There are few things more frustrating than having your heart set on baking or cooking something and then discovering you’re out of one (or more) of the crucial ingredients. I also hate returning from the grocery store and realizing I didn’t get the main thing I went there to get! (We don’t have to get into specifics about how many times I’ve done this, right?)
But fret no more, fellow forgetters, because the common ingredient substitutions featured in today’s post can save your skin in either scenario. Instead of getting derailed and making another trip to the store, you can use something else instead of what you don’t have and keep on truckin’.
While researching ingredient substitutions, I came across lists that seemed unnecessarily comprehensive (just what is rennet anyway?) as well as lists that weren’t comprehensive enough. In the end, I decided to come up with my own list that works for me, and I’m confident it will work for you too!
Check out the list in full here, then download your own copy of the list as a printable PDF near the end of this post.
Common Ingredient Substitutions For Cooking And Baking
For ingredients with several viable substitutions, I’ve listed each option on a separate line. Ingredients with a plus sign (+) between them are meant to be combined.
Beer (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup non-alcoholic beer
1 cup beef broth
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Baking powder (1 tsp)
Substitute… 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 cup buttermilk (in this case, decrease liquid in recipe by 1/2 cup)
Barbecue sauce (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup ketchup + 1/2 to 1 tsp liquid smoke
Bread crumbs (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup cracker crumbs
1 cup matzo meal
1 cup ground oats
Brown sugar (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 Tbsp molasses
Butter, salted (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup margarine
1 cup shortening + 1/2 tsp salt
7/8 cup vegetable oil + 1/2 tsp salt
Butter, unsalted (for baking) (1cup)
Substitute… 1 cup coconut oil or applesauce
Buttermilk (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup yogurt
1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + enough milk to make 1 cup
Cornstarch (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp arrowroot powder
More Ideas You'll Love
Corn syrup (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup honey
1 cup sugar + 1/4 cup liquid (whatever is called for in the recipe)
Cream cheese (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese, beaten until smooth
Cream, half and half (1 cup)
Substitute… 7/8 cup whole milk + 2 Tbsp melted butter
Cream, heavy (not for whipping) (1 cup)
Substitute… 2/3 cup whole milk + 1/3 cup melted butter
Cream of Chicken Soup 1 can (10.5 oz.)
Substitute… 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
Cream of tartar (1 tsp)
Substitute… 2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp vinegar
Egg, 1 large
Substitute… 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 Tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 Tbsp water
Flour, all-purpose (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup gluten-free flour
Flour, self-rising (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1-1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt
Herbs, dried (1 tsp)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp fresh herbs, finely chopped
More Ideas You'll Love
Herbs, fresh (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 1 tsp dried herbs
Honey (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup liquid (whatever is called for in the recipe)
Hot pepper sauce (1 tsp)
Substitute… 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper + 1 tsp vinegar
Lemon juice (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp white vinegar
Mayonnaise (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup sour cream
1 cup plain yogurt
Mustard (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp dried mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp vinegar + 1 tsp sugar
Oil (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup melted butter
1 cup margarine
1 cup shortening
Shortening (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup butter
1 cup margarine
Sour cream (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup cottage cheese, blended until smooth
Soy Sauce (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp Tamari
1 Tbsp coconut aminos
Sugar, brown (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 tsp molasses
Sugar, powdered (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 cup granulated sugar blended to powder
Tomato paste (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 3 Tbsp tomato sauce
2 Tbs ketchup
Vinegar, apple cider (1/4 cup)
Substitute… 1/4 cup white vinegar
Vinegar, balsamic (1 Tbsp)
Substitute… 1 Tbsp sherry
1 Tbsp cider vinegar
Vinegar, white (1/4 cup)
Substitute… 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup lemon juice
Wine, red (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup non-alcoholic wine
1 cup apple cider
1 cup beef broth
1 cup tomato juice
1 cup water
Wine, white (1 cup)
Substitute… 1 cup non-alcoholic wine
1 cup white grape juice
1 cup apple juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup water
Download The Ingredient Substitutions Cheat Sheet
Download a printable version of this list using the button below. Hang it on the inside of a cupboard door or keep it in a drawer so you can reference it as needed.
Ingredient Substitutions Cheat Sheet
Print out this handy “cheat sheet” of common ingredient substitutions and keep it in your kitchen for quick and easy reference.
Have you ever used substitutions to salvage a cooking or baking project?
Wow! All of these downloads are so useful. I’m just getting into making a lot of these because (1) they’re cheaper & fresher, and (2) winter is here already; our stores are about 20 – 25 miles away; not ideal when there’s snow & ice on the roads.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank You for posting everything here.
Like Beverly, I’m often out of tartar sauce. I use mayo with enough pickle relish until it looks right. I add about 4 drops of Tabasco Hot Sauce and stir. I mix it up in the jar that It’s stored in. Sometimes I add about 1/4 tsp of yellow mustard.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Normally I measure everything, but this seems to work great with guess work.
Here’s one to add — a substitute for eggs in baking cakes or cookies — and it really works well! EGGS (Equivalent of 2 eggs) Add 2 T. gelatin to 2 T. cold water and mix thoroughly.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Add 1/4 c. boiling water. Place in refrigerator to thicken a bit while
preparing cookies or cake.
I’ve been looking for a substitute for baking ammonia. I have a wonderful old recipe for peppermint cookies that calls for baking ammonia. Contrary to the name, I cannot find any that is food grade.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can use double-acting baking powder in its place :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love your daily emails.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Could you do a substitute list for plant-based cooking and baking?
Great idea, thanks Jackie! I’ll have to start researching :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.was wondering if you have any ideas for removing odors from a bedroom where we had new wood furniture (amish made) delivered and I cannot get rid of the varnish and paint smells. It has been like 4 months already now. Any hints would be appreciated. I’m assuming they probably used a shellac of some kind.
Do you have a diffuser? :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh wow! That is super helpful! Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This list is helpful and basically very good. I do think readers must remember that some of the substitutes will change the taste of the dish. Honey, for instance has a very distinctive taste in cooking and baking, so is not an exact substitute for Karo syrup. Maple syrup works also, but will change the flavor of the dish. The substitutes for cream cheese you mentioned do not get firm when cold so will definitely change the texture of the dish. Also Ricotta and smooth cottage cheese are not exact exchanges which is immediately realized if one uses cottage cheese for Ricotta in lasagna!! They all work but can change the original recipe in taste and/or texture.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for the list and for making itprintable.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i do not have a printer but i would love to have your list , is there a way i might get a copy of it from you?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can download it to your phone or computer for quick reference. Or you can print it at your local library! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow . This is great. I love the wine substitutions, as we don’t drink at our house. Reminds me of a few weeks ago when my mom had left town and I kept having to call when I was trying to cook for substitutes and finding where certain items are stored in the kitchen. This list is a definetly a keeper.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for this list. Although I already considered myself quite ingenious for substituting in my own kitchen, even I learned a few things here. Thank you for posting this. Keep up the great work. http://freestuff4dailyneeds.com/how-to-cook-without-a-stove/
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I never seem to have Tartar Sauce , I like it with my fish. I’ve learned that Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip with pickle relish makes a great, simple substitute.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow. awesome. Thanks for posting
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Rennet is used to make homemade cheese.
I was laughing because I’d never (as in have never even bought/thought of buying) have a lot of the substitutions in my cabinets. But some are handy
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
WOW! Thank you for this. I have a use for herbs list that I laminated and keep in my kitchen. It is double sided. How did you adhere your list to the cabinet?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just tape it up. Or place it in a sheet protector and use a command strip to hang it :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, great list! I didn’t know about the substitute for cream/half and half. I was just facing this dilemma the other day. Had I known, I would have substituted and made what I originally planned!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have had to find replacements many times. I have an old Better Homes and Garden cook book with this list in it. Have used it lots of times. We don’t drink wine often so I am usually at a loss for a sub on that. I usually will just use water or broth as I don’t have grape juice either. No kids anymore, no juice. I keep my list taped to the inside of my cabinet that I keep most of my baking supplies. It’s easy and handy that way.
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