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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Mayonnaise | Greek Yogurt (Lower fat) | 1:1 replacement |
| Mashed Avocado (Healthy fats) | 1/2 avocado = 1 tbsp mayo | |
| Milk | Oat Milk | 1:1 replacement |
| Water + Butter | 1 cup water + 1 tbsp melted butter | |
| Parmesan Cheese | Pecorino Romano (Saltier) | 1:1 replacement |
| Nutritional Yeast (Vegan) | 1/2 amount | |
| Peanut Butter | Sunflower Seed Butter (Nut-free) | 1:1 replacement |
| Tahini (More bitter) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Pumpkin Puree | Sweet Potato Puree (Sweeter) | 1:1 replacement |
| Butternut Squash Puree (Identical flavor) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Shortening (Crisco) | Butter (Adds rich flavor) | 1:1 replacement |
| Coconut Oil (Must be solid) | 1:1 replacement | |
| Sour Cream (1 Cup) | Plain Greek Yogurt (Best all-around substitute. Exact 1:1 match.) | 1 cup Greek yogurt |
| Cream Cheese + Milk (Blend until smooth. Very rich.) | 1 cup cream cheese + 2 Tbsp milk | |
| Heavy Cream + Lemon Juice (Let sit to thicken. Slightly runny.) | 1 cup cream + 1 Tbsp lemon juice | |
| Buttermilk (Liquid consistency, only for baking.) | 3/4 cup buttermilk | |
| Soy Sauce (1 Tbsp) | Tamari (Gluten-free. Slightly richer and less salty.) | 1 Tbsp |
| Coconut Aminos (Soy-free, gluten-free, much sweeter.) | 1 Tbsp (add extra salt to dish) | |
| Worcestershire Sauce (Very tangy umami bomb.) | 1/2 Tbsp + 1/2 Tbsp water | |
| Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) | Maple Syrup (Provides similar sweet, earthy aromas.) | 1 tsp maple syrup |
| Almond Extract (Very strong. Use half the amount.) | 1/2 tsp almond extract | |
| Bourbon or Dark Rum (Leaves a warm, complex flavor profile.) | 1 tsp bourbon |