With many whipping up delicious concoctions in their home kitchens amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s likely that many also have encountered one or two instances when their pantry or cupboards didn’t have all of the essential ingredients that were needed for a recipe.
The struggle is real. But not to worry.
If you haven’t planned ahead, can’t get to the store or are trying to avoid going out, there are a variety of food substitutions that can help save the day in a pinch.
Happy baking!
Baking powder
Amount: 1 teaspoon.
Swap it for: ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, plus ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar.
Baking soda
Amount: ¼ teaspoon.
Swap it for: 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
Barbecue sauce
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: ¾ cup of ketchup,
2 tablespoons of mustard and 2 tablespoons
of brown sugar.
Brown sugar
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of granulated sugar,
plus 2 tablespoons of molasses.
Butter, margarine or vegetable shortening
Amount: 1 cup (or 2 sticks).
Swap it for: 1 cup of vegetable or coconut oil; ¾ cup of apple sauce, apple butter or avocado, plus ¼ cup of solid fat; or 1 cup of mashed bananas.
Buttermilk or sour milk
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of plain yogurt;
or 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar,
plus 1 cup of milk.
Cake flour
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of all-purpose flour,
plus 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Chili sauce
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of ground cloves and allspice.
Coffee creamer
Amount: 1 tablespoon.
Swap it for: 1 tablespoon of dry milk,
plus 1 tablespoon of water.
Cornstarch
Amount: 1 tablespoon.
Swap it for: 2 tablespoons of flour,
or 2 tablespoons of tapioca pearls.
Cream of tartar
Amount: ¼ teaspoon.
Swap it for: ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.
Eggs
Amount: 1 egg.
Swap it for: 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise;
or 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed,
plus 3 tablespoons of water.
Egg yolks
Amount: 2 egg yolks.
Swap it for: 1 whole egg.
Granulated sugar
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of brown sugar; or 1¾ cups of powdered sugar.
Half-and-half
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: ½ cup of whole milk, plus ½ cup of heavy cream.
Heavy cream
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of whole milk, plus tablespoon of melted butter.
Honey
Amount: ½ cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of corn syrup; 1 cup of brown sugar; ½ cup of maple syrup; or ½ cup of molasses.
Ketchup
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, ½ cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
Lemon juice
Amount: 1 teaspoon.
Swap it for: ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Mayonnaise
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of sour cream; 1 cup of plain yogurt; or 1 cup of cottage cheese.
Milk
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: ½ cup of evaporated milk, plus ½ cup of water; or 1/3 cup of nonfat dry milk, plus a 7/8 cup of water.
Self-rising flour
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of all-purpose flour, plus 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Semi-sweet chocolate
Amount: 1 ounce.
Swap it for: 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate, plus 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Sour cream
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of plain yogurt.
Tomato juice
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1½ cups of tomato sauce, plus ½ cup of water.
Tomato soup
Amount: 1 can.
Swap it for: 1 cup of tomato sauce, plus ¼ cup of water.
Unsweetened chocolate
Amount: 1 ounce.
Swap it for: 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, plus 1 tablespoon of butter, margarine or vegetable shortening; or 1 ounce of semi-sweet chocolate, minus 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Vanilla extract
Amount: 1 teaspoon.
Swap it for: 1 teaspoon bourbon or rum.
Vegetable oil
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of canola oil, olive oil, or grape seed oil.
Whole milk
Amount: 1 cup.
Swap it for: 1 cup of skim or low-fat milk, plus two tablespoons of melted butter.
Wine (red)
Amount: Any.
Swap it for: The same amount of grape or cranberry juice.
Wine (white)
Amount: Any.
Swap it for: The same amount of apple of white grape juice.
Sources: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, bettycrocker.com and foodnetwork.com.
Megan Gloss is the Features Editor for the Telegraph Herald.
