substitutions

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

Looking for an allergen-free or vegan alternative to change up an existing recipe? Or perhaps you ran out of an ingredient while mixing up a batch of gluten-free treats and you need a quick fix? Either way, this cheat sheet is packed with options to help you in a pinch!

 1 cup milk

  •  1 cup rice, coconut, hemp, almond or soy milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup rice milk or water + 1 egg yolk for each cup (for replacement of full-fat milk)

1 cup buttermilk

  • 1 cup plain dairy-free milk or yogurt + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (allow to sit for 5 minutes to “sour” before using)                                     

1 cup yogurt

  • 1 cup dairy-free yogurt (made with coconut, rice or soy milk)
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or fruit puree

8 tablespoons butter (1 stick)

  • 8 tablespoons dairy-free butter alternative, vegetable shortening, or margarine, such as Earth Balance, Spectrum, or Fleischmann’s
  • ⅓ cup organic canola or coconut oil
  • ⅓ cup olive oil (not for baking)

1 cup cheese

  • 1 cup vegan cheese alternative, such as Cheezly, Teese, or Follow Your Heart
  • 1 cup Daiya Vegan Cheese (also soy-free)
  • 1 cup Parma! Vegan Parmesan (contains tree nuts)

8 ounces cream cheese

  • 8 ounces cream cheese alternative, such as Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese or Follow Your Heart

1 cup sour cream

  • 1 cup sour cream alternative, such as Tofutti Better Than Sour Cream or Follow Your Heart

1 cup heavy cream

  • 1 cup dairy-free creamer, such as Silk, Mocha Mix, or So Delicious
  • cup full-fat coconut milk
  • ⅔ cup dairy-free milk of choice + ⅓ cup melted dairy-free butter substitute of choice

1 cup light cream

  • 1 cup dairy-free creamer, such as Silk, Mocha Mix, or So Delicious
  • 1 cup light coconut milk

1 egg

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce or fruit puree + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon flax meal + 3 tablespoons hot water (mix together and let sit for 5 minutes to set and become “gel-like”)
  • 1½ teaspoons egg replacer, such as Ener-G, PaneRiso Foods, or Orgran + 2 tablespoons water or milk (whisk until foamy before use)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1½ tablespoons water, and 1½ tablespoons oil
  • 3 tablespoons mashed bananas
  • 4 tablespoons silken tofu (pureed in a blender) + 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3½ tablespoons prepared gelatin (following directions on box)
  • 3 tablespoons aquafaba (the liquid from canned legume seeds such as chickpeas)

1 egg white

  • 1 tablespoon plain agar powder dissolved in 1 tablespoon water. Beat, chill for 15 minutes, then beat again.
  • 2 tablespoons aquafaba (the liquid from canned legume seeds such as chickpeas)

1 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 cup vegan mayonnaise, such as Mindful Mayo by Earth Balance, Spectrum Light Canola Mayonnaise, or Vegenaise (all are free of multiple allergens)

Peanuts or tree nuts (Use equal amounts)

  • Toasted coconut
  • Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
  • Crushed cornflakes
  • Crushed crispy rice cereal
  • Crushed potato chips

1 cup peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter

  • 1 cup sunflower seed butter

1 cup corn syrup

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 cup agave nectar
  • 1 cup maple syrup

1 cup refined white or brown cane sugar

  • 1 cup coconut palm sugar
  • 1 cup panela/rapadura or Sucanat
  • 1 cup erythritol or xylitol
  • ½-1 cup monk fruit sweetener (amount varies because some brands are mixed with erythritol or other ingredients)

Xanthan gum

  • Ground or whole chia seeds (use equal amounts, in weight, as you would xanthan gum)
  • Ground flax seeds (use equal amounts, in weight, and combine with twice the amount of water to form a slurry before using)
  • Psyllium husk (use 1 part psyllium to 19 parts flour)
  • Agar powder (use twice the amount as xanthan gum called for in the recipe)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon miso

  • 1 tablespoon soy-free miso alternative, such as Miso Master, South River, or Organicville (these are usually made with chickpeas or adzuki beans)

You May Also Like

Welcome

You’ve just landed in your gluten-free happy place! Gluten Free & More is America’s #1 allergen-free magazine, and we’re proud to be a vibrant collection of gluten-free voices, stories, and recipes that inspire and uplift.

Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don't miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *