What do you do when you realize gremlins raided your pantry overnight (or maybe you just forgot to go grocery shopping) and now you’re out of everything from butter to yeast?
If you’re in a bind and looking for aningredient substitute, don’t worry, we’ve got you, boo. Whether you’re out ofeggs,flour,yeast, orbutter— or need an inventive alternative tofresh herbs,olive oil, or even mayo — fear no more.
Below is a (by no means exhaustive, but still pretty darn expansive) list of common ingredients, along with ideas for possible substitution of ingredients. The suggested substitutes will vary depending on the particular recipe or technique you’re using, but in a pinch, these should prove super helpful. Think of it like an alphabetical list to bookmark for when you need it.
What you need: Baking powder — 1 teaspoon
What you can use instead:
What you need: Baking soda— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Breadcrumbs— 1 cup
What you need: Broth, chicken— 1 cup
What you need: Broth, beef— 1 cup
What you need: Broth, vegetable— 1 cup
What you need: Butter, clarified— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Butter, unsalted— 1 cup
What you need: Buttermilk— 1 cup
What you need: Cheese, Parmesan (grated)— as a garnish to finish dishes
What you need: Cheese, cheddar (or fontina, mozzarella, feta, etc.), grated or crumbled— 1 cup
What you need: Cheese, cream— 8 ounces
What you need: Chocolate, bittersweet or semisweet— 1 ounce
What you need: Chocolate, unsweetened— 1 ounce
What you need: Cocoa powder, Dutch-process— 3 tablespoons
What you need: Coconut, fresh— 1 cup
What you need: Corn syrup, dark— 1 cup
What you need: Corn syrup, light— 1 cup
What you need: Cornmeal, stone-ground— 1 cup
What you need: Cornstarch— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Cracker crumbs— 1 cup
What you need: Cream, heavy— 1 cup
What you need: Cream of tartar (for beating with egg whites)— 1/2 teaspoon
What you need: Cream of tartar (for baking)— 1/2 teaspoon
What you need: Creme fraiche— 1 cup
What you need: Egg, whole (for baking)— 1
What you need: Eggs (for use in savory dishes)
What you need: Espresso powder, instant (for baking)— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Fish sauce— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Flour, all-purpose— 1 cup
What you need: Flour, bread— 1 cup
What you need: Flour, cake— 1 cup
What you need: Flour, rice— 1 cup
What you need: Flour, self-rising— 1 cup
What you need: Garlic, minced— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Gelatin, leaf or sheet— 4 leaves (4 inches by 9 inches)
What you need: Green onions, chopped— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Herbs, fresh— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Honey— 1 cup
What you need: Key lime juice— 1/2 cup
What you need: Lemon juice— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Liquid smoke— 1/4 teaspoon
What you need: Mayonnaise— 1 cup
What you need: Marshmallows— 8 regular
What you need: Mascarpone— 1 cup
What you need: Milk, condensed— 1 cup
What you need: Milk, evaporated whole— 1 cup
What you need: Milk, skim (aka, nonfat)— 1 cup
What you need: Milk, whole— 1 cup
What you need: Molasses
What you need: Mustard, ground— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Oil, olive— 1 tablespoon
What You need: Onion, chopped— 1 cup
What you can use Instead:
What you need: Pancetta— 1 cup (sliced, diced, or chopped)
What you need: Panko breadcrumbs— 1 cup
What you need: Pasta, cooked— 1 package
What you need: Polenta, dry— 1 cup
What you need: Rice, Arborio or Carnaroli for risotto (raw)— 1 cup
What you need: Rice, cooked— 1 cup
What you need: Salt, kosher (Diamond Crystal)— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Salt, kosher (Morton)— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Salt, fine— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Scallions, chopped— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Shortening (for baking)— 1 cup
What you need: Sour cream— 1 cup
What you need: Soy sauce— 1 teaspoon
What you need: Sugar, light brown— 1 cup
What you need: Sugar, dark brown— 1 cup
What you need: Sugar, granulated— 1 cup
What you need: Sugar, powdered— 1 cup
What you need: Tahini— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Tomato paste— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Tomato puree— 1 cup
What you need: Tomato sauce— 1 cup
What you need: Vinegar, white— 1 tablespoon
What you need: Wine, red (for cooking)— 1 cup
What you need: Wine, white (for cooking)— 1 cup
What you need: Yeast, active dry— 1 (1/4-ounce) envelope
What you need: Yogurt, plain (whole milk)— 1 cup
There are loads of ways to make a recipe work with the right ingredient substitute. Save this list for when an impromptu movie night happens and you need something fab to serve.
