We’ve all been there – we make something that requires buttermilk and we end up with more than we need. So here’s a delicious collection of 22 ways to use leftover buttermilk that solves all our buttermilk woes.
Over time I’ve learned to make my own buttermilk when I know I only need a cup: just mix a cup of milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice, stir then let sit in room temperature for 30 minutes.
But this is not for those times. This is for those times when we buy a carton of buttermilk with grand buttermilk plans that just did not happen! So whether you have less than a cup or more than 2 cups left, you’ll find a recipe in here that needs the perfect amount of buttermilk you have on hand.
Ways to use leftover buttermilk: less than 1 cup
Do you have less than a cup left? Don’t even think about throwing it out! Here are recipes you can use that for.
You can make delicious loaves and cakes. Like this Banana & Cardamom Buttermilk Loaf Cake from Janice at Kitchen Heals Soul.
Or this scrumptious Banana Bread from Jessy at The Life Jolie.
Not in the mood for cakes? No worries, you can also make muffins and donuts. These beautiful Blueberry Cornbread Muffins are from Tina over at The Worktop
Brandy over at Nutmeg Nanny made these amazing Blueberry Lemon Thyme Muffins.
While these lovely Raspberry Coconut Donuts are from Brie at Toaster Oven Love.
Looking for something savoury? You can make pasta! Check out this Potato Leek Bucatini from Manju at Cooking Curries.
(Up next – recipes that use 1 cup of buttermilk)
Brian
Thank you for this! I never know what to do with leftover buttermilk.
Donna
My husband buys buttermilk for cornbread and I use the leftovers with my sourdough for blueberry pancakes and for English muffins. Cuz I can’t keep up with my starter otherwise, so it helps me use up starter and buttermilk. But I’ve recently given up sugar so I’m head over to look at the ranch dressing right now. I have buttermilk about to expire. Made pancakes this morning and grabbed the wrong bottle. Used the kefir instead of the buttermilk. Duhhh. Read the label Donna. Pancakes were fine but I still have half a bottle of buttermilk to use up.
Jolina
LOL I’m glad your pancakes still turned out ok! The ranch dressing looks amazing doesn’t it? Hope you like it! My default for leftover buttermilk is usually scones or pancakes or waffles.
Rose
I like how you provided recipes for different quantities of buttermilk. Sometimes I have 1 cup although most of the time more. I have 3 quarters of a carton left now, I hope to make something delicious from your list.
Marissa Zurfluh
I shouldn’t read posts like these first thing in the morning. Makes me want to go grocery shopping and buy it all! These recipes look amazing.
Claire
I have bookmarked it.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jerneja
I live in a country where for some reason we don’t have buttermilk! But as soon as I get it, I’ll try making some of these. I think the donuts might be my favorite recipe out of these. 🙂
Jolina
I’ve heard that from a lot of people after I posted this round-up. So interesting! And yes, those donuts look amazing don’t they? 🙂
Dawn
Great post Jolina! Waste not, want not, right? I don’t know why they don’t just make buttermilk in smaller containers. There’s always a bunch left, which is why I usually just make my own. All of these recipes look delicious, though, so if I did have a huge container of buttermilk, I’m sure it would be used up in no time making a few of these 🙂 Hope you guys are having a lovely weekend!!
Jolina
Hi Dawn! Thanks! And yeah, that’s a major pet peeve too. I usually make my own as well if I only need a cup or so but you know I can’t help myself sometimes (sometimes?? understatement of the year lol). Weekend’s winding down…it’s been fun. Hope you enjoyed yours too!
Sharon
Love that you have both sweet and savory on this list! Such a great collection of dishes with buttermilk. Pinning for later!
Kim
Love, love this article! I need this as I tend to have SO MUCH buttermilk leftover everytime I bake. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jolina
My pleasure! Hope you find buttermilk inspiration here (then you’d always want to have extra buttermilk lying around? LOL)
Maggie Unzueta
This is brilliant. I never know what to do with leftover buttermilk.
Jolina
Thanks! Me neither and I spend so much time trying to find recipes to use it with. So yay, now we have this round-up for different buttermilk quantities!
Hannah Healy
What a wonderful list, I’m going to bookmark it so read it more carefully later. Thanks!
Tina Dawson
Love this roundup! I don’t really use buttermilk, except in an occasional baked good, and it’s good to know how many different ways I could use up the leftovers.
Kristina
What a great post! Oftentimes I just buy buttermilk for a specific recipe and always end up having some leftover. This is full of great ways to ensure it doesn’t go to waste!
Jolina
Me too! And it’s not exactly cheap either so I feel bad throwing it away. Hope this collection helps you deal with buttermilk…issues 🙂
Catherine
These are some great ideas! I love this collection..thanks for sharing!