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Home » Side Dishes

Homemade Buttermilk

Published: May 22, 2025 by Abhi · 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
%
Potassium
 
188
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
699
mg
30
%
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.

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Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Homemade Buttermilk:

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  • horse gram curry with bottle gourd raita & rice in mini bowls on a plate
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  • Nutritious Indian thali featuring high-protein rice, creamy methi paneer, vibrant broccoli eggplant chutney, and a refreshing glass of homemade buttermilk. Perfect for a healthy, balanced meal.
    Balanced Indian Thali #6: 26g Protein Vegetarian Meal
  • Balanced Thali with white rice, flavorful Ulavacharu Rasam, protein-rich omelet, & crisp salad on a plate.
    Ulavacharu Rasam & Egg Thali

Homemade Buttermilk

A refreshing, cooling drink made with yogurt, water, and simple spices. Perfect for hot days or as a digestive aid.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Start Cooking
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 chilies
  • ½ inch ginger
  • 1 tablespoon coriander powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt - adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin powder - optional

Instructions
 

Prepare Buttermilk:

  • Combine 1 cups water, ½ green chilies, ½ inch ginger, 1 tablespoon coriander powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon lime juice, ¼ cup plain yogurt, and ¼ teaspoon 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
%
Potassium
 
188
mg
5
%
Sodium
 
699
mg
30
%
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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Abhi indian food blogger focused on Marcos

Welcome!

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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Homemade Buttermilk

Homemade Buttermilk

Ingredients

Ingredients:
  • 1 cups water (cold)
  • 1/2 green chilies
  • 1/2 inch ginger
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp lime juice
  • 1/4 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/4 tsp cumin powder (optional)
Adding ½ cup of plain yogurt to the blender with spices and water, a key step for creamy, homemade buttermilk.
1
Combine 1 cups water, 1/2 green chilies, 1/2 inch ginger, 1 tbsp coriander powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, and 1/4 tsp cumin powder (optional) in a blender.
Pouring freshly blended homemade buttermilk into a glass, showcasing its light and refreshing texture, perfect for cooling down.
2
Blend or whisk until smooth and frothy.

Hope you enjoyed cooking this recipe!

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