This Food Substitutions list has come in handy more than once. I keep this list taped up inside one of my kitchen cabinets and add to it as I discover more handy substitutions. Do you have any to share? Please leave a comment!
The Handiest Food Substitutions Ever!
Allspice (1 tsp) 1 tsp. cinnamon plus 1/8 tsp. ground cloves.
Apple Pie Spice
4 parts cinnamon, 1 part nutmeg and 1 part ginger.
Baking Powder (1 tsp)
1 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar.
Balsamic Vinegar (1 tbsp)
1 Tbsp cider vinegar.
Bouquet Garni
Equal measures of thyme, parsley and crushed bay leaf; OR Equal measures of thyme, chervil and crushed bay leaf; OR Equal measures of basil, marjoram, and summer savory.
Bread Crumbs(1/4 cup)
1/4 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs, corn flakes or quick-cooking oats.
Butter (1 lb)
7/8 Cup solid shortening plus 1/2 tsp. salt
Buttermilk/Sour Milk (1 cup)
1 Tbsp lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup. Let stand 5 minutes before using. Or use 1 cup plain yogurt.
Capers (1 tbsp)
1 Tbsp chopped green olives.
Chili Seasoning
2 parts chili powder + 1 part paprika
Chocolate – Semisweet (1 square)
1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate plus 1 Tbsp sugar.
Chocolate – Unsweetened (1 square)
3 Tbsp baking cocoa plus 1 Tbsp shortening or margarine.
Cornstarch (1 tbsp)
2 Tbsp flour or 4 tsp quick-cooking tapioca.
Corn Syrup – Light (1 cup)
1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup water.
Corn Syrup – Dark (1 cup)
1 cup light corn syrup; 3/4 cup light corn syrup plus 1/4 cup molasses; or 1 cup maple-flavored syrup.
Cream, heavy (1 cup)
2/3 cup milk and 1/3 cup butter.
Curry Powder
Combine equal parts coriander, cumin, pepper, turmeric, and ginger; 4 parts coriander, 2 parts tumeric, 2 parts cumin 1 part ginger.
Eggs (1 large)
2 egg whites; or 1/4 cup store-bought egg whites; or 2 egg yolks (for custard or puddings); or 2 egg yolks plus 1 Tbsp water (for cookies or bars); or 1 tsp. cornstarch;. or 4 extra tbs. of whatever liquid was used in the recipe.
Flour – All-purpose (1 cup)
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp cake flour.
Flour – Cake (1 cup)
1 cup minus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour.
Flour – Self-rising (1 cup)
1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1/2 tsp salt.
Garlic, finely chopped (1 medium clove)
1/8 tsp garlic powder or 1/4 tsp instant minced garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic salt.
Gingerroot, grated or finely chopped (1 tsp)
3/4 tsp ground ginger.
Herbs, chopped, fresh (1 tbsp)
3/4 to 1 tsp dried herbs.
Herbes de Provence
4 parts thyme, 4 parts savory, 2 parts lavender 1 part rosemary.
Honey (1 cup)
1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup water or liquid used in recipe.
Ketchup
1 cup of tomato sauce, 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, 2 tbs. vinegar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, pinch of ground cloves and allspice.
Leeks, sliced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup sliced shallots or green onions.
Lemon, 1 medium
1 tsp. grated rind plus 2 tbs. lemon juice
Lemon Juice, fresh (1 tbsp)
1 Tbsp bottled lemon juice or white vinegar.
Lemon Peel, grated (1 tsp)
1 tsp dried lemon peel.
Milk (1 cup)
1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or nonfat dry milk prepared as directed on package with 2 1/2 tsp melted butter added.
Molasses (1 cup)
1/2 cup honey (flavor will be milder).
Mushrooms, fresh (1 cup cooked)
1 can (4 oz) mushroom stems and pieces, drained.
Mushrooms (1/2 pound)
4 oz. canned mushroom caps or 1 1/2 oz dried mushrooms.
Mustard (1 Tbsp)
1 tsp ground mustard (dry).
Onion, 1 small
1 tbs. instant minced or 1 tsp. onion powder.
Orange Peel, grated (1 tsp)
1 tsp dried orange peel.
Oregano (1 tsp)
1 tsp. marjoram.
Poultry Seasoning
Equal parts sage, thyme, oregano and marjoram.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
4 parts cinnamon, 2 parts ginger, 1 part nutmeg, 1 part allspice and dash of cloves.
Red Pepper Sauce (3 or 4 drops)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Seasoning Salt
1 cup salt, 2 1/4 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons dry mustard, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
Sesame Seeds (1 tbsp)
1 Tbsp finely chopped blanched almonds.
Shortening, melted (1 cup)
1 cup salad oil (cannot be substituted for 1 cup solidshortening)
Sour Cream (1 cup)
1 cup plain yogurt.
Sugar, brown, packed (1 cup)
1 cup granulated sugar plus 2 Tbsp molasses or dark corn syrup.
Sugar, granulated (1 cup)
1 cup light brown sugar (packed) or 2 cups powdered sugar.
Sugar, superfine
Blend regular granulated sugar in the blender.
Tomato Paste (1/2 cup)
1 cup tomato sauce cooked uncovered till reduced to l/2 cup.
Tomato Sauce (2 cups)
3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water.
Tomatoes, canned (1 cup)
About 1 1/3 cups cut-up fresh tomatoes, simmered 10 min.
Vanilla Extract
Grated lemon rind, orange rind, cinnamon or nutmeg combined with a small amount of the liquid called for in the recipe to make up the amount of vanilla extract specified in the recipe.
Whipping Cream (1 cup)
1 cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping or 1 cup prepared whipped topping mix.
Wine, Red (1 cup)
1 cup apple cider or beef broth.
Wine, White (1 cup)
1 cup apple juice, apple cider or chicken broth.
Yeast, regular or quick active dry (1 pkg or 1/4 oz)
2 1/4 tsp regular or quick active dry; or 1 package (6 oz) compressed cake yeast.
