Ever found yourself in the middle of a baking project and need to know how to make sour milk with lemon juice because you don’t have buttermilk on hand?
I’m excited to share this quick and easy way to make an easy substitute using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
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Introducing the Baking Basics Ingredient Series
Welcome to part 2 of my series Baking Basics: Ingredient Edition! This series is all about breaking down essential baking ingredients, explaining their differences, and helping you use them correctly for the best results in your baking.
Click here to see the other blog posts in this series!
What is Sour Milk?
Sour milk is essentially milk that has been acidified, either naturally or by adding acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar, or yogurt. It’s often used in baking to create a tender crumb and add a pleasant tang to recipes like pancakes, quick bread, and soda bread.
While traditional buttermilk is made from the liquid left after churning butter, sour milk is a great stand-in when you need that tangy flavor without an entire carton of buttermilk. Plus, you can make it on the spot, without a trip to the grocery store.
For a deeper dive into the role of acids in baking and how they interact with other ingredients, check out this comprehensive guide from the Illinois State Board of Education: Understanding the Science of Baking.
How to Make Sour Milk with Lemon Juice
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of fresh milk (whole milk, low-fat milk, or even skim milk will work)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Instructions:
- Measure the Milk: Pour 1 cup of cold milk into a small bowl or measuring cup. You can use any type of milk, including cow’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, or even coconut milk, depending on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
- Add the Lemon Juice: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the milk. Stir gently to combine.
- Let it Sit: Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the milk will curdle slightly, creating that sour taste and thicker texture that makes it a perfect substitute for buttermilk.
- Use in Your Recipe: After 5-10 minutes, your homemade sour milk is ready to use. Simply swap it in place of buttermilk in any baking recipe that calls for it.
Tips for Best Results
- Type of Milk: Using whole milk will give you a richer end result, but low-fat milk or non-dairy milk can also work well.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: If your recipe calls for baking soda or baking powder as a leavening agent, using homemade sour milk will help activate these ingredients, ensuring your baked goods rise beautifully.
- Freshness Matters: Make sure to use fresh milk and fresh lemon juice for the best flavor and texture
Why This Works
The lemon juice, an acidic ingredient, causes the milk proteins to curdle, mimicking the action of lactic acid bacteria found in traditional buttermilk. This process creates a tangy flavor and thicker consistency that helps tenderize baked goods, similar to regular buttermilk.
How Long Can You Store It?
After you’ve made your sour milk, it’s best to use it immediately for optimal results. However, if you need to store it, you can keep it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just keep in mind that the fresher the sour milk, the better it will work in your recipes.
What if I Don’t Have Fresh Lemon Juice?
Fresh lemon juice has the best flavor and curdling effect, but if you don’t have lemon juice on hand, there are other acidic ingredients you can use to make sour milk. Vinegar, such as white vinegar or apple cider vinegar, is a popular alternative. You can also thin yogurt or sour cream with a bit of milk to achieve a similar effect.
- White Vinegar: Use 1 tablespoon of white vinegar per 1 cup of milk.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Use 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per 1 cup of milk.
- Bottled Lemon Juice: Use 1 tablespoon of bottled lemon juice per 1 cup of milk.
Other Substitutes for Buttermilk
While making sour milk with lemon juice is one of the most common substitutes, here are a few other ways to create a similar effect:
- Yogurt: Mix ¾ cup of plain yogurt with ¼ cup of water or milk to achieve a buttermilk-like consistency.
- Sour Cream: Sour cream can also be thinned with a little bit of milk to create a buttermilk substitute.
How to Make Sour Milk with Lemon Juice for Dairy-Free and Vegan Recipes
To create a non-dairy buttermilk substitute:
- Choose Your Milk: Opt for a non-dairy milk like almond, soy, or coconut milk. Creamier options will give you a richer end result, similar to using whole milk.
- Add Acid: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of non-dairy milk. Stir gently to combine.
- Let It Sit: Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes. The acidity will cause the milk to curdle slightly, creating a texture similar to buttermilk.
- Baking Tip: This non-dairy sour milk is perfect for recipes that call for baking soda or baking powder as leavening agents. The acid will help activate these ingredients, ensuring your baked goods rise beautifully.
- Freshness Matters: Always use fresh non-dairy milk and lemon juice or vinegar for the best flavor and texture in your final product.
Delicious Recipes to Try with Your Homemade Sour Milk
If you’re looking to put your homemade sour milk to good use, be sure to check out these delicious recipes:
- Red Velvet Cupcakes: The tangy sour milk plays a crucial role in creating that classic velvety texture and slight tang.
- Lemon Bundt Cake: The combination of lemon juice and sour milk adds a bright, moist touch to this elegant dessert.
- Chocolate Cake: Sour milk enhances the richness of the chocolate, resulting in a moist and decadent treat.
- Irish Soda Bread: Sour milk gives this classic bread its tender crumb and authentic flavor.
These recipes are the perfect way to showcase the versatility and deliciousness of your homemade sour milk!
When to Use Homemade Sour Milk with Lemon Juice
Sour milk is a great option in many baking recipes, such as buttermilk pancakes, quick bread, or soda bread. It’s an easy way to adapt recipes when you don’t have store-bought buttermilk and can even add a bit of a tangy twist to your dishes.
So next time you’re baking and find yourself without buttermilk, remember that with just a little bit of time and a few simple ingredients, you can make your own sour milk with lemon juice and still achieve perfect results!
Sour Milk with Lemon Juice
Ingredients
- 1 cup of fresh milk whole milk, low-fat milk, or non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Measure the Milk: Pour 1 cup of fresh milk into a small bowl or measuring cup.
- Add the Lemon Juice: Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Let It Sit: Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes. The milk will curdle slightly and thicken, creating the desired sour milk consistency.
- Use in Recipes: Your sour milk is now ready to use in any recipe that calls for buttermilk or sour milk.
Notes
Now You Know How to Make Sour Milk with Lemon Juice
Sour milk is a great option in many baking recipes, such as buttermilk pancakes, quick bread, or soda bread. It’s an easy way to adapt recipes when you don’t have store-bought buttermilk and can even add a bit of a tangy twist to your dishes.
So next time you’re baking and find yourself without buttermilk, remember that with just a little bit of time and a few simple ingredients, you can make your own sour milk with lemon juice and still achieve perfect results!