Ingredient substitutions
Out of something? Here's what to use instead.
Allspice
For 1 tsp ground allspice mix 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/2 tsp ground cloves, or, mix equal amounts of ground cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg
Anejo cheese
Substitute anejo cheese with romano cheese.
Asadero cheese
Asadero cheese can be substituted with Monterrey Jack cheese.
Asiago cheese
Substitute asiago cheese with Parmesan, Romano or Monterrey Jack cheese.
Baking powder
Substitute baking powder with two parts cream of tartar and one part baking soda.
Brandy
Substitute brandy with apple, peach or pear huice
Buttermilk
You can substitute 1 cup of buttermilk with any of the following:
- 1 cup of sour cream
- 1 cup of yogurt
- 1 cup of milk together with 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cup of milk together with 1 3/4 Tbsp cream of tartar
OR
1/4 cup buttermilk powder and 1 cup water.
Cotija cheese
Substitute cotija cheese with parmesan, romano or anejo cheese.
Curacao
Curacao is a strong, orange flavoured liqueur. You can substitute curacao with equal parts of triple sec or any other orange flavoured liqueur.
Dry Monterey Jack cheese
Substitute dry Monterey Jack cheese with Parmesan cheese.
Full fat butter
Substitute half of the butter in a recipe with an equal amount of applesauce. For example, if your recipe requires 4 tablespoons of butter, use 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of applesauce.
Grana Padano cheese
Substitute Grana Padano cheese with equal parts of Parmesan, Asiago, or Romano cheese.
Hazel nuts, pine nuts, peanuts
Substitute hazel nuts, pine nuts, peanuts or any other type of nuts with equal amount of almonds
Juniper berries
Substitute juniper berries with equal parts of crushed bay leaves and caraway seeds. For sauces accompanying game, substitute juniper berries with a teaspoon of gin for every two to three berries used in the recipe.
Kefalotyri cheese
Substitute kefalotyri cheese with equal parts of Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Madeira wine
Substitute Madeira wine with equal parts of Marsala wine of sherry
Manchego cheese
Substitute aged Manchego cheese with equal parts of Pecorino Romano, Parmesan, or any other hard cheese.
Marsala wine
Substitute Marsala wine with equal parts of Madeira wine or sherry.
Mascarpone cheese
If you cannot get mascarpone cheese, you can easily substitute it with a combination of cream cheese, heavy or whipping cream and sour cream. To make about 1 cup of mascarpone cheese do the following:
In a large bowl, add 8 ounces of cream cheese, 1/4 cup of sour cream and 2 Tbsp of heavy or whipping cream. Beat the ingredients using an electric mixer until they are well blended and the mixture is fluffy.
Mimolette cheese
Substitute mimolette cheese with equal parts of Parmesan cheese.
Mizithra cheese
Substitute mizithra cheese with equal parts of Romano or Parmesan cheese.
Panela cheese
You can substitute the Mexican panela cheese with eaual amount of ricotta cheese.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano (higher in fat), Grana Padano, Sapsago (lower in fat), aged Asiago (saltier) or Monterrey Jack
Prosciutto
Substitute prosciutto with capicola, culatello, serrano ham, any other dried cured ham or even lean bacon
Queso blanco
Queso blanco can be substituted with equal parts of Monterrey Jack cheese.
Queso fresco
Queso fresco can be substituted with the greek feta cheese.
Red wine
Substitute red wine in recipes with any of the following:
1. Chicken or beef stock with a little red wine vinegar
2. 1 cup of grape juice with 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
3. 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Romano cheese
Substitute Romano cheese with equal amounts of Parmesan cheese. Have in mind that Romano cheese is saltier, nuttier and has a sharper flavor than Parmesan.
Tomatillos
You can substitute tomatillos, a favorite ingredient in Mexican salsas, with an equal amount of regular, red tomatoes.
Triple sec
Triple sec is a strong, orange flavoured liqueur. You can substitute triple sec with equal parts of curacao or any other orange flavoured liqueur.
White wine
Substitute white wine with apple juice, or 1/2 cup rice vinegar and 1 Tbsp white grape juice