In the last few weeks, I’ve gotten pretty crafty at making substitutions when I cook. And it turns out, my fellow Test Kitchen test cooks have, too. Since we’re all in the position of cooking with what we’ve got and minimizing waste, I put together a list of the substitutions that we’re using in our home kitchens. (And yes, this is our second installment of ingredient substitutions! The first article focused mostly on baking ingredients, but also included some savory items.)
On-the-Fly Substitutions for 35 Common Ingredients
Published Apr. 22, 2020.
These are the substitutions that we use in a pinch either at home or at the grocery store because they make sense and will add the approximate flavor profile to our recipes. And while we’re all looking forward to the day we can procure the exact ingredients that a recipe calls for, these helpful hints will help you get a great meal on the table by using what you have.
Unless otherwise specified, these substitutions work both ways, and are for equal parts by weight.
Produce
Ingredient | Quantity | Substitute |
---|---|---|
Fresh garlic | 1 clove | ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic |
Onion | 1 medium | 1 cup chopped onion, or same amount of leek, shallot, or white part of scallion |
Any | Collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, or Swiss chard | |
Any | Baby kale, Swiss chard, or baby arugula | |
Any | Yukon gold potatoes (baby size, if possible) | |
Minced chives | Any | Minced scallion greens |
Lemon | 1 | 2 limes |
Lemon or lime juice | 1 tablespoon | 1-2 teaspoons white wine vinegar ReaLemon Lemon Juice from concentrate and TruLemon Crystalized Lemon Juice are acceptable in cooked applications such as lemon curd or a pan sauce |
Any | Anaheim or bell pepper | |
1 | 2 Thai chilies (heat levels vary) | |
6 | 1 serrano or 2 jalapenos (heat levels vary) |
Meat and Fish
Ingredient | Substitution(s) |
---|---|
Beef chuck roast or other meat with considerable connective tissue such as pork shoulder, pork butt, brisket, shank, or pot roast | |
Portuguese linguica or Polish kielbasa | |
Haddock, striped bass, or halibut | |
Ground beef | |
Italian sausage | |
Pork tenderloin |
Refrigerator Staples
Ingredient | Substitution(s) |
---|---|
Sour cream | Full-fat Greek yogurt |
Parmesan cheese | Pecorino, asiago, grana padano, cotija, or manchego |
Feta cheese | Goat cheese, queso blanco, mozzarella |
Active dry yeast (bloom in warm water before using) | |
Kalamata olives |
Pantry Items
Ingredient | Quantity | Substitution(s) |
---|---|---|
Vegetable oil for browning and sauteing | Any | Canola, olive, refined coconut, and grapeseed oils |
Vegetable oil, for frying | Any | Corn oil |
Any | Balsamic or sherry vinegar | |
Korean red pepper flakes (aka gochugaru or Korean chili powder) | 2 tablespoons | 2 tablespoons ancho chile powder + ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper |
2 teaspoons | Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru) or 1¾ teaspoons ancho chili powder + ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper | |
Any | Chipotle powder or chipotle Tabasco + pinch cayenne | |
Any | Chili powder | |
Any | Canned whole or diced tomatoes with their juice | |
Any | Great Northern beans | |
1 tablespoon | 1 teaspoon fermented black bean paste or sauce | |
Any | Dry sherry | |
Cane vinegar | ¼ cup | ¼ cup distilled white vinegar plus ¾ teaspoons sugar |
Makrut lime leaves | 3 | One (3-inch) strip each of lemon and lime zest |
Dried arbol chilies | Any | ¼ to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes |
Check out these other cooking resources and recipe recommendations:
- 24 Substitutions for Common Ingredients You Might Be Looking for Right Now
- Practical Home-Cooking Resources You Can Count on During COVID-19
- How to Refresh Stale Ingredients
- Cooking Challenges For Cooped Up Kids
- 8 Cooking Skills and Techniques You Should Practice During Your Time At Home
- The Power of Mindful Cooking
- How to Optimize Fridge, Freezer, and Pantry Space in Your Kitchen