Ingredient Substitutions The substituted food may not perform exactly as the original food. Each ingredient has specific functions in a recipe, and a substitute may alter the flavor, color, texture, or volume, but still result in an acceptable product. Click on the letters below to "jump" to the substitutions that begin with that letter, or scroll down the page to find the substitution you are looking for. Click on a letter to jump to substitutions that begin with that letter A B C D E F G H L M N O P R S T V W Y   A Ingredient Amount Substitutes Allspice 1 tsp tsp cinnamon and tsp ground cloves Apple pie spice 1 tsp tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg and 1/8 tsp cardamom Arrowroot starch 1 tsp 1 tbsp flour 1 tsp cornstarch B Ingredient Amount Substitutes Baking powder 1 tsp 1/4 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp cream of tartar, and 1/4 tsp cornstarch 1/3 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 cup sour milk or buttermilk (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/2 cup) 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar used with sweet milk to make 1/2 cup (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/2 cup) 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/4 cup molasses (decrease liquid in recipe by 1-2 tbsp) 1 1/2 tsp phosphate or tartrate baking powder Bay leaf 1 whole 1/4 tsp crushed Beau Monde seasoning 1 tsp 1 tsp seasoning or seasoned salt 1/2 tsp table salt 1/2 tsp Mei Yen seasoning Brandy 1/4 cup 1 tsp brandy extract plus enough water or liquid called for in recipe to make 1/4 cup Broth, beef or chicken 1 cup 1 bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup boiling water 1 cup boiling water 1 tsp powdered broth base dissolved in 1 cup boiling water Butter 1 cup 7/8 to 1 cup hydrogenated fat and 1/2 tsp salt 7/8 cup lard plus 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup margerine 7/8 cup oil plus 1/2 tsp salt C Ingredient Amount Substitutes Catsup 1 cup 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp vinegar (for use in cooking) Chicken stock base, instant 1 tsp 1 chicken bouillon cube Chicken stock base, instant 1 tbsp dissolved in 1 cup water 1 cup canned or homeade chicken broth or chicken stock Chili sauce 1 cup 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice Chives, finely chopped 2 tsp 2 tsp green onion tops, finely chopped Chocolate chips, semisweet 1 ounce 1 ounce sweet cooking chocolate Chocolate, semisweet 1 2/3 ounces 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate and 4 tsp sugar Chocolate, semisweet chips, melted 6-ounce package 2 squared unsweetened chocolate, 2 tbsp shortening, and cup sugar Chocolate, unsweetened 1 square or 1 ounce 3 tbsp cocoa and 1 tbsp fat Cocoa 1/4 cup or 4 tbsp 1 ounce (square) chocolate (decrease fat called for in recipe by 1/2 tbsp) Coconut 1 tbsp grated, dry 1 1/2 tbsp fresh grated coconut Coconut cream 1 cup 1 cup whipping cream Coconut milk 1 cup 1 cup whole milk Cornmeal, self-rising 1 cup 7/8 cup plain, 1 1/2 tbsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt Corn syrup 1 cup 1 cup sugar and 1/4 liquid (use whatever liquid is called for in the recipe) 1 cup honey Cornstarch (for thickening) 1 tbsp 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 2 tbsp granulated tapioca Cracker crumbs 3/4 cup 1 cup dry bread crumbs Cream, half-and-half 1 cup 7/8 cup milk and 1/2 tbsp butter or margerine 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted 1/2 cup coffee cream plus 1/2 cup milk Cream, heavy 1 cup 3/4 cup milk and 1/3 cup butter or margerine (for use in cooking or baking) Cream, light 1 cup 3/4 cup milk and 3 tbsp butter or margerine (for use in cooking or baking) 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted Cream, whipped any amount Chill a 13 oz. can of evaporated milk for 12 hours. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice. Whip until stiff. Cream of tartar 1/2 tsp 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice or vinegar D Ingredient Amount Substitutes Dill plant, fresh or dried 3 heads 1 tbsp, dill seed E Ingredient Amount Substitutes Egg 1 whole (3 tbsp) 3 tbsp and 1 tsp thawed frozen egg 2 1/2 tbsp sifted, dry whole egg powder and 2 1/2 tbsp warm water 2 yolks and 1 tbsp water (in cookies) 2 yolks (in custards, cream fillings, and similar mixtures) 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp vinegar, and 1 tbsp liquid (in baking) 1 egg in every 3 can be replaced with 1 tbsp cornstarch in baking Soften 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin in 3 tbsp cold water; add 3 tsp boiling water; cool and beat until frothy; add to recipe (reduce other liquid by 2 tbsp) 1/4 cup commercial egg substitute Egg white 1 white (2 tbsp) 2 tbsp thawed frozen egg white 2 tsp sifted, dry egg white powder and 2 tbsp lukewarm water Egg yolk 1 yolk (1 1/2 tsp) 2 tbsp sifted, dry egg yolk powder and 2 tsp water 1 1/3 tbsp thawed frozen egg yolk F Ingredient Amount Substitutes Flour, all-purpose (for thickening) 1 tbsp 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch, arrowroot starch, potato starch, or rice starch 1 tbsp granular tapioca 1 tbsp waxy rice flour 1 tbsp waxy corn flour 2 tbsp browned flour 1 1/2 tsp whole wheat flour and 1/2 tsp all purpose flour Flour, all-purpose Note: Specialty flours added to yeast bread recipes will result in a reduced volume and heavier product. 1 cup sifted 1 cup and 2 tbsp cake flour 1 cup minus 2 tbsp unsifted all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1 cup rolled oats 1/3 cup cornmeal or soybean flour and 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cornmeal, bran, rice flour, rye flour or whole wheat flour and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup whole wheat flour or bran flour and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup rye or rice flour 1/4 cup soybean flour and 3/4 cup all-purpose flour Flour, cake 1 cup sifted 1 cup minus 2 tbsp sifted all-purpose flour Flour, self-rising 1 cup 1 cup minus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and 1/1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt. Flour, whole wheat any amount substitute whole wheat flour for 1/4 to 1/2 of the white flour called for in a recipe G Ingredient Amount Substitutes Garlic 1 clove, small 1/8 tsp garlic powder or instant minced garlic 1/2 - 1 tsp garlic salt (reduce amount salt called for in recipe) Gelatin, flavored 3-ounce package 1 tbsp plain gelatin and 2 cups fruit juice Ginger 1/8 tsp, powdered 1 tbsp candied ginger rinsed in water to remove sugar and finely cut 1 tbsp raw ginger H Ingredient Amount Substitutes Herbs, fresh 1 tbsp finely cut 1 tsp dried herbs Honey 1 cup 1 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup liquid (use liquid called for in recipe) Horseradish 1 tbsp fresh 2 tbsp bottled L Ingredient Amount Substitutes Lemon 1 tsp juice 1/2 tsp vinegar Lemon 1 medium 2-3 tsp tbsp juice and 1-2 tsp rind Lemon peel, dried 1 tsp 1-2 tsp grated fresh lemon peel grated peel of 1 medium lemon 1/2 tsp lemon extract M Ingredient Amount Substitutes Macaroni, (4 cups cooked) 2 cups uncooked 2 cups spaghetti, uncooked 4 cups noodles, uncooked Maple sugar 1/2 cup 1 cup maple syrup Maple sugar (grated and packed) 1 tbsp 1 tbsp white, granulated sugar Maple Syrup about 2 cups Combine 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water, bring to clear boil; take off heat; add 1/2 tsp maple flavoring Marshmallows, miniature 1 cup 10 large Mayonnaise (for use in salads and salad dressings 1 cup 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream 1 cup cottage cheese pureed in blender Me Yen seasoning 1 tsp 1 tsp Beau Monde seasoning 1/2 tsp table salt Milk, buttermilk 1 cup 1 cup plain yogurt Milk, buttermilk or sour 1 cup 1 cup minus 1 tbsp sweet milk and 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (allow to stand for 5-10 minutes) 1 cup sweet milk and 1 3/4 tsp cream of tartar Milk, evaporated (whole or skim) 1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup water 1 cup liquid whole milk Milk, skim 1 cup 4 to 5 tbsp non-fat dry milk powder and enough water to make one cup, or follow manufacturer's directions Milk, skim 1/4 cup 4 tsp non-fat dry milk powder and enough water to make 1/4 cup, or follow manufacturer's directions 2 tbsp evaporated skim milk and 2 tbsp water Milk, sweetened condensed 1 can (about 1 1/3 cup Heat the following ingredients until sugar and butter are dissolved: 1/3 cup and 2 tbsp evaporated milk, 1 cup sugar, 3 tbsp butter or margarine Milk, whole 1 cup 1 cup reconstituted non-fat dry milk and 2 tsp butter or margarine 1/2 cup evaporated milk and 1/2 cup water 4 tbsp whole dry milk and 1 cup water, or follow manufacturer's directions 1 cup fruit juice or 1 cup potato water (for use in baking) 1/4 cup non-fat dry milk and 2 tsp butter or margarine and 7/8 cup water 1 cup soy or almond milk 1 cup water plus 1 1/2 tsp butter in baking 1 cup buttermilk plus 1/2 tsp baking soda (decrease baking powder in recipe by 2 tsp) Mint leaves, fresh chopped 1/4 cup 1 tbsp dried mint leaves Molasses 1 cup 3/4 cup sugar, increase liquid by 5 tbsp, decrease baking soda by 1/2 tsp, add 2 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup sugar plus 1 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, increase liquid in recipe by 5 tbsp Mushrooms 1 lb fresh 3 oz dried mushrooms plus 1 1/2 cups water 1 10-ounce can Mushrooms, powdered 1 tbsp 3 tbsp whole, dried mushrooms 4 oz fresh 2 oz canned Mustard, dry 1 tsp 1 tbsp prepared mustard 1/2 tsp mustard seeds N Ingredient Amount Substitutes Nuts 1 cup 1 cup rolled oats, browned (in baked products) O Ingredient Amount Substitutes Oil (for sauteing) 1/4 cup 1/4 cup melted margerine, butter, bacon drippings, shortening, or lard Onion, fresh 1 small rehydrate 1 tbsp instant minced onion Onion 1 small 1/4 cup chopped, fresh onion 1 1/3 tsp onion salt 1-2 tbsp instant minced onion 1 tsp onion powder Onions, instant minced 1 tbsp 2 tbsp fresh onion, chopped Onion powder 1 tbsp 1 medium onion, chopped 4 tbsp fresh chopped onion Orange 1 medium 6-8 tbsp juice; 3/4 cup diced; 2-3 tbsp grated rind Orange peel, dried 1 tbsp 2-3 tsp grated fresh orange peel grated peel of 1 medium orange Orange peel, dried 2 tsp 1 tsp orange extract Orange peel, fresh 1 medium 2-3 tbsp grated fresh orange peel P Ingredient Amount Substitutes Parsley, dried 1 tsp 3 tsp fresh parsley, chopped Pepper, white 1 tsp 1 tsp black pepper Peppers, green bell 1 tbsp dried 3 tbsp fresh green pepper, chopped Peppers, red bell 1 tbsp dried 3 tbsp fresh red bell pepper, chopped 2 tbsp chopped pimento Peppermint, dried 1 tbsp 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint Pimento 2 tbsp, chopped rehydrate 1 tbsp dried red bell peppers 3 tbsp fresh red bell pepper, chopped Pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/8 tsp allspice, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg R Ingredient Amount Substitutes Rennet 1 tablet 1 tbsp liquid rennet Rice (3 cups cooked) 1 cup regular, uncooked 1 cup uncooked converted rice 1 cup uncooked brown rice 1 cup uncooked wild rice 1 cup bulgur or pearl barley, cooked Rum 1/4 cup 1 tbsp rum extractplus enough liquid to make 1/4 cup S Ingredient Amount Substitutes Shortening, melted 1 cup 1 cup cooking oil (cooking oil should not be substituted if recipe does not call for melted shortening) Shortening, solid (used in baking) 1 cup 1 cup minus 2 tbsp lard 1 1/8 cups butter (decrease salt called for in recipe by 1/2 tsp) 1 1/8 cup margarine (decrease salt called for in recipe by 1/2 tsp) Sour cream, cultured 1 cup 3/4 cup sour milk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine 3/4 cup buttermilk and 1/3 cup butter or margarine Blend until smooth: 1/3 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 cup cottage cheese 1 cup plain yogurt 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 tsp lemon juice, and 1/3 cup butter or margarine Spearmint, dried 1 tbsp 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint Sugar, brown 1 cup firmly packed 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup unsulpured molasses 1/2 cup liquid brown sugar Sugar, white 1 cup 1 cup corn syrup, decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup (never replace more than 1/2 cup sugar called for in recipe with corn syrup) 1 1/3 cup molasses (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/3 cup) 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 cup honey (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup) 1 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, packed T Ingredient Amount Substitutes Tapioca, granular 1 tbsp 2 tbsp pearl tapioca Tapioca, quick-cooking for thickening 1tbsp 1 tbsp of flour Tomatoes, canned 1 cup 1 1/3 cups diced tomatoes simmered 10 minutes Tomatoes, fresh 2 cups, chopped 1 16-ounce can Tomatoes, packed 1 cup 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water Tomato Juice 1 cup 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water Tomato Sauce 2 cups 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water Tomato Soup 1 10 3/4 oz. can 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/4 oz. can cup water V Ingredient Amount Substitutes Vanilla Bean 1/2 bean 1 tbsp vanilla extract W Ingredient Amount Substitutes Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp 1 tsp bottled steak sauce Y Ingredient Amount Substitutes Yeast, active dry 1 tbsp 1 yeast cake, compressed 1 package active dry yeast Yogurt, plain 1 cup 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup cottage cheese blended until smooth 1 cup sour cream