It happens to even the most prepared cooks: in the midst of making a recipe you find you’re missing a key ingredient. No worries! Our list of easy ingredient substitutions can help in a pinch. No buttermilk? No problem! Can’t find fresh leeks? We have you covered.

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Ingredient Amount Substitution
Allspice 1 teaspoon ground 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Apple Pie Spice 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg + 1/8 teaspoon allspice + 1/8 teaspoon cardamom
Baking Powder 1 teaspoon 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Buttermilk 1 cup 1 cup regular milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice Let stand for 5 minutes
Chives 1 tablespoon chopped 1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Chocolate (unsweetened) 1 ounce 3 tablespoons  cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon butter
Chocolate (semisweet) 1 ounce 3 tablespoons cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon butter + 1 tablespoon sugar, or 1/2 ounce unsweetened chocolate + 1 tablespoon sugar
Cornstarch (for thickening) 1 tablespoon 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Corn Syrup 2 cups 1 cup granulated sugar
Cream, Heavy 1 cup 1 cup evaporated milk or 3/4 cup whole milk + 3 tablespoons butter
Cream, Light 1 cup 1/2 cup heavy cream + 1/2 cup whole milk, or 7/8 cup whole milk + 3 tablespoons butter
Cream of Tartar 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or
1 teaspoon vinegar
Crème Fraiche 1 cup 1/2 cup heavy cream + 1/2 cup sour cream Whisk and let stand several hours at room temperature
Fats (for baking) 1 cup 1 cup applesauce or 1 cup fruit puree
Flour, Cake 1 cup 7/8 cup sifted all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Flour, Self-Rising 1 cup 1 cup minus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/2 teaspoon salt
Garlic 1 clove 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Hazelnuts 1 cup 1 cup macadamia nuts
Herbs, Fresh 1 tablespoon chopped 1 teaspoon chopped dried herbs
Honey 1 cup 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar + 1/4 cup liquid
Jicama 6 ounces 6 ounces water chestnuts
Leek 1 cup 1 cup sliced green onion, or
sliced 1 cup sliced shallot
Mayonnaise 1 cup 1 cup sour cream, or
1 cup plain yogurt
Milk, Whole 1 cup 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water
Mushrooms, Fresh 16 ounces 12 ounces canned mushrooms, drained
Mustard, Prepared 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon dried mustard + 1 teaspoon vinegar + 1 teaspoon cold water + 1 teaspoon sugar Let stand for 15 minutes after mixing
Onion, Yellow 1/4 cup chopped 1 tablespoon minced dried onion, or 1 tablespoon onion powder
Pumpkin Pie Spice 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger + 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg + 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger + 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg + 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Shallots 1/4 cup chopped 1/4 cup chopped green onion or 1/4 cup chopped leek
Sugar, Powdered 1 cup 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon cornstarch Process in food processor with metal blade until powdery
Tomato Juice 1 cup 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water, or 1/4 cup tomato paste + 3/4 cup water + dash salt + dash sugar
Tomato Paste 1/2 cup 1 cup tomato sauce Simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup
Tomato Sauce 1 cup 1/2 cup tomato paste + 1/2 cup water

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About the author

Hi, I'm Lee.

I am inspired by my mother, Sally’s, love of cooking and entertaining to gather friends and family together over great meals and conversation. In fact, I held my first dinner party at the age of 16. Throughout the years, I haves provided recipes, menu advice and cooking tips to friends seeking uncomplicated and delicious ideas for home entertaining.


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Comments

  1. This is awesome!! How many times have we all started a recipe and realized we didn’t have something! Thanks for sharing it as #FoodieFriDIY…now it’s my turn to share! 🙂 I’m posting it on Facebook right now! I’ll send some other foodie love your way too!