Ingredient Substitutions

[flash]

If you have ever run out of an ingredient in the middle of cooking, or just don't want to run out to the store again...or even if you just want to use up something from your own stockpile, here is a list common ingredient substitutions.

A

Allspice
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Apple pie spice
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp cardamom

Arrowroot
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 1/2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
OR 2 1/4 tsp cornstarch, potato starch or rice starch


B

Baking powder
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 5/8 tsp cream of tartar
OR 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk (reduce liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup)
OR 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 3/8 cup molasses (reduce liquid in recipe by 1/4 cup; adjust sweetener)
OR 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar used with sweet milk to make 1/2 cup (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/2 cup)
OR 1 1/2 tsp phosphate or tartrate baking powder

Baking Soda
Amount: none
Substitute with: there is no substitute

Bay leaf
Amount: 1 whole
Substitute with: 1/4 tsp crushed bay leaf

Brandy
Amount: 1/4 cup
Substitute with: 1 tsp brandy extract plus enough water or liquid called for in recipe to make 1/4 cup

Bread crumbs (dry)
Amount: 1 cup dry
Substitute with: 3/4 cup cracker crumbs

Broth, beef or chicken
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup boiling water
OR 1 cup water
OR 1 tsp powdered broth base dissolved in 1 cup boiling water

Butter
Amount: 1 cup (two sticks)
Substitute with: 1 cup margarine
OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil, lard or vegetable shortening
OR 4/5 cup strained bacon fat
OR 3/4 cup strained chicken fat

Buttermilk/sour milk
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup plain yogurt
OR 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes)
OR 1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk


C

Catsup
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp vinegar (for use in cooking)

Chicken stock base, instant
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1 chicken bouillon cube

Chicken stock base, instant
Amount: 1 tbsp dissolved in 1 cup water
Substitute with: 1 cup canned or homeade chicken broth or chicken stock

Chili sauce
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 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
Amount: 2 tsp
Substitute with: 2 tsp green onion tops, finely chopped

Chocolate chips, semisweet
Amount: 1 ounce
Substitute with: 1 ounce sweet cooking chocolate

Chocolate, semisweet
Amount: 1 2/3 ounces
Substitute with: 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate and 4 tsp sugar

Chocolate, semisweet chips, melted
Amount: 6-ounce package
Substitute with: 2 squared unsweetened chocolate, 2 tbsp shortening, and cup sugar

Chocolate, unsweetened
Amount: 1 square or 1 ounce
Substitute with: 3 tbsp cocoa and 1 tbsp fat

Cocoa
Amount: 1/4 cup or 4 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 ounce (square) chocolate (decrease fat called for in recipe by 1/2 tbsp)

Coconut
Amount: 1 tbsp grated, dry
Substitute with: 1 1/2 tbsp fresh grated coconut

Coconut cream
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup whipping cream

Coconut milk
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup whole milk

Corn syrup (dark)
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 3/4 light corn syrup plus 1/4 cup light molasses

Corn syrup (light)
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 1/4 cups granulated or packed brown sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid (use whatever liquid the recipe calls for)

Cornstarch (for thickening)
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
OR 2 tsp arrowroot

Cracker crumbs
Amount: 3/4 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup dry bread crumbs

Cream, half-and-half
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 7/8 cup milk and 1/2 tbsp butter or margarine
OR 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
OR 1/2 cup coffee cream plus 1/2 cup milk

Cream, heavy
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 3/4 cup milk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine (for use in cooking or baking)

Cream, light
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 3/4 cup milk and 3 tbsp butter or margarine (for use in cooking or baking)
OR 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted

Cream, whipped
Amount: any amount
Substitute with: Chill a 13 oz. can of evaporated milk for 12 hours. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice. Whip until stiff.

Cream of tartar
Amount: 1/2 tsp
Substitute with: 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar



D

Dill, fresh or dried
Amount: 3 heads
Substitute with: 1 tbsp, dill seed



E

Egg
Amount: 1 whole (3 tbsp)
Substitute with: 3 tbsp and 1 tsp thawed frozen egg
OR 2 1/2 tbsp sifted, dry whole egg powder and 2 1/2 tbsp warm water
OR 2 yolks and 1 tbsp water (in cookies)
OR 2 yolks (in custards, cream fillings, and similar mixtures)
OR 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp vinegar, and 1 tbsp liquid (in baking)
OR 1 egg in every 3 can be replaced with 1 tbsp cornstarch in baking
OR Soften 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin in 3 tbsp cold water; add 3 tsp boiling water; cool and beat until frothy; add to recipe (reduce other liquid by 2 tbsp)
OR 1/4 cup commercial egg substitute

Egg white
Amount: 1 white (2 tbsp)
Substitute with: 2 tbsp thawed frozen egg white
OR 2 tsp sifted, dry egg white powder and 2 tbsp lukewarm water

Egg yolk
Amount: 1 yolk (1 1/2 tsp)
Substitute with: 2 tbsp sifted, dry egg yolk powder and 2 tsp water
OR 1 1/3 tbsp thawed frozen egg yolk


F

Flour, all-purpose (for thickening)
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch, arrowroot starch, potato starch, or rice starch
OR 1 tbsp granular tapioca
OR 1 tbsp waxy rice flour
OR 1 tbsp waxy corn flour
OR 2 tbsp browned flour
OR 1 1/2 tsp whole wheat flour and 1/2 tsp all purpose flour

Flour, all-purpose
Amount: 1 cup sifted
Substitute with: 1 cup and 2 tbsp cake flour
OR 1 cup minus 2 tbsp unsifted all-purpose flour
OR 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
OR 1 cup rolled oats
OR 1/3 cup cornmeal or soybean flour and 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
OR 1/2 cup cornmeal, bran, rice flour, rye flour or whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
OR 3/4 cup whole wheat flour or bran flour and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
OR 1 cup rye or rice flour
OR 1/4 cup soybean flour and 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Flour, cake
Amount: 1 cup sifted
Substitute with: 1 cup minus 2 tbsp sifted all-purpose flour

Flour, self-rising
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup minus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and 1/1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.


G

Garlic
Amount: 1 clove, small
Substitute with: 1/8 tsp garlic powder or instant minced garlic
OR 1/2 - 1 tsp garlic salt (reduce amount salt called for in recipe)

Gelatin, flavored
Amount: 3-ounce package
Substitute with: 1 tbsp plain gelatin and 2 cups fruit juice

Ginger
Amount: 1/8 tsp, powdered
Substitute with: 1 tbsp candied ginger rinsed in water to remove sugar and finely cut
OR 1 tbsp raw ginger

H

Herbs, fresh
Amount: 1 tbsp finely cut
Substitute with: 1 tsp dried herbs

Honey
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup liquid (use liquid called for in recipe)

Horseradish
Amount: 1 tbsp fresh
Substitute with: 2 tbsp bottled/prepared


L

Lemon juice
Amount: 1 tsp juice
Substitute with: 1/2 tsp vinegar

Lemon
Amount: 1 medium
Substitute with: 2-3 tsp tbsp juice and 1-2 tsp rind

Lemon peel, dried
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1-2 tsp grated fresh lemon peel
OR grated peel of 1 medium lemon
OR 1/2 tsp lemon extract


M

Macaroni, (4 cups cooked)
Amount: 2 cups uncooked
Substitute with: 2 cups spaghetti, uncooked
OR 4 cups egg noodles, uncooked

Maple sugar
Amount: 1/2 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup maple syrup

Maple sugar (grated and packed)
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 tbsp white, granulated sugar

Maple Syrup
Amount: about 2 cups
Substitute with: Combine 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water, bring to clear boil; take off heat; add 1/2 tsp maple flavoring

Marshmallows, miniature
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 10 large marshmallows (snip up if small pieces are needed)

Mayonnaise (for use in salads and salad dressings
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup mayonnaise
OR 1 cup sour cream
OR 1 cup cottage cheese pureed in blender

Milk, buttermilk
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup plain yogurt

Milk, buttermilk or sour
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup minus 1 tbsp sweet milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (allow standing for 5-10 minutes)
OR 1 cup sweet milk and 1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar

Milk, evaporated (whole or skim)
Amount: 1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup water
Substitute with: 1 cup liquid whole milk

Milk, skim
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 4 to 5 tbsp non-fat dry milk powder and enough water to make one cup, or follow manufacturer's directions

Milk, skim
Amount: 1/4 cup
Substitute with: 4 tsp non-fat dry milk powder and enough water to make 1/4 cup, or follow manufacturer's directions
OR 2 tbsp evaporated skim milk and 2 tbsp water

Milk, sweetened condensed
Amount: 1 can (about 1 1/3 cup
Substitute with: Heat the following ingredients until sugar and butter are dissolved: 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp butter or margarine

Milk, whole
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup reconstituted non-fat dry milk and 2 tsp butter or margarine
OR 1/2 cup evaporated milk and 1/2 cup water
OR 4 tbsp whole dry milk and 1 cup water, or follow manufacturer's directions
OR 1 cup fruit juice or 1 cup potato water (for use in baking)
OR 1/4 cup non-fat dry milk and 2 tsp butter or margarine and 7/8 cup water
OR 1 cup soy or almond milk
OR 1 cup water plus 1 1/2 tsp butter in baking
OR 1 cup buttermilk plus 1/2 tsp baking soda (decrease baking powder in recipe by 2 tsp)

Mint leaves, fresh chopped
Amount: 1/4 cup
Substitute with: 1 tbsp dried mint leaves

Molasses
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 3/4 cup sugar, increase liquid by 5 tbsp, decrease baking soda by 1/2 tsp, add 2 tsp baking powder
OR 3/4 cup sugar plus 1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, increase liquid in recipe by 5 tbsp

Mushrooms
Amount: 1 lb fresh
Substitute with: 3 oz dried mushrooms plus 1 1/2 cups water
OR 1 10-ounce can

Mushrooms, powdered
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 3 tbsp whole, dried mushrooms
OR 4 oz fresh
OR 2 oz canned

Mustard, prepared
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1 tsp powdered mustard

Mustard, dry
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1 tbsp prepared mustard
OR 1/2 tsp mustard seeds


N

Nuts
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup rolled oats, browned (in baked products)


O

Oil (for sautéing)
Amount: 1/4 cup
Substitute with: 1/4 cup melted margarine, butter, bacon drippings, shortening, or lard

Onion
Amount: 1 small
Substitute with: 1/4 cup chopped, fresh onion
OR 1 1/3 tsp onion salt
OR 1-2 tbsp instant minced onion (rehydrate if necessary)
OR 1 tsp onion powder

Onions, instant minced
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 2 tbsp fresh onion, chopped

Onion powder
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 medium onion, chopped
OR 4 tbsp fresh chopped onion

Orange
Amount: 1 medium
Substitute with: 6-8 tbsp juice; 3/4 cup diced; 2-3 tbsp grated rind

Orange peel, dried
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 2-3 tsp grated fresh orange peel
OR grated peel of 1 medium orange
OR ½ tsp orange extract

Orange peel, fresh
Amount: 1 medium
Substitute with: 2-3 tbsp grated fresh orange peel


P

Pasta for pasta
Amount: 4 cups cooked
Substitute with: 8 oz standard dry pasta
OR for egg noodles, use approximately twice as much

Parsley, dried
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 3 tsp fresh parsley, chopped

Pepper, white
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1 tsp black pepper

Peppers, green bell
Amount: 1 tbsp dried
Substitute with: 3 tbsp fresh green pepper, chopped

Peppers, red bell
Amount: 1 tbsp dried
Substitute with: 3 tbsp fresh red bell pepper, chopped
OR 2 tbsp chopped pimento

Peppermint, dried
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Pimento
Amount: 2 tbsp, chopped
Substitute with: rehydrate 1 tbsp dried red bell peppers
OR 3 tbsp fresh red bell pepper, chopped

Pumpkin pie spice
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp allspice, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg


R

Rennet
Amount: 1 tablet
Substitute with: 1 tbsp liquid rennet

Rice (3 cups cooked)
Amount: 1 cup regular, uncooked
Substitute with: 1 cup uncooked converted rice
OR 1 cup uncooked brown rice
OR 1 cup uncooked wild rice
OR 1 cup bulgur or pearl barley, cooked

Rum
Amount: 1/4 cup
Substitute with: 1 tbsp rum extract plus enough liquid to make 1/4 cup


S

Shortening, melted
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup cooking oil (cooking oil should not be substituted if recipe does not call for melted shortening)

Shortening, solid (used in baking)
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup minus 2 tbsp lard
OR 1 1/8 cups butter (decrease salt called for in recipe by 1/2 tsp)
OR 1 1/8 cup margarine (decrease salt called for in recipe by 1/2 tsp)

Sour cream
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 3/4 cup sour milk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine
OR 3/4 cup buttermilk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine
OR Blend until smooth: 1/3 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 cup cottage cheese
OR 1 cup plain yogurt
OR 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 tsp lemon juice, and 1/3 cup butter or margarine

Spearmint, dried
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

Sugar, brown
Amount: 1 cup firmly packed
Substitute with: 1 cup granulated sugar
OR 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
OR 1/2 cup liquid brown sugar

Sugar, white
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup corn syrup, decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup (never replace more than 1/2 cup sugar called for in recipe with corn syrup)
OR 1 1/3 cup molasses (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/3 cup)
OR 1 cup powdered sugar
OR 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
OR 1 cup honey (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup)
OR 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, packed


T

Tapioca, granular
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 2 tbsp pearl tapioca

Tapioca, quick-cooking for thickening
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 tbsp of flour

Tomatoes, canned
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 1/3 cups diced tomatoes simmered 10 minutes

Tomatoes, fresh
Amount: 2 cups, chopped
Substitute with: 1 16-ounce can

Tomatoes, packed
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water

Tomato Juice
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water

Tomato Sauce
Amount: 2 cups
Substitute with: 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water

Tomato Soup
Amount: 1 10 3/4 oz. can
Substitute with: 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/4 oz. can cup water


V

Vanilla Bean
Amount: 1/2 bean
Substitute with: 1 tbsp vanilla extract


W

Wine, Red
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup grape juice or cranberry juice

Wine, White
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup apple juice or white grape juice

Worcestershire sauce
Amount: 1 tsp
Substitute with: 1 tsp bottled steak sauce



Y

Yeast, active dry
Amount: 1 tbsp
Substitute with: 1 yeast cake, compressed
OR 1 package active dry yeast


Yogurt, plain
Amount: 1 cup
Substitute with: 1 cup buttermilk
OR 1 cup cottage cheese blended until smooth
OR 1 cup sour cream