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35+ Buttermilk Uses (Recipes That Use Leftover Buttermilk)

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

May 6, 2025

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5 from 1 vote

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Collage of recipes that use buttermilk with text overlay.

Buttermilk isn’t just a classic baking ingredient – it’s also a delicious and versatile pantry staple that can add some zing to your favorite recipes! From classic buttermilk-baked goods to unexpected savory dishes, read on to learn some of the best recipes that use buttermilk.

Collage of recipes that use buttermilk with text overlay.

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Have some leftover buttermilk to use up?

Try adding it to familiar recipes for a unexpected twist, or experiment with new dishes for a fun culinary adventure!

From sweet to savory, there are so many possibilities for adding a splash of buttermilk to your favorite dishes.

Easy Buttermilk Recipes

Restaurant ranch dressing in small glass jar with spoon.
Restaurant Ranch Dressing
This Restaurant Ranch Dressing is hands down the best, most crave-worthy ranch you've ever had. This recipe can rival any restaurant ranch dressing!
Restaurant Ranch Dressing
Close up of platter of healthy wedge salad.
Healthy Wedge Salad Recipe
This Healthy Wedge Salad is topped with a lower-calorie tangy buttermilk-blue cheese dressing and combines iceberg lettuce with radicchio and romaine. It’s topped with crispy onions and bacon for added crunch. 
Healthy Wedge Salad
Easiest Cinnamon Buttermilk Beignets
Easiest Cinnamon Buttermilk Beignets
Light and airy homemade cinnamon buttermilk beignets that are the simplest to make and require only pantry staple ingredients. Dust each warm beignet with powdered sugar and serve with a steaming coffee or cup of cocoa. What a way to start your day!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Buttermilk Pancakes with Chamomile Cream and Gingered Strawberries
Buttermilk Pancakes with Chamomile Cream and Gingered Strawberries
Buttermilk Pancakes with Chamomile Cream and Gingered Strawberries – Trust me, anyone is going to LOVE these pancakes!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Perfectly Crispy Fried Buttermilk Chicken
A cayenne-spiked buttermilk batter makes this classic fried chicken recipe golden brown and crisp on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside.
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Buttermilk Roasted Chicken
Buttermilk Roasted Chicken
Buttermilk Roasted Chicken is the best way to make a tender, flavorful whole chicken with the perfect golden crust!
Get the RECIPE from Good Food Baddie
Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread
Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread
Lightly sweetened cast iron buttermilk skillet cornbread is spicy and cheesy. Packed with jalapeños and cheddar cheese and perfect with chili!
Get the RECIPE from Well Seasoned Studio
Buttermilk Biscuits
Southern-style buttermilk biscuits made with only a few ingredients are a great side or pairing for fried chicken or breakfast sandwiches.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Everything Bagel Buttermilk Waffles
These savory waffles have all the seasonings that are on top of everything bagels, cooked right into the waffle batter.
Get the RECIPE from Cooking with Cocktail Rings
Simple Buttermilk Lemon Bundt Cake
Simple Buttermilk Lemon Bundt Cake
With its incredibly moist texture and zesty flavour, this simple buttermilk lemon bundt cake recipe is the only bundt cake recipe you’ll ever need.
Get the RECIPE from Baking Ginger
Buttermilk Soda Bread
This Buttermilk Soda Bread is simple, rustic, and delicious. Bake up a loaf in no time, and bring the energy of fresh bread into your home.
Get the RECIPE from Awesome On 20
Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich
This is the best homemade buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Soaked in buttermilk marinade, double breaded and fried until perfectly crispy!
Get the RECIPE from Saporito Kitchen
Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins
Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins
These delicious, easy to make Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins are not overly sweet and make the perfect breakfast or snack on the go!
Get the RECIPE from The Jam Jar Kitchen
Buttermilk Pie
Buttermilk Pie
This old fashioned Buttermilk Pie is the perfect southern dessert for any gathering! Just like your grandma used to make!
Get the RECIPE The Jam Jar Kitchen
Buttermilk Pound Cake With Caramel Icing
This Buttermilk Pound Cake is a moist and dense classic with a creamy caramel twist. You’ll never need another pound cake recipe after you try this caramel pound cake!
Get the RECIPE from Confessions of Parenting
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Buttermilk Banana Bread
Buttermilk banana bread is light, fluffy, moist, and flavorful, with a tender crumb and a sweet cinnamon-sugar topping!
Get the RECIPE from The Seasoned Mom
Buttermilk Syrup
Buttermilk Syrup
Rich, creamy buttermilk syrup recipe is an easy homemade syrup made with pantry staples that’s great on pancakes, waffles, or French toast!
Get the RECIPE from I Heart Eating
Creamy Buttermilk Coleslaw
There are so many ways to make coleslaw, but this creamy buttermilk coleslaw is probably one of the most traditional recipes you’ll find. It’s a simple blend of shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a simple-to-make buttermilk dressing.
Get the RECIPE from Recipe Girl
Buttermilk Praline Ice Cream
Buttermilk Praline Ice Cream
This no-cook, tangy buttermilk ice cream is ribboned with a sweet pecan praline sauce for the perfect contrast.
Get the RECIPE from Katie Bird Bakes
Buttermilk Bread
Buttermilk Bread
Homemade buttermilk bread has a slightly tangy and rich flavour and a wonderful soft crumb. Make as loaves or try a loaf and a loaf of pull-apart rolls.
Get the RECIPE From Seasons and Suppers
Buttermilk Scones
Learn how to make perfectly tender, flaky buttermilk scones with this easy to follow recipe. Perfect for breakfast or dessert these slightly sweet scones can be served with coffee or tea.
Get the RECIPE from Brown Eyed Baker
Homemade Buttermilk Pie Crust
This homemade buttermilk pie crust is an all-butter pie dough that is tender, flaky, and flavorful!
Get the RECIPE from Neighbor Food Blog
Cast Iron Buttermilk Cinnamon Rolls
Cast-iron buttermilk cinnamon rolls – made with cream cheese frosting, these sweet rolls bake up golden, tender, and fluffy from the addition of buttermilk.
Get the RECIPE from Meiko And The Dish
Chicken and Buttermilk Dumplings
We take hearty chicken soup and top it with biscuit-like buttermilk dumplings. Get a spoon, you’re going to want a big scoop of this!
Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Roasted Strawberry and Buttermilk Popsicles
These roasted strawberry and buttermilk popsicles are fruity and creamy frozen dessert that requires very few ingredients.
Get the RECIPE from The Wood and Spoon
Buttermilk Cake
Buttermilk cake is light and moist and delicious when topped with fresh berries and whipped cream frosting.
Get the RECIPE from Your Home Based Mom
Spanish Coffee Cake
This Spanish Coffee Cake is the best streusel coffee cake recipe, moist from buttermilk with a nutty crumb topping. Perfect for brunch and gift giving!
Get the RECIPE from Kitchen Confidante
Old Fashioned Glazed Buttermilk Donuts
These Old Fashioned Buttermilk Donuts are all about the texture. They are soft and cakey on the inside, and golden brown on the outside with these beautiful nooks and crannies for that sweet glaze to hold onto.
Get the RECIPE from Lovely Little Kitchen
Buttermilk Quiche
Buttermilk quiche is the classic French egg custard tart kicked up a notch with the tang and zip of creamy buttermilk!
Get the RECIPE from Kelly Neil
Savory Buttermilk Cheddar Quick Bread
This savory buttermilk quick bread holds true to its name. It is quick to make and a great bread to dip in soup, for sandwiches, or a snack.
Get the RECIPE from Food Above Gold
Strawberry Buttermilk Snack Cake
A sweet and moist orange-y buttermilk cake topped with freshly sliced strawberries and decorative sugar. This cake is seriously mouthwatering delicious! 
Get the RECIPE from Baker’s Table
Chocolate Buttermilk Pie
A sweet, custardy chocolate buttermilk pie with an incredibly rich chocolate flavor, paired with a crunchy Oreo crust.
Get the RECIPE from Bunsen Burner Bakery
Coconut Buttermilk Syrup
You'll be obsessed with Coconut Buttermilk Syrup. It’s really the only pancake syrup you'll need for topping pancakes, waffles and French toast.
Get the RECIPE from Oh Sweet Basil
Buttermilk Spoon Bread
This delicious buttermilk spoon bread is the perfect comfort food! Everyone will love this classic Southern recipe! It's easy to make and so tasty.
Get the RECIPE from The Cookie Rookie
Southwest Buttermilk Baked Chicken
Southwest Buttermilk Baked Chicken – The most flavorful chicken you will ever make, baked to absolute crisp-tender, juicy perfection!
Get the RECIPE from Damn Delicious
Buttermilk Chicken Thighs With Lemon Garlic Orzo
Buttermilk chicken thighs with a lemon garlic orzo are a classic delicious combination and make a comforting one-pot dinner for any weeknight.
Get the RECIPE From The Greek Foodie

Buttermilk FAQs

How Long Does Buttermilk Last?

Unopened Buttermilk: Typically, unopened buttermilk can last for about 1 to 2 weeks beyond the printed expiration date when stored in the refrigerator. If you notice any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell, mold growth, or unusual texture, it’s best to discard it.

Opened Buttermilk: Once opened, buttermilk should be consumed within 7 to 10 days for the best quality.

Can you Freeze Buttermilk?

Yes. If you want to extend the shelf life of buttermilk, you can also freeze it. Freezing can prolong its usability for up to 3 months. However, freezing may cause separation and changes in texture, so it’s advisable to shake or stir the thawed buttermilk before using it.

To freeze buttermilk, follow these steps:

  1. Check the expiration date: Make sure the buttermilk is not expired before freezing it.
  2. Transfer to a freezer-safe container: While you can freeze the buttermilk directly in the carton, I recommend pouring it into: ice cube trays, silicone molds (I use the same molds from my Instant Pot Sous Vide Egg Bites), or small airtight containers.
  3. Label and date: Clearly label the container with the contents and the date of freezing. This will help you keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
  4. Freeze: Place the container in the freezer and ensure it is stored in a stable position where it won’t get knocked over. Once frozen solid, transfer the cream cubes to a large ziploc bag. Label the bag and freeze!

More Ways to Use Up Ingredients

  • Ricotta Recipes
  • Cream Cheese Recipes
  • Cottage Cheese Recipes
  • Mozzarella Recipes
  • Heavy Cream Recipes
  • Sour Cream Recipes
  • Applesauce Recipes
  • Condensed Milk Recipes
  • Evaporated Milk Recipes
  • Goat Cheese Recipes
  • Recipes that Use a Lot of Eggs

Did you try any of these savory recipes with buttermilk?

If you loves this roundup of uses for buttermilk, I would appreciate it so much if you would leave a star review! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Collage of buttermilk recipes.

Full Recipe

35+ Ways to Use Buttermilk

Buttermilk isn’t just a classic baking ingredient – it’s also a delicious and versatile pantry staple that can add some zing to your favorite recipes! From classic buttermilk-baked goods to unexpected savory dishes, read on to learn some of the best recipes that use buttermilk. Try this Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin
Serves 16 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Whisk
  • Small Bowl

Ingredients

  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped chives
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Transfer to an airtight container; the dressing stores in the refrigerator for 1 week.

Nutrition

Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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