32 Common Substitute Ingredients for Cooking and Baking

I know you’ve been there before: halfway through making a favourite recipe it occurs to you that you’re missing an essential piece of your culinary creation. Before you jump in the car and drive to the nearest store, take a quick glance around your kitchen and decide if it might be possible to use substitute ingredients for the missing item. Ingredient swapping is easier than you think, and this list will serve as a guide to making many of your own cooking and baking staples.

I keep a copy of this list of substitute ingredients on my fridge for quick reference whenever I find myself without something I need (surprisingly, it happens often).

32 Common Substitute Ingredients for Cooking and Baking

Baking

• 1 teaspoon baking powder = ¼ teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon cream of tartar + ¼ teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda = 2 teaspoons baking powder (must replace acidic liquid with non-acidic liquid)
• 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate = 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon sugar
• Melted butter = unscented/unflavoured oil (vegetable, olive oil)
• 1 cup cake flour = 7/8 cup all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted together
• 1 cup pastry flour = ½ cup all-purpose flour + ½ cup cake flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar = 1 cup packed brown sugar or 1 cup caster (superfine) sugar
• 1 cup fats (butter, margarine, lard) = 1 cup applesauce

Dairy and Eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar + enough milk to equal one cup (let stand 10 minutes) OR 2/3 cup plain yoghurt + 1/3 cup milk
• 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup plain yoghurt
• 1 cup plain yoghurt = 1 cup sour cream or 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup half & half = ½ cup milk + ½ cup cream
• 1 cup coconut milk = 1 cup milk
• 1 cup whole milk = 1 cup coconut, almond, rice milk (in cooking)
• 1 egg = ¼ cup egg substitute or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (in baking)
• 2 egg yolks = 1 whole large egg
• 1 cup evaporated milk = ½ cup half & half + ½ cup milk

Spices and Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon allspice = 2 parts cinnamon + 1 part ginger + 1 part cloves
• Apple Pie Spice = 4 parts cinnamon + 1 part cardamom + 2 parts nutmeg
• Lemon Pepper = 1 part lemon zest + 2 parts black pepper + 1 part salt
• Poultry Seasoning = Equal parts dried sage, thyme, marjoram, or oregano
• Pumpkin Pie Spice = 4 parts cinnamon + 2 parts ginger + 1 part allspice + 1 part nutmeg
• Herbs de Provence = 4 parts thyme + 4 parts summer savoury + 2 parts lavender + 1 part rosemary
• Italian Seasoning = Equal parts basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme

Pantry Items

• 1 tablespoon vinegar = 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup breadcrumbs = 1 cup crushed crackers crumbs OR 1 cup oats OR 1 cup panko
• 1 cup coconut milk = 1 cup milk
• 1 cup ketchup = 1 cup tomato sauce + 1 teaspoon vinegar + 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 clove garlic = ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup honey = 1 ¼ cup sugar + 1/3 cup water
• 1 cup all-purpose baking mix = 1 cup pancake mix
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce = ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper + 1 teaspoon vinegar