We’re Big Fans of Buttermilk: Try Our 25 Favorite Recipes

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commissions or revenue from certain articles through these links.”

We’re going to let you in on a little secret. Are you ready for this? Ree Drummond loves buttermilk. Just look to their creamy yet tangy homemade ranch dressing or their perfect pancakes for that ideal fluffy texture. She also uses buttermilk in recipes like skillet cornbread and her family’s favorite chocolate cake. As you can see, buttermilk is one of the most versatile ingredients, which is why you’ll love these easy buttermilk recipes.

To better understand why buttermilk is used in homemade fried chicken, biscuits, and cake recipes, you need to know a little about buttermilk and how it is made. Traditionally, buttermilk was the liquid left over from churning butter made from cultured cream. But today you’ll find that most buttermilk is made from milk with added cultures. These are the cultures that give buttermilk its tangy flavor and thicker texture, making it perfect for use in salad dressings and pasta salads. When combined with baking soda, the acids in buttermilk react to create a tender crumb and light, fluffy texture in pancakes, waffles and cakes. Not to mention, it’s great for tenderizing meats like Ree’s Chicken Fried Chicken!

Of course, you can buy buttermilk at any grocery store, but you can also make your own buttermilk if you’re in a hurry. All you need is a cup of milk or half-and-half and a tablespoon of lemon juice. (Or check out our suggestions for buttermilk substitutes.) Either way, you’ll love these buttermilk recipes as much as The Pioneer Woman herself.

Butter cookies

Buttermilk helps rise these biscuits so they become tall, chewy and irresistible. Another tip to make them so tempting? Top them with melted butter and honey.

Get the recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits.

BUY PASTULA ROLLERS

Buttermilk Pie

The custard-like filling in this pie recipe has a caramelized top and flaky crust. It’s a Southern favorite through and through.

Get the Buttermilk Pie recipe.

Chicken Fried Chicken

The key to this extra crispy fried chicken is to marinate the thighs in buttermilk, pickle juice and egg, then dredge them in a mixture of flour, seasoned salt, pepper and cayenne. Once fried, it is topped with a creamy and comforting sauce.

Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.

Perfect pancakes

There’s a reason Ree’s pancakes have “perfect” in the name: it’s because she tweaked and adjusted the recipe to make them just that! What sets them apart from the rest is the combination of milk and buttermilk.

Get the recipe for Ree’s Perfect Pancakes.

Ranch Potatoes

Ranch lovers will go crazy for these crispy red potatoes. They’re seasoned with ranch mix and served over a buttermilk ranch dressing.

Get the ranch potato recipe.

BUY TRAYS

Grilled green tomatoes

Much like fried chicken, fried green tomatoes can benefit from a quick soak in a buttermilk-pickle mixture before being dredged in Creole-spiced cornmeal. It’s even better when served with ranch dressing.

Get the recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes.

Homemade ranch dressing

This creamy, herbaceous dressing can’t hurt. You can accompany it with a salad or simply use it as a condiment for burgers and fries. Doing it from scratch is definitely worth it.

Get the recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing.

Chocolate cake

Once Ree started making this cake, she never looked back! This rich, fudgy treat instantly becomes her family’s favorite. Luckily it’s big enough to feed a crowd.

Get Ree’s Chocolate Cake recipe.

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is both creamy and herbaceous thanks to a homemade buttermilk vinaigrette. You’ll also love the mix-ins like grape tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon.

Get the recipe for Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.

Lemon and Blueberry Cake

This cake is bursting with flavors that will remind you of a sunny afternoon. Not only are there juicy blueberries everywhere, but there’s also bright, citrusy lemon in the frosting and cake.

Get the recipe for Lemon Blueberry Cake.

BUY CAKE MOLDS

chicken popcorn

This recipe turns fried chicken into a bursting appetizer. You can serve them plain or toss them with Buffalo sauce and melted butter. Either way, once you break out, you won’t be able to stop.

Get the Popcorn Chicken recipe.

Coca-Cola Cake

It doesn’t get lighter and softer than this Coca-Cola cake. The bubbles from the soda (along with the buttermilk) make it light and fluffy, and also give an extra sweetness to the chocolate dessert.

Get the Coca-Cola Cake recipe.

Onion rings

Cook these onion rings in small batches and you’ll get perfectly light and crispy results every time. We know that big batches tend to get fat.

Get the onion rings recipe.

Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

A wedged salad is always crisp and refreshing. Plus, it looks so elegant when each wedge is plated and topped with shredded cheese, chives, and homemade buttermilk ranch dressing.

Get the recipe for Ree’s Wedge Salad with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing.

Skillet Cornbread

Ree calls this cornbread recipe her “all-time favorite.” In fact, it’s the same cornbread she ate as a child. One of the best things about this pan is that the cast iron pan makes the edges and bottom even crispier.

Get the recipe for Skillet Cornbread.

BUY CAST IRON STOVES

Funnel Cake

If you’ve ever been to a state fair, you’re probably familiar with this delicious treat. But for anyone new to dessert, prepare for a crispy fried batter that has just the right amount of tang from the buttermilk and just the right amount of sweetness from the powdered sugar.

Get the Funnel Cake recipe.

Strawberry cake

This strawberry cake is simple and sweet. It’s basically the perfect cake to make when you don’t have a lot of time: it will be on the table in less than an hour!

Get the strawberry cake recipe.

Green Goddess Potato Salad

Fresh herbs, anchovies, shallots, avocado give flavor and color to this buttermilk-based vinaigrette. In addition to tender potatoes, it is also garnished with snow peas for a spring touch.

Get Ree’s Green Goddess Potato Salad recipe.

Honey Cinnamon Butter Skillet Cookies

Ree likes to make her flaky buttermilk biscuits in a cast iron skillet which she says gets “very hot.” Topping them off with a homemade cinnamon-honey butter that melts into every nook and cranny is just the icing on the cake!

Get the recipe for Ree’s Skillet Cookies with Honey Cinnamon Butter.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

You don’t have to be a kid to love chicken tenders, although the young ones in your family will definitely love them! We lightened things up by making them in an air fryer so they were crispy but not greasy.

Get the recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.

SHOP AIR FRYERS

Chopped Ranch Salad

Thanks to the crispy bacon and buttermilk ranch dressing, even a cowboy will love this salad! Try serving it with steak or as a side dish at your next barbecue.

Get the Ree’s Ranch Chopped Salad recipe.

Dr Pepper Cupcakes

These cupcakes feature Ladd Drummond’s favorite soda: Dr Pepper! But they also contain cocoa powder, dried cherries and hot spices. They’re even topped with a tangy Dr Pepper glaze.

Get the recipe for Ree’s Dr Pepper Cupcakes.

Cornbread Waffles and Spicy Fried Chicken

Buttermilk is used in both spicy fried chicken bites and cornbread waffles, so you know you’ll put that carton to good use. With sliced ​​jalapeño peppers and spicy honey, this is such a fun twist on chicken and waffles.

Get Ree’s recipe for Cornbread Waffles and Spicy Fried Chicken.

Pumpkin Cake

This cake is bursting with warm spicy flavors and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s no wonder Ree calls it a “triumph!” »

Get Ree’s Pumpkin Sheet Cake recipe.

Waffles

Take Ree’s word for it: you can easily substitute buttermilk for the milk used in this recipe. In fact, buttermilk waffles are a dream come true!

Get Ree’s waffle recipe.

BUY WAFFLES

You might also like