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Substitution Guide

Out of baking soda? No buttermilk? Check out our Substitution Guide for a list of alternates that will ensure every recipe is a success.

INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTION
Allspice (1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. cinnamon + 1/4 tsp. nutmeg + 1/4 tsp. ground clove
Baking Powder (1 tsp.) 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Baking Soda (1 tsp.) 2 tsp double-acting baking powder + replace acidic liquid ingredient in recipe with non-acidic liquid
Balsamic Vinegar Equal amount of sherry or cidar vinegar
Bread Crumbs (1 cup) 3/4 cup cracker crumbs
Brown Sugar (1 cup) 1 Tbsp. light molasses + enough sugar to fill 1 dry measure cup or 1 cup raw sugar
Butter, salted (1 cup
or 2 sticks)
1 cup or 2 sticks unsalted butter + 1/4 tsp. salt or 1 cup margarine or 7/8 cup lard or vegetable shortening
Buttermilk (1 cup) Place 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measure. Fill to 1 cup with room temp whole or 2% milk and let stand for 5 minutes or 1 cup milk + 3/4 tsp. cream of tartar or 1 cup plain yogurt
Canola, Sunflower and Vegetable Oils Substitute one for one
Chocolate, Bittersweet or Semi-Sweet (1 oz.) 1/2 oz. Unsweetened chocolate + 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
Cocoa Powder (3 Tbsp. Dutch-processed) 1 oz. Unsweetened chocolate + 1/8 tsp. baking soda + reduce fat in recipe by 1 Tbsp. or 3 Tbsp. natural cocoa powder + 1/8 tsp. baking soda
Corn Starch
(as a thickener)
Equal amounts of Minute Tapioca for cornstarch, use slightly less for flour
Cream of Tartar (1/2 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice
Egg (1 whole large egg) 3-1/2 Tbsp. thawed frozen egg or egg substitute or 2 egg whites
Garlic (1 fresh clove) 1 tsp. Garlic Salt or 1/8 tsp. Garlic Powder or 1/4 tsp. dried minced garlic
Gingerroot (1 Tbsp. minced) 1/8 tsp. ground ginger powder or 1 Tbsp. rinsed and chopped candied ginger
Half & Half (1 cup)
for cooking or baking
1-1/2 Tbsp. butter or margarine + enough milk to equal 1 cup
Heavy Cream (1 cup)
for cooking or baking
3/4 cup milk + 1/3 cup butter or margarine
Herbs, Fresh (1 Tbsp.) 1 tsp. dried herbs
Honey (1 cup)
for cooking or baking
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup of liquid appropriate for recipe
Italian Seasoning (1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. dried basil + 1/4 tsp. dried oregano + 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
Molasses (1 cup) 1 cup honey or 1 cup dark corn syrup or 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup liquid
Mushrooms, fresh
(1 cup sliced and cooked)
1 can (4 oz.) mushrooms, drained
Mustard, Prepared
(1 Tbsp.)
1/2 tsp. dry mustard powder + 2 tsp. white vinegar
Onion (1 small minced) 1/2 tsp. onion powder
Poultry Seasoning (1 tsp.) 1/4 tsp. ground thyme + 3/4 tsp. ground sage
Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 tsp.) 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon + 1/4 tsp. ground ginger + 1/8 tsp. allspice + 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
Sour Cream (1 cup) 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and enough evaporated milk to equal 1 cup
Tomato Juice (1 cup)
for cooking
1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
Tomato Sauce (1 cup)
for cooking
1/2 cup tomato paste + 1/2 cup water
Wine, Red (1 cup) 1 cup nonalcoholic wine, apple cider, beef broth or water
Wine, White (1 cup) 1 cup nonalcoholic wine, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth or water
Yogurt (1 cup) 1 cup buttermilk or 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 cup or 1 cup sour cream

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