Buttermilk is that substance that maintains life and is the foundation of nearly every recipe in the South. It runs through our veins and finds its way into almost every recipe. It is good stuff. really good stuff, although you would not have convinced me of that when I was a kid.
My dad drank it. In a glass. With salt and pepper. It was not appetizing. The end.
Somewhere in my adult life, when I learned to cook, buttermilk became a staple ingredient. It makes pancakes fluffier, chicken tenderer, cakes rise higher, and frosting takes on a tang. It is also really healthy stuff. Buttermilk is one of those cultured dairy products, like yogurt, that contains probiotics.
The thing is – have you ever really LOOKED at the ingredients of your standard grocery store buttermilk?
- Cultured nonfat milk (this has the buttermilk starter in it)
- Milk
- Nonfat milk
- Modified cornstarch (Hello GMOs)
- Sodium Citrate
- Carrageenan (actually not bad… it’s seaweed and acts as a thickener)
- Mono- and Di-glycerides
- Locust bean gum
- Salt
- Vitamin A Palmitate
You know, I am pretty sure most of that never saw the interior of a cow’s udder. While most of that isn’t inherently bad – it isn’t what buttermilk used to be made of, either. Plus, it is really hard to find whole buttermilk at the store – and I really don’t like the low-fat version.
So, the alternative is to make your own. It isn’t difficult and it doesn’t need any special stuff. You will need a starter and for that I just use regular buttermilk. From the store. Once you have cultured your own buttermilk you just save a cup of it to start the next batch. Eventually the culture may weaken and you will need to get a new container of buttermilk from the store and begin the process again.
You can also buy starter cultures if you want to be a purist. I usually just get the stuff from the store. Bad me.
Here is the thing. Whenever you are working with cultures you have to make sure that you only introduce the bacteria (culture) that you want. This means that you have to sterilize the equipment you are going to use. One more time. Always sterilize your equipment. Heat a big pot of water just to boiling and put the jar and lids in it for a few minutes. Lift it out, put it upside down on a freshly washed tea towel and let it come to room temperature. While that isn’t sterile enough for surgery it will be fine for our purposes.
Now. This is my way of making it. I like a rich, creamy buttermilk. You can use all whole milk if you want. You can use raw milk. You can use lowfat milk. It’s up to you. As I said I prefer a higher fat content.
How to Make Buttermilk
- Measure 2 3/4 cups of milk into the jar.
- Add 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Add 1 cup of buttermilk
- Screw on the lid tightly
- Shake vigorously
- Put it in a warm place for 24 hours
After 24 hours (less if your house is warm, more if it is very cold) you should have a tangy, thick buttermilk. Use it in any recipe that calls for buttermilk but save one cup to make your next batch. Keep it tightly covered in the fridge.
Easy. Unlimited. And only microscopic amounts of all that stuff that was in the commercial kind.
Happy? You bet. Go make some pancakes.
Carolyn
How long does starter keep in frig? And can it be frozen if you don’t bake often?
Marye
If you are using commercial buttermilk to start then it can be kept in the fridge for a couple of weeks. As far as a commercial starter powder you’d need to contact the manufacturer.
Diane Fallon
I want to try this and would also like to print it. I have gone over the entire article a few times and cannot find a PRINT button. There is nothing above the recipe. What am I doing wrong? Your bread recipes look amazing. Thank you.
Marye
Thanks Diane – hopefully you got my emaiL?
Elizabeth
Twice it has curdled. What am I doing wrong? It is thick. When I shake it up it is curdled.
Marye Audet
You shake it when you first mix it. Don’t shake it after that. Even if it looks curdled it’s fine.
Tina
You said to save a cup of the buttermilk, and then do I start the complete recipe again
Marye Audet
Yes. 🙂 The saved buttermilk is the starter.
David
So for the first time I make it I will use store bought buttermilk for the 1 cup? Thanks
Marye Audet
yes, or you can use the buttermilk starter powder referenced in the post. 🙂
Karissa
Hi Marye,
I’m so excited to see how this turns out (it’s sitting for another 12 hours as I write this)! I do have one question, though. I made sure to boil the mason jar and lids beforehand, but should I have sterilized the measuring cups as well?
Thank you 🙂
Marye Audet
Hmmm … good question. I never do… I never thought about it… but it is a good idea!
Janine
When I make yogurt (also a process of culturing milk) the milk has to be heated first to prevent harmful bacteria from ruining the yogurt, this isn’t necessary for buttermilk culturing? Thanks!
Marye Audet
No it isn’t. 🙂 Do make sure your jars are sterile though.
Kathi Bilkie
Hi Marge,
I am so excited to make this buttermilk, it is “warming” in the garage right this very minute! I love using whole fat buttermilk, and my husband makes his own crème fraiche which I am sure he will now be using my buttermilk instead of the one from the store. I have a white cake recipe that I LOVE to make, and I think this will only make it better. Your recipes look amazing, and I can’t wait to make the Honey Buttermilk Bread tomorrow, it is very possible it will be my new go to bread… and I love my bread recipe that I currently have.
Kathi Bilkie
Marye,
I am sorry about the auto correct misspelling of your name. Not sure how to edit the post.
KB
Marye Audet
It is really no problem, thank you!
Marye Audet
I am so glad you like it!
Debby Lovett
I am totally confused. Several have asked about the additions to the 1 cup of leftover buttermilk. One person asked if she was to add the same amounts of milk and cream as the original recipe, your comment was yes. Then someone asked if they were to add the same amounts of milk, cream, and buttermilk from the original recipe, and you replied, yes. Then someone else asked if they what they were to add to the cup of buttermilk that was saved, you replied, milk or cream. Will you please republish the recipe with the amount of ingredients to add to the leftover buttermilk to keep the starter going, with complete instructions. I consider myself an experienced cook and baker, but I can’t follow the directions for the starter of the buttermilk.
Thank you
Marye Audet
Sorry you’re confused. It’s quite simple. After you make the first batch you always save 1 cup of your homemade buttermilk. To that add milk+cream, milk, or cream to the same measure as the original recipe.
Measure 2 3/4 cups of milk into the jar.
Add 1/4 cup heavy cream
Add 1 cup of buttermilk
Screw on the lid tightly
Shake vigorously
Put it in a warm place for 24 hours