Don't have it?
Use this instead.
Quick substitutions with exact ratios. No guessing.
heavy cream
Half-and-half
excellentWon't whip. Slightly thinner. Fine for sauces and soups.
Coconut cream
excellentDairy-free. Slight coconut flavor. Excellent in curries and soups.
Whole milk + butter
goodGood for sauces and baking. Won't whip.
Evaporated milk
goodSlightly sweet. Good for soups and casseroles.
Cashew cream
goodBlend soaked cashews with water. Vegan, neutral flavor.
buttermilk
Milk + lemon juice
excellentThe classic hack. Works perfectly in baking.
Milk + white vinegar
excellentSame as lemon juice method. Equally effective.
Plain yogurt + milk
excellentThicker than buttermilk. Great in pancakes and biscuits.
Sour cream + milk
goodRich and tangy. Good for baking.
butter
Coconut oil
goodSolid at room temp like butter. Slight coconut flavor in baking.
Olive oil
goodFor savory cooking. Not for baking where butter flavor matters.
Ghee
excellentClarified butter. Higher smoke point. Technically still dairy but lactose-free.
Applesauce
acceptableFor baking only. Reduces fat. Makes things moist.
sour cream
Plain Greek yogurt
excellentBest substitute. Less fat, more protein. Almost identical in recipes.
Cottage cheese (blended)
goodHigh protein. Blend until smooth for dips and baking.
Cashew cream + lemon juice
goodVegan. Blend soaked cashews, water, and lemon juice.
parmesan cheese
Pecorino Romano
excellentSharper and saltier. Reduce other salt. Made from sheep's milk.
Asiago
goodMilder flavor but similar texture. Works in pasta.
Nutritional yeast
acceptableVegan. Nutty, cheesy flavor. Won't melt the same.
eggs
Flax egg
goodLet sit 5 min until gel forms. Best for muffins, cookies, pancakes.
Mashed banana
goodAdds banana flavor. Best for sweet baking.
Applesauce
goodNeutral flavor. Good for cakes and muffins.
Silken tofu
acceptableNeutral flavor. Good for dense baking.
Commercial egg replacer
excellentBob's Red Mill or JUST Egg work well.
ground beef
Ground turkey
excellentLeaner. Use 93/7 for best results. Add a splash of oil for moisture.
Ground chicken
goodVery lean, mild. Season aggressively.
Ground bison
excellentLeaner and slightly gamey. Excellent in burgers.
Impossible/Beyond meat
goodPlant-based. Cooks similarly. Works great in tacos and chili.
Lentils
goodVegan. Different texture. Great in chili, bolognese, tacos.
chicken breast
Chicken thighs
excellentMore flavor, slightly more fat. Juicier. Many chefs prefer them.
Turkey breast
goodVery similar. Slightly drier. Works in any chicken recipe.
Pork tenderloin
goodSimilar lean white meat. Different flavor. Good in stir-fries.
Extra-firm tofu
acceptablePress well, season heavily. Bake or pan-fry for best texture.
chicken broth
Vegetable broth
excellentMakes any recipe vegetarian. Slightly different flavor.
Bouillon cube + water
goodHigher sodium. Reduce added salt. Always have these in the pantry.
Water + soy sauce
acceptableAdds umami. Not as complex as broth but works in a pinch.
Bone broth
excellentRicher, more collagen. Excellent upgrade, not just a substitute.
soy sauce
Tamari
excellentGluten-free soy sauce. Nearly identical flavor.
Coconut aminos
goodSoy-free, gluten-free. Slightly sweeter, less salty.
Worcestershire sauce
acceptableDifferent flavor profile but adds similar umami depth.
Fish sauce
goodMuch stronger. Use half. Adds intense umami.
smoked paprika
Regular paprika + liquid smoke
excellentClosest match to the smoky flavor.
Chipotle powder
goodSmoky AND spicy. Use less. Adds heat.
Ancho chili powder
goodMild heat, slightly sweet. Good in rubs and stews.
fresh herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley)
Dried version
good1/3 the amount. Add earlier in cooking. Less vibrant.
Different fresh herb
acceptableParsley for cilantro, basil for parsley — not identical but works.
Frozen herbs
excellentFrozen cubes retain more flavor than dried. Check freezer section.
olive oil
Avocado oil
excellentHigher smoke point. Neutral flavor. Better for high-heat cooking.
Vegetable/canola oil
goodNeutral flavor. Works for cooking, not for finishing.
Butter
goodDifferent flavor. Great for sautéing. Not for dressings.
Coconut oil
acceptableSlight coconut flavor. Best for Asian dishes and baking.
all-purpose flour
Whole wheat flour
goodDenser, nuttier. Use 3/4 amount or mix 50/50 with AP.
Almond flour
goodGluten-free. Denser, moister. Best in cookies and cakes, not bread.
Oat flour
goodGluten-free (if certified). Blend oats in food processor. Slightly sweet.
1:1 GF flour blend
excellentBob's Red Mill or King Arthur. Designed to replace AP directly.
white sugar
Brown sugar
excellentAdds moisture and molasses flavor. Slightly denser result.
Honey
goodReduce other liquids by 1/4 cup. Lower oven temp by 25°F.
Maple syrup
goodSame liquid adjustments as honey. Adds maple flavor.
Coconut sugar
excellentLower glycemic. Slightly caramel flavor. Works great.
brown sugar
White sugar + molasses
excellentExact DIY match. Use 2 tbsp molasses for dark brown sugar.
White sugar
goodLoses moisture and caramel depth. Works in a pinch for cookies and sauces.
Coconut sugar
excellentSimilar caramel flavor and color. Slightly less moisture than brown sugar.
Maple syrup
goodReduce other liquids by 3 tbsp. Adds distinct maple flavor.
Date sugar
acceptableMade from ground dates. Does not melt or dissolve like regular sugar.
baking powder
Baking soda + cream of tartar
excellentThe exact chemical equivalent. Mix fresh each time.
Baking soda + lemon juice
goodSlight lemon flavor. Work quickly as it activates immediately.
Baking soda + vinegar
goodUse white vinegar for neutral flavor. Mix into batter fast.
Self-rising flour
excellentAlready contains baking powder and salt. Adjust salt in recipe.
cornstarch
All-purpose flour
goodUse double the amount. Makes sauces slightly cloudier than cornstarch.
Arrowroot powder
excellentGluten-free, clear finish. Great for glossy sauces. Breaks down with prolonged heat.
Tapioca starch
goodGluten-free. Gives a slightly chewy texture. Good for pie fillings.
Potato starch
goodGluten-free. Add at end of cooking. Loses thickening power if boiled too long.
vegetable oil
Canola oil
excellentNeutral flavor, similar smoke point. Closest direct swap.
Melted coconut oil
goodSlight coconut flavor in unrefined. Refined is neutral. Great for baking.
Applesauce
acceptableFor baking only. Cuts fat significantly. Makes baked goods moister and denser.
Melted butter
goodAdds richer flavor. Works well in cakes and brownies. Not for high-heat frying.
Avocado oil
excellentNeutral flavor, very high smoke point. Works for baking and frying.
ricotta cheese
Cottage cheese (blended)
excellentBlend until smooth for near-identical texture. Lower fat. Great in lasagna.
Cream cheese
goodRicher and denser. Thin with a splash of milk for closer consistency.
Mascarpone
goodCreamier and richer. Excellent in desserts like cannoli and cheesecake.
Silken tofu (blended)
acceptableVegan. Blend with lemon juice and salt. Works in lasagna and stuffed shells.
cream cheese
Mascarpone
excellentRicher, less tangy. Excellent in frostings and cheesecake.
Greek yogurt (strained)
goodTangier and lighter. Strain through cheesecloth for thicker consistency.
Neufchatel cheese
excellentLower fat cream cheese. Nearly identical taste, slightly softer texture.
Cashew cream cheese
goodVegan. Blend soaked cashews with lemon juice and salt. Best in spreads.
worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce + vinegar + sugar
goodMimics the savory-sweet-tangy balance. Quick pantry fix.
Coconut aminos + vinegar
goodSoy-free and gluten-free. Slightly sweeter but close.
Fish sauce
acceptableMuch more concentrated. Use sparingly. Adds deep umami.
Balsamic vinegar
acceptableDifferent flavor but adds similar tangy depth. Good in marinades.
fish sauce
Soy sauce
goodLess funky, more straightforward salt. Misses the fermented depth but works.
Soy sauce + lime juice
goodCloser to the bright, salty punch of fish sauce in Thai dishes.
Worcestershire sauce
goodContains anchovies so similar umami. Slightly different flavor profile.
Miso paste (thinned)
acceptableVegan-friendly umami bomb. Adds fermented depth without the fish.
rice vinegar
Apple cider vinegar
goodSlightly stronger. Add a pinch of sugar to soften the acidity.
White wine vinegar
excellentSimilar mild acidity. Closest flavor match of any vinegar.
Champagne vinegar
excellentDelicate and mild. Premium swap that works beautifully in dressings.
Lemon juice
acceptableDifferent flavor but similar acidity level. Good for dressings and quick pickles.
honey
Maple syrup
excellentClosest liquid sweetener swap. Adds maple flavor instead of floral.
Agave nectar
goodVegan. Thinner and milder than honey. Dissolves easily in cold drinks.
Corn syrup (light)
acceptableLess sweet than honey. Neutral flavor. Works in baking and sauces.
Date syrup
goodVegan. Rich caramel flavor. Great in marinades and dressings.
Brown sugar (dissolved)
acceptableSimmer until dissolved. Works in marinades and glazes.
maple syrup
Honey
excellentThicker and sweeter. Closest swap. Different flavor but similar function.
Agave nectar
goodThinner, milder. Vegan. Works in baking and drizzling.
Brown sugar syrup
goodDIY syrup. Has caramel notes similar to maple.
Pancake syrup
acceptableCorn syrup-based, artificial flavor. Works on pancakes but not ideal for baking.
breadcrumbs
Crushed crackers
goodSaltines or Ritz. Adds buttery flavor. Great for casserole toppings.
Panko breadcrumbs
excellentLighter and crispier. Japanese-style. Superior for frying.
Crushed cornflakes
goodGluten-free option. Extra crunchy coating for fried chicken or fish.
Almond flour
goodGluten-free, low-carb. Denser coating. Works for baked dishes.
Rolled oats (pulsed)
acceptableGluten-free if certified. Good as binder in meatballs and meatloaf.
half-and-half
Whole milk + heavy cream
excellentExact match. The literal definition of half-and-half.
Whole milk + butter
goodAdds richness without needing cream on hand.
Evaporated milk
goodSlightly sweet, shelf-stable. Good for coffee and cooking.
Oat milk (barista blend)
acceptableDairy-free. Barista blends are creamier and froth well for coffee.
coconut milk
Heavy cream
goodFor curries and soups. Adds richness without coconut flavor.
Oat milk (full fat)
goodDairy-free, nut-free. Creamy enough for soups and smoothies.
Cashew cream
goodBlend soaked cashews with water. Rich and neutral. Great in curries.
Almond milk + coconut cream
excellentLighter version with some coconut flavor retained.
tomato paste
Tomato sauce (reduced)
excellentCook until thick. Takes 5-10 minutes. Most common substitute.
Ketchup
acceptableSweeter and tangier. Works in a pinch for sauces and stews. Reduce sugar elsewhere.
Canned crushed tomatoes (reduced)
goodStrain and reduce. Takes longer but gives fresh tomato flavor.
Sun-dried tomato puree
goodBlend sun-dried tomatoes with a little oil. Intense, concentrated flavor.