Ingredient Substitutions

Have you ever been elbow deep in cooking or baking when you realize you are missing an ingredient? We’ve all been there! But not every missing ingredient requires a trip to the store or your neighbor’s home. In some cases, a perfectly acceptable substitution may exist in your own kitchen. Below is a list of ingredient substitutions – one of which may work for you.

Allspice: 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Apple pie spice: 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon, nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
Arrowroot starch: 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon flour OR 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon = 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
Bay leaf: 1 whole = 1/4 teaspoon cracked bay leaves
Beau monde: 1 teaspoon = 1 teaspoon seasoning salt seasoning OR 1/2 teaspoon table salt, dash of garlic salt or powder, onion powder and celery salts
Butter: 1 cup = 1 cup margarine
Catsup: 1 cup = 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons vinegar
Chili sauce: 1 cup = 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice
Chives: 2 teaspoons = 2 teaspoons finely chopped green onion chopped tops
Chocolate chips: 1 ounce = 1 ounce sweet cooking chocolate semisweet
Chocolate, semi-sweet: 1 2/3 ounces = 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, 4 teaspoons sugar
Chocolate: 1 ounce = 3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
Cocoa: 1/4 cup = 1 square chocolate (decrease fat called for in recipe by 1/2 tablespoon)
Coconut Cream: 1 cup = 1 cup cream
Coconut Milk: 1 cup = 1 cup milk
Corn Syrup: 1 cup = 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup liquid called for in the recipe OR 1 cup honey
Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon = 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cracker crumbs: 3/4 cup = 1 cup bread crumbs
Cream cheese = Part skim milk ricotta cheese OR lowfat cottage cheese beaten
Cream: 1 cup = 7/8 cup whole milk, 1/2 tablespoon half-and-half butter/margarine OR 3 tablespoons oil plus milk to equal 1 cup OR 1 cup evaporated milk
Cream, heavy: 1 cup = 3/4 cup milk, 1/3 cup butter/margarine
Cream, light: 1 cup = 14 tablespoons milk plus 3 tablespoons butter/margarine
Cream, whipping: 1 cup = 3/4 cup milk, 1/3 cup butter (for cooking only)
Cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon = 1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
Garlic: 1 clove = 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder OR ¼ small teaspoon instant minced garlic
Garlic salt, 3/4 teaspoon = 1 medium size clove OR 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh
Herbs, dried: 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon fresh, finely cut-
Herbs, fresh: 1 tablespoon, = 1 teaspoon dried herbs
Honey 1 cup = 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid (use liquid called for in recipe)
Maple sugar: 1/2 cup = 1 cup maple syrup
Maple sugar: 1 tablespoon = 1 tablespoon white granulated sugar
Marshmallows, miniature: 1 cup = 10 large
Mayonnaise: 1 cup = 1 cup salad dressing OR 1 cup sour cream OR 1 cup yogurt
Milk, buttermilk: 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt
Mushrooms 1 pound fresh = 3 ounces dried mushrooms OR 6 ounces canned
Mustard, dry: 1 teaspoon = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Onion: 1 small = 1 teaspoon onion powder
Orange: 1 medium = 6 to 8 tablespoons juice
Orange peel, dried: 1 tablespoon = 2 to 3 tablespoons grated fresh orange peel
Parsley, dried: 1 teaspoon = 3 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped
Peppermint extract: 1 tablespoon = 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
Pimiento, 2 tablespoons = 3 tablespoons fresh red bell pepper, chopped
Pumpkin pie: 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/8 teaspoon allspice and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Shortening: 1 cup = 1 1/8 cups butter or margarine (decrease salt called for in recipe by 1/2 teaspoon)
Sour cream: 1 cup = 3/4 cup milk, 3/4 teaspoon lemon juice and 1/3 cup butter or margarine
Spearmint extract: 1 tablespoon = 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
Sugar, brown: 1 cup packed = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses
Sugar, confectioners’ or powdered: 1 cup = 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Tomato juice: 1 cup = 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water
Tomato sauce: 15 ounce can = 6 ounce can tomato paste plus 1 cup water
Tomato soup: 10 3/4 ounce can = 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/4 cup water
Wine: 1 cup = 13 tablespoons water, 3 tablespoons, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar
Yogurt, plain: 1 cup = 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup sour cream