Ingredient Substitutions

Ingredient Substitutions

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Baking Products Dairy Products Seasoning Products Fruit & Vegetable Products Misc. Products

Item Substitution

Baking powder, 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Chocolate, semisweet, 1 ounce 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar

Chocolate, unsweetened, 1 ounce or square 3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon fat

Chocolate chips, semisweet, 1 ounce 1 ounce square semisweet chocolate

Chocolate chips, semisweet, 6-ounce package, melted 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, 2 tablespoons shortening plus 1/2 cup sugar

Cocoa, 1/4 cup 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate (decrease fat in recipe by 1 1/2 teaspoons)

Cornmeal, self-rising, 1 cup 1 cup plain yellow cornmeal, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
self-rising cornmeal mix Combine 1 1/4 cups yellow (or white) cornmeal, 3/4 cup fat-free milk, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 egg, lightly beaten. Bake as directed.

Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or granular tapioca

Corn syrup, light, 1/2 cup 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons water
-or-
1/2 cup honey

Flour, all-purpose, 1 cup sifted Any of the following:

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour
1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (unsifted)
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1/3 cup cornmeal or soybean flour plus 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour or bran flour plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup rye or rice flour
1/4 cup soybean flour plus 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
* Note: Specialty flours added to yeast bread will result in a reduced volume and a heavier product.

Flour, all-purpose, 1 tablespoon Any of the following:

1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, potato starch, or rice starch
1 tablespoon rice flour or corn flour
1 1/2 tablespoons whole wheat flour

Flour, cake, 1 cup sifted 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Flour, self-rising, 1 cup 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt

Sugar, brown, 1 cup packed 1 cup granulated white sugar

Sugar, granulated white, 1 cup Any of the following

1 cup corn syrup (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup honey (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup)

Sugar, powdered, 1 cup 1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch (processed in food processor)

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Dairy Products

Item Substitution

Butter, 1/2 cup 1/2 cup margarine (1 stick; do not substitute whipped or low-fat margarine when baking)

Egg, 1 large 1/4 cup egg substitute

Eggs, 2 large 3 small eggs

Eggs, 1 egg white (2 tablespoons) Either:

2 tablespoons egg substitute
2 teaspoons sifted, dry egg white powder plus 2 tablespoons warm water

Eggs, 1 egg yolk (1 1/2 tablespoons) 2 tablespoons dry, sifted egg yolk powder plus 2 teaspoons water

Milk, buttermilk, low-fat or fat-free, 1 cup 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus low-fat or fat-free milk to make 1 cup (let stand 10 minutes)

Milk, fat-free, 1 cup Either:

4 to 5 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder plus enough water to make 1 cup
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk plus 1/2 cup water

Milk, light coconut milk, 1 cup 1 cup low-fat milk plus 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

Milk, low-fat sweetened condensed, 1 cup Either:

Heat the following ingredients until sugar and butter dissolve: 1/3 cup evaporated fat-free milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine.
Combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder to 1/2 cup warm water. Stir well. Add 3/4 cup sugar; stir until smooth.

Sour Cream, low-fat, 1 cup 1 cup plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch (in cooked products)

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Seasoning Products

Item Substitution

Allspice, ground, 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom

Bay leaf, 1 whole 1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaf

Chives, chopped, 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chopped green onion tops

Dillweed, fresh or dried, 3 heads 1 tablespoon dill seed

Garlic, 1 small clove 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or minced dried garlic

Ginger, crystallized, 1 tablespoon 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Ginger, fresh, grated, 1 tablespoon 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Ginger, ground, 1/8 teaspoon 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

Herbs, fresh, chopped, 1 tablespoon 1 teaspoon dried herbs or 1/4 teaspoon ground herbs

Horseradish, fresh, grated, 1 tablespoon 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

Mustard, dried, 1 teaspoon 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

Parsley, dried, 1 teaspoon 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

Pimento, chopped, 2 tablespoons Either:

rehydrate 1 tablespoon dried sweet red bell pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh red bell pepper

Pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Spearmint or peppermint, dried, 1 tablespoon 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

Vanilla bean, 1 (1 inch) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon bottled steak sauce

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Fruit & Vegetable Products

Item Substitution

Lemon, 1 medium 2 to 3 tablespoons juice plus 2 teaspoons grated rind

Lemon, juice, 1 teaspoon 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Mushrooms, 1 pound fresh Either:

1 (8-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
3 ounces dried mushrooms, rehydrated

Onions, chopped, 1 medium Either:

1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 teaspoon onion powder

Orange, 1 medium 1/2 cup juice plus 2 tablespoons grated rind

Orange, peel, dried, 1 tablespoon 1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract

Papaya, 1 cup 1 cup mango

Pepper, red or green bell, chopped, 3 tablespoons 1 tablespoon dried sweet red or green pepper flakes

Pepper, red bell, chopped, 3 tablespoons 2 tablespoons chopped pimento

Tomatoes, fresh, chopped, 2 cups 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added tomatoes (may need to drain)

Tomato juice, 1 cup 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water

Tomato sauce, 2 cups 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water

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Miscellaneous Products

Item Substitution

Broth, beef or chicken, canned broth, 1 cup 1 bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon bouillon granules dissolved in 1 cup boiling water

Broth, beef or chicken, bouillon granules, 1 teaspoon 1 bouillon cube

Chili sauce, 1 cup 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves plus dash of ground allspice

Fish sauce, 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Ketchup, 1 cup 1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons vinegar (for cooking)

Ladyfingers slices of angel food cake or low-fat pound cake

Macaroni, uncooked, 2 cups (4 cups cooked) Either:

8 ounces spaghetti, uncooked
4 cups fine egg noodles, uncooked

Mayonnaise, low-fat, 1 cup (for salads and dressings) Either:

1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt plus 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 cup fat-free or reduced-fat sour cream

Rice, uncooked, 1 cup regular (3 cups cooked) Either:
1 cup uncooked converted rice
1 cup uncooked brown rice or wild rice

Vinegar, balsamic, 1/2 cup 1/2 cup red wine vinegar (some flavor difference)

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Back to More Helpful Hints

Item	Substitution
Baking powder, 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Chocolate, semisweet, 1 ounce	1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar
Chocolate, unsweetened, 1 ounce or square	3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon fat
Chocolate chips, semisweet, 1 ounce	1 ounce square semisweet chocolate
Chocolate chips, semisweet, 6-ounce package, melted	2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, 2 tablespoons shortening plus 1/2 cup sugar
Cocoa, 1/4 cup	1 ounce unsweetened chocolate (decrease fat in recipe by 1 1/2 teaspoons)
Cornmeal, self-rising, 1 cup	1 cup plain yellow cornmeal, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
self-rising cornmeal mix	Combine 1 1/4 cups yellow (or white) cornmeal, 3/4 cup fat-free milk, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 egg, lightly beaten. Bake as directed.
Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon	2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or granular tapioca
Corn syrup, light, 1/2 cup	1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons water -or- 1/2 cup honey
Flour, all-purpose, 1 cup sifted	Any of the following: 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (unsifted) 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs 1/3 cup cornmeal or soybean flour plus 2/3 cup all-purpose flour 3/4 cup whole wheat flour or bran flour plus 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup rye or rice flour 1/4 cup soybean flour plus 3/4 cup all-purpose flour * Note: Specialty flours added to yeast bread will result in a reduced volume and a heavier product.
Flour, all-purpose, 1 tablespoon	Any of the following: 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch, potato starch, or rice starch 1 tablespoon rice flour or corn flour 1 1/2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
Flour, cake, 1 cup sifted	1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Flour, self-rising, 1 cup	1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoon salt
Sugar, brown, 1 cup packed	1 cup granulated white sugar
Sugar, granulated white, 1 cup	Any of the following 1 cup corn syrup (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup) 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 cup honey (decrease liquid called for in recipe by 1/4 cup)
Sugar, powdered, 1 cup	1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch (processed in food processor)

Item	Substitution
Butter, 1/2 cup	1/2 cup margarine (1 stick; do not substitute whipped or low-fat margarine when baking)
Egg, 1 large	1/4 cup egg substitute
Eggs, 2 large	3 small eggs
Eggs, 1 egg white (2 tablespoons)	Either: 2 tablespoons egg substitute 2 teaspoons sifted, dry egg white powder plus 2 tablespoons warm water
Eggs, 1 egg yolk (1 1/2 tablespoons)	2 tablespoons dry, sifted egg yolk powder plus 2 teaspoons water
Milk, buttermilk, low-fat or fat-free, 1 cup	1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice plus low-fat or fat-free milk to make 1 cup (let stand 10 minutes)
Milk, fat-free, 1 cup	Either: 4 to 5 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder plus enough water to make 1 cup 1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk plus 1/2 cup water
Milk, light coconut milk, 1 cup	1 cup low-fat milk plus 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
Milk, low-fat sweetened condensed, 1 cup	Either: Heat the following ingredients until sugar and butter dissolve: 1/3 cup evaporated fat-free milk, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons butter or margarine. Combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder to 1/2 cup warm water. Stir well. Add 3/4 cup sugar; stir until smooth.
Sour Cream, low-fat, 1 cup	1 cup plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch (in cooked products)

Item	Substitution
Allspice, ground, 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
Bay leaf, 1 whole	1/4 teaspoon crushed bay leaf
Chives, chopped, 1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon chopped green onion tops
Dillweed, fresh or dried, 3 heads	1 tablespoon dill seed
Garlic, 1 small clove	1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or minced dried garlic
Ginger, crystallized, 1 tablespoon	1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Ginger, fresh, grated, 1 tablespoon	1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Ginger, ground, 1/8 teaspoon	1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Herbs, fresh, chopped, 1 tablespoon	1 teaspoon dried herbs or 1/4 teaspoon ground herbs
Horseradish, fresh, grated, 1 tablespoon	2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
Mustard, dried, 1 teaspoon	1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Parsley, dried, 1 teaspoon	1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Pimento, chopped, 2 tablespoons	Either: rehydrate 1 tablespoon dried sweet red bell pepper 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh red bell pepper
Pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Spearmint or peppermint, dried, 1 tablespoon	3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Vanilla bean, 1 (1 inch)	1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon	1 teaspoon bottled steak sauce

Item	Substitution
Lemon, 1 medium	2 to 3 tablespoons juice plus 2 teaspoons grated rind
Lemon, juice, 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon vinegar
Mushrooms, 1 pound fresh	Either: 1 (8-ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained 3 ounces dried mushrooms, rehydrated
Onions, chopped, 1 medium	Either: 1 tablespoon dried minced onion 1 teaspoon onion powder
Orange, 1 medium	1/2 cup juice plus 2 tablespoons grated rind
Orange, peel, dried, 1 tablespoon	1 1/2 teaspoons orange extract
Papaya, 1 cup	1 cup mango
Pepper, red or green bell, chopped, 3 tablespoons	1 tablespoon dried sweet red or green pepper flakes
Pepper, red bell, chopped, 3 tablespoons	2 tablespoons chopped pimento
Tomatoes, fresh, chopped, 2 cups	1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added tomatoes (may need to drain)
Tomato juice, 1 cup	1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water
Tomato sauce, 2 cups	3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water

Item	Substitution
Broth, beef or chicken, canned broth, 1 cup	1 bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon bouillon granules dissolved in 1 cup boiling water
Broth, beef or chicken, bouillon granules, 1 teaspoon	1 bouillon cube
Chili sauce, 1 cup	1 cup tomato sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of ground cloves plus dash of ground allspice
Fish sauce, 1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup, 1 cup	1 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 tablespoons vinegar (for cooking)
Ladyfingers	slices of angel food cake or low-fat pound cake
Macaroni, uncooked, 2 cups (4 cups cooked)	Either: 8 ounces spaghetti, uncooked 4 cups fine egg noodles, uncooked
Mayonnaise, low-fat, 1 cup (for salads and dressings)	Either: 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt plus 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise 1 cup fat-free or reduced-fat sour cream
Rice, uncooked, 1 cup regular (3 cups cooked)	Either: 1 cup uncooked converted rice 1 cup uncooked brown rice or wild rice
Vinegar, balsamic, 1/2 cup	1/2 cup red wine vinegar (some flavor difference)