FAQs
Opened buttermilk can last up to 14 days in the fridge and slightly longer than its expiration date if unopened. It can be frozen opened or unopened in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If you notice any changes to the smell or look of your buttermilk, it's best to toss it to avoid getting sick.
How long can opened buttermilk last in the fridge? ›
Opened buttermilk can last up to 14 days in the fridge and slightly longer than its expiration date if unopened. It can be frozen opened or unopened in an airtight container for up to 3 months. If you notice any changes to the smell or look of your buttermilk, it's best to toss it to avoid getting sick.
How can you tell if buttermilk has gone bad? ›
Your buttermilk is likely expired if it's thick or chunky, smells sour or tangy, has dark colorations or mold in it, or if it's been at room temperature for more than two hours. Buttermilk can keep 2-3 weeks in the fridge and up to 1 week past its expiration date.
What to do with expired buttermilk? ›
Buttermilk never expires. Ten days after the expiration date, just boil it for a few minutes and let it settle for a while. It makes a great dry yogurt in the form of cookies.
How long is homemade buttermilk good for? ›
How long does homemade buttermilk last? As long as you store it in an airtight container in a very cold part of your fridge (i.e.: not the doors, which are the warmest and most often exposed to warmer air), it can last up to two weeks.
Can I freeze buttermilk to use later? ›
You absolutely can freeze buttermilk. In fact, it's a great way to keep some of the fermented dairy product on hand for recipes that only need small amounts. This way, you don't need to buy another quart or half gallon and face the challenge of once again using it up before the expiration date hits.
Does buttermilk go bad serious eats? ›
The buttermilk can be refrigerated for up to 5 days. The cultured butter can be refrigerated, well wrapped, for up to one week; discard if it grows moldy or unpleasantly sour.
Is buttermilk good for you? ›
Buttermilk is a dairy product rich in vitamins and minerals that may offer several benefits for your bones, heart, and oral health. Still, it may cause issues for those with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy. If you tolerate dairy, buttermilk is a great and versatile addition to a healthy diet.
What to use instead of buttermilk? ›
Dairy-based substitutes for buttermilk
- Milk and vinegar. Adding vinegar to milk gives it an acidity similar to that of buttermilk. ...
- Milk and lemon juice. ...
- Milk and cream of tartar. ...
- Lactose-free milk and acid. ...
- Sour cream and water or milk. ...
- Plain yogurt and water or milk. ...
- Plain kefir. ...
- Buttermilk powder and water.
Is buttermilk spoiled milk? ›
The cultured buttermilk you buy at the grocery store is just milk with extra bacteria added to help speed up that same fermentation process. For that matter, neither home-soured nor commercially soured milk is “real” buttermilk.
25 Recipes For Using Up Leftover Buttermilk
- 02 of 25. Buttermilk Coleslaw. WILL DICKEY. ...
- 05 of 25. Glazed Buttermilk Donut Cake. ...
- 08 of 25. Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing. ...
- 11 of 25. Buttermilk Dressing. ...
- 14 of 25. Buttermilk Glaze. ...
- 17 of 25. Parmesan-Buttermilk Pie Crust.
What to do with sour buttermilk? ›
- HOMEMADE BUTTERMILK. ...
- GRANDMA'S BUTTERMILK BISCUITS. ...
- BUTTERMILK OR SOUR MILK BISCUITS. ...
- SOUR CREAM BUTTERMILK POUND CAKE. ...
- SOUR CREAM BUTTERMILK PANCAKES. ...
- SOUR MILK OR BUTTERMILK PANCAKES. ...
- SOUR MILK OR BUTTERMILK WAFFLES. ...
- SOUR CREAM AND BUTTERMILK GARLIC DRESSING.
How does buttermilk affect baking? ›
Buttermilk is made up of a variety of acids – the results of the fermentation process, which give baked goods a couple of benefits. First, the acidity provides tangy flavor to balance all kinds of sweet baked treats. Second, it activates baking soda, producing the gas that makes dough or batter rise.
Why did people drink buttermilk? ›
United States. Cultured buttermilk was first commercially introduced in the United States in the 1920s. It was initially popular among immigrants, and was viewed as a food that could slow aging.
Is homemade buttermilk better than store bought? ›
Store-bought buttermilk is thicker, tangier, and more acidic than traditional or homemade buttermilk. If you're preparing a recipe that calls for buttermilk, it's best to stick with store-bought, especially in baked goods that depend on precise leavening.
Is buttermilk supposed to taste sour? ›
Buttermilk is a fermented milk that is slightly sour and tangy, not unlike sour cream or yogurt. Although commercially produced buttermilk differs greatly from the homemade version of days gone by, it was originally prized for its usage in baking because it could make pancakes and waffles rise well.
Is buttermilk ok if it separates? ›
After a few days in the fridge, buttermilk naturally separates into solids and whey. If it comes back together when shaken, it's usable, even if it's a couple of days beyond the freshness date. Cultured products are forgiving.
Does powdered buttermilk need to be refrigerated after opening? ›
How Should You Store Powdered Buttermilk? While it's best to use up liquid buttermilk within a week or two, powdered buttermilk lasts for far longer, making it an ideal backup. Unopened powdered buttermilk can be stored in your pantry, but once you open it, it should be refrigerated until you use it up.
Can you store homemade buttermilk in the fridge? ›
After 12 to 24 hours, the mixture will thicken. The longer you leave it out, the thicker and tangier the buttermilk will be. Depending on how warm your kitchen is, it may also take longer. Once the buttermilk has reached the texture and flavor you desire, store it in the refrigerator for up to a month.
How to know when butter is bad? ›
How do you tell if butter is bad? Check for changes in the butter's look, feel, smell, and taste. Any visible discoloration, change in texture, bad smell, or bitter or sour taste indicates bad butter.