Have you ever wanted to make a recipe, but realized you are out of an ingredient? Sometimes it is necessary to substitute ingredients. You may not have buttermilk or self-rising flour on hand, but you can still make the recipe.
A substitute can save you time (not having to visit the grocery store) and money (not buying an ingredient you may only use once or twice). Just be aware that using a different ingredient can sometimes change the taste or texture of a recipe.
This list of common ingredient substitutions will help you continue to make the recipes you enjoy.
A Guide To Ingredient Substitutions
Herbs and Spices
Allspice (1 tsp) – 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground cloves and a pinch of nutmeg
Anise – fennel seed
Basil – oregano or thyme
Chervil – tarragon or parsley
Chives – green onion
Cilantro – parsley
Cinnamon – nutmeg or allspice
Italian Seasoning – blend of basil, oregano and rosemary
Mace – nutmeg
Marjoram – basil or thyme
Oregano – basil or thyme
Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 tsp) – 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/8 tsp ground allspice and 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
Rosemary – thyme or tarragon
Saffron – turmeric
Sage – poultry seasoning, marjoram or rosemary
Savory – thyme or sage
Tarragon – chervil or fennel seed
Thyme – basil or oregano
Baking Substitutions
Baking Chocolate (1 square unsweetened) – 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa and 1 tbsp unsalted butter, vegetable oil or shortening
Baking Powder (1 tsp) – 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp cream or tartar and 1/4 tsp cornstarch
Bread Crumbs – crushed crackers or ground oats
Broth, beef or chicken (1 cup) – 1 bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup of hot water
Brown Sugar (1 cup) – 1 cup white sugar and 1 1/2 tbsp molasses
Butter – vegetable shortening
Buttermilk (1 cup) – 1 tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar and milk to make 1 cup. Stir and let stand for five minutes.
Cake Flour (1 cup) – Measure out 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Take out 2 tbsp of flour and put back into your jar. Replace the flour removed with 2 tbsp of cornstarch. Sift together 3 – 5 times to combine the mixture and aerate the flour.
Chocolate Chips, semi-sweet (1 oz) – 1 oz of sweet cooking chocolate
Crème Fraiche (1 cup) – 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 tbsp plain yogurt
Egg – 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 tbsp ground flax seed with 3 tbsp water or 1/2 mashed banana with 1/2 tsp baking powder
Heavy Cream (1 cup) – 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup melted butter
Honey (1 cup) – 1 cup of maple syrup or 1 cup light molasses or 1 1/4 cup white sugar and 1/3 cup water
Lemon Juice (1 tsp) – 1/2 tsp white vinegar
Self-Rising Flour (1 cup) – 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp of salt
Sour Cream (1 cup) – 1 cup of plain yogurt
Vanilla Bean – 2 tsp vanilla extract
Vegetable Oil (1 cup) – 1 cup of butter or 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce
This is a great list!
Thank you Roseann. I hope it is helpful for you.
This is such a useful list, Debbie. Great substitution ideas. Sometimes I just don’t know what I can use in place of ingredients I don’t have (often, I need a little hand holding when it comes to cooking). This list is just perfect for me!
I’m so glad it’s helpful to you Jelica!
Thanks for bringing all that info together. So helpful!
what a great list so helpful in the kitchen
Hi Debbie! I love this list and am going to print it. This is perfect timing for all our holiday cooking!! Thanks for linking up at TrekkingThru!
Thank you so much for stopping by Char! I hope you enjoy your holiday cooking.
pinned!
love this list – I should print it out and tape it to inside of my kitchen cupboard. thank you for putting them all in one place!
stopping by today from This Is How We Roll where I’m your neighbor 🙂
This is such a helpful post…we’re always looking for substitutions (or even just ways to change things up without getting too crazy!) Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
I’m so pleased this will be helpful to you Leslie! Have a wonderful weekend.
What a handy list, Debbie! It’s so frustrating to have to run out to the store last minute. Pinning, sharing and featuring at this week’s Hearth and Soul Link Party. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
So great to you have stopping by April! Enjoy the rest of your week.
Hey, Debbie! Just wanted to let you know that we loved your A Guide To Ingredient Substitutions so much when you shared it at the #HomeMattersParty last week, we’ve FEATURED it THIS WEEK! Hope you can check it out when you get a sec. Happy Friday!!!
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai / Home Matters Linky Party
Thank you so much Lorelai! Have a wonderful weekend.
Debbie, this list is stellar! I had no idea that cake flour was essentially flour plus cornstarch. And your heavy cream replacement is great. I could have used that tip more than once. Found your post on #HomeMattersParty and sure am glad! Pinned it 🙂 And found another post of yours I want to check out. Where have you been all my live? LOL!
Thanks so much for your sweet words Sinea! I hope you are enjoying a great Saturday.