Swapping Out Ingredients: What You Can and Can’t Substitute in Recipes

When you’re in the middle of making a recipe, and you realize that you’ve run out of an ingredient or can’t find it at your local grocery store, what do you do? If you know which ingredients to substitute, then the answer is simple: swap it out with a different item. But if you don’t know what ingredients can be substituted for one another, then making a substitution can be difficult. Let’s explore some common food swaps and when they should not be made.

Fats and Oils.

Fats and oils are often interchangeable depending on the recipe. In savory dishes, most cooking oils like vegetable oil, olive oil, and coconut oil can be swapped without problem; however, this is not applicable for baking recipes as baking requires specific fat types (i.e., butter required for cakes). In baking recipes where the type of fat matters, try substituting applesauce or mashed bananas for some of the butter or shortening when possible for an easy swap.

Herbs & Spices.

Herbs & spices can also generally be interchanged without much harm to a recipe; the flavour will just change. However, there are exceptions to this — like cilantro and parsley — which cannot be substituted because they have very different flavours that won’t work in all recipes. If a recipe calls for one particular herb or spice but you don’t have it on hand, try experimenting with other herbs & spices that have similar flavors.

Cheese & Dairy Products.

Cheese is an exception to the general rule about swapping out ingredients — it usually cannot be replaced with anything else due to its complexity of flavors and textures that make other substitutions impractical or impossible (with some exceptions). The same goes for dairy products like yogurt and sour cream — they cannot always be easily replaced in a recipe due to their unique taste profiles and consistencies.

Gluten-Free Alternatives.

When swapping out ingredients for a gluten-free diet, you must be extra careful. Not all gluten-free alternatives work in the same manner as their wheat counterparts; some require different baking times or temperatures, and others are simply not suitable replacements in recipes. Be sure to research which substitutes work best with your specific dish before attempting to swap out an ingredient.

Dairy-Free Alternatives.

When swapping out dairy products for a dairy-free alternative, look for foods that offer the same type of texture and flavour as the original product. For instance, if you’re trying to replace cream cheese in a recipe, try using vegan cream cheese or even mashed avocado instead. Similarly, nut milk can often be used in place of cow’s milk and vegan butter, coconut oil or olive oil can be used instead of regular butter.

Grain-Free Alternatives.

When trying to make a recipe grain-free, you will need to be especially careful about selecting the right alternative ingredients. For instance, for baking recipes that call for flour, almond flour and coconut flour are often great substitutes; however, they require different amounts than regular wheat flour so you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly.

Nut Free Alternatives.

If you’re making a recipe that calls for nuts but you need to make it nut-free, there are plenty of alternatives available. Try using seeds like sunflower or pumpkin instead of nuts, or using dried fruits such as apricots or dates for a sweet flavour. If you want to add a crunchy texture to a dish, crushed cornflakes or cereal flakes can be used as replacements.

Salt Free Alternatives.

Salt is an important ingredient in recipes since it helps to draw out flavours in dishes; however, for those on a low-sodium diet, there are plenty of salt-free alternatives you can use. Try substituting spices like garlic powder, onion powder and cumin for the salt or try using herbs such as parsley, basil or oregano. You can also experiment with citrus juices or vinegar to add flavour without the salt.

Sugar Free Alternatives.

When trying to make a recipe that calls for sugar, there are many natural sweeteners available that can be used instead. Try using honey, agave nectar, stevia or even dates to add sweetness to your recipes. Be sure to adjust the amount of sweetener used, as well as the baking time and temperature, when making these substitutions.

Knowing how to substitute ingredients when needed is essential for any cook or baker who wants to get creative in the kitchen! There are certain items that cannot easily be swapped out like cheese & dairy products; however, there are some items like fats & oils as well as herbs & spices that can serve as useful substitutes so that you don’t have to start your dish from scratch if something isn’t available at your local store. Keep these tips in mind next time you find yourself needing a substitution while cooking!

Who is TorontoPHO

Toronto PHO is a Vietnamese restaurant committed to serving authentically prepared Asian Vietnamese foods properly and healthily in Vaughan, Kleinburg, Toronto, Woodbridge, and Hamilton.

Our PHO is a proud creation alongside many of our other menu items.

So come and enjoy some delicious Vietnamese food at one of our 4 locations across Ontario! We’re open late night to satisfy all your cravings!