Softer, mix with chickpea flour for paneer-like cubes.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ingredient Substitute Finder
Which ingredients can I always substitute?+
Common safe substitutes: butter to ghee or oil, milk to buttermilk, fresh herbs to dried (1/3 amount), brown sugar to white plus molasses, baking powder to baking soda plus cream of tartar.
Can I use ghee instead of butter?+
Yes! Use 7/8 cup ghee for 1 cup butter (ghee has no water). Excellent for Indian dishes, baking, and sauteing. Ghee has higher smoke point - safer for high-heat cooking.
What replaces eggs in baking?+
For 1 egg: 1/4 cup mashed banana, 1/4 cup applesauce, 1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water, or 1/4 cup yogurt. Bananas/applesauce add sweetness, flax stays neutral.
Buttermilk substitute?+
1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar (let sit 5 min). Or 3/4 cup yogurt + 1/4 cup water. Or 1 cup yogurt thinned with water. Works in any recipe.
Healthy oil substitutes?+
Olive oil (low-heat), coconut oil (1:1), avocado oil (high-heat), groundnut oil (Indian cooking). Replace half the butter with olive oil for healthier baking.
No fresh herbs - what to do?+
Dried herbs are fine - use 1/3 the amount of fresh. Add early in cooking (dried) vs end (fresh). Fresh basil/coriander cant fully replace - frozen is closer.
Sour cream replacement?+
Greek yogurt (1:1), hung curd (1:1), or 1 cup cottage cheese blended with 1 tbsp lemon juice + 1/4 cup milk. Mayonnaise works in dips. Use yogurt for baking.
Cream cheese substitute?+
Hung curd (drained yogurt), paneer mashed with cream, mascarpone, or ricotta. For frosting use butter + powdered sugar. Indian khoya works in some sweets.