20 sweet and savoury buttermilk recipes

Rich, creamy, and slightly sour buttermilk is a versatile ingredient that lends a delicious texture and flavour to anything it's added to - from fluffy pancakes to crispy fried chicken and more.

Nov 17, 2021 1:00pm

What is buttermilk?

Essentially, buttermilk refers to the liquid left behind after milk has been churned into butter. Since much of the fat from the milk becomes butter, the remaining buttermilk is generally low in fat but still tastes deliciously rich and creamy. It also has a slightly sour taste, which lends buttermilk to be worked into both sweet and savoury recipes. In baking buttermilk helps create a light, moist texture.

How to make buttermilk

While buttermilk is readily available at most supermarkets, it is possible to make buttermilk, or buttermilk alternatives, at home.
Perhaps the easiest way to create a buttermilk substitute is to stir two tablespoons of lemon juice into 1 cup of milk and place it in the fridge. After about 10 minutes the mixture will have curdled slightly, and is ready to use.
If you have a bit more time you can make buttermilk easily at home with pouring cream and elbow grease. Simply beat cream in a bowl until the mixture thickens and then splits into butter and buttermilk. Strain the mixture into a glass bowl through a fine sieve lined with muslin. Gather the butter in the muslin and squeeze to release all the moisture. Press the solid butter into a container for later use. Refrigerate the buttermilk in a glass bottle or jug until ready for use.

How to cook with buttermilk

This versatile ingredient is welcome in so many dishes! Add buttermilk to cakes, pancakes and muffins for a fluffy, moist texture. Marinate chicken pieces in buttermilk for a tender, tasty meat. Buttermilk also goes great in salad dressings, where its creamy texture and slightly sour flavour really stand out.
Looking for more buttermilk pancake recipes?
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Berry buttermilk muffins

Perfect for the lunchbox, these easy berry muffins make a delicious morning or afternoon snack.

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Buttermilk mushroom chicken

You only need 30 minutes to make this creamy, juicy mushroom and chicken dinner delight and you don't need to worry about washing up - everyone will be licking their plates clean!

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Chocolate buttermilk ombre cake

This chocolate cake from The Australian Women's Weekly's 'Cake and Co.' cookbook is wonderfully moist, with a sweet but not too rich chocolate flavour. Decorated with our three chocolate-flavoured buttercreams and a generous dusting of cocoa powder, this stunning dessert makes an incredible centrepiece for any event.

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Lime syrup buttermilk cake

Pop the kettle on and enjoy a thick slice of this zesty buttermilk cake drizzled in lime syrup.

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Flourless chocolate buttermilk cake

The secret to this super-fudgy cake is the buttermilk which makes it moist and decadent!

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Just five ingredients are need to turn out these basic fluffy buttermilk pancakes from the Women's Weekly. Add a drizzle of maple syrup to finish for an easy and delicious breakfast pancake recipe.

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This fluffy pancakes recipe owes its delightful texture to buttermilk (and one other clever technique).

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Marinated in buttermilk, this delicious southern fried chicken recipe is the perfect combination of tender meat and crispy coating.

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Not all buttermilk chicken recipes are fried! This spicy buttermilk chicken recipe uses buttermilk to tenderise the meat, and create an irresistable char on the BBQ hotplate.

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Of course we couldn't leave our this delicious recipe for buttermilk scones.

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Buttermilk mac 'n' cheese is a flavourful spin on this classic comfort food.

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You'll love the texture and taste of these tender berry buttermilk muffins.

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The tangy buttermilk dressing on this apple slaw is sure to be your new favourite.

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With its creamy texture and distinctive tang, buttermilk is ideal in these buttermilk panna cotta.

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The buttermilk dressing in this recipe for bream with kohlrabi, watercress and walnut salad is seasoned with dill and mustard for an elegant and mouthwatering meal.

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Buttermilk features in the batter for these fried buttermilk and mustard chicken wings, which make a perfect finger food.

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