Ingredient Substitution Guides
In-depth guides for home cooks.
The complete guide to substituting bread flour
Running out of bread flour? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
5 October 2026
Is zhima you (芝麻油) the same as sesame oil?
Your Chinese recipe says zhima you — but is it the same as sesame oil? The answer might be simpler than you think, and we've got swaps if you're all out.
28 September 2026
Is all-purpose flour the same as plain flour?
Got a recipe calling for all-purpose flour but only plain flour in the cupboard — or vice versa? Here's exactly what you need to know before you start cooking.
21 September 2026
Is huile de noix the same as walnut oil?
Spotted "huile de noix" in a French recipe but only have walnut oil — or vice versa? Here's exactly what you need to know before you start cooking.
14 September 2026
Ran out of curd cheese? 5 substitutes you probably already have
Mid-recipe and no curd cheese in sight? The fix is probably already in your fridge — here's how to make it work perfectly.
7 September 2026
The best substitutes for cream of coconut
Running out of cream of coconut? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
31 August 2026
spelt flour substitutes for baking: what actually works
Running out of spelt flour? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
24 August 2026
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of buckwheat flour?
Got buckwheat flour on the shopping list but whole wheat in the pantry? Find out if the swap actually works — and when you're better off reaching for somethi…
17 August 2026
The complete guide to substituting palm sugar
Running out of palm sugar? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
10 August 2026
What happens if you leave out barley malt syrup?
Forgot to grab barley malt syrup? What you use instead makes a bigger difference than you'd think — especially if bagels are on the menu.
3 August 2026
The complete guide to substituting bicarbonate of soda
Running out of bicarbonate of soda? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
27 July 2026
Is luo han guo sweetener the same as monk fruit sweetener?
Two names, one ingredient — or is there more to it? Here's what home cooks need to know before swapping luo han guo and monk fruit sweetener in a recipe.
20 July 2026
The complete guide to substituting jaggery
Running out of jaggery? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
13 July 2026
The best substitutes for double cream
Running out of double cream? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
11 July 2026
The best substitutes for canola oil
Running out of canola oil? Find out what works as a substitute — and exactly how much to use.
11 July 2026