You have a recipe that calls for chicken, and for one reason or another chicken is not happening tonight. Perhaps the pack in the fridge has turned, a guest has just announced they are vegetarian, or the price at the supermarket made you wince. Most chicken dishes are far more forgiving than they look, because…
You have a recipe that calls for cod, and the fish counter is empty, the price has jumped, or someone at the table cannot eat fish at all. The right swap depends entirely on which of those problems you are solving, and most guides to fish substitutes only answer one of them. This guide splits…
The best substitute for lemon juice depends on what job the lemon is doing. For general cooking, white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar diluted with a splash of water gets you the same acidity. For baking, where lemon juice reacts with raising agents, cream of tartar or citric acid are closer matches. For dressings…
Turkey is not always easy to get hold of, and even when it is, it is not everyone’s favourite. Maybe your usual shop is out of stock, maybe you find turkey a bit dry and bland, or maybe it is just priced like a special occasion when you only wanted a normal Tuesday dinner. Whatever…
Need a substitute for artichokes? Whether you’re making a creamy dip, a roasted side, or a Mediterranean salad, there are plenty of ingredients that can stand in for artichokes without sacrificing flavour or texture. Quick answer: The best artichoke substitutes include hearts of palm, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cardoons, and choke-free artichokes — each working best…
Nothing beats the aroma of perfectly seasoned roasted chicken, but what happens when you’re missing key herbs? Don’t panic and don’t skip the seasoning – there are plenty of clever substitutions that will save your dinner and might even create a new favorite flavor combination. Whether you’re dealing with an empty spice rack, dietary restrictions,…
You’re halfway through a recipe and the eggplant in the fridge has seen better days — or you simply can’t find one at the supermarket. It happens more than you’d think, and the good news is that eggplant (or aubergine, if you’re in the UK) is one of the easier vegetables to substitute. What you’re…
Out of mushrooms mid-recipe? It happens to everyone — and the good news is that the right swap can rescue almost any dish. Whether you’re cooking a creamy stroganoff, a slow-simmered stew, a pasta bake, or a beef wellington, there’s a mushroom substitute that’ll do the job without you having to notice the difference. Mushrooms…
You’ve just started creaming butter into a cake batter when you realise you’re out. Or maybe you’re baking for someone who’s dairy-free and you’re not sure what to reach for. Either way, you need a butter substitute — and you need to know it’ll actually work. The good news is that butter has plenty of…
You’re halfway through making a marinade, a Bloody Mary, or a rich beef stew — and the Worcestershire sauce is either empty or nowhere to be found. It’s one of those ingredients that hides quietly in the back of the fridge until you actually need it, and then it’s gone. The good news is that…
Running low on eggs mid-recipe, or cooking for someone who can’t eat them, doesn’t have to mean starting over. Most kitchens already have at least one ingredient that can step in, you just need to know which one matches the job the egg was doing in that particular recipe. This guide breaks egg substitutes down…
You’re halfway through a recipe when you realise the flour bag is empty, or you’re trying to bake for someone who can’t eat gluten, or you’re just curious whether almond flour really can step in for plain flour in a Victoria sponge. Whatever’s brought you here, the answer is: yes, you can absolutely substitute for…
