Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuits

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 12 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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If you've ever craved the perfect Southern style buttermilk biscuits, you're in the right place. This recipe brings the fluffy, buttery goodness of the South directly to your kitchen. Whether it's breakfast or a comforting dinner side, these biscuits are sure to delight.

Ingredients for Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuits

All-purpose flour is the base of our biscuits, giving them structure. The baking powder and baking soda work together to provide lift and make the biscuits rise beautifully. A bit of salt balances the flavors, while unsalted butter is key for creating those rich, flaky layers. Finally, buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and tenderizes the dough, leading to a moist biscuit.

Tips & Tricks

  • Keep your butter and buttermilk cold; it helps create those desirable flaky layers.
  • Don’t twist the biscuit cutter. Twisting seals the edges and prevents proper rising.
  • If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, use the rim of a glass or a sharp knife to cut squares.

Serving Suggestions

These biscuits are perfect alongside fried chicken or a hearty stew. They also pair well with honey or jam for a sweet breakfast treat. For a Southern classic, serve them with sausage gravy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to avoid over-salting.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can make a substitute by mixing 3/4 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice, then let it sit for 5 minutes.

Southern Style Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). This ensures that when our biscuits go in, they get a nice rise from the high heat. In a large bowl, start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents so every biscuit rises well.

Next, add the chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You want to see small chunks of butter; these will create layers in the biscuits.

Gently pour in the cold buttermilk, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or you’ll end up with tough biscuits. The dough will be a bit sticky, and that's okay.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits, gently pushing straight down without twisting to avoid sealing the edges.

Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, giving them a bit of space to expand. Pop them into your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Once out, brush the tops with melted butter for an extra touch of flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make — great for a busy morning or a last-minute dinner side.
  • Uses basic pantry ingredients, so no need for a grocery run.
  • Perfectly fluffy with a tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Chilled butter creates delightful flaky layers, a hallmark of Southern biscuits.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
3/4 cup buttermilk, cold

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times.
6. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.
7. Use a biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
9. Remove from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter.
10. Serve warm.

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