakes with homemade strawberry syrup.
Blueberry Pancake Casserole:- A thick and fluffy pancake casserole topped with a brown sugar crumble and packed with fresh blueberries.
Warm Strawberry Crumb Cake: A layer of ripe strawberries is covered with vanilla cake and brown sugar crumbs.
Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake: A tender lemon bundt cake topped with cream cheese icing and packed with fresh blueberries.
Oatmeal Pancakes: Whole grain pancakes that are light, delicate, and fluffy.
Conclusion
Although buttermilk was once a byproduct of the butter-making process, modern buttermilk is manufactured by fermenting milk with lactic acid bacteria.
It’s used to make biscuits, pancakes, waffles, muffins, and cakes since it has a tangy flavour and a thicker consistency than milk. Buttermilk lends a soft, moist feel to baked products. Its acidity activates baking soda and functions as a raising agent in recipes. Many people, however, do not keep it on hand, and others do not use it due to dietary concerns.
