23 Buttermilk Recipes to Make Instead of Just Chugging It

The dairy product's uses go beyond waffles and biscuits (though we have recipes for those, too!).

Our very own Daniel Gritzer is notorious for downing a glass of tangy buttermilk any time he can get his hands on it. If that's how you prefer to consumer buttermilk, then you may not even need this list! Just a recipe for how to make buttermilk. But if you're looking for other ways to use the dairy product—either because you need to finish what you have or you're looking to incorporate it into more of your cooking—then we've got 23 buttermilk recipes for you. From starters and sides to mains and desserts, there's a little something for everyone!

Starters and Sides

The Food Lab's Buttermilk Biscuits

A few simple techniques and some extra folding make the flakiest biscuits.

List Link: The Food Lab's Buttermilk Biscuits

Moist and Tender Brown Butter Cornbread

This recipe yields moist and tender cornbread with lots of corn flavor.

List Link: Moist and Tender Brown Butter Cornbread

Buttermilk Hushpuppies

These fried nuggets of cornmeal batter are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside.

List Link: Buttermilk Hushpuppies

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits With Garlic and Cheddar

Buttermilk biscuits are the perfect partner for chowders and stews.

List Link: Buttermilk Drop Biscuits With Garlic and Cheddar

Charcoal Chimney–Grilled Sugar Snap Peas With Buttermilk-Dill Dressing

The intense heat of a charcoal chimney starter will blister sugar snap peas without overcooking them, making them an ideal match for a buttermilk-dill dressing.

List Link: Charcoal Chimney–Grilled Sugar Snap Peas With Buttermilk-Dill Dressing

Tangy Buttermilk Coleslaw

Not counting salt and pepper, you only need seven extra things from the supermarket for this recipe, aside from the buttermilk you probably already have.

List Link: Tangy Buttermilk Coleslaw

Mains

Light and Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

These pancakes are extra light and fluffy with a classic buttery flavor and golden brown, crisp tops and bottoms.

List Link: Light and Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

Buttermilk Vanilla Waffles

Buttermilk adds a nice tang to these waffles.

List Link: Buttermilk Vanilla Waffles

Seared Scallops With Buttermilk Beurre Blanc

Sweet and tender scallops snuggle up with a twist on a classic French beurre blanc, using orange juice and buttermilk in place of the standard white wine and vinegar.

List Link: Seared Scallops With Buttermilk Beurre Blanc

Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice

Inspired by Popeyes, this fried chicken has that signature airy crust of rugged and scraggy bits, coupled with some personal touches.

List Link: Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice

Chicken Pot Pie With Buttermilk Biscuit Topping

Fluffy drop biscuits are the simplest and fastest way to make a chicken pot pie.

List Link: Chicken Pot Pie With Buttermilk Biscuit Topping

Kimchi-Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich

Here, kimchi-buttermilk-brined thighs are fried until super-crisp, then stacked on toasted buns or black sesame biscuits.

List Link: Kimchi-Brined Fried Chicken Sandwich

5-Ingredient Fried Chicken Sandwiches

Making an excellent fried chicken sandwich at home is easy when you use flavorful pickle juice as a brine.

List Link: 5-Ingredient Fried Chicken Sandwiches

The Best Italian-American Meatballs

These meatballs are light, tender, and very, very juicy—thanks in part to a bit of buttermilk.

List Link: The Best Italian-American Meatballs

Desserts

Buttermilk Ice Cream

This ice cream boasts big buttermilk flavor with a texture that's light and fresh.

List Link: Buttermilk Ice Cream

Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler

It's hard to beat warm and jammy blackberries under a light, crispy biscuit crust.

List Link: Old-Fashioned Blackberry Cobbler

Texas Sheet Cake

Texas sheet cake is a delightful combination of fluffy cake and fudgy frosting that should be in every baker's repertoire.

List Link: Texas Sheet Cake

Gingerbread Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe yields a tender, fluffy sheet cake with a bold dose of molasses and spices.

List Link: Gingerbread Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Pistachio Cake

Using good-quality pistachio oil in an olive oil cake recipe makes for a quick and easy cake that's brimming with pistachio aroma and flavor.

List Link: Pistachio Cake

Olive Oil Cake

This cake highlights the best olive oil has to offer, so reach for the good stuff!

List Link: Olive Oil Cake

Condiments and Drinks

Ranch Dressing

Here, creamy, rich buttermilk melds with the subtleties of fresh parsley, chives, and dill.

List Link: Ranch Dressing

Mango Lassi

Lassi is the original milkshake that can be found in countless variations throughout India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

List Link: Mango Lassi

Salted Mint Lassi (Borhani)

This herbaceous, savory lassi is the perfect accompaniment to any Indian meal.

List Link: Salted Mint Lassi (Borhani)