Basic Ingredient Substitutions (2024)

Allspice1 teaspoon

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus ½ teaspoon ground cloves

Apple Pie Spice1 teaspoon

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus ¼ teaspoon nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon cardamom

Baking Powder, double-acting1 teaspoon

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda plus 5/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

Barbeque Sauce1 cup

• ¾ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons mustard and 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Butter1 cup

• 1 cup margarine (regular)
• 1 cup vegetable shortening (for baking)
• An equal amount of oil can be substituted for a similar portion of melted butter if the recipe specifies using melted butter.

Buttermilk1 cup

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough regular milk to make 1 cup (allow to stand 5 minutes)

Chili Sauce1 cup

• 1 cup tomato sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves and dash of allspice

Chocolate, unsweetened1 ounce

• 3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter or regular margarine or vegetable oil

Cornstarch (for thickening)1 tablespoon

• 2 tablespoons flour

Cream, whipping1 cup unwhipped

• 2 cups whipped cream

Egg1 whole egg

• ¼ cup egg substitute; check label for specific directions
• Reconstituted powdered eggs; follow package directions
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (suitable for use in cake batter)
• ½ teaspoon baking powder plus 1 tablespoon vinegar plus 1 tablespoon liquid (for baking use only)

Flour, all-purpose white flour1 cup

• ½ cup whole wheat flour plus ½ cup all-purpose flour

Flour, cake1 cup

• 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Flour, self-rising1 cup

• 1 cup minus 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour plus 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt

Garlic1 small clove

• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Herbs, fresh1 tablespoon, finely cut

• 1 teaspoon dried leaf herbs
• ½ teaspoon ground dried herbs

Ketchup (for use in cooking)1 cup

• 1 cup tomato sauce, ½ cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons vinegar

Lemon Zest (fresh grated lemon peel)1 teaspoon

• ½ teaspoon lemon extract

Marshmallows, miniature1 cup

• 10 large marshmallows

Mayonnaise (for use in salads and salad dressings)1 cup

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup cottage cheese pureed in a blender
• Use any of the above for part of the mayonnaise

Mustard, dry (in cooked mixtures)1 teaspoon

• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Onion1 small or ¼ cup chopped, fresh onion

• 1 tablespoon instant minced onion; check label for specific directions

Pasta (substituting one for another)4 cups (cooked)Pumpkin Pie Spice1 teaspoon

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus ¼ ground teaspoon ginger plus 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

RiceAny amount

• Most rice products will substitute for each other on a fairly equal basis in recipes, but the cooking time and amount of liquid will vary. Learn more about cooking rice.

RumAny amount

• 1 part rum extract plus 3 parts water. For example: for ¼ cup rum, substitute 1 tablespoon rum extract plus 3 tablespoons water.

Sugar, Confectioners' or Powdered1 cup

• 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch; process in a food processor using the metal blade attachment until it's well blended and powdery.

Tomato Juice1 cup

• 1 ½ cup tomato sauce plus ½ cup water

Tomato Soup10 ¾ ounce can

• 1 cup tomato sauce plus ¼ cup water

Wine, redAny amount

• The same amount of grape juice or cranberry juice

Wine, whiteAny amount

• The same amount of apple juice or white grape juice

Yeast, compressed2/3 oz

• 1 package (¼ ounce) active dry yeast
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast