Common Cooking Substitutions and Measurement Swaps
A practical guide to ingredient substitutions and measurement alternatives for when you're missing something in the kitchen.
Measurement Substitutions When You Lack Tools
Not having the right measuring tool should not stop you from cooking.
Dairy Substitutions
Dairy substitutions are some of the most commonly needed swaps in the kitchen.
Example: The acid in the lemon juice causes the milk to curdle slightly, mimicking buttermilk's tangy flavor and its tenderizing effect on baked goods.
Baking Substitutions
Baking is where substitutions get trickiest because the chemistry of leavening and binding is sensitive to ingredient changes.
Sugar and Sweetener Swaps
Sugar substitutions affect both sweetness and texture because sugar does more than add sweet flavor. It also affects moisture, browning, and structure.