Substitute Directory
Missing an ingredient? Don't worry. Our quick directory finds the perfect swap for baking and cooking.
| What you have | Replace with | Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon Juice (1 Tbsp) | Lime Juice (Best for matching acidity and citrus flavor.) | 1 Tbsp |
| White Vinegar or ACV (Best for chemical reactions in baking.) | 1 Tbsp | |
| Dry White Wine (Adds bright acidity and complexity.) | 1 Tbsp | |
| Lemon Extract (Provides pure flavor, no acid or liquid.) | 1/2 tsp extract = 1 Tbsp juice | |
| Maple Syrup (1 Cup) | Honey (Thicker, with floral notes.) | 1 cup honey |
| Agave Nectar (Perfect consistency, neutral flavor.) | 1 cup agave | |
| Homemade Brown Sugar Syrup (Boil equal parts water and brown sugar.) | Pour over food | |
| Mascarpone (8 oz / 1 cup) | Cream Cheese + Heavy Cream (Beat until soft and smooth. Best overall match.) | 8 oz cream cheese + 1/4 cup heavy cream |
| Crème Fraîche (Slightly tangier, high fat content.) | 1 cup | |
| Blended Ricotta Cheese (Lower in fat. Do not use for raw desserts.) | 1 cup (blended smooth) | |
| Molasses (1 Cup) | Dark Brown Sugar + Water (Best flavor match. Maintains the correct liquid ratio.) | 3/4 C Brown Sugar + 1/4 C Water |
| Dark Corn Syrup (Best texture match. Very mild flavor compared to molasses.) | 1:1 | |
| Dark Maple Syrup (Much sweeter, lacks bitterness. Add extra spices.) | 1:1 | |
| Dutch-Processed Cocoa (3 Tbsp) | Natural Cocoa Powder (Must adjust leavening agents. See article for details.) | 1:1 |
| Unsweetened Baking Chocolate (Reduce recipe's butter/oil by 1 Tbsp.) | 1 oz melted per 3 Tbsp cocoa | |
| Ricotta Cheese (1 Cup) | Small-Curd Cottage Cheese (Blend until smooth. Reduce added salt.) | 1 cup (blended smooth) |
| Mascarpone Cheese (Much richer and smoother. Perfect for sweets.) | 1 cup | |
| Firm Tofu (Vegan) (Mix with lemon juice, salt, and olive oil.) | 1 cup crumbled | |
| Heavy Cream | Milk + Butter (Will not whip) | 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup butter |
| Coconut Cream (Can be whipped) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Sour Cream | Greek Yogurt (Use full-fat) | 1:1 replacement |
| Crème Fraîche (Higher fat, won't curdle) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Cornstarch | Flour (Cook for 2-3 mins) | 2 tbsp = 1 tbsp cornstarch |
| Arrowroot Powder (Glossy finish) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Cacao Alcalinizado (3 Cdas) | Cacao en Polvo Natural (Ajustar agentes leudantes. Ver artículo.) | 1:1 |
| Chocolate para hornear sin azúcar (Reducir la mantequilla de la receta en 1 Cda.) | 30g derretidos por 3 Cdas de cacao | |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk (1 Cup) | Evaporated Milk + Sugar (Heat gently until sugar dissolves. Cool before using.) | 1 C Evap Milk + 1.25 C Sugar |
| DIY Stovetop Milk (Simmer for 40 minutes without stirring. Yields 1 cup.) | 2 C Milk + 2/3 C Sugar (reduced) | |
| Condensed Coconut Milk (Excellent vegan alternative. Adds slight coconut flavor.) | 1:1 | |
| Agave Nectar | Honey (Not vegan) | 1:1 replacement |
| Simple Syrup (Equal parts sugar and water) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Apple Cider Vinegar (1 Tbsp) | White Wine Vinegar (Best overall match. Mild and fruity.) | 1 Tbsp |
| Unseasoned Rice Vinegar (Very mild. Do not use seasoned variety.) | 1 Tbsp | |
| Lemon Juice (Bright acidity, distinct citrus flavor.) | 1 Tbsp (maybe add a pinch of sugar) | |
| Arrowroot Powder | Cornstarch (Not transparent) | 1:1 replacement |
| Tapioca Starch (Glossy finish) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Butter | Coconut Oil (Use solid for cookies) | 1:1 replacement |
| Applesauce (Best mixed 50/50 with oil) | 1/2 cup applesauce = 1/2 cup butter | |
| Buttermilk (1 Cup) | Milk + Lemon Juice/Vinegar (Let sit 10 min to curdle.) | 1 Tbsp acid + just under 1 cup milk |
| Plain Yogurt (Thick but provides excellent tang.) | 1 cup yogurt (or 3/4 cup Greek + 1/4 cup water) | |
| Kefir (Perfect 1:1 match in texture and acidity.) | 1 cup kefir | |
| Vegan Milk + Acid (Soy milk curdles best among plant milks.) | 1 Tbsp vinegar + 1 cup soy milk | |
| Chicken Broth | Vegetable Broth | 1:1 replacement |
| Water + Soy Sauce (Adds umami) | 1 cup water + 1 tbsp soy sauce | |
| Canned Coconut Milk | Heavy Cream (Adds richness) | 1:1 replacement |
| Greek Yogurt (Stir in at the end) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Dijon Mustard | Yellow Mustard (Milder) | 1:1 replacement |
| Dry Mustard Powder (Mix with water) | 1 tsp powder = 1 tbsp Dijon | |
| Honey (1 Cup) | Maple Syrup (Adds earthy notes. Perfect viscosity.) | 1 cup maple syrup |
| Agave Nectar (Neutral flavor, slightly thinner.) | 1 cup agave | |
| White Sugar (Lacks the moisture-retaining properties.) | 1 1/4 cups sugar + 1/4 cup liquid |