But that's okay! Fortunately there are plenty of substitutes to choose from. Buttermilk is milk that has been fermented. It contains water, milk proteins, lactose, a bit of fat, and various acids.

It is, however, easy and simple to make a substitute at home. The easiest and most well known method is probably lemon juice ...

As this is not readily available or always to hand, I have resorted to adding a little vinegar to milk. What difference does buttermilk make to the recipe? What can be used as a substitute?

if you don't have a ready supply of buttermilk ... You can usually also use plain yoghurt as a substitute, but may need to thin it down with some milk so that it is a pourable consistency.

if you don't have a ready supply of buttermilk ... You can usually also use plain yoghurt as a substitute, but may need to thin it down with some milk so that it is a pourable consistency.