How to Substitute Almond Milk for Buttermilk (Vegan Option)

Did you know you can substitute almond milk for buttermilk in baking and cooking and still get the same delicious results in your favorite recipes!? With just two ingredients, you can create a perfect dairy-free vegan buttermilk that works beautifully.

If you've never made your own vegan buttermilk before, my simple recipe is easy! Whether you're lactose intolerant, vegan, or just need a lighter option for your dietary needs, my guide is going to show you exactly how to make buttermilk with almond milk and lemon juice.

What Is Buttermilk?

Traditional buttermilk has a long history in baking and cooking. Originally, it was the tangy tasting liquid left behind after churning butter, but today’s store-bought commercial buttermilk is cultured with lactic acid bacteria to achieve the same flavor.

Buttermilk is most often used in baked goods and pancakes to help tenderize gluten, add moisture, and react with a leavening agent to create fluffy textures. It's also sometimes used in marinades too.

Buttermilk vs. Milk in Baking

If you've ever wondered why some recipes call for buttermilk instead of regular milk, the difference lies in their acidity and how they interact with other ingredients.

• Acidity & Leavening: Buttermilk has a slight acidity, which reacts with baking soda or baking powder to help baked goods rise, creating a lighter and fluffier texture. Regular cow's milk and plant milk lacks this acidity and won’t produce the same chemical reactions.
• Texture & Moisture: The tangy, slightly thick consistency of buttermilk adds tenderness and moisture to baked goods. Using plain milk may result in a drier or denser texture unless adjustments are made.
• Flavor Impact: Buttermilk provides a subtle tangy flavor that enhances pancakes, biscuits, and cakes, while other milks tend to have a more neutral taste.

Homemade Vegan Buttermilk

The good news is that you can easily replicate buttermilk’s tangy flavor and creamy texture using plant-based ingredients. By adding an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar to almond milk, you create a reaction that curdles the milk to mimic regular buttermilk.

Plus, this homemade vegan substitute is not only easy to prepare but is lower in calories and low fat compared to any store-bought version of dairy buttermilk.

How to Make Almond Milk Buttermilk

Learning how to substitute almond milk for buttermilk is incredibly easy. You only need two simple ingredients and about 10 minutes.

*Find the recipe card below for information and amounts.

1. Measure: First, measure 1 cup of almond milk and put it into a bowl or large measuring cup.
2. Add Acid: Add 1 tablespoon acid like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to the almond milk. Then stir and let the mixture sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Check: Once the almond milk slightly curdles and thickens it's ready. You just make your own homemade vegan buttermilk.
4. Use: Use one cup of vegan buttermilk in place of every cup of regular buttermilk for all your vegan cooking needs.

Vegan Baking with Almond Milk Buttermilk

This dairy-free buttermilk substitute works beautifully in a lot of vegan baked goods and vegan pancakes. Some of the best uses include:

• Fluffy pancakes and waffles – Helps create a tender texture.
• Moist vegan cakes and muffins – Enhances rise and flavor.
• Biscuits and scones – Adds a rich, tangy taste to vegan buttermilk biscuits.

⭐️ If a recipe calls for traditional buttermilk, you can use this substitute for buttermilk in a 1:1 ratio with no issues!

Expert Tips

This easy vegan buttermilk recipe is not difficult but to ensure it performs just as good as traditional modern buttermilk, keep these tips in mind:

• Let it sit long enough: Give the milk mixture at least 10 minutes to curdle for best results.
• Use room temperature ingredients: This helps the acid react more effectively.
• Avoid flavored almond milk: Stick with plain unsweetened almond milk to maintain the right taste and consistency.
• Use Different Milk: If you have a nut allergy feel free to use any type of non-dairy milk like soy milk or rice milk. Vegan buttermilk oat milk is popular too.

Storage

If you make more than you need, storing almond milk buttermilk is simple:

• Fridge: Store leftover buttermilk in an airtight container like a mason jar for up to 3 days for later use. Just give it a shake before use.
• Freeze: Pour into ice cube trays for easy portioning, freeze, and then store in a freezer bag. Then just take the non-dairy buttermilk cubes out of the freezer as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions