Best Vegan Buttermilk Substitutes: Plant-Based Alternatives
Find the best vegan substitutes for buttermilk in baking, cooking, and recipes. Learn proper ratios and techniques for plant-based alternatives.
Quick Answer
For vegan buttermilk, the best substitutes are Almond Milk + Vinegar, Soy Milk + Lemon Juice, and Coconut Milk + Apple Cider Vinegar. Use 1:1 ratio and follow these plant-based techniques for optimal results.
Best Substitutes
Almond Milk + Vinegar
1:1 (1 cup almond milk + 1 tbsp vinegar per cup)Almond milk with vinegar provides similar acidity and tang to buttermilk. Perfect for baking, pancakes, and when you want the buttermilk tang with nutty flavor.
Best for:
Mix 1 cup almond milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use unsweetened almond milk for best results.
Soy Milk + Lemon Juice
1:1 (1 cup soy milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice per cup)Soy milk with lemon juice provides similar acidity and tang to buttermilk. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with protein benefits.
Best for:
Mix 1 cup soy milk with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use unsweetened soy milk for best results.
Coconut Milk + Apple Cider Vinegar
1:1 (1 cup coconut milk + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar per cup)Coconut milk with apple cider vinegar provides similar acidity and richness to buttermilk. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with tropical flavor.
Best for:
Mix 1 cup coconut milk with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use full-fat coconut milk for best results.
Oat Milk + Vinegar
1:1 (1 cup oat milk + 1 tbsp vinegar per cup)Oat milk with vinegar provides similar acidity and creaminess to buttermilk. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with oat flavor.
Best for:
Mix 1 cup oat milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use unsweetened oat milk for best results.
Cashew Milk + Lemon Juice
1:1 (1 cup cashew milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice per cup)Cashew milk with lemon juice provides similar acidity and creaminess to buttermilk. Good for when you want the buttermilk character with nutty flavor.
Best for:
Mix 1 cup cashew milk with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles. Use unsweetened cashew milk for best results.
Cooking Tips
- 💡For vegan buttermilk in baking, use almond milk + vinegar for the best acid reaction
- 💡When making vegan buttermilk pancakes, use soy milk + lemon juice for protein benefits
- 💡For vegan buttermilk in cakes, use coconut milk + apple cider vinegar for richness
- 💡In vegan buttermilk biscuits, use oat milk + vinegar for creaminess
- 💡For vegan buttermilk in muffins, use cashew milk + lemon juice for smooth texture
- 💡When making vegan buttermilk cornbread, use coconut milk + apple cider vinegar for tropical flavor
- 💡For vegan buttermilk in scones, use almond milk + vinegar for nutty flavor
- 💡In vegan buttermilk waffles, use soy milk + lemon juice for protein benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best vegan substitute for buttermilk?
Almond milk + vinegar is the best vegan substitute for buttermilk. Mix 1 cup almond milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
Can I use soy milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, soy milk + lemon juice works well as a vegan buttermilk substitute. Mix 1 cup soy milk with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice per cup of buttermilk.
How do I make vegan buttermilk with coconut milk?
Mix 1 cup coconut milk with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar per cup of buttermilk. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until it curdles and thickens.
What can I use instead of buttermilk in vegan baking?
For vegan baking, use almond milk + vinegar for the best acid reaction, soy milk + lemon juice for protein benefits, or coconut milk + apple cider vinegar for richness.
Can I use oat milk instead of buttermilk?
Yes, oat milk + vinegar works as a vegan buttermilk substitute. Mix 1 cup oat milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar per cup of buttermilk.
Summary
Find the best vegan substitutes for buttermilk in baking, cooking, and recipes. Learn proper ratios and techniques for plant-based alternatives.