Baking and Cooking Substitutions
Since we’re all trying to stay home and avoid random trips to the store, it can be tough to cook when you don’t have all of the ingredients your favorite recipes call for. The good news is, there are often many ways to swap things out, and you may find alternatives that you like better than the original!
Start off with this list of ideas to keep you cookin’. Keep in mind, all of these swaps can go the other direction too!
| If your recipe calls for… | You can use… | Things to note |
| sour cream | plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt) | |
| cream | 1 c. milk + 2-3 Tbsp melted butter | |
| egg (in baking) | 1 Tbsp chia or flax seeds soaked in 3 Tbsp water (1 egg equivalent)
OR 1/2 mashed banana |
These alternatives will replace the binding properties of an egg in baking, but not necessarily the flavor of an egg. |
| baking powder | 1 part baking soda + 2 parts cream of tartar | This is actually the recipe for baking powder – you can make it at home anytime! |
| cream of tartar | 1 part white vinegar + 1 part lemon juice | |
| cream cheese | cottage cheese, pureed until smooth | |
| bacon | bacon bits, Canadian bacon, ham | to replicate the flavor of bacon only, use liquid smoke |
| bread crumbs | crackers, oats, or stale bread (blend to crumb in food processor), crushed bran cereal | for seasoned bread crumbs, add salt and herbs like parsley, oregano, and rosemary |
| rice | pasta, couscous, bulgur, quinoa, barley, potato flakes | |
| syrup for sweetness/flavor | applesauce | |
| wine | broth | add some vinegar for tartness/flavor if desired |
| raisins | dried cranberries, blueberries, or cherries, chopped dried apples, chocolate chips | |
| vinegar | white wine, lemon or lime juice, sauerkraut juice (yes, really!) | |
| mayonnaise | plain yogurt, sour cream | |
| broth | boullion cube/paste/powder | |
| butter | shortening, margarine, oil | Most oils will not work well to substitute for butter in pastry baking, because it requires the fat to be solid. Coconut oil will sometimes work. |
| brown sugar | 1 c white sugar + 1 Tbsp molasses | This is the recipe for brown sugar – you can make it at home anytime! |
| buttermilk | plain yogurt or 1 c. milk + 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar | |
| dark corn syrup | molasses, maple syrup, light corn syrup + brown sugar | |
| light corn syrup | honey | |
| tomato sauce | 1 part tomato sauce + 1 part water | |
| cinnamon | nutmeg | |
| beer | apple cider vinegar, beef broth | |
| fresh herbs | 1/3 recommended amount of dried herbs | |
| hot sauce | 3 parts cayenne pepper + 1 part vinegar, diced jalapeños | |
| salt | crushed boullion cube, soy sauce, parmesan | |
| flour (for thickening soups or sauces) | 1/4 c. cornstarch + 2 Tbsp cold water, potato flakes | |
| pesto | sauteed spinach or kale + garlic + olive oil + salt | Add pine nuts and some parmesan cheese if you have them! |
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