Questions tagged [substitutions]

Questions about possible substitutions for an ingredient. Please indicate the reason for substitution.

This tag is for questions about possible substitutions for an ingredient. Common reasons for substitution may include:

  • Dietary restrictions (nutrition, allergies, etc.);
  • Unavailability or expense;
  • Personal preference or taste.

Guidelines for substitution questions:

A good substitution question should:

  1. Indicate the reason for the substitution. Allergies, unavailability, and taste are all different problems requiring different solutions.

  2. Have a practical reason behind them. Don't use vague reasons like "healthier" or "better tasting", as these are subjective and do not help to narrow the field of candidates.

  3. Be specific to a single ingredient. We understand that people with allergies or strong food aversions may want to avoid a wide range of similar foods, such as all dairy or all grains. However, it's often not even possible to substitute foods within a category, let alone come up with a single set of substitution rules for the entire category. Keep it simple and focused.

  4. Be specific to a particular recipe or type of recipe. The same ingredient may have many different uses (taste, texture, chemical reactions, etc.) depending on the recipe it is used in.

Substitution questions not following the above guidelines are likely to receive poor answers and may be closed.

1435 questions
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Conversion rule: how to switch oil and butter?

Just a moment ago, I was making muffins. The recipe calls for 125ml oil. As a footnote, it says that you can replace the oil with 125g butter. Can you do so in every recipe (not just muffins or pastry)? I've found this, but the amounts aren't the…
Mien
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What's a good substitute for basil in pesto sauce?

I'm making some pasta at home with a pesto sauce. The recipe I'm referring to asks for some basil leaves to go along with the pine nuts in the food processor. Unfortunately, I can't find basil where I live, and I'm looking for a something else to…
Yejus
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4 answers

What's the point of "cheese alternative" that has dairy in it?

I was at Trader Joe's again, and I bought this cheese alternative. Being hungry out of my mind, the thought to check the ingredients never crossed it. Now I, a vegan, am stuck with having to eat a "cheese alternative" that contains the following…
JesseTG
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3 answers

Why would I use Arrowroot instead of Cornstarch?

I've heard that arrowroot can be used just like cornstarch as a thickening agent. If I have both ingredients on hand, under what circumstances would I choose one over the other?
David Krisch
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2 answers

Is it okay to use aluminium foil instead of parchment paper while baking cookies?

I don't have access to parchment paper or even butter paper for that matter. I just read on a website that it'd be okay to use aluminium foil as long as I apply a coating of grease on it. And also since aluminium conducts heat faster, will I need to…
Uday Kanth
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3 answers

Is white vinegar the same as White Wine vinegar?

Is white vinegar, aka the stuff just labelled as "vinegar" in the US and which I use for cleaning my kettle, the same as "White wine vinegar", which I have purchased on accident a time or two? If not, what is white vinegar made of?
Yamikuronue
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21
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7 answers

What can I substitute for onions?

I love onions; however, someone that I cook for does not. Absolutely hates them and can tell whenever they are in the dish. That said, so many recipes call for onion to be added. What can I use instead that would have a similar but less…
ist_lion
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6 answers

What happens if I use vegetable oil in a cake?

I want to bake a cake out of baking mix bought at a shop. The mix already contains flour, baking soda, vanillin, other minor components. The manual says I need to add butter. I'd like to use vegetable oil instead of butter - most likely sunflower…
sharptooth
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20
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5 answers

How to replace booze in eggnog?

I have been relegated to bringing "drinks" for a work holiday potluck. Fair enough. I love eggnog and would like to bring some. However, my recipe includes two jiggers of bourbon or brandy. It might be tempting to carry on as-is and feign ignorance,…
AdamO
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20
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11 answers

What can be used as a substitute for tomato sauce in typical italian dishes?

I have a friend that has developed an allergy or sensitivity of some kind to tomato sauce in foods. She has been craving pizza, pasta, and lasagna for a while now and I've been searching for a way to make those sorts of dishes without using…
Aaron Thomas
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14 answers

What is a good substitute for Fish Sauce?

Are there any good substitutes for Fish Sauce for cooking Thai food? This is due to a severe food allergy (anaphylaxis) to all forms of seafood, so I'm unable to substitute for other fish-based products.
Todd Hunter
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19
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4 answers

Can I always use butter instead of margarine when baking?

Some recipes says use butter or margarine, some say use butter and some say use margarine. My question is, can I always use butter or does margarine have some property that butter doesn't when baking?
johnny
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1 answer

Difference between old fashioned and quick oats?

What are the difference between old fashioned and quick oats? Can they be substituted for one another in recipes?
SarahVV
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19
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5 answers

Substituting butter for oil: Does it matter for baked goods?

When a recipe (like for muffins) calls for vegetable oil, does it matter if I substitute the oil for butter because I want that buttery taste in the muffins? Do I need to compensate for the difference by adding/subtracting the amount of butter…
zachary
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10 answers

Difference between Maida and All purpose flour

I'm baking tonight and I'm out of All purpose flour. I'm lazy to run out to the grocery store. Can I replace All purpose flour with Maida (Maida is better known to Asian Indians - we use it for making Naans and such)
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