Substitutions for Common Foods

How many times have you started making a recipe and realized you were out of an important ingredient? Often there is a simple substitution! Here is a list of common substitutions that may one day come in handy:

  • Allspice – 1 tsp = 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp ground cloves + a pinch of nutmeg
  • Apple Pie Spice – 1 T = 2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp nutmeg + a pinch of ground allspice
  • Baking Powder – 1 tsp = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/4 tsp cornstarch + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • Buttermilk – 1 cup = 1 T lemon juice or vinegar + enough milk to equal 1 cup. Let rest 5 minutes.

    Self-rising Flour Substitute
    Self-rising Flour Substitute
  • Corn Flour – 1 cup = 1 cup cornmeal ground in a blender or processor until finely textured.
  • Self-rising cornmeal = 1 cup = 1 cup minus 3 T cornmeal + 1 1/2 T baking powder + 1/2 tsp slt
  • Cream of Tartar – 1 T = 1 T distilled white vinegar or lemon juice
  • Creme Fraiche – 1 cup = 1 cup sour cream or yogurt
  • Cake Flour – 1 cup = 1 cup minus 3 T sifted all-purpose flour + 3 T cornstarch
  • Self-Rising Flour – 1 cup = 1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/2 tsp salt
  • Garlic – 1 clove fresh garlic = 1/8 tsp garlic powder
  • Garlic Salt – 1 tsp = 1/4 tsp garlic powder + 3/4 tsp salt
  • Fresh Ginger – 1 T = 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • Fresh Herbs – 1 T = 1 tsp dried herbs (in general, this works for most herbs)
  • Marshmallow Creme – 1 cup = 16 large or 160 miniature marshmallow + 2 tsp corn syrup, stirred until smooth in a double boiler or stainless-steel bowl over simmering water.
  • Onion Powder – 1 tsp = 1 T onion flakes
  • Onion Salt – 1 tsp = 1/2 tsp onion powder + 1/2 tsp salt
  • Paprika – 1 T = 1 T ancho chile powder
  • Pomegranate Molasses – 1 T = 1 1/2 tsp honey + 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • Sour Cream – 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 cup creme fraiche
  • Sour Milk – 1 cup = 1 T lemon juice or distilled vinegar + enough milk to equal 1 cup
  • Sugar, Powdered – 1 cup = 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 T granulated sugar + 3/4 tsp cornstarch, finely ground in a small food processor

    Buttermilk Substitute
    Sour milk Substitute
  • Sugar, Dark Brown – 1 cup = 1 packed cup light brown sugar + 1 T molasses; or 1 cup granulated sugar + 2 to 3 T molasses
  • Sugar, Decorating – 1 cup = 1 cup Homemade Colored Decorating Sugar: Put 1 cup granulated sugar in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add 8 to 10 drops food coloring, seal, and shake immediately and vigorously until sugar is evenly colored.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – 1 14 oz can = 1 cup evaporated milk + 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar, heated until sugar dissolves
  • Vanilla Bean – 1 8-inch vanilla bean = 2 to 3 tsp vanilla extract or 2 to 2 1/2 tsp vanilla powder;
  • Vanilla Extract – 1 tsp = 3-inch piece vanilla bean
  • Za’atar – 1 T = Combine 2 tsp dried thyme, 3/4 tsp sumac (optional), 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds, and 1/8 tsp salt in a mortar and pestle and coarsely grind.

If the substitution you are looking for is not found on this list, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We have a large substitution book in our office with many more common and uncommon substitutions.

Liz Meimann

I received both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Food Science at Iowa State University. I love to quilt, sew, cook, and bake. I spent many years gardening, canning, and preserving food for my family when my children were at home.

More Posts - Website

4 thoughts on “Substitutions for Common Foods

  1. Do you know how much powdered sumac should be used to substitute juice from 1/2 of a lemon? Thank you!

  2. Hi, I’m unable to find an exact amount, but I would begin by adding 1 teaspoon of powdered sumac to replace the half lemon. You could gradually add more to see what level of sumac tastes right in this recipe.

  3. I am attempting a sugar free gluten free cookie for my daughter who has food challenges. I’m stuck on sugar or the sweetener portion. if a recipe calls for 1/2 cup of monkfruit, can I use vanilla extract as a substitute? If so, how much?

    Blessings

    Carol Saloga
    carol.saloga@gmail.com

  4. Hi Carol
    I am attaching an article on baking with sugar substitutes. Monk fruit is a new sweetener that can usually be substituted for half of the sugar in a recipe. The vanilla would give flavor but wouldn’t add the sweetness so I don’t think that would be a good substitution. If you want to use a different sugar substitute this article describes other choices. https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/nutrition-exercise/meal-planning/baking-and-cooking-with-sugar-substitutes/

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AnswerLine

Connect with us!

AnswerLine's Facebook page AnswerLine's Pinterest page
Email: answer@iastate.edu
Phone: (Monday-Friday, 9 am-noon; 1-4 pm)
1-800-262-3804 (in Iowa)
1-800-854-1678 (in Minnesota)

Archives

Categories