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Milk types

What are some dairy-free alternatives to buttermilk?

By Drinks Type Editorial TeamPublished Jul 23, 2025Updated Nov 5, 20261 min read
Quick answer

You can make a dairy-free buttermilk substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a measuring cup, filling it to 1 cup with plant milk such as soy, and waiting 5 to 10 minutes. University of Maine Cooperative Extension says any milk type, including nut, oat and soy, works.

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In this article
  1. How do you make dairy-free buttermilk?
  2. Which plant milk should you use?
  3. Are there other swaps?
  4. How long does it keep?

How do you make dairy-free buttermilk?

Put 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar in a liquid measuring cup, fill to the 1 cup mark with milk and stir. Let it sit 5 to 10 minutes until it looks lightly curdled. University of Maine Cooperative Extension says any milk type (cow’s, nut, oat, soy and others) and any fat level can be used. Utah State University Extension lists the same 1 tablespoon of acid per cup, with a 5 minute stand.

Which plant milk should you use?

The extension pages do not rank the plant milks, so we cannot name a best one. USDA data shows how they differ in calories and protein, which may matter in a recipe.

USDA entry Per 100 g Per 1 cup (244 g), our calculation
Buttermilk (dairy) 43 kcal, 3.46 g protein about 105 kcal
Soy milk, unsweetened 38 kcal, 3.55 g protein about 93 kcal
Almond milk, unsweetened 15 kcal, 0.55 g protein about 37 kcal

Are there other swaps?

Utah State also lists 1 3/4 teaspoons of cream of tartar plus 1 cup of milk. Use a plant milk to keep it dairy-free; the page does not test that. Plain yogurt is on the same list, but it is dairy unless you buy a plant-based one.

How long does it keep?

Maine Extension says to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 4 days. If you have an allergy, check the plant milk label.

People also ask

What is a good non dairy substitute for buttermilk?

Plant milk plus 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar per cup, rested 5 to 10 minutes, per University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Can I use soy milk or almond milk as a buttermilk substitute?

Maine Extension says any milk type, including nut and soy, can be used. It does not say which works best.

Is there a lactose free buttermilk substitute?

Using a lactose-free or plant milk with the same acid method follows the extension steps, but the page does not test lactose-free milk specifically.

General information only, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, ask your doctor before changing what you drink.

Sources

  1. University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Buttermilk, read 5 Nov 2026
  2. Utah State University Extension: List of Ingredient Substitutions for Cooking and Baking, read 5 Nov 2026
  3. USDA FoodData Central: Buttermilk (FDC 2705393), Soy milk unsweetened (FDC 2705405), Almond milk unsweetened (FDC 2705409), read 5 Nov 2026
Written by Drinks Type Editorial Team · Published Jul 23, 2025 · Updated Nov 5, 2026
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