Ingredient Substitutions

There was a time when I was always looking for ingredient substitutions – I didn’t always have the right ingredient in my pantry and was looking for what I else I could use. Well, over time, I ended up gathering together quite a list and I wanted to share it. I’m still adding to this as I find new substitutions, so if there’s one that should be added, leave a comment and I’ll add it in.

Food

Amount

Substitute
Alcohol/Flavored Liqueur

any amount

Flavored liqueurs, extracts can be substituted if you make up the balance of the liquid with water. I.e. 2 tbsp = 1/2 tsp of orange extract; It is important to keep the volume of liquid in the recipe the same as originally called for.
Allspice

1 tsp

1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground cloves
Almond Paste

1-1/3 cups

1-3/4 cups ground blanched almonds + 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar + 1 egg white + 1 tsp almond extract + 1/4 tsp salt
Almonds – unshelled

1 lb

3/4 to 1 cup shelled
Ammonium bicarbonate

3/4 tsp

1 tsp baking soda
Apple pie spice

1 tsp

Mix 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground allspice and 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Arrowroot

1 tbsp

1 tbsp cornstarch, potato starch or rice starch -OR- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
Baking mix (bisquick)

2 cups

Mix 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2-1/2 tsp baking powder and 3/4 tsp salt. Cut in 1/3 cup shortening until mixture looks like fine crumbs
Baking powder

1 tsp

1 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Baking soda

There is NO substitute for baking soda
Balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp

1 tbsp sherry or cider vinegar
Bay leaf

1 whole

1/4 tsp crushed
Breadcrumbs – dry

1/4 cup

1/4 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs, corn flakes, or quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
Broth – chicken, beef, or vegetable

1 cup

1 tsp (or 1 cube) chicken, beef or vegetable bouillon granules dissolved in 1 cup boiling water
Butter

1 cup

1 cup margarine -OR- 7/8 cup shortening and 1/2 tsp salt
Buttermilk

1 cup

1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup -OR- 1 tbsp vinegar + sweet milk to make 1 cup -OR- 2/3 cup plain yogurt + 1/3 cup sweet milk
Capers

1 tbsp

1 tbsp chopped green olives
Carob

3 tbsp

3 tbsp cocoa and 1 tbsp shortening
Carob Powder

1 tbsp

1 tbsp cocoa powder (either natural or Dutch-processed)
Chili Sauce

1 cup

1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice
Chives (finely chopped)

2 tsp

2 tsp green onion tops finely chopped
Chocolate – semi-sweet

1 square (1oz)

3 tbsp chocolate chips -OR- 1 square (1oz) unsweetened chocolate + 1 tbsp sugar
Chocolate – sweet baking (German)

4oz

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder + 1/3 cup sugar
Chocolate – unsweetened

1oz

3 tbsp cocoa + 1 tbsp butter or regular margarine or vegetable oil
Chocolate chips – semi-sweet

1oz

1oz sweet cooking chocolate chopped
Chocolate chips – semi-sweet, melted

6oz pkg

2 squares unsweetened chocolate, 2 tbsp shortening and 1/2 cup sugar
Cocoa

1/4 cup or 4 tbsp

1oz chocolate (decrease fat in recipe by 1/2 tbsp)
Coffee

1/2 cup strong brewed

1/2 cup hot water and 1 tsp instant coffee granules
Corn syrup – dark

1 cup

1 cup light corn syrup -OR- 3/4 cup light corn syrup + 1/4 cup molasses -OR- 1 cup maple-flavored syrup
Corn syrup – light

1 cup

1 cups sugar + 1/4 cups water
Cornstarch

1 tbsp

2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Cream – clotted

1 cup

1 cup crème fraîche -OR- 1 cup mascarpone cheese -OR- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (35%), whipped
Cream – coconut

1 cup

1 cup whipping cream1 cup canned coconut cream -OR- 1 cup top layer of canned coconut milk (not low fat) (do not shake or stir can before skimming) -OR- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (35%) + 1/2 cup coconut cream powder
Cream – coffee cream (20% fat)

1 cup

3 tbsp butter + 7/8 cup milk
Cream – crème fraîche

1 cup

1 cup sour cream -OR- 1 cup whipping cream + 1 tbsp buttermilk or yogurt -OR- ½ cup whipping cream + 1/2 cup sour cream -OR- 1 cup mascarpone cheese
Cream – heavy

1 cup

3/4 cup milk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine (only for use in cooking and baking)
Cream – light

1 cup

3/4 cup milk and 3 tbsp butter or margarine (only for use in cooking and baking) -OR- 1 cup evaporated milk
Cream – whipping (40% fat)

1 cup

1/3 cup butter + 3/4 cup milk
Cream – whipping (unwhipped)

1 cup

1 cup UNWHIPPED whipping cream expands to 2 cups when WHIPPED — I.e., if your recipe called for 1 cup of cream to make whipped cream, you could substitute 2 cups of an already whipped product
Cream – whipping (whipped)

1 cup

1 cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping -OR- 1 cup prepared whipped topping mix
Cream of Tartar

1/2 tsp

1/2 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
Currants

1 cup

1 cup raisins -OR- 1 cup chopped dates -OR- 1 cup other dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, blueberries)
Currant Jelly

rape jelly -OR- 3 parts apple jelly plus 1 part lemon juice -OR- muscadine jelly
Egg white

1 white

2 tsp sifted dry egg white powder with 2 tbsp water
Eggs

1 large

2 egg whites -OR- 1/4 cup egg product -OR- 2 egg yolks + 1 tbsp water (for cookies and bars)
Flour – wheat

1 cup

7/8 cup all purpose flour + 2 tbsp wheat germ -OR- 1 cup graham flour
Flour – all purpose

1 cup sifted

1 cup and 2 tbsp cake flour -OR- 1 cup minus 2 tbsp unsifted all-purpose flour -OR- 1 cup rice flour
Flour – cake

1 cup

3/4 cup all purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch
Flour – self rising

1 cup

1 cup minus 2 tsp all purpose flour + 1-1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt
Garlic (finely chopped)

1 medium clove

1/8 tsp garlic powder -OR- 1/4 tsp instant minced garlic
Ginger root (grated or finely chopped)

1 tsp

3/4 tsp ground ginger
Herbs – fresh

1 tbsp

1 tsp dried herbs
Honey

1 cup

1-1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup water or apple juice
Italian seasonings

1-1/2 tsp

1/4 tsp each dried marjoram, oregano + basil plues 1/8 tsp sage
Ketchup (for cooking)

1 cup

1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tbsp vinegar
Leeks (sliced)

1/2 cup

1/2 cup sliced shallots or green onions
Lemon

1 piece

3 tbsp lemon juice -OR- 1 tsp grated peel
Lemon – zest

1 tsp

1-2 tsp fresh grated lemon peel -OR- 1/2 tsp lemon extract
Lemon juice (fresh)

1 tbsp

1 tbsp bottled lemon juice or white vinegar
Lime – zest

1 tsp

1 tsp lemon or orange
Lime juice, freshly squeezed

1 tbsp

1 tbsp lemon or orange juice
Maple syrup

1 cup

1 cup honey -OR- 3/4 cup corn syrup + 1/4 cup butter + 1/2 tsp maple extract (optional)
Marshmallows, Miniature

1 cup

10 large marshmallows
Marzipan

2-1/2 cups

2 cups almond paste + 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp light corn syrup
Mascarpone cheese

1 cup

1 cup Crème fraîche -OR- 3/4 cup cream cheese beaten with 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream (35%)
Mayonnaise

1 cup

1 cup sour cream -OR- 1 cup yogurt — For use in salads and salad dressings
Milk – buttermilk or sour

1 cup

1 cup plain yogurt -OR- 1 cup whole milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice
Milk – coconut

1 cup

1 cup canned coconut milk (not low fat) -OR- 3 tbsp canned cream of coconut + enough hot water or milk to equal 1 cup -OR- 1/4 cup coconut cream powder + 1 cup hot water or milk
Milk – evaporated

1 cup

1 cup half & half (10-12%) -OR- 1 cup light or table cream (20%) -OR- 1 cup light (30%) or heavy whipping cream (35%)
Milk – nut

1 cup

1 cup cow’s milk
Milk – regular or low-fat

1 cup

1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water -OR- nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package
Milk – rice

1 cup

1 cup cow’s milk
Milk – soy

1 cup

1 cup cow’s milk
Milk – sweetened condensed

1 can

Heat and stir 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar and 3 tbsp butter until sugar has dissolved.
Molasses

1 cup

1/2 to 1 cup honey (flavor will be milder) -OR- 1 cup dark corn syrup -OR- 1 cup maple syrup -OR- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar heated to dissolve in 1/4 cup liquid
Mushrooms (fresh)

1 cup cooked, sliced

1 (4oz) can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
Mustard – ground

1 tsp

1 tbsp prepared mustard
Oil

1 cup

1 cup applesauce; for cake and cookie recipes
Onion

1 small or 1/4 cup chopped, fresh onion

1 tbsp instant minced onion — Dried onion may be added directly to moist foods such as soups, gravies, sauces and salad dressings. You may need to rehydrate it with a little water before adding it to drier food
Orange

1 piece

1/3 cup juice -OR- 2 tsp grated peel
Orange – zest (grated)

1 tsp

1 tsp dried orange peel -OR- 1 tsp lemon or lime zest -OR- 1 tsp finely chopped candied orange peel
Orange juice, freshly squeezed

1 cup

1 cup reconstituted frozen concentrate
Polenta, dry

1 cup

1 cup cornmeal -OR- 1 cup maize meal -OR- 1 cup corn grits
Poultry seasoning

1 tsp

1/4 tsp ground thyme + 3/4 tsp ground sage
Pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp

Mix 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground allspice and 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Raisins

1 cup

1 cup dried currants -OR- 1 cup pitted chopped dates -OR- 1 cup dried fruit, finely chopped (cherries, cranberries, blueberries, etc.)
Red pepper sauce

3 or 4 drops

1/8 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
Ricotta cheese

1 cup

1 cup cottage cheese + 1 Tbsp skim milk
Rose Water

1 tsp

1 tsp any flower-based water
Rum

any amount

1 part rum extract + 3 parts water — I.e.: for 1/4 cup rum, substitute 1 tbsp rum extract + 3 tbsp water.
Saffron

1 tsp

1 tsp tumeric
Sesame seed

1 tbsp

1 tbsp finely chopped blanched almonds
Shortening, melted

1 cup

1 cup cooking oil
Shortening, solid

1 cup

1-1/8 cup butter or margarine (decrease salt in recipe by 1/2 tsp)
Sour cream

1 cup

1 cup yogurt -OR- mix together 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 tsp lemon juice and 1/2 cup butter
Soy sauce

1 tbsp

1 tbsp teriyaki Sauce
Sugar – brown (packed)

1 cup

3/4 cup granulated sugar + 1/4 cup molasses
Sugar – confectioners’ or powdered

1 cup

1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch — Process in a food processor using the metal blade attachment until it’s well blended and powdery.
Sugar – maple (finely grated)

1/2 cup

1 cup maple syrup (reduce liquid in recipe by 1/4 cup) -OR- 3/4 cup granulated white sugar + 1 tsp pure maple extract
Sugar (packed)

1 cup

1 cup light brown sugar (packed) or 2 cups powdered sugar
Tomato juice

1 cup

1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
Tomato paste

1/2 cup

1 cup tomato sauce cooked uncovered to reduce to 1/2 cup
Tomato sauce

1 cup

6 tbsp tomato paste and 1/2 water
Tomato soup

10-3/4 oz can

1 cup tomato sauce + 1/4 cup water
Tomatoes (canned)

1 cup

about 1-1/3 cups cut-up fresh tomatoes, simmered 10 minutes
Treacle

1 cup

1 cup light or dark corn syrup -OR- 1 cup light molasses
Vinegar – apple cider

1/4 cup

1/4 cup white vinegar
Vinegar – white

1/4 cup

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar -OR- 1/3 cup lemon juice
Walnuts – unshelled

1 lb

1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups shelled
Water

3/4 cup

1 cup cow’s milk
Wine – red

1 cup

1 cup apple cider, grape juice or cranberry juice
Wine – white

1 cup

1 cup apple juice, apple cider, white grape juice or chicken broth
Wine in desserts

1/2 cup

1/2 cup fruit juice
Wine in savory recipes

1/2 cup

1/2 cup chicken broth
Yeast – compressed

3/5 oz

1 package (1/4oz) active dry yeast -OR- 2-1/2 tsp loose active dry yeast
Yeast – regular or quick active dry)

1 (1/4oz) pkg

2-1/4 tsp regular or quick active dry -OR- 1 (o.6oz) compressed cake yeast
Yogurt – plain

1 cup

1 cup buttermilk -OR- 1 cup sour cream

22 Responses

  1. clash of clans - September 3, 2015

    Thanks for your insight for your fantastic posting. I’m glad I have taken the time to see this.

  2. sky group - June 26, 2016

    Good day Loan Seekers Solution for your financial problems,
    Are you in need of an urgent cash? such as personal cash,company cash,business cash,cash to pay depth,educational cash,any kind of cash you are looking for interest loan. Our loan ranges from $5,000-USD (Five Thousand US dollars) to
    $50, 000,000.00. (Fifty Million US dollars). We also lend in USA DOLLARS EURO and POUNDS !! contact us now skygroup.financial09@gmail.com

  3. 3whirring - January 12, 2022

    2australia

  4. gay chat ohio - January 14, 2022

    dos chicos se conocieron en un chat gay https://bjsgaychatroom.info/

  5. 702 gay chat - January 14, 2022

    702 gay chat number https://gay-buddies.com/

  6. free gay twink dating - January 15, 2022

    tucson free local gay only dating sites https://speedgaydate.com/

  7. goldfish casino slots free - January 28, 2022

    quick hits slots https://2-free-slots.com/

  8. free online slots games - January 28, 2022

    play ginger wild slots https://freeonlneslotmachine.com/

  9. all slots casino - January 29, 2022

    free slots cleopatra https://slotmachinesworld.com/

  10. free slots download for pc - February 3, 2022

    lucky slots 777 free play https://slotmachinesforum.net/

  11. free slots to play - February 3, 2022

    fa fa fa slots https://slot-machine-sale.com/

  12. lincoln slots - February 3, 2022

    free slots on facebook https://beat-slot-machines.com/

  13. free coins hot shot slots - February 3, 2022

    pearl warriors slots https://download-slot-machines.com/

  14. slots inferno - February 4, 2022

    life of luxury slots https://411slotmachine.com/

  15. las vegas casino slots - February 4, 2022

    best way to win at slots https://www-slotmachines.com/

  16. free classic slots - February 4, 2022

    free buffalo slots https://slotmachinegameinfo.com/

  17. custom dissertation writing - February 10, 2022

    top dissertation help https://buydissertationhelp.com/

  18. dissertation acknowledgement sample - February 11, 2022

    definition of dissertation https://dissertationwriting-service.com/

  19. what is a dissertation defense - February 11, 2022

    dissertation writing guides https://help-with-dissertations.com/

  20. dissertation help cheap - February 11, 2022

    dissertation help online uk https://mydissertationwritinghelp.com/

  21. a dissertation - February 11, 2022

    dissertation coaching https://dissertations-writing.org/

  22. best dissertation writing service uk - February 12, 2022

    dissertation writing course https://helpon-doctoral-dissertations.net/

Leave a Reply