Ingredient Substitutions
Use this alphabetical list to find common substitutes for ingredients you may not have on hand.
December 04, 2017
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| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| acorn squash | butternut squash, pumpkin |
| allspice (1 tsp) | 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground cloves + pinch of ground nutmeg |
| almond butter | peanut butter, cashew butter |
| almond extract (1/2 tsp) | vanilla extract (3/4 tsp) |
| amberjack | mahi-mahi, grouper, tilefish, mullet |
| apples | pears or quinces |
| apple juice | apple cider, pear cider, or white grape juice |
| apple pie spice (1 tbsp) | 2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1 tsp ground nutmeg + pinch ground allspice |
| applesauce | pumpkin puree or plum puree |
| arugula | watercress, baby spinach, belgian endive, escarole, radicchio |
| Asiago cheese | Parmesan cheese, Pecorino Romano cheese |
| asparagus | broccoli, canned hearts of palm, green beans |
| avocado | cooked chayote squash |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| bacon | pancetta, prosciutto, smoked sausage, ham |
| baking powder (1 tsp) | 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/4 cornstarch + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar |
| barbecue sauce (1 cup) | 1 cup ketchup + 1/2 to 1 tsp liquid smoke seasoning |
| beer (for soups and stews) | chicken or beef stock, red wine, sake |
| belgian endive | radicchio, arugula, watercress |
| bell pepper; roasted red | chopped jarred pimientos |
| blackberries | loganberries, boysenberries, raspberries |
| blueberries | huckleberries, red currants, raspberries, strawberries |
| blue cheese | feta cheese |
| bok choy | napa cabbage, collard greens |
| boysenberries | blackberries, raspberries |
| dry bread crumbs | crushed tortilla chips, crushed dry stuffing mix, crushed pretzels, crushed cornflakes, crushed potato chips |
| broccoli | cauliflower |
| brussels sprouts | broccoli florets, chopped green cabbage |
| butter | 1/4 cup buttermilk + 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce |
| buttermilk | 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + enough milk to equal 1 cup (for baking, let stand for a few minutes before using), plain yogurt, sour cream |
| butternut squash | pumpkin, sweet potato |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| Canadian bacon | smoked ham, pancetta, bacon |
| caraway seeds | dill seeds, anise seeds |
| cardamom (1/2 tsp) | 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg or cloves |
| carrots | parnsips, turnips |
| catfish | tilapia, grouper |
| cauliflower | broccoli |
| cayenne pepper | chipotle powder, hot paprika, crushed red papper flakes, chili powder |
| celery salt | Old Bay seasoning |
| celery seed | celery salt, dill seeds |
| chard | turnip greens, spinach, mustard greens |
| Cheddar cheese | Colby cheese, American cheese |
| chicken (ground) | ground turkey, veal, turkey breast |
| chile pepper (fresh, minced) | 1 tsp hot pepper sauce, 1 to 3 tsp chile paste, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground cayenne, 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tsp paprika |
| chile powder (1 tsp) | 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 to 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chili powder |
| chili powder (1 tsp) | 1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne papper, 1 to 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp chile oil |
| chocolate, bittersweet (1oz) | 2 heaping tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 to 1/3 tbsp granulated sugar + 1 1/2 tsp butter, shortening, or vegetable oil |
| chocolate, semisweet (1 oz) | 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 to 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar + 1 1/2 tsp butter, shortening, or vegetable oil |
| chocolate, unsweetened (1 oz) | 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder + 1 tbsp butter, shortening, or vegetable oil |
| chorizo | andouille sausage, hot Italian sausage |
| cloves | allspice |
| coffee liqueur (3 tbsp) | 3 tbsp water + 3/4 tsp insant coffee granules, 3 tbsp cognac, 3 tbsp rum |
| collards | kale, mature spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens |
| corned beef | pastrami |
| cornstarch (1 tbsp, for thickening) | flour (3 tbsp) |
| corn syrup, dark (1 cup) | honey, 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water (or liquid from recipe) |
| corn syrup, light (1 cup) | honey, 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water (or liquid from recipe); molasses |
| cottage cheese | ricotta cheese |
| couscous | quinoa, brown rice |
| crab boil seasoning | Old Bay seasoning; pickling spice |
| cracker crumbs (1 cup) | 1 1/4 cup dry bread crumbs, 1 1/2 cup crushed croutons or stuffing cubes, 1 cup panko |
| crayfish | shrimp, lobster, crab |
| cream cheese | ricotta cheese (for cooking) |
| cream, half-and-half (1 cup) | 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter + enough whole milk to equal 1 cup, 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream, 1 cup evaporated milk (for baking) |
| cream, light (1 cup) | 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter + whole milk to equal 1 cup; 1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream plus 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup whole milk |
| cream, light whipping (1 cup) | 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 cup heavy or whipping cream |
| cream of tartar (1 tsp) | 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar or lemon juice (to add acidity to liquids) |
| cream, whipping (1 cup) | 2/3 cup whole milk + 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, 2/3 cup evaporated milk |
| croissants | crescent rolls from refrigerated dough |
| cucumber | small zucchini |
| cumin, ground | chili powder, ground coriander |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| dill | tarragon |
| dill seeds | caraway seeds, celery seeds |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| egg noodles | dried linguine, fettuccine, pappardelle |
| eggplant | portobello mushroom caps, zucchini, yellow squash |
| egg substitute (3 tbsp) | 2 egg whites, 1 large egg |
| egg white (1 lg) | 2 tsp meringue powder + 3 tbsp water, 1 tbsp ground flaxseed simmered in 3 tbsp water |
| egg | 2 lg whole egg yolks + 1 tbsp cold water, 3 tbsp vegetable oil + 1 tbsp water (for baking), 1 tsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp additional liquid in recipe (for thickening), 3 tbsp water/milk + 3 tbsp flour + 1 1/2 tsp shortening + 1/2 tsp baking powder (for baking) |
| evaporated milk (1 cup) | 2 1/4 cups whole milk, simmered until reduced to 1 cup |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| fish sauce | soy sauce, fermented tofu |
| flaxseed | wheat germ, wheat bran, oat bran, butter/margarine/oil (to replace ground flaxseed as fat) |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| garam marsala (1 tbsp) | 1/2 tsp ground cumin + 1/2 tsp ground coriander + 1/2 tsp ground black pepper + 1/2 tsp ground cardamom + 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground cloves (toast spices just before using) |
| garlic (1 clove fresh) | 1/2 to 1 tsp minced shallots, 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp granulated garlic, 1/2 tsp garlic salt (omit 1/2 tsp salt from recipe) |
| garlic salt (1 tsp) | 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 3/4 tsp salt |
| ginger, crystallized (3 tbsp) | 2 tsp minced fresh ginger + 1/8 to 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, 1/8 tsp ground ginger |
| ginger, fresh (1 tbsp) | 1/8 tsp ground ginger (for baking) |
| ginger, ground (1 tsp, for baking) | 1 tbsp grated or minced fresh ginger, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp allspice |
| Greek seasoning (1 tsp) | 1 tsp dried oregano + 3/4 tsp onion powder + 3/4 tsp garlic powder + 1/2 tsp ground black pepper + 1/4 tsp dried mint + pinch of cinnamon + pinch of nutmeg |
| grenadine (1 tsp) | 2 to 3 tsp pomegranate juice (reduce liquid and add sugar as necessary), 1 tsp raspberry syrup |
| grouper | striped bass, cod, catfish, red snapper |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| haddock | cod, pollock, blackfish, grouper, red snapper, sea bass |
| halibut | cod, haddock, striped bass |
| harissa (1 tbsp) | chile paste, 1 to 3 tsp hot sauce |
| hearts of palm | canned or marinated artichoke hearts, cooked asparagus |
| herbes de Provence (3 tbsp) | 2 tsp dried thyme + 2 tsp dried savory + 1 tsp dried marjoram + 1 tsp dried lavender + 1/2 tsp dried rosemary + 1/2 tsp fennel seeds + 1 crushed bay leaf |
| honey (1 cup) | 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup liquid called for in recipe, 1/2 cup granulated sugar + 3/4 cup maple syrup |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| Italian seasoning (2 tsp) | 1 tsp dried oregano + 1/2 tsp dried basil + 1/2 tsp dried thyme |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| kale | collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, spinach |
| ketchup (1 cup) | 1 cup tomato sauce + 1/4 cup granulated sugar + 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar + 1/2 tsp salt + pinch ground cloves, chili sauce, barbecue sauce |
| kielbasa | Cajun andouille sausage, Spanish chorizo |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| lamb | beef, pork, veal, mutton |
| lard (1 cup) | vegetable shortening, 1 cup + 3 tbsp unsalted butter, bacon fat |
| leeks (chopped) | chopped green onions or scallions, chopped shallots, chopped sweet or storage onions |
| lemongrass (1 stalk) | 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest + 1/8 minced fresh ginger |
| lemon pepper seasoning (1 tsp) | 1/2 tsp grated fresh lemon zest + 1/4 tsp salt + 1/8 tsp ground black pepper |
| lima beans | green peas, edamame, sugar snap peas, chickpeas, red kidney peas, black-eyed peas, cannellini beans |
| liquid smoke (2 drops) | 2 slices bacon, 1 tsp canning liquid from canned chipotle peppers, 1/2 tsp paprika |
| lobster | crayfish, jumbo shrimp, crab, scallops |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| mackerel | mahi-mahi, pompano, striped bass, tuna |
| mahi-mahi | tuna, pompano, swordfish |
| marjoram | sweet basil, summer savory |
| marscapone cheese (1 cup) | 1/2 cup cream cheese + 1/2 cup sour cream blended until smooth, 3/4 cup cream cheese + 1/4 cup heavy or whipping cream blended until smooth, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese + 1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream blended until smooth |
| mayonnaise | sour cream, yogurt |
| milk, whole | 1 cup minus 3 tbsp fat-free milk + 3 tbsp melted butter or margarine |
| mint | basil |
| mozzarella cheese | provolone cheese, gouda cheese |
| mussels | oysters, soft-shelled or littleneck clams, scallops |
| mustard greens | turnip greens, arugula, collard greens, kale |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| napa cabbage | green or red cabbage, collard greens |
| nectarines | peaches, plums, apricots, cherries |
| nutmeg | ground mace, ground allspice, ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| oat flour (1 cup) | 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oatmeal, ground in blender |
| oil, vegetable (1/2 cup) | 1/4 cup buttermilk + 1/4 cup well-drained, unsweetened applesauce or baby food prunes (for baking) |
| okra (2 cups) | green beans, asparagus, broccoli, 1 tbsp filé powder or 2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water (for thickening, especially in gumbo) |
| Old Bay seasoning | crab boil, pickling spice |
| olive oil | corn oil, canola oil, peanut oil |
| onion flakes (1 tbsp) | 3/4 to 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen onion |
| onion, green (1 bunch) | 1 bunch scallions, 3 cups chopped shallots |
| onion (1 cup) | 2 tbsp dried onion flakes, 1 1/2 to 2 tsp onion powder |
| orange roughy | flounder, red snapper, tilapia |
| oregano | marjoram, thyme, fresh basil, summer savory |
| oysters | mussels, soft-shell clams, littleneck clams, scallops |
| oyster liquor | fresh or bottled clam juice |
| oyster sauce | 2 tsp soy sauce or teriyaki sauce + 1 tsp canning liquid from canned oysters + pinch of sugar (if using soy sauce) |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| pancetta | Canadian bacon, bacon, prosciutto |
| papaya | mango, peaches, nectarines |
| paprika | chili powder |
| Parmesan cheese | Pecorino Romano cheese, aged Asiago cheese |
| peaches | nectarines, apricots, plums, cherries, mango |
| pears | apples, asian pears, quinces |
| Pecorino cheese | Parmesan cheese, aged Asiago cheese |
| pickling spice | crab boil, Old Bay seasoning |
| pineapple | papaya, guava, mango |
| pineapple juice | orange juice, grapefruit juice |
| pine nuts | walnuts, almonds, pecans |
| pomegranate juice | cranberry juice |
| pompano | mahi-mahi, tuna |
| poultry seasoning (1 tsp) | 3/4 tsp dried thyme + 1/2 tsp crushed or rubbed sage + 1/2 tsp dried marjoram + 1/4 tsp ground black pepper |
| Provolone cheese | mozzarella cheese, Fontina cheese |
| puff pastry | phyllo dough, pie dough |
| pumpkin | butternut squash, sweet potato |
| pumpkin pie spice (1 tsp) | 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg + 1/4 tsp ground ginger + 1/8 tsp groud cloves; 1 tsp apple pie spice |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| quail | young pheasant, cornish hen |
| queso fresco | feta cheese (rinsed to remove some salt) |
| quinoa | couscous, bulgur |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| radicchio | belgian endive, arugula, watercress |
| radishes | turnips, parsnips |
| raisins | other dried fruits like apricots, blueberries, cranberries, or cherries |
| raspberries | strawberries, blackberries |
| red cabbage | green cabbage, brussels sprouts, napa cabbage |
| red snapper | striped bass, grouper, halibut |
| rhubarb | cranberries |
| ricotta cheese | puréed cottage cheese, fromage blanc, mashed firm tofu |
| romaine lettuce | iceberg lettuce, butterhead lettuce |
| romano cheese | Parmesan cheese, aged Asiago cheese |
| rosemary | summer savory, basil, oregano |
| rum | brandy, bourbon |
| rutabaga | turnips, broccoli stems |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| saffron (10-15 threads) | 1/2 tsp turmeric + 1/2 tsp mild paprika |
| sage (1 tbsp) | 3 to 4 tsp summer savory thyme, basil, or oregano; 1 tbsp rosemary; 1 to 2 tsp poultry seasoning |
| salami | pepperoni, spanish chorizo, prosciutto, summer sausage |
| salmon | trout, striped bass, tuna |
| savory (1 tbsp) | 2 to 3 tsp chopped thyme or rosemary, 1 to 1 1/2 tsp thyme + 1 to 1/2 tsp mint, 1 to 2 tsp sage, 1 tsp herbes de Provence |
| scallion (1 bunch) | 1 bunch green onions, 3 to 4 cups chopped leeks |
| scallops | mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp, lobster |
| sesame oil, toasted (1 tsp) | 2 tsp crushed and toasted sesame seeds + 1 tsp peanut oil |
| sesame seeds | white or black poppy seeds; finely chopped peanuts, almonds, or cashews |
| shallot (1 chopped) | 1/4 cup chopped leeks or red onions + 1/2 tsp minced garlic; 1/4 cup chopped green onions or scallions (white and light green parts only) |
| sherry | sake, port, dry white wine + pinch of sugar |
| shrimp | prawns, crab, lobster, scallops |
| snapper | striped bass, grouper, halibut |
| sole | flounder, cod, whiting |
| sorghum molasses | light or dark corn syrup, honey, pure maple syrup |
| sour cream | plain yogurt, 1/3 melted unsalted butter + 3/4 cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice (for baking) |
| soy sauce (1 tbsp) | scant 3/4 tsp kosher salt + 1/2 tsp granulated sugar dissolved in 1 tbsp hot water, teriyaki sauce |
| spinach | beet greens, turnip greens, kale, arugula, watercess |
| stock, beef (1 cup) | 1 cup boiling water + 1 beef bouillon cube, 1 cup canned beef broth, 1 cup red wine or beer (can replace up to half of beef stock in sauce and stews) |
| stock, chicken (1 cup) | 1 cup boiling water + 1 chicken bouillon cube, 1 cup canned chicken broth |
| stock, vegetable (1 cup) | 1 cup boiling water + 1 vegetable bouillon cube, 1 cup canned vegetable broth |
| strawberries | raspberries, blueberries |
| striped bass | grouper, red snapper |
| sugar, confectioner's (1 cup) | 1/2 cup + 1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar + 3/4 tsp cornstarch, fine ground in blender or food processor |
| sugar, dark brown (1 packed cup) | 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 to 3 tbsp molasses |
| sugar, light brown (1 packed cup) | 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 to 2 tbsp molasses, 1/2 cup dark brown sugar + 1/2 cup granulated sugar |
| summer sausage | salami or other dry sausage, pepperoni, bologna |
| sweetened condensed milk (1 14 oz can) | 1 cup evaporated milk + 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, heated until sugar dissolves |
| sweet potato | pumpkin, butternut squash |
| Swiss cheese | Provolone cheese, Gruyère cheese |
| swordfish | tuna, mahi-mahi, grouper, halibut |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| taco seasoning (1 tbsp) | 2 tsp pure chile powder + 1/4 tsp dried oregano + 1/4 tsp ground cumin + 1/8 tsp garlic powder + 1/8 tsp onion powder + pinch of cayenne pepper + salt to taste |
| tahini (1 cup) | 3/4 cup peanut butter + 1/4 cup untoasted sesame oil |
| tarragon | dill |
| tequila | vodka, light rum |
| teriyaki sauce (1/2 cup) | 1/3 cup soy sauce + 3 tbsp rice vinegar + 3 tsp sugar or honey |
| thyme | marjoram, oregano, basil, summer savory |
| tilapia | red snapper, orange roughy, sole, flounder |
| tomatoes (1 lb) | 1 1/2 cups canned whole tomatoes, 3 tbsp tomato paste (to replace cooked tomatoes) |
| tomato juice (1 cup) | 1/2 cup tomato purée or tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup tomato paste + 3/4 cup water |
| tomato paste (1 tbsp) | 2 to 3 tbsp tomato purée or tomato sauce, boil until reduced to 1 tbsp |
| tomato purée (1 cup) | 1/3 cup tomato paste + 2/3 cup water, tomato sauce |
| tomato sauce (1 cup) | 1/2 cup tomato paste + 1/2 cup water, 1 cup canned stewed tomatoes, blended until smooth |
| trout | salmon, ocean perch |
| tuna | swordfish, mahi-mahi, striped bass, salmon |
| turmeric (1/4 to 1/2 tsp) | 1/4 to 1/2 tsp ground ginger + 1 to 2 tsp minced fresh ginger, 5 to 7 saffron threads, 1/2 tsp curry powder |
| turnips | parsnips, rutabaga, broccoli stems |
| turnip greens | mustard greens, collards, kale, mature spinach |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| vanilla bean (1 8-inch pod) | 2 to 3 tsp vanilla extract |
| vegetable shortening (1 cup) | 1 cup + 2 tbsp unsalted butter (baking), 1 cup bacon fat (sautéing and frying) |
| vermouth | dry sherry, dry white wine |
| vinegar | lemon juice or lime juice (for dressings, marinades, sauces, and deglazing pans) |
| vodka | gin, white rum, tequila |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| walnuts | pine nuts, pecans, almonds |
| wasabi (1 tbsp) | 1 tbsp well-drained prepared horseradish, 1 tbsp mustard powder + 1 tsp water (mix, cover, and let rest for 15 minutes) |
| watermelon | honeydew melon |
| whipped cream (1 cup) | 12 oz can evaporated milk, chilled overnight, mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice, whipped until stiff, beat in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar |
| whiskey | cognac, brandy, or rum |
| whitefish | perch, lake trout |
| whiting | cod, flounder, ocean perch, red snapper |
| wine, red (1 cup) | 3/4 cup red grape juice + 2 tbsp red wine vinegar or lemon juice + 2 tbsp water (for marinades), beef stock (for sauces and stews) |
| wine, white (1 cup) | 3/4 cup white grape juice, apple juice, or apple cider + 1/4 cup white wine vinegar or lemon juice (for marinades), sherry or vermouth, sake, chicken or vegetable stock (for sauce and stews) |
| worcestershire sauce (1 tbsp) | 2 tsp soy sauce + 4 drops hot pepper sauce + 1/4 lemon juice + 1/4 tsp granulated sugar |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| yellow squash | zucchini, pattypan squash |
| yogurt | sour cream, crème fraîche, silken tofu (blended), mayonnaise |
| Ingredient: | Substitute with: |
|---|---|
| zucchini | yellow squash, pattypan squash |