We have all been there. You are mid-recipe and realize you didn’t double check your ingredient list.
Whenever I am in this bind, I take a deep breath and remember that there are plenty of substitutes that will give you a delicious as ever recipe without grabbing your car keys.
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Check out these easy work arounds. I keep this printed in my pantry or on the inside of a cupboard door for occasions just like this.
*Unless noted, use equal parts called for in the recipe
| Don’t have… | Use this! |
| Baking Powder | Cream of Tartar & Baking Soda Substitute ¼ teaspoon of baking soda mixed with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar to fill in for 1 teaspoon of baking powder. |
| Breadcrumbs | Crushed CrackersCrushed Bran Cereal |
| Broth (Chicken, Beef, Vegetable) | Bouillon Cube w/ same flavor ***You can even switch up the flavors if you don’t have the specific cube you need. |
| Brown Sugar | White Sugar & Molasses 1 cup white granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses |
| Butter | Vegetable ShorteningApple SauceOilCooking Spray (sauteeing only) |
| Buttermilk | Milk & Lemon Juice |
| Cinnamon | Allspice or Nutmeg *½ teaspoon = 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (a little goes a long way) |
| Cornstarch | All-Purpose Flour 1 T cornstarch = 2 T AP flour |
| Chili Powder | 1 teaspoon = 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1⁄4 teaspoon dried cumin, and a dash of bottled hot sauce |
| Cream of Tartar | Equal parts vinegar and lemon juice |
| Creme Fraiche | Heavy Cream & Yogurt 1 cup heavy cream + 1 tablespoon of yogurt = 1 cup creme fraiche |
| Dried Herbs | Fresh Herbs finely Chopped ***Fresh herbs are less potent so you may want to double the amount called for in the recipe. |
| Fresh Herbs | Dried herbs ***Dried herbs are more potent so you should use a third of the amount being called for. |
| Garlic Cloves | Garlic Powder or Granulated Garlic ½ tsp granulated garlic OR ⅛ tsp garlic powder = 1 garlic clove |
| Ginger (Fresh) | Ground Ginger ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger = 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger |
| Heavy Cream*not for whipping | Whole Milk + Unsalted Butter ⅔ cup whole milk + ⅓ cup melted butter |
| Honey | Agave Syrup ***This one goes both ways. |
| Hot Sauce | Cayenne + Vinegar ¾ tsp cayenne + 1 tsp white vinegar |
| Kosher Salt | Fine Table Salt Use half or three quarters of the amount called for |
| Lemon Juice | Vinegar |
| Mayo | Plain Yogurt or Sour Cream or Avocado |
| Maple Syrup | Honey ***The flavor will vary some, but it works! |
| Milk | Evaporated Milk + Water ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water |
| Molasses | ¾ cup of brown sugar + ¼ cup waterOR one cup of dark corn syrup or maple syrup or honey ***Flavor may vary |
| Mustard | Dry Mustard + Vinegar 1 teaspoon dry mustard + 1-2 teaspoons vinegar = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard |
| Nuts | You can use these interchangeably if you are out of the one your recipe calls for. |
| Oil | Apple Sauce |
| Onion | Onion Powder or Granulated Onion 1 tsp onion powder OR 1 tbsp dried minced onion = 1 small onion |
| Parmesan Cheese | Toasted Bread Crumbs |
| Pastry Flour | Cake Flour & All-Purpose Flour |
And after you are done with your masterpiece, check out some of our most popular recipes!
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