Running out of an ingredient is frustrating, but with a little know-how the solution may be closer than you realize. Get creative in your kitchen with these simple ingredient substitutions.
Tip for the cook: Choose your substitutions wisely. Do not use a sweet substitute for a savory recipe or a strongly flavored substitute for a mildly flavored recipe.
Ingredient | Alternative |
---|---|
Bread crumbs | Replace with equal amounts of one of the following:
Try with our Classic Turkey Meatloaf. |
Butter or oil in baked goods | Replace with equal amounts of one of the following:
Try with our Whole Wheat Gingerbread Cookies. |
Buttermilk |
For one cup, replace with one of the following:
Try with our Shepherd’s Pie. |
Chicken broth | Replace with equal amounts of one of the following:
Try with our Hearty Minestrone Soup. |
Egg, whole in baking | 1 egg equals:
Try with our Pumpkin Pancakes. |
Flour |
Try with our Turkey Burger Casserole. |
Fruit, fresh | Frozen fruit.
If baking with frozen berries that contain a lot of moisture, like strawberries or raspberries, you may need to defrost and drain. Try with our Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Squares. |
Herbs, fresh | Replace with dried or ground herbs.
Try with our Roasted Root Vegetables. |
Honey | Equal parts maple syrup or agave nectar.
Try with Our Date Night Dinner for Two. |
Lemon juice, fresh | Replace with one of the following:
Try with our Moroccan Braised Winter Squash with Couscous. |
Sour cream | Replace with equal amounts of Greek yogurt.
Try with our Greek-style Seven-layer Dip. |
Sugar | Brown and white can be used interchangeably, however brown sugar contains moisture and may require a very slight decrease in wet ingredients or slight increase of dry ingredients.
Try with our Pumpkin Streusel Bread. |
Tomatoes, fresh | Canned tomatoes.
Try with our Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Spaghetti Squash. |
Vegetables, fresh | Replace with canned (drained well) or frozen vegetables.
Canned or frozen vegetables will require a shorter cooking time than many of their fresh counterparts. Try with our Hearty Lentil Soup. |