Ingredient substitutions

27 ingredients

• Buttermilk

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar + ¾ cup + 3 tbsp milk (whole or 2%)
  • 1 cup: ¾ cup plain yogurt + ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup: ¾ cup sour cream + ¼ cup water or milk

• Heavy cream

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: ¾ cup whole milk + ¼ cup melted butter, cooled slightly
  • 1 cup: ⅞ cup half-and-half + 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 1 cup: 1 cup chilled coconut cream (solid part of a can)

• Baking powder

  Full guide
  • 1 tsp: ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp: ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
  • 1 tsp: ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp lemon juice or white vinegar

• Egg

  Full guide
  • 1 large egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water
  • 1 large egg: 1 tbsp chia seeds (ground or whole) + 3 tbsp water
  • 1 large egg: ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

• Cornstarch

  Full guide
  • 1 tbsp: 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
  • 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp potato starch

• Sour cream

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: 1 cup plain full-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup: 1 cup crème fraîche
  • 1 cup: 1 cup cottage cheese + 1 tbsp lemon juice

• Brown sugar

  Full guide
  • 1 cup packed: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 cup packed: 1 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 cup packed: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp maple syrup

• Baking soda

  Full guide
  • 1 tsp: 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp: 1 tsp potassium bicarbonate + ¼ tsp extra salt

• Butter

  Full guide
  • 1 cup (2 sticks): ¾ cup neutral oil
  • 1 cup (2 sticks): 1 cup refined coconut oil, solid
  • 1 cup (2 sticks): 1 cup stick margarine (at least 80% fat)

• Cake flour

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: ⅞ cup all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup: ⅞ cup all-purpose flour

• Self-rising flour

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp fine salt

• Milk

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
  • 1 cup: ⅓ cup nonfat dry milk powder + 1 cup water
  • 1 cup: ½ cup half-and-half + ½ cup water

• Powdered sugar

  Full guide
  • 1 cup: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup: 1 cup granulated sugar

• Wine (in cooking)

  • 1 cup red wine: 1 cup beef or mushroom stock + 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 cup white wine: 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock + 1 tbsp white wine vinegar or lemon juice

• Lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp: 1½ tsp white wine or cider vinegar (for acidity, not flavour)

• Fresh herbs

  • 1 tbsp fresh: 1 tsp dried (dried herbs are about three times stronger)

• Garlic

  • 1 clove: ⅛ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 clove: ½ tsp jarred minced garlic

• Onion

  • 1 medium onion: 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 medium onion: 3–4 tbsp dried minced onion

• Honey

  • 1 cup: 1 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup: 1¼ cups sugar + ¼ cup liquid

• Vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp: 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp: ½ tsp vanilla paste or seeds of ½ bean

• Unsweetened chocolate

  • 1 oz: 3 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp butter or oil

• Breadcrumbs

  • 1 cup: 1 cup crushed crackers or cornflakes
  • 1 cup: ¾ cup rolled oats (for meatballs and meatloaf)

• Tomato paste

  • 1 tbsp: 3 tbsp tomato sauce, simmered to reduce
  • 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp ketchup (sweeter)

• Cream of tartar

  • ½ tsp (for whipping egg whites): 1 tsp lemon juice or white vinegar

• Corn syrup

  • 1 cup light: 1¼ cups sugar + ⅓ cup water, boiled until syrupy
  • 1 cup: 1 cup golden syrup

• Soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp: 1 tbsp tamari (gluten-free) or coconut aminos (less salty)

• Shortening

  • 1 cup: 1 cup plus 2 tbsp butter (expect more spread)
  • 1 cup: 1 cup refined coconut oil