19+ Best Buttermilk Recipes

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By:Kimberly Vargo Published:March 25, 2026March 25, 2026

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If you’ve ever bought a full carton of buttermilk for one recipe only to watch it slowly expire in the back of the fridge, you’re definitely not alone. I used to do the same thing. Once I started keeping buttermilk on hand on purpose, though, it completely changed how I cook and bake.

Buttermilk pie slice served on layered plates with whipped cream and a light sprinkle of spice.

Buttermilk’s tangy flavor and acidity do things in baked goods that are hard to match. It helps make pancakes soft and fluffy, biscuits tall and flaky, and cornbread so moist and tender it practically melts in your mouth.

It also works beautifully in savory recipes like homemade ranch dressing, and in desserts like a rich, custardy buttermilk pie that tastes like it came straight from a Southern grandma’s kitchen. Whether you’ve got a full carton or just a little left, these recipes are all worth making.

So before you even think about pouring it down the drain, pull that carton out of the fridge and let’s put it to good use!

Flapjacks and fruit on a plate.

Best Buttermilk Pancakes Recipe with Crispy Edges

Buttermilk is the whole reason these pancakes turn out so fluffy and tender with those perfectly crispy golden edges. The acidity reacts with the baking soda to make them extra fluffy. That's something boxed mix just can't do. Once you make these from scratch, you'll never go back.

Stack of fluffy homemade buttermilk biscuits.

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

There's simply no substitute for real buttermilk when it comes to tall, flaky, Southern-style biscuits. It add moisture to the cold butter and flour, and helps the dough bake up tender, buttery, and absolutely irresistible in under 30 minutes.

Golden custard pie slice with flaky crust and whipped cream on a white plate.

Easy Buttermilk Pie Recipe

When I have a surplus of buttermilk and we want an easy dessert, this classic Southern pie is always the answer. The tangy pie is a family favorite. It has a custard filling with the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and it bakes up with a golden brown top and flaky crust that's hard to beat.

Plate full of southern cornbread.

Southern Cornbread Recipe

This is a staple in my kitchen, and buttermilk is the reason it turns out so soft, fluffy, and perfectly moist every single time. Whenever I have a little left in the carton, this is one of the recipes I make. Especially when there's a big pot of chili on the stove.

Cheese biscuits on a stack of plates.

Easy Cheddar Scallion Biscuits

I love to make these biscuits when we want something with a little more snackable. They have sharp cheddar and fresh scallions for a savory, cheesy twist. Cold buttermilk brings the dough together perfectly and keeps every bite tender, flaky, and golden brown.

Dill dressing being stirred with a spoon.

Dill Salad Dressing

This Dill Salad Dressing is creamy and packed with fresh herb flavor, while buttermilk gives it some tanginess. It comes together in minutes with just a handful of pantry staples, and it's versatile enough to use as a salad dressing, a dip, or spooned right over roasted vegetables. Once you have a batch in the fridge, you'll find yourself reaching for it on everything.

Slice of chocolate coca cola cake on two plates.

Coca Cola Cake Recipe

This rich, chocolatey Southern classic is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover buttermilk. It's a little different than your average chocolate cake, and in my opinion, so much better. The buttermilk adds moisture and activates the leavening, giving the cake that soft, tender crumb that soaks up every bit of the warm fudge icing.

Batch of cornbread on a green and white towel.

Easy Homemade Cornbread Muffins

These easy homemade cornbread muffins are golden brown, tender, and just a little sweet, with soft middles and crisp edges. They come together quickly and bake in about 15 minutes, which makes them a great side dish for busy weeknights. Add them to a bowl of chili or serve them with BBQ chicken and honey butter, and they won’t last long.

Top down view of a loaf of sliced bread on a platter.

Irish Soda Bread

No yeast, no kneading, and no long proofing time. This rustic loaf gets its rise from buttermilk and baking soda, which work together to create a tender crumb and a subtle tang. It’s the kind of bread that fits right in next to a warm bowl of soup or stew.

The final shot of three jalapeno cheddar biscuits on a plate.

Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits

These jalapeño cheddar biscuits take a classic Southern biscuit and give it a little extra flavor with melty cheddar and spicy jalapeños baked into every flaky, buttery layer. The buttermilk keeps them tender, helps them rise, and the whole recipe comes together in under 30 minutes. They’re just as good with eggs and bacon in the morning as they are with a bowl of soup at dinner.

Ranch dressing on a spoon.

Spicy Ranch Dressing Recipe

Buttermilk is what gives homemade ranch that rich, tangy flavor you just can't get from the bottled stuff. This spicy version comes together in minutes and is perfect as a dipping sauce, a salad dressing, or a spread on your favorite burgers and sandwiches.

Baked and sliced loaf of orange cranberry bread drizzled with orange glaze.

Orange Cranberry Bread With Glaze

This orange cranberry bread is packed with fresh cranberries, bright orange zest, and a sweet glaze that seeps into every bite. The buttermilk gives it a soft, tender crumb and plenty of moisture, making it a great choice for holiday breakfasts or homemade gifts. If you have buttermilk in the fridge during fall baking season, this recipe is a good place to use it.

Close up view of a stack of blueberry pancakes with compote.

Blueberry Pancakes Topped Homemade Blueberry Compote

These blueberry pancakes with homemade blueberry compote are soft, fluffy, and full of juicy blueberries. Buttermilk helps keep the pancakes tender and light, while the warm blueberry compote adds even more flavor on top. It’s the kind of breakfast that feels a little extra special without being hard to make.

Pile of cornbread on plates.

Green Chile Cornbread Recipe

Packed with roasted green chiles, melty cheese, and crispy bacon, this cornbread is a serious flavor bomb. Buttermilk keeps the batter rich and moist all the way through, making it the ultimate savory side dish for fall dinners and chili nights.

Top down view of cheesy spicy jalapeno cornbread.

Spicy Jalapeño Cornbread

This spicy jalapeño cornbread is a kicked-up version of a classic Southern favorite, with sharp cheddar cheese and jalapeño in every bite. Baking it in a cast iron skillet gives it crisp edges while the inside stays soft and moist. Serve it with chili, pinto beans, or any meal that could use a good piece of cornbread.

Several pieces of cornbread stacked on two plates.

Masa Harina Cornbread

This masa harina cornbread changes things up in the best way. Swapping in masa harina gives it a flavor similar to a tamale, and the cheddar cheese, green chiles, and warm spices make every bite extra good. Buttermilk keeps the texture soft, fluffy, and moist, so it pairs well with just about anything on the table.

Three cranberry orange muffins drizzled with glaze on a plate.

Cranberry Orange Breakfast Muffins

These cranberry orange breakfast muffins are a great way to use up leftover buttermilk. They’re ready in under an hour and topped with a crumble and powdered sugar glaze that make them feel bakery-worthy. They work well for holiday breakfasts, brunch, or any weekend morning when you want something special.

An up-close view of the sliced peanut butter bread.

Peanut Butter Bread

Peanut butter bread may be simple, but it delivers big flavor. Each slice is soft, moist, and full of rich peanut butter flavor, while the buttermilk helps keep the texture tender from edge to edge. If you’ve got a little leftover buttermilk and a few pantry staples, this is an easy recipe to make.

Close up view of a bite taken out of a pumpkin donut.

Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Donuts

Cinnamon sugar pumpkin donuts are just the kind of treat that fits a cool fall morning. They’re soft and fluffy, made with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, then finished with a buttery cinnamon sugar coating. The buttermilk helps keep the crumb tender, and the whole recipe comes together in about 30 minutes.

Air fryer blooming onion on parchment paper with dipping sauce in the background.

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

This air fryer blooming onion gives you the crispy coating and tender petals you want without dealing with a pot of hot oil. The buttermilk batter helps the breading cling to every piece so it cooks up crisp and golden in the air fryer. Serve it with the dipping sauce, and it feels like a fun restaurant-style appetizer at home.

Scoop of chicken and dressing on a spoon.

Chicken and Dressing

This old-fashioned comfort food starts with a batch of buttermilk cornbread, which gets crumbled and tossed with shredded chicken, sautéed veggies, and savory broth. The buttermilk in the cornbread base is what keeps the whole dressing perfectly moist and never dry.

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Four-image quad-grid collage of buttermilk recipes including fluffy pancakes, flaky biscuits, moist cornbread, and creamy buttermilk pie on a rustic kitchen backdrop.

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