Sometimes regular milk just doesn’t hit the spot…and that’s where flavored milk comes in! This stuff gives you all the great things that regular cow’s milk (or any different type of milk) does but with some delicious flavor twists ranging from chocolate, strawberry, banana, and more!
That said, buttermilk is a tried-and-true type of milk that plays an important role in many different recipes that call for it! For example, its tangy flavor is often needed to add a punch of flavor in different bakes, and its moistening capabilities make many bakes a joy to eat!
But which one of these should you pick?
To find that out, we’re going to have to put a magnifying glass up to both, taking a close look at all their unique characteristics. Then, we’ll know whether flavored milk or buttermilk is better!
Let’s begin!
Comparing flavored milk vs buttermilk
Flavored milk is most commonly animal-based because it usually comes from regular milk, but it can be made with basically any type of milk you want including dairy-free and plant-based milks. Therefore, its allergens and suitability for special diets varies depending on what type of milk it’s made from.
Buttermilk, on the other hand, is an animal-based milk that has milk as an allergen and isn’t suitable in vegan, paleo, or keto diets at all.
| Flavored milk | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) | |
| Type | Animal or plant-based | Animal-based |
| Allergens | Depends on the type of milk used | Milk |
| Vegan? | If plant-based | No |
| Paleo? | If it contains paleo-approved ingredients | No |
| Keto? | If it’s low in carbs (<2 g) | No |
Differences between flavored milk and buttermilk
The differences between flavored milk and buttermilk can change drastically depending on what milk the flavored milk is made from…
Flavored milk comes wearing many different hats – its base can be regular milk, almond milk, oat milk, hemp milk – I could go on and on!
And that makes it so great, as you can enjoy the texture and taste of any milk you’d like, with an added flavor twist such as banana, strawberry, chocolate – you can make any type of flavored milk you’d like, including the popular chocolate milk! That said, using certain ingredients (such as bananas) may change the texture of the milk it’s made from, so that’s something to keep in mind.
They also often contain added syrups and sugar, so check the labels to get something you want!
Buttermilk, on the other hand, is consistently tangy and slightly sour, along with thick and creamy in texture. It’s made from regular milk, which has a probiotic culture added to ferment it. This results in the unique flavor and texture, which is often an important piece in many recipes!
How to use flavored milk vs buttermilk
Here are some great ways that you can use flavored milk and buttermilk::
Flavored milk:
- Drink on its own.
- Add it to your coffee or tea in certain cases.
- Mix it into your smoothies and oatmeal for flavor twists!
- Pour over your cereal.
- Make puddings and desserts with it.
Buttermilk:
- Tenderize meat.
- Add moisture to things like pancakes, cookies, and moist cakes.
- Use as a base for dressings and dips.
- Use as marinades and brines.
- Make the many recipes that call for it.
- Drink on its own or use it like kefir.
Can you substitute flavored milk for buttermilk?
That depends on many factors. You could use them interchangeably in theory, but you’ll often find that flavored milk has wildly different flavors (and even textures) than the distinct buttermilk. This means that substituting them out for one another will change the dish greatly, and it might not come out the way it was meant to…
For example, if you switch out buttermilk with banana milk in a recipe that calls for buttermilk, the resulting dish might not turn out very good. This could take some experimenting, but I generally recommend you keep buttermilk in recipes that call for it because they often need its tanginess and specific texture.
Nutrition: Flavored milk vs buttermilk
Because there are so many different types of flavored milk, its nutritional profile changes depending on what milk it’s originally made from. For example, flavored 2% cow’s milk has a very different nutritional profile than flavored almond milk would. That said, we’ve included a comparison with buttermilk down below using chocolate milk, which is one of the most popular flavored milks!
You can see that the chocolate milk is much higher in calories, and has twice as much fat and carbs! The protein levels of both milks here are great, with the chocolate milk having 11 grams per serving and buttermilk having 10 grams per serving. Buttermilk already has a high sugar content of 11 grams per serving, but the chocolate milk nearly triples that with a lot of added sugar!
Both are overall decent sources of calcium and vitamin D!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Flavored milk (chocolate) | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) |
| Calories | 220 | 120 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 5 g (3.5 g) | 2.5 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 33 g | 15 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 31 g (16 g) | 11 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 11 g | 10 g |
| Calcium | 30% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 15% DV | 10% DV |
How to store flavored milk and buttermilk
Flavored milk is usually best stored in the fridge, whether it’s plant-based or animal-based – those recommendations can change depending on what the base milk is and what the additional ingredients for flavoring are, so make sure to check the best before dates and specific storage instructions on the label!
Buttermilk should be stored in the fridge and be finished within 5-7 days for the best freshness. That said, some brands say it’ll last for up to 14 days after opening, but it’s still a good idea to do a quick smell and taste test to make sure that it’s still good if you’re using it for that long.
Flavored milk vs buttermilk: The ultimate verdict
So, this is a bit of a tricky one.
And that’s because there are so many types of flavored milk out there, and it comes down to personal preference in most cases. However, I do recommend buttermilk overall for baking in recipes that call for it!
Flavored milk does take the win here though, as there are many delicious options out there that are worthy of experimenting with, and it’s a great way to bring more flavor to different bakes, cereals, smoothies, and more!
FAQs
Not necessarily, but it can be…some flavored milks have a lot of extra sugar, so just be mindful when enjoying those. Keep things in moderation, and track your sugar intake if you’re really wanting to stay dialed – but tasty things can still be enjoyed!
Many different types of milk like raw cow milk, camel milk, buttermilk, and almond milk have unique pros and cons, so I recommend doing some research to find out which milk fits your needs best! Or, consult a healthcare professional.
Buttermilk is fermented and tangy, with a slightly sour taste and a thicker texture. It also has less fat and slightly more protein.
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