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Cooking Substitution Lookup

What to use when you're out of an ingredient.

Buttermilk
For 1 cup
  • Milk + lemon juice or vinegar: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp acid; let sit 5 min
  • Plain yogurt thinned with milk: 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup milk
Heavy cream
For 1 cup
  • Milk + butter: 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter(Won't whip)
  • Half and half + butter: 7/8 cup half-and-half + 1 tbsp melted butter
  • Coconut cream: 1:1(Adds coconut flavor)
Butter
For 1 cup
  • Margarine: 1:1
  • Oil: 3/4 cup(For baking only; won't cream)
  • Applesauce: 1/2 cup(For sweet baking, makes denser)
  • Greek yogurt: 1/2 cup(Low-fat baked goods)
Eggs
For 1 egg
  • Flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water; rest 5 min
  • Chia egg: 1 tbsp chia + 3 tbsp water; rest 10 min
  • Mashed banana: 1/4 cup(Adds sweetness)
  • Applesauce: 1/4 cup
  • Aquafaba: 3 tbsp(Best for whipping)
Sour cream
For 1 cup
  • Greek yogurt: 1:1
  • Cottage cheese (blended): 1:1
  • Buttermilk: 3/4 cup(Thinner texture)
All-purpose flour
For 1 cup
  • Cake flour: 1 cup + 2 tbsp(For tender baked goods)
  • Bread flour: 1:1(More gluten, chewier)
  • Whole wheat flour: 1:1(Denser, nuttier)
  • Almond flour + cornstarch: 3/4 cup almond + 1/4 cup cornstarch(Gluten-free)
Baking powder
For 1 tsp
  • Baking soda + cream of tartar: 1/4 tsp soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • Baking soda + buttermilk: 1/4 tsp soda + 1/2 cup buttermilk (replace some liquid)
Baking soda
For 1 tsp
  • Baking powder: 3 tsp(Reduce salt slightly)
Brown sugar
For 1 cup
  • White sugar + molasses: 1 cup sugar + 1 tbsp molasses (for light), 2 tbsp (for dark)
  • White sugar + maple syrup: 1 cup sugar + 2 tbsp syrup (reduce other liquid)
Cornstarch
For 1 tbsp
  • All-purpose flour: 2 tbsp
  • Arrowroot powder: 1:1
  • Tapioca starch: 1:1
Honey
For 1 cup
  • Maple syrup: 1:1(Different flavor)
  • Sugar + water: 1 1/4 cup sugar + 1/4 cup water
  • Agave: 2/3 cup(Sweeter)
Lemon juice
For 1 tsp
  • Vinegar (white or cider): 1/2 tsp
  • Lime juice: 1:1
Vanilla extract
For 1 tsp
  • Maple syrup: 1:1
  • Almond extract: 1/2 tsp(Stronger flavor)
Soy sauce
For 1 tbsp
  • Tamari: 1:1(Gluten-free)
  • Coconut aminos: 1:1(Sweeter, lower sodium)
  • Worcestershire: 1:1
Wine (cooking)
For 1 cup
  • Stock + vinegar: 1 cup stock + 1 tbsp vinegar
  • Apple juice + vinegar: for white wine recipes
  • Grape juice + vinegar: for red wine recipes
Cream cheese
For 1 cup
  • Greek yogurt + cream: 1 cup yogurt + 2 tbsp cream(Tangier)
  • Cottage cheese (blended): 1:1
  • Mascarpone: 1:1(Sweeter, milder)
Chocolate (1 oz unsweetened)
For 1 oz
  • Cocoa powder + butter: 3 tbsp cocoa + 1 tbsp butter or oil
Self-rising flour
For 1 cup
  • All-purpose + leavening: 1 cup AP + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt

About

Search for an ingredient and the tool shows common substitutes with conversion ratios. Covers pantry staples, dairy, baking ingredients, and produce. Useful when you're halfway through a recipe and missing one thing.

How to use

  1. Search for the ingredient you're missing.
  2. Pick a substitute that fits your dish.

FAQ

Will the dish taste exactly the same?+

No. Substitutes are usually close, not identical. The tool flags which subs change flavor or texture so you can plan around it.