A sophisticated strawberry ice cream with a tart, acidic bite and nice depth of flavor. This low carb Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream, is ice cream at its best.
I could go on and on about how wonderful this strawberry buttermilk ice cream is. I could talk about how strawberry ice cream is my daughter’s absolute favorite ice cream flavor, but has never been my favorite. I could also tell you that this vanilla-loving girl has begun to appreciate out-side-the-box flavor combinations because of this amazing recipe! It was an absolute pleasure to test!
Just so you know, I’m not the only person on the planet who has made buttermilk ice cream. It’s been around f-o-r-e-v-e-r- and one can find recipes for it all over the internet. Maybe a reader or two remembers the Lemon Buttermilk Popsicle I made last month? They were really nice and I will definitely make them again when the weather turns hot.
The next buttermilk creation I share will be a blueberry buttermilk ice cream, which I have to say is pretty amaze-balls. But so far, I’d have to say that this strawberry buttermilk ice cream knocks me right down!
I know, some of you are shuddering at the thought of using buttermilk. I know, low carbers don’t buy any dairy product that isn’t full fat. Buttermilk is usually a “special purchase'” for use in biscuit or pancake recipes, which only call for portion of the carton. Poor buttermilk, it sits in the refrigerator *forgotten* until it spoils and you make your husband throw it away because you can’t even think about what it may look like inside with-out feeling ill.
I really like buttermilk in desserts. I love the tang or pucker it adds. It plays against the sweet of the strawberry, reminding me of a nice strawberry yogurt. The addition of balsamic vinegar rounds out the flavor and mellows out the pucker. Maybe I should say that it helps bridge the gap between the tang and the sweet. We know that strawberries, especially roasted strawberries, and balsamic vinegar have a thing going on – a special affinity for each other, right? It’s one of those weird gourmet co-mingling-flavor-things like prosciutto and melon or vanilla and lobster.
If you love the overly-sweet strawberry ice cream from the grocery store or local ice cream shop, then this strawberry buttermilk ice cream may be a bit of a surprise. It’s a bit more tart than sweet. When I said puckery, I meant it, but it is truly wonderful. I hope you’re brave enough to trust me, because it’s a real treat.
Do you have a favorite ice cream flavor or ice cream store?
Mine? Anything Gelato! I……mean…….anything! But, especially chocolate hazelnut.
Strawberry Buttermilk Ice Cream is 5 net carbs per serving
[Disclosure: This recipe contains affiliate links.]
- 12 ounces strawberries tops removed
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 cup erythritol
- 1 cup cooked strawberry puree
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup erythritol
- 2 tablespoons vanilla flavored vodka 1 ounce, optional helps with iciness
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon stevia glycerite
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar reduction
- 1 pinch salt
- To make the Strawberry Puree: Wash the berries and cut off the tops. Put the berries in a blender or food processor and blend until pureed. Put the puree in a smallish pot with the 1/4 cup of erythritol and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and place over medium heat until it begins to boil and foam. Turn down the heat and simmer until the mixture cooks down to 1 cup. This may take as long as an hour so make sure to stir the mixture about every 10-15 minutes so the strawberries don't burn on the bottom. Cool in the refrigerator.
- To make the Balsamic Vinegar Reduction: Pour 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan and simmer until it reduces by half. Let cool. 1 teaspoon will be used. The rest can be poured back into the vinegar bottle.
- To make the Ice Cream: Make sure all of the ingredients are cold. Add the cooled strawberry puree, heavy cream, buttermilk, erythritol, vodka, vanilla, stevia glycerite and salt in a blender and blend on the lowest speed until mixed. Turn the speed up to medium for just a few moments so the mixture can increase in volume. There should be about 4 cups.
Follow the instructions for making ice cream on your ice cream maker. While the machine is running, add the balsamic vinegar. When the Buttermilk Strawberry Ice Cream reaches the consistency of soft serve ice cream, stop the machine and scoop the ice cream into an air tight, freezer proof container.
- Before serving, let the ice cream sit out on the counter for 20-30 minutes to soften.
*** When I buy balsamic vinegar, I buy two bottles and simmer the contents down to the volume of one bottle. The reduction of the vinegar both mellows and intensifies the flavor.
Serving size is 1/3 of a cup.
Blueberry Buttermilk Ice Cream
Jill Roberts says
Strawberry buttermilk ice-cream is what i searched for a long time! I’ll try it asap! I found your post from Pinterest! I’m also gonna pin this post on my Pinterest board my followers will love it. Thanks for sharing post and nutrition facts, Kim!
Kim says
Thank you so much, Jill. It’s a delicious recipe. I hope your followers enjoy it. Have a great day. -Kim
Susan says
I’m dairy free as I tested sensitiv to whey and casein. I’m wondering if I could make this recipe and substitute coconut milk for cream and buttermilk? It sounds sooo good.
Kim says
Hi Susan. Great question. You understand that it is not going to taste the same – it’s not going to have that great tart-sweet flavor. I have not tested this particular recipe with coconut milk. I would love to hear how it turns out or if the combination is a no go. Please let me know if you try it. BTW, we were dairy free for a few years because of my daughter who is on the Spectrum. Many of my earlier recipes, cakes, muffins, and entrees are dairy free. I’ll try to include more dairy-free recipes on the blog. I hope you have a wonderful day! -Kim
Nancy Klingforth says
tHIS LOOKS SO GOOD. Do you know how many carbs per serving,? My son is doing keto and doing great. I would love to be able so surprise him with this if it fits his carb and sugar count.
Thanks
Nancy
Kim says
Thank you, Nancy. The recipe is 5 net carbs per serving. The servings are a little smaller because of the fruit, but because the flavor is so wonderful, it’s more than satisfying. The recipe makes 8 servings so it’s about 1/3-1/2 a cup per serving. I hope he enjoys it! -Kim
Shannon Burns says
I will definitely be trying this – once report cards are done -, but in the meantime, your expertise would be helpful: is it vital that the Stevia be in glycerite form? I have liquid and powder on hand, and would prefer not to buy yet another sweetener. Which brings me to my 2nd question, would xylitol do? Splenda? Swerve? You mentioned roasted strawberries in the preamble (I’m a big fan of roasting!), I’m guessing that since a purée is being made, roasting them wouldn’t hurt. Thoughts? I look forward to your reply.
Kim says
Shannon, such great questions! Use what ever stevia brand you prefer and sweeten to taste. I LOVE xylitol and it will work, yes, as will Swerve (granulated). Swerve adds a fiber to sweeten it’s product to achieve 1:1 sweetening power as compared to sugar. Sometimes that fiber has a little different results in recipes that don’t test with it – just an FYI. I did not test the recipe with roasted strawberries, but if you do!, try to have about 1 cup of puree when done. It will just add more complex flavor. I’m excited to hear how it turns out with the roasted strawberries. Please write back and let me know how it goes. Thanks for your comment and questions. Have a great week. -Kim
Chris says
Total admiration for your photography. Beautiful!
And I will definitely give the icecream making a go too. Thank you.
Kim says
Thank you, Chris, you made my day! The ice cream is soooo good! I hope you enjoy it. -Kim
Nicole says
I made this a few days ago & it is amazing! About to make my 2nd batch ???? I didn’t use either the vodka or the stevia glycerine but it turned out awesome anyway. Thanks for the great recipe Kim, I’m looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Kim says
I’m so glad you like the recipe. It’s one of our favorites. Thanks for letting me know and for the kind comment. Have a wonderful weekend! -Kim
lindsay says
I made this last week and it is amazing! The texture is so good too! I did put the full amount of vodka in. I will definitely try the blueberry version next. Thank you! You’re recipes are truly amazing!
Kim says
Lindsay, you definitely WIN for best comment of the day! Thank you so much – I needed this today. So happy you loved this recipe as much as I did and have enjoyed others, too. Have a wonderful week! -Kim
Meg says
This is genius, the idea of putting the vanilla vodka in to help with the iciness makes me all warm and fuzzy! I don’t drink but I do have many flavored vodka’s! You never know who will pop over – even with the whipped cream or marshmallow vodka…yummm!
Kim says
Hi, Meg! If you wanted to, you could even add a little more. I could taste it at 1/4 cup, but I think adding one more tablespoon wouldn’t effect the ice cream flavor. Flavored vodkas are great! -Kim
Erin@WellPlated says
I have some overwrite strawberry sitting in my fridge as I read this. What a great suggestion to turn them into something delicious!
Kim says
Thank you Erin! “Waste not, want not” as the saying goes, and why not turn it into dessert! 😉 -Kim
Malainie says
Oh goodie! I’ve got everything on hand for this but the vanilla vodka. Just have to use unflavored vodka! Even have the fresh buttermilk!
Kim says
Melanie- I’m so glad. I hope you like it. The only reason I bought vanilla flavored was because I hoped the taste of the vodka would be mellowed by the vanilla flavor and vanilla tastes good in almost any dessert. I’m sure the regular will work fine but you may want to add a little more vanilla to the ice cream? Let me know how you like it. Remember that it is tart. -Kim
Adam J. Holland says
What’s up with you vanilla people? (My wife is a vanilla person!) Good to know that you’re coming around. This is a beautiful concoction and has summer written all over it. Bravo!
Kim says
Haha! Adam, it’s nice to know that I am in good company. Vanilla people are stead-fast and true! 😉 Thanks for your kind compliment. -Kim