Can I substitute buttermilk with kefir
Ava Hall
Updated on March 29, 2026
Unflavored kefir is a fermented milk beverage that looks and tastes like buttermilk ( 6 ). You can use plain kefir to replace buttermilk cup for cup. Therefore, if your recipe calls for 1 cup (240 mL) of buttermilk, simply substitute 1 cup (240 mL) of kefir.
What is the best buttermilk substitute?
- Acidified Milk. Add one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, and add enough milk until it measures 1 cup. …
- Watered-Down Yogurt. …
- Watered-Down Sour Cream. …
- Kefir. …
- Cream of Tartar and Milk.
Can anything be substituted for buttermilk?
All you need to make a substitute for buttermilk in baking recipes is milk and white vinegar, or lemon juice. … Measure one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice into a liquid measuring cup. Add in a scant cup of milk and fill to the 1 cup measurement line. Stir the mixture together and let sit for 5 minutes.
How do you substitute kefir for baking?
Replace it with yogurt thinned with milk. If you need 1 cup of kefir, use 3/4 cup of plain yogurt thinned with 1/4 cup milk.Can I substitute kefir for yogurt in baking?
Baking: Cakes, Breads, and Muffins Dairy kefir can be substituted for yogurt or buttermilk in your favorite baked goods. It’s a great way to use up excess kefir.
Can I use oat milk instead of buttermilk?
Pro Tips. You can make vegan buttermilk with soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and even coconut milk. BE SURE IT IS UNSWEETENED!!! Apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, and lemon juice all work well for this recipe.
What is a quick substitute for buttermilk?
The simplest way to substitute buttermilk is to pour 1 Tbs. of vinegar into a 1 cup measurer and then fill the rest of the measuring cup with milk. Then gently stir the mixture and let it sit for about 5 minutes. If you don’t have vinegar, lemon juice and cream of tarter also work as great buttermilk substitutions.
What is kefir in baking?
Kefir is an extremely versatile baking ingredient and when substituted for milk, buttermilk or water, will produce a delicious and healthy twist for any dish imaginable. Because it’s fermented and cultured, it adds both texture and taste to any baked good.What's better kefir or Greek yogurt?
Compared to Greek yogurt, kefir has a wider, more abundant variety of probiotics and vitamins. These help keep the gut microbiota healthy, but don’t eat too much too soon! Mild stomach can occur with quick probiotic introduction.
Can you substitute kefir for sour cream?Use Kefir. Same goes with unflavored, unsweetened kefir—it’s runnier than sour cream but a fine substitute in baking, dressings, or even you morning pancakes.
Article first time published onWhat can I substitute for 1/3 cup buttermilk?
1/3 cup buttermilk: 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice + 1/3 cup milk of choice. 1/2 cup buttermilk: 1 1/2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice + 1/2 cup milk of choice. 2/3 cup buttermilk: 2 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice + 2/3 cup milk of choice.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk?
Yogurt works best when substituted for buttermilk in a 1-to-1 ratio. That is, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of buttermilk, you can simply replace it with 1 cup of plain yogurt. … Greek yogurt, on the other hand, would not work as well because it does not have the same viscosity and may rob the recipe of moisture.
What is a vegan substitute for buttermilk?
1. Lemon juice. Add one to two tablespoons lemon juice to a plant-based milk alternative (such as soy milk or almond milk) to measure one cup. Stir the mixture, let it stand for five to ten minutes or until thickened (aka curdled) and you’re good to go.
What do you use kefir for?
- #1: Smoothies. Smoothies are an easy way to start experimenting with kefir. …
- #2: Salad Dressing. Kefir can be used in creamy dressings in place of yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream. …
- #3: Summer Salads. …
- #4: Popsicles. …
- #5: Ice Cream. …
- #6: Spreadable Cheese.
Is kefir still healthy when cooked?
Milk kefir contains beneficial bacteria, which can help to break down or predigest different ingredient or foods. Once cooked, the bacteria will be killed.
Does kefir turn into yogurt?
It’s easy to create Greek yogurt from this, too! … Using kefir at the start creates a much more tart yogurt from the start; it tastes a lot like Sana from Europe. You can substitute plain yogurt with live active cultures for the kefir, if desired. Save 1/2 cup of yogurt to use a starter, if desired.
How do you make Greek yogurt into buttermilk?
- Add 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt or 3/4 cup of regular plain yogurt (unsweetened) to a liquid measuring cup.
- Add milk until the total volume is 1 cup. Whisk until smooth.
What is a dairy free substitute for buttermilk?
- Lemon juice. Add one to two tablespoons lemon juice to a plant-based milk alternative (such as soy milk or almond milk) to measure one cup. …
- Vinegar. …
- Cream of tartar. …
- Vegan sour cream. …
- Vegan yogurt. …
- Tofu. …
- Homemade nut cream.
What can I use instead of buttermilk UK?
- Place a Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup.
- Add enough milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line.
- Let stand for five minute. Then, use as much as your recipe calls for.
Can almond milk be used for buttermilk?
To substitute almond milk for regular milk, use the same amount called for in the recipe and use unsweetened almond milk. … For buttermilk, which is tangier than milk, add a little squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar. The almond milk won’t be as thick, but the acid helps replicate the flavor of buttermilk.
Does oat milk curdle when heated?
You may have already noticed that Oat ‘Milk’ is more tolerant of heat than a nut-based counterpart like Almond, for example. … For the purpose of cooking with plant ‘milks’, controlling the curdling effect is very much about understanding the temperature your milk can tolerate.
Is kefir better than buttermilk?
Not only did kefir work, we found the flavor and texture of those versions as good as or better than buttermilk in each case except for the cake, which was slightly denser but still had good flavor.
Why kefir is bad for you?
Kefir can cause side effects like bloating, nausea, intestinal cramping, and constipation, especially when first started. These side effects usually stop with continued use.
Can you cook with kefir yogurt?
It can be drunk straight-up or used in all sorts of ways in the kitchen, added to smoothies or pancakes, as a buttermilk-replacement in soda bread or for a tangy dip. It makes a great alternative to yogurt, cream and buttermilk, adding a bio-live boost to lots of recipes.
Can I put kefir in my coffee?
Depending on what kind of coffee kefir beverage you want to make, you can also use water kefir. … Now you can either add Kefir cultures to your coffee and let it ferment for a while, or you can add ready-to-drink Kefir to your coffee and mix well.
What can I do with old kefir?
Use your over-soured kefir in any smoothie recipes calling for yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk. You don’t have to do the whole amount with your strong kefir; just replace some of the dairy with it to strike the right flavor balance.
Is sour cream the same as kefir?
Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus. … The only difference between making milk kefir and Kefir Sour Cream is that you will ferment heavy cream instead of milk. You are getting all the same, powerful health benefits of milk kefir in a rich, creamy sour cream.
Can you substitute kefir for creme fraiche?
Traditional recipes for crème fraîche will call for buttermilk, but kefir can also be used. … If you don’t have milk kefir or buttermilk, you can use sour cream, as long as it has live cultures in it.
How do you substitute milk for buttermilk?
Milk + Lemon Juice or Vinegar For each cup of buttermilk needed, use 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand for 5 minutes. If you’re out of milk, these are the best milk substitutes.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar to make buttermilk?
Yes! You can use either white vinegar (my personal preference) or apple cider vinegar to make a buttermilk substitute.
Can I use half and half instead of buttermilk?
Can you use half and half instead of buttermilk? You can. However, in recipes that also require baking soda to counteract the buttermilk, you should remove the baking soda, or you can turn your half and half into a similar product to buttermilk by adding lemon juice or vinegar.