Out of Buttermilk, one case
Buttermilk substitutes for fried chicken: tender & crispy
5 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Greek yogurt + milk
½ cup Greek yogurt + ½ cup milk for every cup of buttermilk
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 for —
- fried chicken
One casethe full buttermilk card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup buttermilk |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greek yogurt + milkfried chicken | ½ cup Greek yogurt + ½ cup milk |
| 2 | Sour cream + milkfried chicken | ½ cup sour cream + ½ cup milk |
| 3 | Kefirfried chicken | Same amountWorks |
| 4 | Milk + vinegarfried chicken | 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegarWorks |
| 5 | Milk + lemon juicefried chicken | 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice |
Greek yogurt + milk
similar taste, thicker texture
Greek yogurt with milk provides similar tenderizing properties to buttermilk in fried chicken. Good for when you want the creamy marinade with added protein benefits.
- Best for
- fried chicken, when you want tenderizing, protein benefits, creamy marinade, most 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
similar taste, thicker texture
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 chicken, when you want tang, richness, tenderizing, most 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
similar taste and texture
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 chicken, when you want probiotics, fermented flavor, tenderizing, most 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
similar taste and texture
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 chicken, when you want acidity, easy preparation, tenderizing, most 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
slightly different · similar texture
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 chicken, when you want acidity, lemon flavor, tenderizing, most 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.
How it behaves in this recipe
When using buttermilk substitutes for fried chicken, the goal is to replicate the tenderizing properties and tang that buttermilk provides. The recommended substitutes work because they combine similar acidity levels with complementary textures while maintaining the intended functionality in marinades and brines.
Tips for substituting buttermilk
8 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
Notes on buttermilk
- For buttermilk fried chicken: Use Greek yogurt + milk for tenderizing
- For buttermilk fried chicken: Use sour cream + milk for richness
- For buttermilk fried chicken: Use kefir for fermented flavor
- For buttermilk fried chicken: Use milk + vinegar for easy preparation
- For buttermilk fried chicken: Use milk + lemon juice for acidity
Questions
5 questionsWhat'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.