KitchenVixen.com
 
 

Substitutions

Useful Cooking Measurement Subsitutions


If This is Called For Use This Instead
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup white vinegar
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp sherry or cider vinegar
1 cup beer 1 cup non-alcoholic beer, beef broth, or apple cider
1/4 cup bread crumbs, dry 1/4 cup finely crushed cracker crumbs or corn flakes
1 cup brown sugar, packed 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 Tbsp molasses or dark corn syrup
1 cup corn syrup, light 1 cup granulated sugar + 1/4 cup water
1 cup corn syrup, dark 1 cup light corn syrup
or 3/4 cup light corn syrup + 1/4 cup molasses
or 1 cup maple-flavored syrup
1 Tbsp cornstarch 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
or 1 Tbsp potato or rice starch
or 1 Tbsp arrowroot
or 4 tsp. instant tapioca
1 cup cream, half and half 7/8 cup whole milk + 2 Tbsp melted unsalted butter
1 cup cream, heavy 2/3 cup whole milk + 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter creme fresh 1 cup sour cream
or 1 cup whipping cream + 1 Tbsp buttermilk or yogurt
or 1/2 cup whipping cream + 1/2 cup sour cream
or 1 cup mascarpone cheese
1 cup currants 1 cup raisins
or 1 cup chopped dates
or 1 cup other dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries, cherries)
1 cup flour, all-purpose 1 cup + 2 Tbsp cake flour
1 cup flour, cake 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup flour, self rising 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1/2 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, finely chopped 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
or 1/4 tsp. instant minced garlic
1 Tbsp ginger root, grated 1 Tbsp candied ginger; rinsed and finely chopped
or 1 1/2 tsp. dry ground ginger + 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp herbs, fresh chopped (1 Tbsp) 1 tsp. of the same dry herb
1 cup honey 3/4 cup dark corn syrup + 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
or 3/4 cup maple syrup + 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
or 3/4 cup light molasses + 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
or 1 1/4 cup sugar + 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar + 1/4 cup liquid called for in recipe
1 Tbsp lemon juice 1 Tbsp bottled lemon juice, lime juice or white vinegar
1 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp. lime or orange zest
or 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1 Tbsp lime juice 1 Tbsp lemon or orange juice
1 tsp lime zest 1 tsp. lemon or orange zest
1 cup milk, nonfat 1/3 cup powdered milk + 3/4 cup water
1 cup milk, whole 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water
or 1 cup skim milk + 1 Tbsp melted butter
1 cup molasses 1 cup honey, dark corn syrup or maple syrup
or 3/4 cup brown sugar heated to dissolve in 1/4 cup liquid
1 Tbsp mustard, yellow 1 tsp. ground mustard
1 cup oil 1 cup melted butter, margarine, or shortening depending on the recipe
1 cup orange juice 1 cup reconstituted frozen concentrate
1 tsp orange zest 1 tsp. lemon or lime zest
or 1 tsp. finely chopped candied orange peel
1 tsp poultry seasoning 1/2 tsp. ground sage + 1/4 tsp. ground thyme + 1/4 tsp. ground rosemary
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/2 tsp. cinnamon + 1/4 tsp. ginger + 1/8 tsp. nutmeg + 1/8 tsp. cloves
1 cup shortening 1 cup butter or margarine. Do not substitute oil for shortening
1 cup sour cream 1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup sugar, light brown 1/2 cup dark brown sugar + 1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup sugar, white 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup tomato juice 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato paste 1 cup tomato sauce cooked until reduced by 1/2
2 cup tomato sauce 3/4 cup tomato paste + 1 cup water
1 cup tomatoes, canned 1 1/3 cup fresh cut-up tomatoes; simmered 10 minutes
1 cup treacle 1 cup corn syrup (light or dark) or light molasses
1/4 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
or 1/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup wine, red 1 cup non-alcoholic wine, apple cider, beef broth, tomato juice or water
1 cup wine, white 1 cup non-alcoholic wine, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth or water
1 cup yogurt, plain 1 cup sour cream, butermilk, or creme fresh
or 1 cup heavy whipping cream + 1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp arrowroot 1 Tbsp cornstarch, potato starch, or rice starch
or 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar + 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/4 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp. baking powder (must replace the acidic liquid in recipe with non-acidic liquid)
1 cup butter 7/8 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk 1 cup plain yogurt
or 1 Tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice and enough milk to equal 1 cup; let stand for a few minutes
4 oz chocolate, unsweetened 12 Tbsp cocoa powder + 4 Tbsp butter
4 oz chocolate, semi-sweet 2 oz unsweetened chocolate + 4 Tbsp sugar
4 oz chocolate, sweet 1/4 cup cocoa powder + 1/3 cup sugar + 3 Tbsp shortening
chocolate chips chop a bar of chocolate into small chunks
1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp. white vinegar or lemon juice
1 cup Milk 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water
or 1 cup reconstituted dry milk + 2 tsp margarine or butter
1 cup Buttermilk 1 tbs vinegar + 1 cup sweet milk,
or 1/4 cup butter + 3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch 1 tbs all purpose flour
1 cup Honey 1 1/4c sugar + 1/4 cup water or other liquid




Herb Substitutions
Basil Oregano or thyme
Chervil Tarragon or parsley
Chive Green onion; onion; or leek
Cilantro Parsley
Italian Seasoning Blend of any of these: basil, oregano, rosemary, and ground red pepper
Marjoram Basil; thyme; or savory
Mint Basil; marjoram; or rosemary
Oregano Thyme or basil
Parsley Chervil or cilantro
Poultry Seasoning Sage plus a blend of any of these: thyme, marjoram, savory, black pepper, and rosemary
Red Pepper Dash bottled hot pepper sauce or black pepper
Rosemary Thyme; tarragon; or savory
Sage Poultry seasoning; savory; marjoram; or rosemary
Savory Thyme; marjoram; or sage
Tarragon Chervil; dash fennel seed; or dash aniseed
Thyme Basil; marjoram; oregano; or savory




Spice Substitutions
Allspice Cinnamon; cassia; dash of nutmeg or mace; or dash of cloves
Aniseed Fennel seed or a few drops anise extract
Cardamom Ginger
Chili Powder Dash bottled hot pepper sauce plus a combination of oregano and cumin
Cinnamon Nutmeg or allspice (use only 1/4 of the amount)
Cloves Allspice; cinnamon; or nutmeg
Cumin Chili powder
Ginger Allspice; cinnamon; mace; or nutmeg
Mace Allspice; cinnamon; ginger; or nutmeg
Nutmeg Cinnamon; ginger; or mace
Saffron Dash turmeric (for color)




Alcoholic Ingredient  Description  Substitution
Amaretto Italian almond-flavored liqueur Almond extract.
Beer or ale Various types. For light beers, substitute chicken broth, ginger ale or white grape juice. For heavier beers, use a stronger beef, chicken or mushroom broth or stock. Non-alcoholic beers may also be substituted.
Brandy Liquor made of distilled wine or fruit juice. Scotch or bourbon. If a particular flavor is specified, use the corresponding fruit juice, such as apple, apricot, cherry, peach, raspberry etc. or grape juice. Corresponding flavored extracts can be used for small amounts.
Calvados Apple brandy Apple juice concentrate or juice.
Chambord Black raspberry liqueur Raspberry juice, syrup or extract.
Champagne Sparkling white wine. Sparkling white grape juice, ginger ale, white wine.
Claret Light red wine or Bordeaux. Non-alcoholic wine, diluted currant or grape juice, cherry cider syrup.
Cognac Aged, double-distilled wine or fermented fruit juice. Cognac is considered the finest brandy. Other less expensive brandies may be substituted, as well as Scotch or whiskey, or use peach, apricot or pear juice.
Cointreau French, orange-flavored liqueur. Orange juice concentrate or regular orange juice that has been reduced to a thicker consistency.
Curacao Liqueur made from bitter Seville oranges. Orange juice frozen concentrate or reduced fresh orange juice.
Creme de menthe Thick and syrupy, sweetened mint liqueur. Comes both clear and green. Mix spearmint extract or oil with a little water or grapefruit juice. Use a drop of food coloring if you need the green color.
Framboise French raspberry liqueur. Raspberry juice or syrup.
Frangelico Italian hazelnut liqueur. Hazelnut or almond extract.
Galliano Golden Italian anise liqueur. Licorice extract.
Grand Marnier French liqueur, orange-flavored. Orange juice frozen concentrate or reduced fresh orange juice.
Grappa Italian grape brandy. Grape juice or reduced red wine.
Grenadine Pomegranate syrup, sometimes alcoholic. Pomegranate syrup or juice.
Hard Cider Fermented, alcoholic cider. Apple cider or juice.
Kahlua Syrupy Mexican liqueur made with coffee and cocoa beans. Strong coffee or espresso with a touch of cocoa powder.
Kirsch (Kirchwasser) Colorless liqueur made of cherries. Black cherry, raspberry, boysenberry, currant, or grape juice or syrup, or cherry cider.
Red Burgundy Dry French wine. Non-alcoholic wine, red wine vinegar, grape juice.
Red wine Sweet or dry wine. Non-alcoholic wine, beef or chicken broth or stock, diluted red wine vinegar, red grape juice diluted with red wine vinegar or rice vinegar, tomato juice, liquid from canned mushrooms, plain water.
Rum Liquor distilled from molasses or sugar syrup. For light rum, use pineapple juice flavored with almond extract. For dark rum, use molasses thinned with pineapple juice and flavored with almond extract. Or use rum extract flavoring.
Sake Fermented rice drink. Rice vinegar.
Schnapps Flavored, colorless liquor. Use corresponding flavored extract such as peppermint, peach, etc.
Sherry Fortified dessert wine, sweet or dry, some with a slightly nutty flavor. Orange or pineapple juice.
Southern Comfort Bourbon mixed with peach liqueur. Peach nectar mixed with a little cider vinegar.
Tequila Liquor made of the agave plant. Cactus nectar or juice.
Triple Sec Orang-flavored liqueur. Orange juice frozen concentrate or reduced fresh orange juice.
Vermouth Wine-based drink infused with herbs, sweet or dry. For sweet, use non-alcoholic sweet wine, apple or grape juice or balsamic vinegar. For dry, use non-alcoholic white wine, white grape juice or white wine vinegar.
Whiskey (whisky) Distilled liquor. Bourbon, Scotch and whiskey may be used interchangably. Small amounts may be eliminated. Large amounts cannot be effectively substituted.
White Burgundy Dry French wine. Non-alcoholic wine, white grape juice diluted with white wine vinegar.
White wine Sweet or dry wine. Non-alcoholic wine, chicken broth or stock, diluted white wine vinegar or cider vinegar, white grape juice diluted with white wine vinegar, ginger ale, canned mushroom liquid, water. For marinades, substitute 1/4 cup vinegar plus 1 Tbsp sugar plus 1/4 cup water.