🥛 Dairy

Buttermilk Substitutes for Fried Chicken: Tender & Crispy

Find the best substitutes for buttermilk in fried chicken marinades and brines. Learn proper ratios and techniques for tender, crispy results.

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Quick Answer

For fried chicken buttermilk, the best substitutes are Greek Yogurt + Milk, Sour Cream + Milk, and Kefir. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these marinade techniques for optimal results.

Best Substitutes

Greek Yogurt + Milk

1:1 (1/2 cup Greek yogurt + 1/2 cup milk per cup)

Greek yogurt with milk provides similar tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Perfect for when you want the creamy marinade with added protein benefits.

Best for:

fried chickenwhen you want tenderizingprotein benefitscreamy marinademost buttermilk recipes

Mix equal parts Greek yogurt and milk per cup of buttermilk. Use plain Greek yogurt for best results. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours for tenderizing.

Sour Cream + Milk

1:1 (1/2 cup sour cream + 1/2 cup milk per cup)

Sour cream with milk provides similar tang and tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with added richness.

Best for:

fried chickenwhen you want tangrichnesstenderizingmost buttermilk recipes

Mix equal parts sour cream and milk per cup of buttermilk. Use full-fat sour cream for best results. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours for tenderizing.

Kefir

1:1

Kefir provides similar tang and tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Good for when you want the authentic fermented dairy character with probiotic benefits.

Best for:

fried chickenwhen you want probioticsfermented flavortenderizingmost buttermilk recipes

Use in equal amounts by volume. Kefir has a similar tang and consistency to buttermilk. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours for tenderizing.

Milk + Vinegar

1:1 (1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar per cup)

Milk with vinegar provides similar acidity and tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Good for when you want the acid tenderizing with easy preparation.

Best for:

fried chickenwhen you want acidityeasy preparationtenderizingmost buttermilk recipes

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours.

Milk + Lemon Juice

1:1 (1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice per cup)

Milk with lemon juice provides similar acidity and tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Good for when you want the acid tenderizing with a slightly different flavor.

Best for:

fried chickenwhen you want aciditylemon flavortenderizingmost buttermilk recipes

Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For buttermilk fried chicken, use Greek yogurt + milk for the best tenderizing
  • 💡When making buttermilk fried chicken, marinate for at least 2 hours for best results
  • 💡For buttermilk fried chicken, use sour cream + milk for rich, tangy flavor
  • 💡In buttermilk fried chicken, use kefir for authentic fermented character
  • 💡For buttermilk fried chicken, use milk + vinegar for easy preparation
  • 💡When making buttermilk fried chicken, pat chicken dry before breading
  • 💡For buttermilk fried chicken, use double breading for extra crispiness
  • 💡In buttermilk fried chicken, fry at 350°F for golden brown results

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best substitute for buttermilk in fried chicken?

Greek yogurt + milk is the best substitute for buttermilk in fried chicken. Mix equal parts Greek yogurt and milk per cup of buttermilk and marinate for at least 2 hours.

Can I use sour cream instead of buttermilk for fried chicken?

Yes, sour cream + milk works well as a buttermilk substitute for fried chicken. Mix equal parts sour cream and milk per cup of buttermilk.

How long should I marinate chicken in buttermilk substitute?

Marinate chicken in buttermilk substitute for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours for maximum tenderizing. The longer the marination, the more tender the chicken.

What can I use instead of buttermilk for fried chicken?

For fried chicken, use Greek yogurt + milk for best tenderizing, sour cream + milk for richness, or kefir for authentic fermented flavor.

Can I use kefir instead of buttermilk for fried chicken?

Yes, kefir works well as a buttermilk substitute for fried chicken. Use equal amounts by volume and marinate for at least 2 hours.

Summary

Find the best substitutes for buttermilk in fried chicken marinades and brines. Learn proper ratios and techniques for tender, crispy results.