🥛 Dairy

Yogurt Substitute for Buttermilk: Complete Guide

Learn how to use yogurt as a buttermilk substitute in baking and cooking. Discover ratios, tips, and which recipes work best with yogurt instead of buttermilk.

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Quick Answer

Yes, you can use yogurt as a buttermilk substitute using a 1:1 ratio in most recipes. For liquid consistency, thin yogurt with milk or water. Yogurt provides similar tanginess and acidity that buttermilk adds to recipes.

Best Substitutes

Plain Yogurt + Milk

3:1 (3 parts yogurt, 1 part milk)

Thinned yogurt that mimics buttermilk's liquid consistency

Best for:

pancakesbiscuitsmuffinswhen you need liquid consistency

Mix yogurt with milk to achieve buttermilk-like consistency

Greek Yogurt + Milk

2:1 (2 parts Greek yogurt, 1 part milk)

Thick yogurt thinned with milk for buttermilk consistency

Best for:

pancakesbiscuitsmuffinswhen you want more protein

Greek yogurt provides more protein, mix with milk for proper consistency

Yogurt + Water

3:1 (3 parts yogurt, 1 part water)

Yogurt thinned with water for buttermilk consistency

Best for:

pancakesbiscuitsmuffinswhen you want lower fat

Use water instead of milk for lower fat content

Yogurt + Lemon Juice

1:1 + 1 tsp lemon juice per cup

Yogurt with added acidity to match buttermilk's tanginess

Best for:

when you want more tanginessmarinadesdressings

Add lemon juice to increase acidity and tanginess

Cooking Tips

  • 💡For baking, thin yogurt with milk to achieve buttermilk-like consistency
  • 💡Use plain, unsweetened yogurt to avoid affecting the recipe's sweetness
  • 💡Greek yogurt provides more protein but needs more liquid to thin
  • 💡For marinades, yogurt works well without thinning
  • 💡Yogurt provides similar tanginess and acidity that buttermilk adds
  • 💡If the mixture is too thick, add more milk or water
  • 💡Yogurt works best in recipes that rely on buttermilk for moisture and tanginess

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Learn how to use yogurt as a buttermilk substitute in baking and cooking. Discover ratios, tips, and which recipes work best with yogurt instead of buttermilk.