One common place to look for buttermilk is in the dairy aisle.
This is where you will typically find various types of milk, including whole milk, skim milk, and flavored milk.
Buttermilk is usually packaged in cartons or plastic bottles, similar to regular milk.
It is important to note that buttermilk may be located on a different shelf or section within the dairy aisle, so it’s worth taking a closer look or asking a grocery store employee for assistance if you can’t find it right away.
Another possible location for buttermilk is in the baking aisle.
Many grocery stores organize their baking supplies in a separate section, which often includes ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda.
Since buttermilk is a common ingredient in baking, it is not uncommon to find it alongside these items.
Look for buttermilk in smaller containers, such as pint-sized cartons or powdered buttermilk mix.
In some cases, buttermilk may also be found in the refrigerated section near other cultured dairy products like yogurt and sour cream.
This is especially true if the store has a dedicated section for specialty or organic products.
Buttermilk can be a popular choice for those who enjoy making homemade dressings, marinades, or even pancakes, as it adds a unique tangy flavor to these dishes.
If you are still unable to locate buttermilk in the grocery store, don’t hesitate to ask a store employee for assistance.
They are usually knowledgeable about the store’s layout and can guide you to the right aisle or section.
Additionally, some stores may have an online shopping option where you can search for specific products and find their exact location within the store.
Where to Buy Buttermilk Near Me
You need to know the grocery store before you can locate the buttermilk. You can buy buttermilk in a variety of places, online and offline.
- Amazon
- Kroger
- Target
- Trader Joe’s
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
If you decide to visit the store, it can be helpful to check out its layout online before you go. Buttermilk is usually found in the dairy section of most stores.
Buttermilk is shipped cold and must stay that way.
The dairy section is usually located along the outside wall at the rear of the store. Dairy products require large fridges and freezing units, which are expensive.
The back of the store is a better place to maintain and conserve space for the refrigerators and freezers.
However, one time we found buttermilk near the produce in the front of the shop. The buttermilk was in the store’s local section, featuring products from local producers.
Which Buttermilk Brands Should I Buy?
Buttermilk should be thick and creamy, with a good consistency.
What are the best buttermilk brands to buy? Here is the list:
Hoosier Hill Farm Buttermilk Powder
Organic Valley Low Fat Cultured Buttermilk
Kalona Supernatural Sweet Cream Buttermilk
Kate’s Butter Buttermilk
Harrisburg Dairies Buttermilk
Anthony’s Premium Buttermilk Powder
Saco Cultured Buttermilk Blend
Clover Sonoma Low Fat Buttermilk
Buttermilk Powder by Medley Hills Farm
Buttermilk Powder Produced in USA
Other best brands of buttermilk to buy as follows:
- Animal Farm
- Barber’s Dairy
- Borden
- Five Acre Farms
- Garelick Farms
- Hiland
- Locally made products from a farmer’s market
It’s well worth the effort to get the best buttermilk. It’s even more critical if you prefer to drink it straight.
There are many types of buttermilk. You will find cultured buttermilk in almost every type of buttermilk you buy at the grocery store. This is created by adding particular bacteria to nonfat or low-fat milk.
You can also find buttermilk cultured from whole milk. This gives the milk a creamy texture. Five Acre Farms only uses whole milk – remarkably creamy with a fresh, tangy flavor.
The traditional buttermilk is the other type. The name is derived from the liquid by-product of butter churning. Kate’s Creamery produces this real deal buttermilk.
You can buy it in your local farmer’s markets or grocery stores. It is thinner and less acidic.
You can order it online in powder form. While fresh buttermilk is best, powdered buttermilk works well in many baking recipes.
King Arthur Flour, Saco Pantry, and Saco Buttermilk are the best brands of powdered buttermilk.
How to Store Buttermilk?
Buttermilk must be kept in the refrigerator and below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. You can avoid store buttermilk in the fridge door if possible because it is less cool there.
Buttermilk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Buttermilk can be frozen and kept for up to 3 months.
It can be frozen in the original container, or you can separate it and freeze smaller portions. Make sure that there is enough room in the container to allow the milk to expand as it freezes.
It is best to keep powdered buttermilk in an airtight bag or container. The buttermilk can become cakey if it is stored in a humid area.
It can last up to one year if stored in a cool, dry environment.
How Long Does Buttermilk Last?
Buttermilk that is sold in the stores is cultured buttermilk. This is different from traditional buttermilk. Both buttermilks have a short shelf life and should be kept in the refrigerator below 40°F (4.4°C).
Unopened buttermilk will last slightly longer (up to 14 days) in the refrigerator than its expiration date. You can freeze it unopened or opened in an airtight jar for up to three months.
It’s better to throw out buttermilk if you notice any changes in the appearance or smell.
How To Freeze Buttermilk?
Check to make sure that the buttermilk hasn’t gone sour before freezing it. It may not be past the “best before” or “best by” date, but it could have been contaminated or mishandled, accelerating the spoilage rate.
If the food is too chunky to pour, has mold or a strong smell, it’s best to throw it out.
If you freeze the buttermilk in its original carton, make sure that there is sufficient space in the carton for it to expand as it freezes.
You’ll need to defrost the entire milk container and use all the buttermilk if you freeze it.
You can freeze buttermilk in pre-measured amounts that you’ll use in your future recipes.
If you only use a little buttermilk, it’s best to freeze it in ice-cube trays. Once they have frozen solid, store them in a freezer bag.
You can use silicone baking forms to freeze a cup or a half-cup of buttermilk. Pour it into the mould and let it freeze.
Remove the buttermilk cakes from the freezer and place them in a freezer bag.
Label the frozen buttermilk with the date it was frozen. It’s easy for you to forget when you freeze it, and it can be kept longer than necessary.
It could also be confused with other items that you have in your freezer.
Is Heavy Cream the Same as Buttermilk?
Buttermilk is different from heavy cream. Buttermilk is an acidic, low-fat milk product made by fermenting the milk with lactic acid bacteria. It has a tangy taste and a slightly thickened texture.
Heavy cream, on the other hand, is a dairy product with high-fat content. It is made by using a layer of high-fat milk that rises at the top. It is rich and creamy with a high-fat content.
Buttermilk and heavy cream, while dairy products differ in fat content and texture.
Also, they have different uses when it comes to baking and cooking. Buttermilk is used to tenderize dough in recipes for cakes, biscuits, and pancakes. It also adds a tangy taste.
Heavy cream is often used to add flavor and richness to sauces, desserts, and soups.
While both buttermilk and cream are delicious and versatile, they serve different culinary functions and cannot be used interchangeably in recipes.
What to Get Instead of Buttermilk?
There are many substitutes for buttermilk if you do not have it on hand or cannot find it at your local supermarket. Here are some buttermilk alternatives:
Lemon Juice/Vinegar and Milk
Stir one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar into one cup of whole milk, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken and curdle.
This mixture has a similar acidity and tangy taste to buttermilk.
Sour Cream
Mix 1/4 cup milk or water with one cup of sour cream to thin out the sour cream. This will give a similar acidity and tangy taste to buttermilk.
Yogurt
Mix plain yogurt (one cup) with 1/4 cup milk or water to thin out plain yogurt. This will give you a similar taste and acidity to buttermilk.
Kefir
Kefir is fermented milk with the same tangy taste and acidity as buttermilk. You can use it to replace buttermilk 1:1 in your recipes.
Milk and Cream Tartar
Stir 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar into one cup of milk, then let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it thickens. This mixture has a less acidic and tangy taste than buttermilk.
The acidity, texture, and flavor may vary slightly from the original recipe if you substitute buttermilk for any of the alternatives listed above.
They will work in any recipe that calls for buttermilk.
What Can Buttermilk be Used for?
Buttermilk can be used to make a wide variety of sweet and savory recipes. Here are some of the most common uses for buttermilk:
Baked Goods
Buttermilk is used to make cakes, pancakes, biscuits, waffles, and muffins. It adds moisture and tenderness as well as a tangy taste.
You can use it in bread recipes as well to activate the yeast. It will also create a lighter texture.
Dressings and Dips
Buttermilk is a great ingredient to use in creamy dips and dressings such as ranch, blue cheese, or tzatziki. Buttermilk’s tangy taste pairs well with spices and herbs, making it an excellent base for dressings and dips.
Marinades and Brines
Buttermilk’s acidity makes it an excellent ingredient for marinades. You can marinate fish or chicken before grilling or roasting. This will help to tenderize and flavor the meat.
Beverages
Buttermilk is an excellent ingredient for making refreshing drinks like buttermilk lemonade and buttermilk fruit smoothies.
Soups and Stews
Buttermilk is a great way to add richness to soups or stews like potato soup, corn chowder, and other creamy dishes.
Conclusion
When searching for buttermilk, it is important to note that there are different types available.
Traditional buttermilk, which is the liquid left behind after churning butter, is the most common type found in grocery stores.
It has a tangy flavor and is often used in baking, marinades, and dressings.
However, there are also cultured buttermilk varieties available, which are made by adding lactic acid bacteria to milk.
These cultured versions have a thicker consistency and a slightly milder taste.
If you are unable to locate buttermilk in the dairy section, it is worth checking the baking aisle.
Some stores may choose to stock it there, as it is a common ingredient in many baked goods.
In this case, it will likely be located near other baking essentials such as flour, sugar, and baking powder.
Look for it in either the powdered form or as a liquid in cartons or bottles.
Additionally, some grocery stores may have a separate section dedicated to specialty or international foods.
If your grocery store has such a section, it is worth checking there as well.
Buttermilk is a staple ingredient in many cuisines, including Southern and Indian cooking, so it may be stocked in this section alongside other regional products.
Locating buttermilk in the grocery store may seem like a daunting task, but fear not! With a little know-how, you’ll be able to find it effortlessly.
Begin your search in the dairy aisle, where it is commonly found.
However, don’t limit yourself to just one section.
Be adventurous and explore alternative areas like the baking aisle or the organic/specialty section.
And if you still can’t find it, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friendly store employee.
Now, armed with this knowledge, you can confidently embark on your culinary adventures, creating delicious dishes infused with the tangy goodness of buttermilk.
Happy cooking and enjoy every mouthwatering bite!
