Ingredient Substitution Guide | The Recipe Critic

Ever begin a recipe, solely to understand you’re lacking a key ingredient? Don’t fear—it occurs to all of us! Whether or not you’re out of baking powder, avoiding dairy, or want an egg-free swap, I’ve acquired you coated with this checklist of substitutions.

This information offers you simple swaps and substitutions that really work. Save this checklist and are available again to it anytime you want a fast reply!

Baking Substitutions

• Baking Powder: ½ tsp cream of tartar + ¼ tsp baking soda = 1 tsp baking powder
• Cake Flour: ¾ cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch = 1 cup cake flour
• Self-Rising Flour: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses
• Powdered Sugar: Mix 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch till fantastic
• Monk Fruit Sweetener: Use 1:1 instead of granulated sugar
• Unsweetened Baking Chocolate: 3 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp vegetable oil = 1 sq./1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate
• Cocoa Powder: 1 ounce melted unsweetened baking chocolate -1 tablespoon butter or oil from the recipe = 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• Carob Powder: Use 1:1 instead of cocoa powder
• Yeast: Use 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast for each 1 tablespoon lively dry yeast.

---

Sweetener Substitutions

• Honey: Use agave or maple syrup (1:1)
• Maple Syrup: Use honey or corn syrup (1:1)
• Molasses: Use maple syrup or darkish corn syrup (1:1)
• Stevia: Comply with producer’s directions; sometimes 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup sugar
• Date Paste: Use ⅔ cup date paste to interchange 1 cup sugar

---

Dairy Substitutions

• Buttermilk: 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + milk to make 1 cup; let sit 5 min
• Heavy Cream: ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup melted butter = 1 cup cream
• Half-and-Half: ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half
• Milk: Use equal quantity of almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk
• Bitter Cream: Plain Greek yogurt (1:1)
• Ricotta Cheese: Strained cottage cheese or blended tofu with lemon juice (1:1)
• Cream Cheese: Mix Greek yogurt with butter, or use mascarpone (1:1)

---

Egg Substitutions (per 1 egg)

• 1 tbsp floor flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (let sit 5 min)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water (let sit 5 min)
• ¼ cup mashed banana
• ¼ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup blended silken tofu
• 3 tbsp aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)

---

Crust Substitutions

• Graham Cracker Crust: Use 1½ cups crushed Nilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or vanilla Oreos
• Pie Crust: Use 1½ cups crushed pretzels, granola, or nuts combined with ¼ cup melted butter

---

Oil & Butter Substitutions

• Vegetable Oil (in baking): Use equal quantity of melted butter, applesauce, or coconut oil
• Butter (in baking): Use equal quantity of shortening or margarine
• Butter (for cooking): Use olive oil or ghee (1:1)
• Oil (for cooking): Use broth or water for sautéing, 1:1

---

Wine & Alcohol Substitutions

• Crimson Wine: Equal quantity of grape juice, cranberry juice, or beef broth
• White Wine: Equal quantity of white grape juice, apple juice, or hen broth
• Beer: Equal quantity of broth + splash of vinegar or lemon juice
• Rum or Brandy (in desserts): Use apple juice or water with a splash of vanilla

---

Herbs & Taste Substitutions

• Recent to Dried Herbs: 1 tbsp contemporary = 1 tsp dried
• Lemon Juice: Use lime juice or orange juice (1:1)
• Vanilla Extract: Use equal quantity of maple syrup or half the quantity of almond extract
• Allspice: Use ½ tsp cinnamon + ½ tsp cloves
• Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos (1:1)

---

Spice Substitutions

• Onion Powder: 1 tbsp onion powder = ½ cup chopped onion
• Garlic Powder: ⅛ tsp garlic powder = 1 small clove
• Chili Powder: 2 tsp paprika + 1 tsp cumin + pinch cayenne = 1 tbsp chili powder
• Italian Seasoning: Combine equal elements oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary
• Curry Powder: 1 tsp turmeric + ½ tsp cumin + ½ tsp coriander

---

Grain & Bread Substitutions

• Breadcrumbs: Use 1 cup crushed crackers, panko, cornflakes, pretzels, almond flour, oats, or crushed cereal
• Cooked Rice: Use equal quantity of quinoa, couscous, farro, or cauliflower rice
• Tortillas: Use pita bread, lavash, or massive lettuce leaves

---

Pantry Substitutions (Canned & Condensed)

• Tomato Paste: 3 tbsp tomato sauce or puree, simmered to scale back = 1 tbsp paste
• Evaporated Milk: Simmer 2¼ cups milk right down to 1 cup
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Simmer 1 cup complete milk + ⅓ cup sugar till thick
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp flour + ¼ cup sautéed mushrooms

---

Cheese Substitutions

• Parmesan: Use dietary yeast, Asiago, or Romano (1:1)
• Ricotta: Use cottage cheese (blended if wanted) or agency tofu + lemon (1:1)
• Cheddar: Use Monterey Jack, Colby, or plant-based cheddar (1:1)
• Cream Cheese: Use mascarpone, or Greek yogurt blended with a little bit of butter (1:1)

---

Protein Substitutions

• Floor Beef: Use equal quantity of floor turkey, mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based meat
• Rooster: Substitute with tofu, chickpeas, jackfruit, or seitan
• Eggs (in scrambles): Use crumbled tofu or business egg replacers like JUST Egg

---

Broth & Inventory Substitutions

• Chicken Broth: Use water + 1 tsp poultry seasoning or bouillon per cup
• Beef Broth: Use mushroom broth, veggie broth + 1 tsp soy sauce per cup
• Vegetable Broth: Use water + onion powder, garlic, herbs, and salt to style