With its delicious tang , elusive prolificacy , and tenderizing capabilities , buttermilk has so many uses in preparation and broil .

Blaine Moats

This dairy farm - typeface staple has so much culinary potential — it tenderizes domestic fowl , turn outfluffy pancakes , lightens upbaked goods , and adds a bright , tangy flavor to fudge . Here ’s everything you demand to know about buttermilk , including what it is and how to fudge with buttermilk . We ’re also apportion our favorite buttermilk recipes and tips for storing leftover buttermilk for up to 6 months .

stack of buttermilk pancakes

Credit:Blaine Moats

What Is Buttermilk?

In the get-go , buttermilk was simply the liquid state go away behind after churn cultured butter . Today ’s commercial buttermilk is made by adding lactic acid to pasteurized , homogenize Milk River . This induce the milk to thicken and sour . Though buttermilk seems richer and creamy than unconstipated Milk River , it has the same amount of fat as the milk from which it is made . Buttermilk is thick and creamy with a mildly acidic discernment .

What Is Buttermilk Used For?

Buttermilk ’s sour works with baking soda to leaven quick shekels , cake , and other sunbaked goods . Whenused as a marinade , buttermilk ’s enzyme and sourness break down and tenderise protein like Gallus gallus , beef , pork barrel , and fish , along with adding that signature sourish flavour . And buttermilk ’s thick consistency and tart tasting add up eubstance and savor tosalad dressingsand pickpocket .

Buttermilk Substitute

A coarse substitute for buttermilk has long been sour Milk River . This works as a replacement if only a small amount of buttermilk is necessitate — and the formula is n’t subject on the rich theme song buttermilk savour . To make 1 cup of your own sour milk , add 1 Tbsp . lemon juice or vinegar to a fluid measuring cup . Add enough Milk River to make 1 cup full liquidness . raise and have stand 5 instant before using .

How Long Does Buttermilk Last?

When stored properly , buttermilk can last a long time in the fridge . Because of its acidity , which inhibit bacterial growth , the buttermilk that you ’ll bribe in the grocery storehouse has more staying baron than some other dairy farm products . A refreshing unopened bottleful will last for about 3 or 4 week in the fridge . Once open , use the buttermilk within 7 - 10 days . You ’ll know it has gone bad if the texture is chunky or grainy , and it smells off . Always shake the cartonful before using because the milk solid lean to reconcile .

Can You Freeze Buttermilk?

If you have extra buttermilk but do n’t plan on using it up , you could freeze it for up to 6 months . Our Test Kitchen care to freeze cubes of buttermilk in an ice cube tray and transfer them to a pliant bag in the freezer . Keep in mind that it will separate when it ’s unthaw , and even after amalgamate it , the grain wo n’t be the same .   For this understanding , thawed buttermilk is best used in cooked or baked dishes , rather than dips .

Jason Donnelly

Our Favorite Ways to Use Buttermilk

We have several favoritebuttermilk recipes , and find ourselves using it often in thing like pancakes , sunbaked goods , and more . Here are some of our favorite ways to use buttermilk .