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Easy Sour Milk Substitute Recipe

A quick and easy homemade sour milk substitute perfect for baking. This simple recipe uses just two ingredients and takes minutes to prepare, making it ideal for pancakes, muffins, cakes, and more when you don't have buttermilk on hand.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar

Method
 

Steps
  1. Pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into a liquid measuring cup.
  2. Add enough whole milk to the measuring cup to make 1 cup total (about 1 cup minus 1 tablespoon).
  3. Stir gently and let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it begins to curdle slightly and thicken.
  4. Use immediately in your favorite baking recipe as a substitute for buttermilk.

Notes

This sour milk substitute works best in recipes that call for 1 cup or less of buttermilk. For best results, use whole milk for a richer texture. The acid in lemon juice or vinegar mimics the tangy flavor and acidity of real buttermilk, helping activate baking soda in your recipes.