No Buttermilk? No Problem! Make Your Own in 10 Minutes With Just Milk and Lemon Juice

If you’ve ever started making pancakes, biscuits, or muffins—only to realize you’re out of buttermilk—you’re not alone. The good news is you don’t need to rush to the store. You can make perfect homemade buttermilk in just 10 minutes using two simple ingredients you probably already have: regular milk and lemon juice.

This quick kitchen trick works beautifully in baking and cooking, giving your recipes that classic tangy flavor and fluffy texture.

Why Buttermilk Matters in Baking

Buttermilk is more than just “slightly sour milk.” It plays an important role in many recipes:

• Makes pancakes softer and fluffier
• Helps biscuits, cakes, and muffins rise higher
• Adds a subtle tangy flavor
• Creates a tender crumb in baked goods

Its acidity reacts with baking soda to create light, airy textures—perfect for breakfast treats.

How to Make Homemade Buttermilk in 10 Minutes

You’ll only need two ingredients:

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) of regular milk
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of milk into a bowl or measuring cup.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
3. Stir gently.
4. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.

You will notice the milk start to look slightly thick and curdled — that’s exactly what you want. This means the lemon juice has acidified the milk, turning it into a perfect homemade buttermilk substitute.

Can You Use Vinegar Instead of Lemon Juice?

Yes! If you don’t have lemon juice, white vinegar works just as well.

Use the same ratio:

• 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Let it sit for the same 10 minutes.

Best Uses for This Quick Buttermilk Substitute

This homemade version works perfectly in recipes like:

• Pancakes
• Waffles
• Biscuits
• Cornbread
• Muffins
• Cakes
• Banana bread

It gives your baked goods the same fluffy texture and rich flavor you’d get from store-bought buttermilk.

A Simple Trick Every Home Cook Should Know

This 10-minute DIY buttermilk trick is a lifesaver for busy mornings, last-minute baking, or anyone who doesn’t keep buttermilk stocked regularly. It’s quick, reliable, and works beautifully in most recipes.

Next time you crave warm, fluffy pancakes—but realize you’re missing buttermilk—you’ll know exactly what to do. Just add lemon juice, wait 10 minutes, and get cooking!

Sources of Reference

1. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
   Food Safety and Home Cooking Tips – Provides guidance on safe dairy handling and common ingredient substitutions in home kitchens.
   https://www.usda.gov
2. King Arthur Baking Company
   Baking FAQs: Buttermilk Substitutes – Explains how to make homemade buttermilk with lemon juice or vinegar and why it works in baking recipes.
   https://www.kingarthurbaking.com
3. The Kitchn
   How to Make Buttermilk Substitute – Offers step-by-step instructions for creating buttermilk using milk and lemon juice or vinegar.
   https://www.thekitchn.com
4. Food Network Kitchen
   Buttermilk Substitution Guide – Provides expert advice from chefs on quick buttermilk alternatives and their uses in cooking and baking.
   https://www.foodnetwork.com
5. Serious Eats
   Cooking Basics: DIY Buttermilk – Describes the science behind adding acid to milk and how it benefits baking.
   https://www.seriouseats.com