There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through a recipe only to realize you’re missing a key ingredient. No matter how prepared you are, it happens to the best of us! Or maybe you’ve found a recipe that looks incredible, but one ingredient doesn’t fit your dietary needs. Don’t worry – you don’t have to give up or call for takeout! The beauty of cooking isn’t just about following recipes perfectly; it’s about adapting and creating something delicious with what you have on hand.
Ingredient swaps can be true lifesavers, giving you the flexibility to adjust recipes on the fly. Whether you’re out of an ingredient or simply want to try something new, these substitutions let you get creative without compromising flavor.
Not sure where to start? We’ll guide you through tried-and-true alternatives for everything from baking staples to protein options, so you can tackle any recipe with confidence!
Common baking substitutions: Flour, leavening agents, and more
When it comes to baking, knowing a few substitution tricks can really set you apart. For instance, 13-14% of Gen Z and Millennials now consider themselves gluten-free, and many are searching online for gluten-free recipe alternatives. That’s where knowing substitutions like gluten-free flour blends comes in handy, especially for those with sensitivities or dietary preferences. Thankfully, gluten-free options like almond or oat flour can work just as well in your favorite recipes – with a few simple tweaks! And you could be the one to spread the word.
Eggs are another common ingredient that often needs a substitute, particularly in vegan or vegetarian baking. Ingredients like chia seeds and flaxseed meal are popular egg replacements, working wonders in binding ingredients without compromising texture.
Here are some quick-fire common baking substitutions that will help you adjust recipes:
| Ingredient | Substitution | Conversion |
| All-purpose flour | Almond flour | 1 cup flour = 1 cup almond flour (adjust liquid) |
| All-purpose flour | Oat flour | 1 cup flour = 1 1/3 cups oat flour |
| Baking powder | Baking soda + cream of tartar | 1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda + 1/2 tsp cream of tartar |
| Baking soda | Baking powder | 1 tsp baking soda = 4 tsp baking powder |
| Butter | Coconut oil | 1 cup butter = 1 cup coconut oil |
| Butter | Applesauce | 1 cup butter = 1/2 cup applesauce (in baking) |
| Butter | Avocado | 1 cup butter = 1 cup mashed avocado |
| Buttermilk | Milk + vinegar or lemon juice | 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice |
| Cake flour | All-purpose flour + cornstarch | 1 cup cake flour = 1 cup AP flour – 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp cornstarch |
| Cornstarch | Arrowroot powder | 1 tbsp cornstarch = 1 tbsp arrowroot powder |
| Egg | Chia seeds | 1 egg = 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water |
| Egg | Flaxseed meal | 1 egg = 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water |
| Honey | Maple syrup | 1 cup honey = 1 cup maple syrup |
| Milk | Almond milk | 1 cup milk = 1 cup almond milk |
| Molasses | Honey or maple syrup | 1 cup molasses = 1 cup honey or maple syrup |
| Sour cream | Greek yogurt | 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup Greek yogurt |
| Sugar | Coconut sugar | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup coconut sugar |
| Sugar | Maple syrup | 1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup maple syrup (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup) |
| Vegetable oil | Applesauce | 1 cup oil = 1/2 cup applesauce |
| Wholewheat flour | All-purpose flour | 1 cup whole wheat flour = 1 cup all-purpose flour (slightly denser texture) |
Dairy and egg alternatives
With around 10 million Americans following a plant-based lifestyle, it’s no surprise that more people are looking for dairy and egg alternatives. But it’s not just vegans who need these swaps – think about those with lactose intolerance or allergies. They may still enjoy animal products but need to avoid specific allergens. Thankfully, there are plenty of substitutes that work just as well, if not better, depending on your recipe. These alternatives aren’t just for baking either – they can be used in all kinds of dishes, making them a versatile option for everyday cooking!
Here are some of the best ones to know to switch things up:
| Ingredient | Substitution | Conversion |
| Milk | Almond milk | 1 cup milk = 1 cup almond milk |
| Milk | Soy milk | 1 cup milk = 1 cup soy milk |
| Milk | Oat milk | 1 cup milk = 1 cup oat milk |
| Cream | Coconut cream | 1 cup cream = 1 cup coconut cream |
| Cream | Cashew cream | 1 cup cream = 1 cup cashew cream |
| Butter | Olive oil | 1 cup butter = 3/4 cup olive oil |
| Butter | Vegan butter | 1 cup butter = 1 cup vegan butter |
| Sour cream | Coconut yogurt | 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup coconut yogurt |
| Sour cream | Cashew sour cream | 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup cashew sour cream |
| Cheese | Nutritional yeast | 1 tbsp grated cheese = 1 tbsp nutritional yeast |
| Cheese | Vegan cheese | 1 cup cheese = 1 cup vegan cheese |
| Egg | Silken tofu | 1 egg = 1/4 cup silken tofu (blended) |
| Egg | Chia seeds | 1 egg = 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water |
| Egg | Flaxseed meal | 1 egg = 1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water |
| Egg | Mashed banana | 1 egg = 1/4 cup mashed banana |
Sweetener swaps: Natural and artificial options
Replacing sugar in your recipes isn’t just about cutting calories. Reducing sugar can also help lower the glycemic index, making your dishes gentler on blood sugar levels. Plus, swapping sugar is a wonderful opportunity to introduce new flavors, adding depth and character to your favorite recipes. Whether you’re baking or adding a touch of sweetness to a savory dish, there are plenty of natural and artificial options that can make your meals healthier without compromising on taste.
For those who love experimenting in the kitchen, especially food bloggers, these sweetener swaps are great. They cater to different dietary needs while letting you create distinctive flavors with options like monk fruit or coconut sugar. Here’s a list of popular sugar alternatives to try in your next recipe:
| Ingredient | Substitution | Conversion |
| Sugar | Stevia | 1 cup sugar = 1 tsp liquid stevia (or 1 tbsp powdered stevia) |
| Sugar | Erythritol | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup erythritol |
| Sugar | Monk fruit sweetener | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup monk fruit sweetener |
| Sugar | Xylitol | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup xylitol |
| Sugar | Coconut sugar | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup coconut sugar |
| Sugar | Honey | 1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup honey (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup) |
| Sugar | Maple syrup | 1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup maple syrup (reduce liquid by 1/4 cup) |
| Sugar | Agave nectar | 1 cup sugar = 2/3 cup agave nectar |
| Sugar | Date sugar | 1 cup sugar = 1 cup date sugar |
| Brown sugar | Coconut sugar | 1 cup brown sugar = 1 cup coconut sugar |
| Honey | Applesauce | 1 cup honey = 1/2 cup applesauce (adjust liquids) |
| Honey | Yacon syrup | 1 cup honey = 1 cup yacon syrup |
| Molasses | Maple syrup | 1 cup molasses = 1 cup maple syrup |
| Corn syrup | Brown rice syrup | 1 cup corn syrup = 1 cup brown rice syrup |
| Powdered sugar | Stevia + cornstarch blend | 1 cup powdered sugar = 1 cup stevia-cornstarch mix (or use a store-bought blend) |
Spice, herb, and seasoning substitutions
Spices, herbs, and seasonings are what bring dishes to life, but sometimes the ingredients you need aren’t always available – especially if you’re working with recipes from another part of the world. These substitutions are typically not for health or dietary reasons but for practical ones, like availability or convenience.
If you’re cooking for an audience that may not have access to specific ingredients, offering alternatives can make your recipes more accessible and adaptable – plus, it saves people money by using what they already have in their spice cupboards!
Here are some spice and herb swaps that are perfect for anyone who might be missing an ingredient or looking for a change:
| Ingredient | Substitution | Conversion |
| Basil | Tarragon | 1 tbsp fresh basil = 1 tbsp fresh tarragon |
| Cilantro | Flat-leaf parsley | 1 tbsp fresh cilantro = 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley |
| Cinnamon | Allspice | 1 tsp ground cinnamon = 1 tsp ground allspice |
| Cumin | Caraway seeds | 1 tsp ground cumin = 1 tsp ground caraway seeds |
| Garlic powder | Onion powder | 1 tsp garlic powder = 1 tsp onion powder |
| Ginger (ground) | Mace | 1 tsp ground ginger = 1 tsp ground mace |
| Ginger (fresh) | Galangal | 1 tbsp fresh ginger = 1 tbsp fresh galangal |
| Oregano | Marjoram | 1 tsp dried oregano = 1 tsp dried marjoram |
| Parsley | Chervil | 1 tbsp fresh parsley = 1 tbsp fresh chervil |
| Paprika | Cayenne pepper | 1 tsp paprika = 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper |
| Rosemary | Savory | 1 tsp dried rosemary = 1 tsp dried savory |
| Thyme | Savory | 1 tsp dried thyme = 1 tsp dried savory |
| Turmeric | Saffron | 1 tsp ground turmeric = 1/4 tsp saffron |
| Bay leaf | Dried thyme | 1 bay leaf = 1/4 tsp dried thyme |
| Chili powder | Ancho chili powder | 1 tsp chili powder = 1 tsp ancho chili powder |
| Cloves | Nutmeg | 1 tsp ground cloves = 1 tsp ground nutmeg |
| Dill | Fennel fronds | 1 tbsp fresh dill = 1 tbsp fresh fennel fronds |
| Fennel seeds | Caraway seeds | 1 tsp fennel seeds = 1 tsp caraway seeds |
| Lemongrass | Lemon zest | 1 tbsp fresh lemongrass = 1 tsp lemon zest |
| Sage | Marjoram | 1 tsp dried sage = 1 tsp dried marjoram |
Protein alternatives: Meat, seafood, and plant-based options
A couple of years ago, most people had never heard of ‘tempeh’ or ‘tofu’ – now, they are becoming household ingredients! As plant-based diets gain popularity, the demand for meat substitutes is skyrocketing, with the market expected to grow by 33% by 2029. However, availability can vary depending on your location. When plant-based options aren’t accessible, you need something else.
Below is a versatile list of both plant-based and traditional protein substitutes, perfect for any recipe!
| Ingredient | Substitute | Conversion |
| Chicken breast | Tofu | 1 cup cooked chicken = 1 cup firm tofu |
| Ground beef | Lentils | 1 cup ground beef = 1 cup cooked lentils |
| Salmon | Tempeh | 1 cup cooked salmon = 1 cup tempeh |
| Ground turkey | Textured vegetable protein (TVP) | 1 cup ground turkey = 1 cup rehydrated TVP |
| Pork | Seitan | 1 cup cooked pork = 1 cup seitan |
| Beef steak | Portobello mushroom | 1 cup cooked steak = 1 large portobello mushroom |
| Shrimp | Jackfruit | 1 cup shrimp = 1 cup cooked jackfruit |
| Tuna | Chickpeas | 1 cup canned tuna = 1 cup mashed chickpeas |
| Cheese | Nutritional yeast | 1 tbsp cheese = 1 tbsp nutritional yeast |
| Ground lamb | Black beans | 1 cup ground lamb = 1 cup black beans |
| Turkey sausage | Soy sausage | 1 link turkey sausage = 1 link soy sausage |
| Bacon | Tempeh bacon | 1 slice bacon = 1 slice tempeh bacon |
| Turkey burger | Black bean burger | 1 turkey burger = 1 black bean burger |
| Ground chicken | Quinoa | 1 cup ground chicken = 1 cup cooked quinoa |
| Fish fillet | Cauliflower steak | 1 fillet of fish = 1 cauliflower steak |
| Beef jerky | Mushroom jerky | 1 oz beef jerky = 1 oz mushroom jerky |
Elevate your recipe management with WP Recipe Maker
As a recipe developer, making sure your creations are accessible to people with dietary restrictions is so important nowadays. Ingredient substitutions offer a great way to make recipes more inclusive, but displaying these alternatives in a clear, organized way can be challenging. That’s where WP Recipe Maker comes in – a WordPress plugin designed to make recipe management simple and user-friendly.
With WP Recipe Maker, you can clearly display ingredient swaps, whether you’re highlighting gluten-free, vegan, or low-sugar alternatives. The plugin’s customizable recipe cards make it easy to add substitution options right next to the primary ingredients, giving readers all the information they need at a glance. For example, list “coconut sugar” as a substitute for “white sugar” or “almond flour” for “all-purpose flour” within your ingredient lists, keeping it neat and accessible.
And WP Recipe Maker doesn’t just look good – it’s built for convenience, too. You can bulk edit and filter recipes, allowing you to quickly update substitutions across multiple dishes in just a few clicks. This feature is ideal for food bloggers who frequently create variations for different dietary needs. Plus, with the option to add affiliate links to recommended substitute products, you can turn these swaps into an income stream for your blog.
Displaying ingredient swaps in WP Recipe Maker is straightforward, whether you add them in ingredient notes or within the instructions themselves, keeping your content clear and organized. With WP Recipe Maker, you can create recipes that are not only loved by your readers but also optimized for search engines, helping boost your blog’s visibility and engagement.
Start using WP Recipe Maker today and make your recipes accessible to everyone!
