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Ingredient Substitutes: Ratios and Best Uses

By The Recipes by Mom kitchen ยท Last checked October 21, 2026

Ran out of something halfway through a recipe? Each page here lists practical substitutes with a ratio, the kind of recipe each one suits and what changes when you use it. Ratios are common kitchen equivalents, the same kind found in university extension substitution tables.

  • AllspiceCinnamon + nutmeg + cloves: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp cloves = 1 tsp
  • Apple cider vinegarWhite wine vinegar: 1 for 1
  • Baking powderBaking soda + cream of tartar: 1/4 teaspoon baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar = 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Baking sodaBaking powder: 3 teaspoons baking powder for 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • Balsamic vinegarRed wine vinegar + sugar: 1 tablespoon vinegar + 1/2 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • BasilThai basil: 1 for 1
  • Bay leavesDried thyme: A pinch per leaf
  • Beef brothBeef bouillon: 1 cube or 1 teaspoon granules + 1 cup boiling water = 1 cup
  • Bread flourAll-purpose flour: 1 for 1
  • Brown sugarGranulated sugar + molasses (light): 1 cup sugar + 1 tablespoon molasses = 1 cup packed light brown
  • Butter in bakingVegetable oil: 3/4 cup oil for 1 cup butter
  • ButtermilkMilk + lemon juice or vinegar: 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar + milk to make 1 cup; stand 5 to 10 minutes
  • Cake flourAll-purpose flour + cornstarch: 1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons, plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted = 1 cup
  • CapersGreen olives, chopped: 1 for 1
  • CardamomCinnamon + nutmeg: 1/2 teaspoon each = 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • Cayenne pepperCrushed red pepper flakes: About the same, ground or crushed fine
  • Chicken brothBouillon cube or granules: 1 cube or 1 teaspoon granules + 1 cup boiling water = 1 cup
  • Chili powderHome blend: 2 teaspoons paprika + 1 teaspoon ground cumin + 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder + 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano + a pinch of cayenne, for about 1 tablespoon
  • CilantroFlat-leaf parsley + lime: 1 for 1, plus a little lime juice or zest
  • Cocoa powderUnsweetened baking chocolate: 1 oz chocolate for 3 tablespoons cocoa; reduce fat by 1 tablespoon
  • Coconut milkHeavy cream: 1 for 1
  • Coconut oilButter: 1 for 1
  • CornstarchAll-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons for each 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Cotija cheeseFeta: 1 for 1
  • Cream cheeseNeufchatel: 1 for 1
  • Cream of mushroom soupHomemade white sauce + mushrooms: 2 tablespoons butter + 2 tablespoons flour + 1 cup milk or broth, plus sauteed chopped mushrooms
  • Cream of tartarLemon juice or white vinegar (egg whites): 1 teaspoon for every 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Creme fraicheSour cream: 1 for 1
  • Dijon mustardStone-ground or whole-grain mustard: 1 for 1
  • DillFennel fronds: 1 for 1
  • Egg washHeavy cream or milk: Brush lightly
  • Eggs in bakingFlax egg: 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water, rested 5 minutes = 1 egg
  • Evaporated milkHomemade from whole milk: Simmer 2 1/4 cups whole milk until reduced to 1 cup
  • FennelCelery: 1 for 1
  • Feta cheeseCotija: 1 for 1
  • Fresh gingerGround ginger: 1/4 teaspoon ground = 1 tablespoon fresh grated
  • Greek yogurtStrained plain yogurt: 1 for 1 after straining
  • Green onionsChives: 1 for 1
  • Ground corianderGround cumin: Use about half to three-quarters as much
  • Ground cuminGround coriander: Same amount
  • Gruyere cheeseEmmental (Swiss): 1 for 1
  • Half-and-halfWhole milk + heavy cream: 1/2 cup whole milk + 1/2 cup heavy cream = 1 cup
  • Heavy creamWhole milk + melted butter: 3/4 cup whole milk + 1/4 cup melted butter = 1 cup
  • Hoisin sauceQuick home mix: Soy sauce, a little peanut butter, honey, minced garlic, rice vinegar and sesame oil, whisked
  • HoneyMaple syrup: 1 for 1
  • Italian seasoningHome blend: Equal parts dried basil, oregano and thyme, plus a little rosemary and marjoram
  • LeeksYellow onion: Use a little less
  • Lemon juiceLime juice: 1 for 1
  • LemongrassLemon zest + fresh ginger: Zest of about half a lemon plus a little grated ginger per stalk
  • Maple syrupHoney: 1 for 1
  • MarjoramOregano: Use about two-thirds as much
  • Marsala wineDry sherry: 1 for 1
  • MascarponeCream cheese + heavy cream: Beat softened cream cheese with a few tablespoons of heavy cream until smooth
  • MayonnaisePlain Greek yogurt: 1 for 1
  • MirinSake + sugar: 1 tablespoon sake + 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • Miso pasteDoenjang: 1 for 1
  • NutmegMace: 1 for 1
  • OreganoMarjoram: Use a little more
  • Oyster sauceVegetarian mushroom stir-fry sauce: 1 for 1
  • PaprikaSmoked paprika: 1 for 1
  • Parmesan cheesePecorino Romano: 1 for 1
  • Poblano peppersAnaheim peppers: 1 for 1
  • Powdered sugarHomemade powdered sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon cornstarch, blended until fine
  • Pumpkin pie spiceHome blend: 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1/4 tsp ginger + 1/8 tsp nutmeg + 1/8 tsp allspice or cloves = 1 tsp
  • Red wine vinegarSherry vinegar: 1 for 1
  • Rice vinegarApple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon for 1 tablespoon
  • RicottaCottage cheese, drained and blended: 1 for 1
  • RosemaryThyme: 1 for 1
  • SaffronTurmeric: A small pinch
  • SagePoultry seasoning: 1 for 1
  • SakeDry sherry: 1 for 1
  • Self-rising flourAll-purpose flour + baking powder + salt: 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder + 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Sesame oilNeutral oil (plain sesame oil replacement): 1 for 1
  • ShallotsYellow onion: Same volume, finely chopped
  • Shaoxing wineDry sherry: 1 tablespoon for 1 tablespoon
  • SherryDry vermouth: 1 for 1
  • Sherry vinegarRed wine vinegar: 1 for 1
  • ShorteningButter: 1 for 1
  • Sour creamPlain Greek yogurt: 1 for 1
  • Soy sauceTamari: 1 for 1
  • TahiniSunflower seed butter: 1 for 1
  • TarragonChervil: 1 for 1
  • ThymeDried thyme (for fresh): 1 teaspoon dried = 1 tablespoon fresh
  • Tomato pasteTomato sauce or puree: 3 tablespoons for each 1 tablespoon paste, simmered to thicken (or reduce other liquid)
  • Tomato sauceTomato paste + water: 3/4 cup tomato paste + 1 cup water = 2 cups tomato sauce
  • TurmericFresh turmeric: About 1 tablespoon grated per 1 teaspoon ground
  • Vanilla extractVanilla bean paste: 1 teaspoon for 1 teaspoon
  • Vegetable oilCanola, sunflower or grapeseed oil: 1 cup for 1 cup
  • White wineBroth + lemon juice or white wine vinegar: 1 cup broth + 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar
  • White wine vinegarChampagne vinegar: 1 for 1
  • Whole milkEvaporated milk + water: 1/2 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup water = 1 cup
  • Worcestershire sauceSoy sauce: 1 tablespoon for 1 tablespoon

Cooking Times and Temperatures: Quick Reference