Goat milk has received some hype as a milk with less lactose than regular cow’s milk, but how good is it really? And, how does it match up to buttermilk, one of the most popular milks in baking and cooking?
We’re going to do a deep dive on these two, checking out everything including their nutritional profiles, textures, allergens, flavors – everything you need to know about the two that’ll make it clear about which one is better!
It’ll be an interesting showdown, as these are both animal-based milks with unique advantages over one another…who will win?
Let’s find out!
Comparing goat milk vs buttermilk
Both of these are animal-based, so you can’t use them for vegan diets. They also have milk as an allergen, so you likely won’t be able to enjoy goat milk with a cow milk allergy! Also, neither goat milk or buttermilk are suitable for vegan, paleo, or keto diets.
| Goat milk | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) | |
| Type | Animal-based | Animal-based |
| Allergens | Milk* | Milk |
| Vegan? | No | No |
| Paleo? | No | No |
| Keto? | No | No |
* Contains milk protein which may or may not be tolerated by people with a cow’s milk allergy (the most common milk allergy).
Differences between goat milk and buttermilk
The main difference between goat milk and buttermilk are the animals they come from and how they’re processed, which gives rise to different textures and flavors.
Goat milk comes from (you guessed it!) goats, and has less lactose than buttermilk. This could potentially make it a better choice for someone with lactose sensitivities, but remember that it still contains some lactose! It has a rich, slightly tangy, slightly earthy, and creamy flavor, with a texture very similar to regular milk – but a little creamier!
Buttermilk is creamier and tangier than goat milk, with a thicker texture and slightly sour taste. It’s made by taking homogenized or pasteurized milk and adding a probiotic culture to it, which ferments it! Buttermilk is very good for moistening different bakes.
How to use goat milk vs buttermilk
You can use goat milk and buttermilk in many ways, including:
Goat milk:
- Drinking on its own.
- Making goat cheese and yogurt.
- Creating skincare products.
- Use for baking and cooking.
- Adding to smoothies for a creamy twist.
Buttermilk:
- Drink by itself or use like kefir.
- Use it for marinades and brines.
- Tenderize meat with it.
- Moisten different bakes like pancakes, cookies, and cakes.
- Use it to make thick and creamy dressings and dips.
- Make the many recipes that call for its tangy flavor and creamy texture.
Can you substitute goat milk for buttermilk?
In most cases, the answer is yes!
Goat milk is a great substitute for buttermilk if you have lactose sensitivities, as goat milk has less lactose and different proteins from buttermilk. It’s also creamy and tangy (although less so than buttermilk), and can replace buttermilk in most cases, and vice versa.
However, it has a “goaty” taste that could affect your dishes quite differently, and the tangier, thicker, and more sour buttermilk is often specifically called for in recipes due to its unique characteristics, so you might have to do some experimenting in terms of baking.
Nutrition: Goat milk vs buttermilk
Goat milk has more fat than buttermilk, but both are quite high in carbs. Goat milk has 0 grams of sugar, while buttermilk has 11 grams per serving. They are almost the same in terms of protein, with buttermilk having 2 grams more than goat milk for a total of 10 grams per serving.
Both milks are great in calcium and vitamin D contents, giving you a solid percentage per serving of each. And remember, goat milk tends to have less lactose than buttermilk.
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Goat milk | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) |
| Calories | 140 | 120 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 7 g (4 g) | 2.5 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 11 g | 15 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 11 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 8 g | 10 g |
| Calcium | 25% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 15% DV | 10% DV |
How to store goat milk and buttermilk
Goat milk should be stored in the fridge, and be finished within 5-7 days after opening. You can freeze it for a couple months if you’d like, but fresh goat milk should be enjoyed quicker, within about 3-5 days. Make sure to keep an eye on the best-before date!
Buttermilk should be stored in the fridge too, and should last 7 days unopened. Once you open it, finish it within 5 days for the best results. Some brands say that it’ll last up to 14 days, but then you run the risk of using spoiled buttermilk, so always keep an eye on it and the best-before date!
Goat milk vs buttermilk: Which is better?
We have two unique milks here – which one is better?
On the one hand, we have goat milk with its unique flavor profile and the benefit of containing less lactose, along with a pretty great nutritional profile!
On the other hand we have buttermilk, which also boasts an awesome nutritional profile and a unique flavor with a thick and creamy texture that’s perfect for baking.
Now, it does come to down to your personal preferences here, and you should pick goat milk over buttermilk if you have lactose sensitivities, but buttermilk takes the overall win for being more accessible, having a similar great nutritional profile, and being amazing in bakes for its moisturizing properties.
FAQs
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. They both have their own unique pros and cons, so pick one that best fits your needs!
Many different types of milk like raw cow milk, hemp milk, rice milk, cashew milk, almond milk, etc. have unique pros and cons. Talk to your physician or nutritionist, or research different types of milk to find one that fits your needs.
Buttermilk is fermented and provides a tangy, slightly sour taste and has a thicker texture. It also has less fat and slightly more protein, and is better used for adding moisture to bakes.
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