Ingredient Substitution Calculator

Emergency Substitutions

Missing Amount Use
1 cup Buttermilk 1 cup 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar
1 Egg 1 ¼ cup applesauce
1 oz Baking Chocolate 1 oz 3 tbsp cocoa + 1 tbsp butter
1 cup Cake Flour 1 cup 1 cup AP flour - 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp Fresh Herbs 1 tbsp 1 tsp dried herbs

Ingredient Substitution Calculator: Save Any Recipe

Ran out of eggs? No buttermilk? Our Ingredient Substitution Calculator gives exact swaps with ratios. 100+ alternatives for baking, cooking, vegan, and allergies.

Why Substitutions Work

Ingredients have roles: moisture, binding, leavening, flavor. Match the function:

  • Eggs: Bind, rise, moisture
  • Buttermilk: Acid + moisture
  • Flour: Structure, protein

How to Use

  1. Enter missing ingredient
  2. Add amount + unit
  3. Check dietary needs
  4. Get 1–3 perfect swaps

Baking Powder & Soda

  • 1 tsp baking powder = ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • Baking soda needs acid (buttermilk, yogurt)

Egg Replacements

  • 1 egg = ¼ cup applesauce, mashed banana, yogurt
  • Vegan: 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water
  • Rising: 2 tbsp water + 2 tsp baking powder + 1 tsp oil

Dairy Swaps

  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon/vinegar (wait 5 min)
  • 1 cup heavy cream = ¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup butter
  • Vegan milk: Almond, oat, soy (1:1)

Flour Alternatives

  • Cake flour: AP flour - 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp cornstarch per cup
  • Self-rising: AP + 1½ tsp baking powder + ¼ tsp salt
  • Gluten-free: 1:1 GF blend

Chocolate & Cocoa

  • 1 oz unsweetened chocolate = 3 tbsp cocoa + 1 tbsp butter
  • Semi-sweet = unsweetened + 1 tbsp sugar

Herbs & Spices

  • Fresh → Dried: 3:1 ratio
  • Italian seasoning: Basil + oregano + thyme

Sugar & Sweeteners

  • Brown sugar: White sugar + 1 tbsp molasses per cup
  • Honey → Sugar: ¾ cup honey + reduce liquid ¼ cup

Vinegar & Lemon

  • 1 tbsp vinegar = 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • White → Apple cider: 1:1

Common Mistakes

  • Don’t swap leavening without acid
  • Reduce liquid when using honey
  • Test gluten-free dough

Pair with Other Tools

Need measurements? Use Baking Conversion. Scale recipe? Try Recipe Scaling.

Conclusion

Never stop cooking. Use our Ingredient Substitution Calculator to rescue any recipe. Explore more in Cooking Calculators.