How many times have you started a recipe only to find that you’re missing an ingredient? Here is a definitive list of cooking substitutions to will help out in a pinch.
By Keith Jackie
How many times have you started making a recipe only to find (while you are in the middle of it) that you are missing one ingredient? You don’t want to run to the store, and going to the neighbors’ house to borrow a cup of flour seems like something that only happens on re-runs of Leave it to Beaver. Superman to the rescue! Here is my definitive list of trusted cooking substitutions that will help you out in a pinch. 
Allspice: 1 teaspoon
Substitute: 1/2 tsp. cinnamon+ 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
Arrowroot: 1 teaspoon
Substitute: 1 tbsp. flour or 1 1/2 tsp. corn starch
Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
Substitute: 1/4 tsp. baking soda + 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Buttermilk: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar +milk to make 1 cup (let stand 5 min.)
Cake Flour: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup minus 2 tsp. all-purpose flour
Compressed yeast: 1 cake
Substitute: 1 envelope or 2 tsp. dry yeast
Corn syrup: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup water
Dark brown sugar: 1 cup
Substitute: 3 tbsp. molasses + 1 cup white sugar
Garlic: 1 clove
Substitute: 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
Lemon zest: 1 teaspoon
Substitute: 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
Light brown sugar: 1 cup
Substitute: 2 tbsp. molasses + 1 cup white sugar
Powdered sugar: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup + 1 tbsp. cornstarch (process w/metal blade until powdery)
Self rising flour: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup minus 2 tsp. AP flour + 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder + 1 tsp. salt
Tomato juice: 1 cup
Substitute: 1/2 cup tomato sauce + 1/2 cup water
Wine, white: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup apple juice or white grape juice
Wine, red: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup grape juice or cranberry juice
Whole milk: 1 cup
Substitute: 1 cup fat-free milk + 1 tbsp. canola oil
This is my go-to list of cooking substitutions I use the most. Please keep in mind that using substitutions may alter some recipes slightly, especially when it comes to baking. While the best finished product comes from adhering to the recipe, these substitutions will keep you cooking and away from the store.
Thanks for this list! very comprehensive and i don’t have to go to Google for each and every time this sort of thing comes into play.
the one substitution i would like to see added to the list is arrowroot for corn starch. I don’t like to use starch, and prefer the root derivative. I usually do a one-to-one replacement, but not sure that is correct.
Very helpful. Thanks.
This is great to have on hand! Right into my cookbook, it goes! Thanks and I love your blog! Great, uncomplicated, honest cooking!
Very useful list here! Pinning. :)
Thank you for the comments we are glad you enjoyed it. I agree arrowroot is a fine substitution, I personally rarely use it but think the ratio is perfect, 1:1
Allspice is a scecific berry, a mixture of other spices is not going to taste at all like it.
True, but if it is all you have, it will create similar warm, delicious notes and flavors!