Use Buttermilk Substitute: Milk + Vinegar

The Problem

Recipe calls for buttermilk. You don't have any and you're not buying a whole quart for 1 cup.

The Hack

Measure 1 cup of regular milk. Add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Stir once and let sit for 5 minutes. It will curdle slightly — that's perfect.

Why It Works

The acid in vinegar curdles milk proteins, mimicking buttermilk's thick, tangy consistency. This acidic liquid reacts with baking soda in recipes, creating the same leavening and tenderness as real buttermilk.

Pro Tips

• Works with any milk — whole, 2%, even plant-based
• Lemon juice and white vinegar both work equally well
• Use immediately — don't store the substitute
• This is what professional bakeries use when they run out of buttermilk