When I was a child, my mom made the best buttermilk pie. Recently I attempted to recreate it as a gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free version (vegan), but the pie didn’t turn out. During that attempt I discovered a super-simple method for making dairy-free buttermilk. It behaves just like traditional buttermilk—without any dairy.

My dad had worked on a dairy farm as a teenager and used to tell stories about life there—the milking routines, the chores before and after school, and even the occasional snake in the feed. From him I learned what buttermilk is and how it’s traditionally made from cow’s milk. What I didn’t learn then was a dairy-free alternative.

So I experimented and, after a quick call to my mother—the family cooking expert—I found a simple dairy-free version that works well for baking. It’s easy, quick, and can be used in pancakes, biscuits, or any recipe that calls for buttermilk.

Dairy-Free Buttermilk

Yield: 1

Dairy-Free Buttermilk

Prep Time:
1 minute

Rest Time:
5 minutes

Total Time:
6 minutes

This quick dairy-free buttermilk substitute is ideal for vegan and dairy-free baking. It mimics the tang and acidity of traditional buttermilk so your recipes rise and brown properly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut milk (the refrigerated, pourable type—do not use canned full-fat)
• 1 teaspoon vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar)

Instructions

1. Pour 1 cup of refrigerated coconut milk into a measuring cup or bowl.
2. Add 1 teaspoon of vinegar and stir to combine.
3. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. It will thicken slightly and develop a tang similar to buttermilk.
4. Use immediately in any recipe that calls for buttermilk.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo or leave a comment to let others know how you used your dairy-free buttermilk.

P.S. I almost feel silly publishing such a tiny recipe, but it’s genuinely handy. I’ll be testing a dairy-free buttermilk pie again soon, so stay tuned.

What will you make with this dairy-free buttermilk? Pancakes, biscuits, or perhaps a buttermilk pie? I plan to try the pie again, and I’d love to hear what you create—leave a comment below.

More Vegan Recipes from NerdyMamma — Try These:

Gluten-Free & Vegan Caramel Sauce

Vegan and Nut Free Puppy Chow Ice Cream

Vegan Coconut Milk Cream Cheese {Nut-Free}