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Homemade Buttermilk

Published: May 22, 2025 by admin · This post may contain affiliate links · Nutrition values are estimates only. Leave a Comment

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You know that moment when you're craving something refreshing on a hot afternoon, but water feels too boring and juice feels too sweet? That's when I reach for a tall glass of homemade buttermilk. My grandmother used to make this every single day after lunch – she swore it was the secret to good digestion and staying cool in the summer heat. And honestly? She was onto something!

A glass of chilled homemade buttermilk, garnished with optional roasted cumin powder, ready to enjoy as a refreshing and healthy drink.

This isn't the tangy buttermilk you might know from American baking – this is the creamy, spiced Indian-style buttermilk. Plus, you're absolutely right about those probiotic benefits! The live cultures in yogurt do provide gut-healthy probiotics, making this drink both delicious and beneficial for your digestive system.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Equipment You'll Need
  • Instruction:
  • Storage
  • Top Tip
  • Nutrition
  • FAQ on making Homemade Buttermilk
  • Related
  • Pairing
  • Homemade Buttermilk

Ingredients

Just five simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!

Base:

  • Plain yogurt
  • Cold water
  • Salt

Spices:

  • Roasted cumin powder (optional but so worth it!)
  • Fenugreek powder

See recipe card for quantities.

Equipment You'll Need

  • Blender or large whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Tall glasses for serving
  • Fine mesh strainer (optional, for extra smooth texture)

Instruction:

Blend everything together!

Fresh ginger, green chili, and coriander with 1 cup of cold water in a blender, ready for making refreshing homemade Indian buttermilk (chaas).
Adding ½ cup of plain yogurt to the blender with spices and water, a key step for creamy, homemade buttermilk.
Blending all ingredients – water, green chili, ginger, coriander, salt, lime juice, and yogurt – for smooth and frothy homemade buttermilk.
Pouring freshly blended homemade buttermilk into a glass, showcasing its light and refreshing texture, perfect for cooling down.
A glass of chilled homemade buttermilk, garnished with optional roasted cumin powder, ready to enjoy as a refreshing and healthy drink.

Storage

Fresh buttermilk tastes best when served immediately, but you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before serving since the ingredients tend to separate naturally.

Top Tip

Use ice-cold water and chill your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving. The contrast between the cool, creamy drink and the frosty glass is pure magic.

Nutrition

One serving of Homemade Buttermilk, which is 1 glass, contains 64 calories with 3g of protein, 3g of fiber and 8g of carbs.

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Buttermilk
Serving Size
 
1 glass
Amount per Serving
Calories
64
% Daily Value*
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
8
g
3
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Sodium
 
699
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
188
mg
5
%
Vitamin D
 
0.1
µg
1
%
Calcium
 
123
mg
12
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

FAQ on making Homemade Buttermilk

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt?

Absolutely! Greek yogurt works perfectly, though you might want to add a bit more water since it's thicker. Start with the recipe as written and adjust to your preferred consistency.

Is this the same as the buttermilk used in baking?

Not quite! This is more like a refreshing drink, while baking buttermilk is tangier and thinner. If you need baking buttermilk, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to regular milk instead.

Why does mine separate after sitting?

That's totally normal! Yogurt and water naturally separate over time. Just give it a quick stir or blend, and it'll be smooth again. This is why I always make it fresh rather than storing large batches.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Bowl of fluffy, cooked high-protein rice made with white rice and split green moong dal.
    High Protein Rice
  • Crispy golden Indian spiced shrimp fry served on a white plate with fresh curry leaves garnish on a wooden table
    Quick Shrimp Fry
  • Perfectly baked Indian-style chicken thighs with golden-brown exterior in a serving bowl, ready to eat
    Crispy Indian-Style Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
  • Balanced chicken curry thali with rice, spinach, cucumber carrot salad, and yogurt - nutritionally complete Indian meal
    How to Make the Perfect Chicken Curry Thali: A Complete Indian Meal Guide

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Homemade Buttermilk:

  • Balanced Thali with white rice, flavorful Ulavacharu Rasam, protein-rich omelet, & crisp salad on a plate.
    Ulavacharu Rasam & Egg Thali
  • Overhead view of a colorful Indian thali featuring protein rice, carrot chutney, spiced shrimp fry, and horsegram snack arranged on a traditional plate
    Shrimp Fry & Horsegram Thali
  • Traditional South Indian upma thali served on a banana leaf with fluffy upma, peanut chutney, egg bhurji, and boiled edamame, showcasing a balanced and nutritious meal with vibrant colors and variety.
    Upma Thali
  • Delicious and Nutritious South Indian Tomato Pappu Thali featuring Tomato Pappu, White Rice, Oven Baked Chicken Thighs, Mushroom Fry, and Homemade Yogurt.
    Tomato Pappu Thali: Balanced with Chicken & Mushrooms

Homemade Buttermilk

A refreshing, cooling drink made with yogurt, water, and simple spices. Perfect for hot days or as a digestive aid.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings 1 glasses
Calories 64 kcal
ProteinProtein 3 g
FiberFiber 3 g
FatFat 3 g
CarbohydratesCarbs 8 g

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 cups water cold
  • ½ green chili
  • ½ inch ginger
  • 1 tablespoon coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt
  • ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder optional

Instructions
 

Prepare Buttermilk:

  • Combine 1 cups water, ½ green chili, ½ inch ginger, 1 tablespoon coriander, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lime juice, ¼ cup plain yogurt, and ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder (optional) in a blender.
    Adding ½ cup of plain yogurt to the blender with spices and water, a key step for creamy, homemade buttermilk.
  • Blend or whisk until smooth and frothy.
    Pouring freshly blended homemade buttermilk into a glass, showcasing its light and refreshing texture, perfect for cooling down.

NUTRITION

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Buttermilk
Serving Size
 
1 glass
Amount per Serving
Calories
64
% Daily Value*
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Carbohydrates
 
8
g
3
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Fat
 
3
g
5
%
Sodium
 
699
mg
30
%
Potassium
 
188
mg
5
%
Vitamin D
 
0.1
µg
1
%
Calcium
 
123
mg
12
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Made this recipe?Meals are better when they're shared. Tag @ThaliMethod on Insta or Tiktok or use hashtag #ThaliMethod so we can all enjoy it! or send it to a friend!

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I'm on a mission to bring balance back to our plates, one delicious Indian meal at a time. ThaliMethod is my way of shaking up how we think about our kitchens and our food. We're not about restrictive diets; we're about smart portions and celebrating the incredible variety of Indian cuisine. Join me, and let's redefine what a 'balanced meal' really looks like.

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