Ingredient Substitution Guide | The Recipe Critic

Ever start a recipe, only to realize you’re missing a key ingredient? Don’t worry—it happens to all of us! Whether you’re out of baking powder, avoiding dairy, or need an egg-free swap, I’ve got you covered with this list of substitutions.

This guide gives you easy swaps and substitutions that actually work. Save this list and come back to it anytime you need a quick answer!

Baking Substitutions

• Baking Powder: ½ tsp cream of tartar + ¼ tsp baking soda = 1 tsp baking powder
• Cake Flour: ¾ cup + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp cornstarch = 1 cup cake flour
• Self-Rising Flour: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp molasses
• Powdered Sugar: Blend 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tbsp cornstarch until fine
• Monk Fruit Sweetener: Use 1:1 in place of granulated sugar
• Unsweetened Baking Chocolate: 3 tbsp cocoa powder + 1 tbsp vegetable oil = 1 square/1 ounce unsweetened baking chocolate
• Cocoa Powder: 1 ounce melted unsweetened baking chocolate -1 tablespoon butter or oil from the recipe = 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• Carob Powder: Use 1:1 in place of cocoa powder
• Yeast: Use 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast for every 1 tablespoon active dry yeast.

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Sweetener Substitutions

• Honey: Use agave or maple syrup (1:1)
• Maple Syrup: Use honey or corn syrup (1:1)
• Molasses: Use maple syrup or dark corn syrup (1:1)
• Stevia: Follow manufacturer’s instructions; typically 1 tsp stevia = 1 cup sugar
• Date Paste: Use ⅔ cup date paste to replace 1 cup sugar

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Dairy Substitutions

• Buttermilk: 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar + milk to make 1 cup; let sit 5 min
• Heavy Cream: ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup melted butter = 1 cup cream
• Half-and-Half: ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half
• Milk: Use equal amount of almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk
• Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt (1:1)
• Ricotta Cheese: Strained cottage cheese or blended tofu with lemon juice (1:1)
• Cream Cheese: Blend Greek yogurt with butter, or use mascarpone (1:1)

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Egg Substitutions (per 1 egg)

• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (let sit 5 min)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water (let sit 5 min)
• ¼ cup mashed banana
• ¼ cup applesauce
• ¼ cup blended silken tofu
• 3 tbsp aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas)

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Crust Substitutions

• Graham Cracker Crust: Use 1½ cups crushed Nilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or vanilla Oreos
• Pie Crust: Use 1½ cups crushed pretzels, granola, or nuts mixed with ¼ cup melted butter

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Oil & Butter Substitutions

• Vegetable Oil (in baking): Use equal amount of melted butter, applesauce, or coconut oil
• Butter (in baking): Use equal amount of shortening or margarine
• Butter (for cooking): Use olive oil or ghee (1:1)
• Oil (for cooking): Use broth or water for sautéing, 1:1

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Wine & Alcohol Substitutions

• Red Wine: Equal amount of grape juice, cranberry juice, or beef broth
• White Wine: Equal amount of white grape juice, apple juice, or chicken broth
• Beer: Equal amount of broth + splash of vinegar or lemon juice
• Rum or Brandy (in desserts): Use apple juice or water with a splash of vanilla

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Herbs & Flavor Substitutions

• Fresh to Dried Herbs: 1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried
• Lemon Juice: Use lime juice or orange juice (1:1)
• Vanilla Extract: Use equal amount of maple syrup or half the amount of almond extract
• Allspice: Use ½ tsp cinnamon + ½ tsp cloves
• Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos (1:1)

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Spice Substitutions

• Onion Powder: 1 tbsp onion powder = ½ cup chopped onion
• Garlic Powder: ⅛ tsp garlic powder = 1 small clove
• Chili Powder: 2 tsp paprika + 1 tsp cumin + pinch cayenne = 1 tbsp chili powder
• Italian Seasoning: Mix equal parts oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary
• Curry Powder: 1 tsp turmeric + ½ tsp cumin + ½ tsp coriander

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Grain & Bread Substitutions

• Breadcrumbs: Use 1 cup crushed crackers, panko, cornflakes, pretzels, almond flour, oats, or crushed cereal
• Cooked Rice: Use equal amount of quinoa, couscous, farro, or cauliflower rice
• Tortillas: Use pita bread, lavash, or large lettuce leaves

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Pantry Substitutions (Canned & Condensed)

• Tomato Paste: 3 tbsp tomato sauce or puree, simmered to reduce = 1 tbsp paste
• Evaporated Milk: Simmer 2¼ cups milk down to 1 cup
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Simmer 1 cup whole milk + ⅓ cup sugar until thick
• Cream of Mushroom Soup: 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp flour + ¼ cup sautéed mushrooms

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Cheese Substitutions

• Parmesan: Use nutritional yeast, Asiago, or Romano (1:1)
• Ricotta: Use cottage cheese (blended if needed) or firm tofu + lemon (1:1)
• Cheddar: Use Monterey Jack, Colby, or plant-based cheddar (1:1)
• Cream Cheese: Use mascarpone, or Greek yogurt blended with a bit of butter (1:1)

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Protein Substitutions

• Ground Beef: Use equal amount of ground turkey, mushrooms, lentils, or plant-based meat
• Chicken: Substitute with tofu, chickpeas, jackfruit, or seitan
• Eggs (in scrambles): Use crumbled tofu or commercial egg replacers like JUST Egg

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Broth & Stock Substitutions

• Chicken Broth: Use water + 1 tsp poultry seasoning or bouillon per cup
• Beef Broth: Use mushroom broth, veggie broth + 1 tsp soy sauce per cup
• Vegetable Broth: Use water + onion powder, garlic, herbs, and salt to taste