Ingredient Substitution Guide/Easy ingredient swaps
Ran out of buttermilk? Missing eggs? No need for a grocery run. This ingredient-substitution guide has your back. Using simple pantry staples, you can swap common ingredients and keep cooking without slowing down.
Buttermilk Substitutes
Use any of these:
- 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1 cup milk + 1 lemon juice
- 1 cup milk + 2 tbsp of sour cream
- 1 cup milk + 2 tbsp of plain yogurt
- 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup buttermilk powder + water
Egg Substitutes
For baking:
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup mashed banana
- 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp of water
- 3 tbsp mayo
- 1/4 cup yogurt
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
Baking Powder/Baking Soda Substitutes
Baking Powder
1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tarter
Baking Soda
3 tsp baking powder
(But flavor and rise will be slightly different)
Self-Rising Flour Substitute
For every 1 cup flour:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Sugar Substitutes
Brown Sugar
- 1 cup sugar + 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 cup sugar + 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 cup sugar (in a pinch)
Milk/Cream Substitutes
Heavy Cream: use one of these
- 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup coconut cream
Milk: use one of these
- Evaporated milk + equal water
- Half-and-half
- Powdered milk (mix per directions)
Spice Substitutes
Use one of these:
Cinnamon
- Nutmeg (1/2 the amount)
- Allspice (1/2 the amount
- Pumpkin pie spice (equal amounts)
Nutmeg
- Cinnamon (equal amounts)
- allspice (half the amount)
Allspice – for every 1 tsp
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Garlic Powder
- 1/2 the amount of minced garlic
- Granulated garlic (equal amount)
Onion Powder
- Granulated onion (equal amounts
- 1 tbsp minced onion per 1 tsp powder
Italian Seasoning
equal amounts of basil, oregano and thyme
Chili Powder – for 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder (optional, but recommended)
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or a pinch)
Pantry Swaps
Bread Crumbs
- Crushed crackers
- Crushed cornflakes
- Crushed pretzels
- Panko (if available)
- Potato Chips
Cornmeal
- Crushed cornflakes
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Polenta
Shortening
- Butter
- Coconut oil
Honey
- Maple syrup
- Corn syrup
- Brown sugar with a little water
Soy sauce
- Worcestershire sauce + pinch of salt
- Coconut aminos
- Tamari
Tomato sauce
- Tomato paste + water
- Crushed tomato’s blended smooth
Broth
- Water + bouillon
- Water + a little butter + salt
Butter Substitutes
- Oil (3/4 the amount)
- Margarine
- Applesauce (for baking)
Cornstarch Substites
- All-purpose flour (2X the amount)
- Instant mashed potato (1/2 the amount)
- Tapioca starch
Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- White wine
- Apple Cider vinegar
- Rice Vinegar
Worcestershire Substitute
- Soy sauce + splash of vinegar + pinch of sugar
Bookmark this page so you can quickly find substitutions whenever you need them. And check back often-I’ll keep adding new swaps as I test more recipes!