the basic kitchen: substitution chart

These are emergency substitutions: the recipe results may not be as good and will vary, these are some stand-ins for your staples… just in case.

1 cup light brown sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup molasses

1 cup dark brown sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1/2 cup molasses

1 cup granulated sugar = 1 cup honey plus 1/2 teaspoon baking soda -or- 1 cup maple syrup plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup corn syrup = 1 cup honey or 1 cup maple syrup

1 cup sifted cake flour = 3/4 cup sifted all-purpose flour plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup milk = 1 cup minus 1 tablespoon half-and-half, and remove 1 tablespoon butter from the recipe and add 2 tablespoons water -or- 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water -or- 1 cup reconstituted nonfat dry milk plus 2 teaspoons butter

1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk plus 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes before using  OR 1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream

1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch = 1 tablespoon flour

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

1 whole egg = 2 egg yolks plus 1 tablespoon of water

1-ounce unsweetened chocolate = 3 tablespoons cocoa plus 1 tablespoon butter or shortening

1 cup honey = 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid -or- 1 cup molasses

1 cup sour cream = 1 1/3 tablespoons vinegar plus 1 cup evaporated milk

1 cup whipping cream = 2 cups whipped cream

1 cup heavy cream = 1/3 cup butter plus 3/4 cup milk (This substitution is for cooking only, not for whipping the cream)

1 cup sour milk = 1 cup milk plus 1 1/3 tablespoons vinegar

1 cup honey = 1 cup molasses

1 garlic clove = 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon of any fresh herb = 1 1/2 teaspoons dried herb or 1/4 teaspoon ground herb

1 cup dry bread crumbs = 1 cup crushed crackers or cornflakes, or potato chips

1 teaspoon dry mustard = 2 to 3 teaspoons prepared mustard

1 cup tomato juice = 1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water

1 anchovy fillet = 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste

Fresh or Dried Herb Substitutions

Instead of                    Use

Basil                                 Oregano or thyme

Chervil                             Tarragon or parsley

Chive                                Green onion; onion; or leek

Cilantro                            Parsley

Italian Seasoning           Blend of at least 3 of these: basil, oregano, rosemary, and ground red pepper

Marjoram                        Oregano or savory

Mint                                 Basil; marjoram; or rosemary

Oregano                          Marjoram; thyme or basil

Parsley                            Chervil or cilantro

Poultry Seasoning        Sage plus a blend of at least 3 of these: thyme, marjoram, savory, black pepper, and rosemary

Red Pepper                    Dash bottled hot pepper sauce or black pepper

Rosemary                       Thyme; tarragon; or savory

Sage                                 Poultry seasoning; savory; marjoram; or rosemary

Savory                             Thyme; marjoram; or sage

Tarragon                        Chervil; dash fennel seed; or dash aniseed

Thyme                              Basil; marjoram; oregano; or savory

Spice Substitutions

(although you won’t get the exact results – these are fine substitutions in a pinch)

Instead of                    Use

Allspice                         1/2 part cloves + 1/4 part cinnamon + 1/4 part nutmeg

Aniseed                         Fennel seed or 3 anise stars

Apple Pie Spice            1/2 part cinnamon + 1/4 part nutmeg + 1/8 part cardamom

Arrowroot                      3 x as much all-purpose flour

Cajun spice                   Equal portions ground white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground red pepper, paprika, and ground black pepper

Cardamom                    Ginger or ground anise

Chili Powder                 Dash bottled hot pepper sauce + a dash of oregano and cumin

Cinnamon                     Nutmeg or allspice (use only 1/4 of the amount)

Cloves                             Allspice; cinnamon; or nutmeg

Cumin                            Chili powder

Fennel seed                   Aniseed

Ginger, Fresh                1 part ground ginger + 1/2 part lemon juice + 1/4 part ground white pepper

Ginger, Ground            Allspice; cinnamon; mace; or nutmeg

Juniper Berries (8)      2 bay leaves + 1 teaspoon caraway seeds + 1 minced mint leaf

Mace                               Allspice; cinnamon; ginger; or nutmeg

Nutmeg                          Cinnamon; ginger; or mace

Pumpkin Pie Spice      Same as Apple Pie Spice above

Saffron                           Dash turmeric (this is for color more than for flavor)