Ingredient substitutions
Don’t have the right product on hand? 172 ingredients with tested alternatives — with the swap ratio, a taste note, availability and price.
172
ingredients
461
alternatives
Found: 172 of 172
hemp seed oil (from hulled hemp hearts)
More omega-3, similar flavor
Less nutty flavor
More neutral flavor
hemp protein (from hulled hemp hearts)
Similar amino acid profile
Complete protein
cervelat sausage
Less spicy, available everywhere
Cut into small cubes
A more diet-friendly option
smoked pork belly
Similar flavor and fat content
Russian equivalent
Imitates the smoky flavor
capers
Russian alternative
Spicier flavor
breadcrumbs
Grate on a coarse grater
Grind in a blender
A finer coating
basmati rice
Russian equivalent, cook for 18 minutes
Rinse until the water runs clear
Less fluffy, but readily available
cumin
Similar flavor, slightly less pungent
More citrusy aroma
Russian alternative
barberry
Similar tartness and color
Sweetness + tartness
Sweet-and-sour flavor
lamb
Leaner, add some fat
More tender, cooks faster
Similar flavor, harder to find
ghee (clarified butter)
Melt butter and skim off the foam
Less pure flavor
Plant-based alternative
red jujube dates
Sweeter, similar texture
Soak for 30 minutes
Cut into pieces
ginseng root
Use more; similar tonic effect
Add to the finished dish
Russian equivalent of ginseng
lime juice
Slightly less aromatic
Per 1 tbsp of lime juice
Use less, sharper flavor
green chili peppers
Russian hot pepper varieties
Milder
Usually hotter than green
agar
You need 3x more gelatin
For thickening, not for gelling
lecithin
Natural emulsifier
For emulsifying sauces
isomalt
More calories, melts with heat
Melt in the microwave
sodium alginate
Will not give exactly the same effect
transglutaminase
Natural binding agent
honey
Dissolve the sugar in the water
Darker flavor
Thin any jam with water
vanilla extract
Artificial, cheap
Plus reduce the total sugar
Salt
For Asian dishes, adds umami
Cleaner flavor
Most budget-friendly
Black pepper
Milder, doesn't discolor dishes
Hotter, use less
More complex aroma
Eggs
Let sit 5 minutes, vegan substitute
For baking, adds sweetness
For moist baked goods
Perfect for meringues and foams
Butter
Cheap alternative
For baking, less rich flavor
Healthier alternative
Vegetable oil
The most affordable in Russia
Neutral flavor
Good for frying
Onion
More delicate flavor
Milder flavor
Sharper flavor
Carrot
Sweeter flavor
Similar sweetness and color
For color, less sweet
Oregano
Russian name for oregano
Similar flavor
Fresh basil
1 tbsp fresh = 1 tsp dried
Similar Italian aroma
Refreshing, but different flavor
Baking powder
Mix right before use
Add soda to dry, vinegar to wet ingredients
For airy baked goods
Baking soda
Remove acidic ingredients from the recipe
Requires time for the dough to rise
Milk
Economical substitute
Adds sweetness
For baking, adds tanginess
Sweeter flavor
Sour cream
Richer flavor
Lower in fat
Blend in a blender
Cottage cheese
More delicate texture
Milk + lemon juice, heat, strain
Soak first to remove salt
Chicken breast
Juicier, cook longer
Lean meat
Vegan substitute
Beef
Fattier, cooks faster
More tender
For minced dishes
Salmon
Similar fatty fish
Fattier
More affordable fatty fish
Tomatoes
Drain the liquid
More concentrated flavor
For color and sweetness
Cucumbers
Similar texture
Sharper flavor
Slightly sharper
Potatoes
Healthier, slightly sweet
Sharper flavor
Aromatic flavor
Apples
Sweeter
More tart, cook longer
Soak for 2 hours
Lemon
No zest
Sharper flavor
More aromatic
coconut milk
Let steep 30 min, then strain
Less rich flavor
coconut flour
Grind oats in a blender
Nuttier flavor
coconut oil
Melt before using
Neutral flavor
maple syrup
Russian equivalent of maple syrup
Russian diabetic-friendly product
Russian honey with a delicate flavor
cashews
Soak 4 hours to soften
Soak for 6 hours
For creamy sauces
tahini
Sweeter
Toast the seeds, grind with oil
kale
Massage by hand to soften
If you have beets with tops
More tender texture
arugula
Forage away from roads
Similar peppery bite
tamari sauce
Contains gluten
sriracha sauce
Mix to taste
Less sweet
konjac spaghetti
Use a spiralizer or vegetable peeler
Higher in calories
matcha
Grind loose-leaf tea in a coffee grinder
For color only, no caffeine
nutritional yeast
Not vegan
For a nutty flavor
vegan mayonnaise
Not vegan
Less thick
agave syrup
Natural alternative
Similar glycemic index
almond flour
Grind oats in a coffee grinder
Denser texture
spelt flour
Similar properties
Denser baked goods
Himalayan pink salt
Similar mineral content
Less complex flavor
molasses
Russian equivalent
Buckwheat or chestnut
cacao beans
More accessible form of cacao
Caffeine-free, sweet flavor
carob
Contains caffeine, less sweet
Exotic Russian alternative
peanut butter
Toast peanuts, grind with oil
Less nutty flavor
Ready-made product at health-food stores
vegan butter
not vegan
plant-based alternative
affordable alternative
oat milk
not plant-based
1 cup oats + 4 cups water, blend, strain
similar consistency
plant-based milk
the most accessible alternative
dilute cream with water
coconut water
Russian natural isotonic drink
Russian probiotic drink
vitamin-rich Russian drink
vanilla bean paste
liquid form
artificial, but cheap
dry alternative
powdered sugar
grind sugar for 1-2 minutes
add a little starch for texture
sweet potato
mix for sweetness
similar sweetness and texture
less sweet
cauliflower
denser, cook longer
green color, similar texture
curly parsley
less decorative
different aroma
quinoa
Russian plant protein source with complete protein
cook 45 minutes, lots of fiber
Russian golden grain
dried cranberries
less tart
sweeter
similar tartness
fresh figs
soak in water for 30 minutes
similar sweetness
more tart
pomegranate
similar tartness and color
soak in water for 15 min
summer seasonal option
Dijon mustard
less refined
add a drop of wine to regular mustard
garlic powder
mince with a garlic press
grind in a coffee grinder
smoked paprika
add liquid smoke
without the smoky aroma
caraway seeds
less aromatic
different aroma, but similar
turmeric
contains turmeric + other spices
no yellow color, spicier
cardamom
a blend for a similar aroma
sweet aroma
nutmeg
less pungent
spicier
sea salt
less mineralized
apple cider vinegar
sharper flavor
fresh tartness
milder
apple concentrate
Reduce until thick
Different flavor, but sweet
tofu
Russian analog by texture
Press out excess moisture
Milk + lemon juice, strain
flax egg
Not a vegan option
Let sit 15 minutes
Adds sweetness
flax flour
Grind in a coffee grinder
Similar fiber
Less omega-3
activated nuts
Soak 8-12 hours, pat dry
carrot juice
Squeeze through cheesecloth
alfalfa sprouts
Cress, arugula, radish
Finely chop
Sprout alfalfa seeds at home
hemp sprouts
For crunch and nutrition
Any available microgreens
Available at Asian grocery stores
avocado
Similar creamy texture, but sweet
Blend for a creamy texture
For creamy sauces and dressings
zucchini
Same vegetable, Russian name
For raw salads
Similar flavor and texture
zucchini blossoms
For garnish and volume
Edible flowers, can be home-grown
If you have your own garden
miso paste
Mix for an umami flavor
Dissolve in minimal water
For body and umami
blueberries (bilberries)
Similar flavor and appearance
More tart, less sugar
For baking, soak beforehand
frozen blueberries (bilberries)
Available year-round
More tart, remove pits
Freeze them yourself
pomegranate seeds
Similar tartness and color
Soak in water 15 min
Summer seasonal option
celery
Similar crunch and freshness
Cut into thin strips
Similar crunch, more pungent
button mushrooms
More affordable mushrooms
More aromatic
Small and crunchy
broccoli
Similar texture
Break into florets
Similar flavor
eggplant
Less bitter, no need to salt
Sweeter
Similar texture
bell pepper
For color and juiciness
For sweetness and color
Remove seeds for mildness
cherry tomatoes
Cut into cubes
Drain the liquid
For color and sweetness
sun-dried tomatoes
More concentrated flavor
Saute until the moisture evaporates
For sweetness and chewiness
fresh cilantro
Less pungent, milder
Different aroma, but fresh
For freshness and color
mint
Similar refreshing flavor
Use less, more intense
Aromatic, if you have a bush
dill
Less aromatic
Similar anise aroma
More concentrated aroma
parsley
More aromatic
For freshness
More pungent
black beans
Similar texture
Softer
Cook faster
pistachios
More accessible
For crunch
Softer
macadamia nuts
Similar fat content
Similar sweet flavor
Creamy nuts
brown rice syrup
Natural sweetness
Similar consistency
Sugar + water + citric acid
malt rice syrup
Natural sweetness
Similar thickness
Sugar + water 1:1
apple juice
For tanginess
Without sugar
Steep 30 min, strain
ground ginger
Grate on a fine grater
Less pungent
For heat
black mustard seeds
More pungent
Different aroma
Milder
coconut yogurt
Not vegan
More tangy
Lower fat content
coconut cream
Animal-based
More tangy
Whip with a mixer
dried mushrooms
For aroma
Saute until the moisture evaporates
For umami flavor
spirulina
A nutritious Russian plant, rich in iron
Rich in chlorophyll and vitamins
Russian seaweed
chlorella
Similar properties
High chlorophyll content
A blend of spinach, nettle, parsley
goji berries
A Russian superfruit, more vitamin C
Russia's vitamin C champion
Slightly bitter flavor, high in pectin
acai berries
Similar antioxidants
Russian equivalent
Even more antioxidants
avocado oil
Similar healthy fats
More omega-3
Budget option
walnut oil
Steep for 2 weeks, strain
Similar omega fatty acids
Less nutty flavor
pumpkin seed oil
Roast the seeds, steep in the oil
Healthy fats
Neutral option
cedar nut oil
Infuse for 1 month, strain
Similar omega fatty acids
Less pronounced flavor
aquafaba
Not a vegan option
Homemade aquafaba
Let stand for 15 minutes
jackfruit
Not vegan, but similar texture
Saute until stringy
Cut into thin strips
tempeh
Less fermented
Mash to a paste
Saute and chop finely
seitan
Saute until crispy
Knead, boil for 1 hour
Chop and saute
chickpea flour
Grind dried peas
More protein
Grind red lentils
green buckwheat flour
Grind regular buckwheat
More neutral flavor
Gluten-free
wasabi
Similar heat
Mix for heat
Grate finely
ponzu
Classic substitute
More acidic version
Slightly sweet flavor
kombucha
Russian fermented beverage
Beneficial bacteria
Without probiotics
water kefir
More dairy bacteria
Fermented beverage
Imitates probiotics
stevia
Stevia is 10x sweeter
Natural sweetener
Sweeter than regular sugar
erythritol
More calories
Natural sugar
Use less
xylitol
More calories
Natural sweetness
Natural source of xylitol
dragon fruit
Similar texture and seeds
Similar flesh
Imitates the seeds
passion fruit
Acidity + sweetness
Exotic flavor
Summer alternative
lychee
Similar sweetness
For a floral aroma
Sweet and juicy
cloudberry
Similar tartness
More vitamin C
Sweet alternative
sea buckthorn
Sweetness + tartness
Similar color, more carotene
Summer substitute
cedar nuts (pine nuts)
More available, similar texture
Very budget-friendly
Less resinous flavor
marine spirulina
More iodine
For sushi, grind in a coffee grinder
Imitates the marine flavor
bladderwrack
Similar seaweed
For Japanese cuisine
Land-based alternative
broccoli sprouts
Similar cruciferous flavor
Sharp, peppery flavor
Pepperiness and nutritional benefits
microgreens
Mild flavor
Can be sprouted at home
The most accessible option
Brazil nuts
Less selenium
European alternative
Very budget-friendly
pecans
Very similar flavor
More accessible
Russian counterpart
chia seeds
More omega-3
Soak to swell
For crunch
shiitake mushrooms
A Russian delicacy
Available year-round
For umami flavor
king oyster mushrooms
Less meaty
More aromatic
The most accessible
bulgur
Russian counterpart, cook for 40 minutes
Similar texture
Coarser texture
amaranth
Russian fine-ground grain
Artek or Poltava grade
Greek yogurt
A Russian classic, more protein
Russian cultured dairy product
Mix for thickness
mascarpone
Whip to a creamy consistency
Russian counterpart, whip together
thyme
Russian counterpart to thyme
Similar fragrant flavor
rosemary
Russian coniferous spice, use the dosage with caution
A blend to mimic the flavor
parsnip
Similar sweetish flavor
A blend of root vegetables
kohlrabi
Similar texture and flavor
The sweet part of the cabbage
dried cranberries
Russian taiga berry
Sweeter than cranberries
Russian vitamin-rich berry
pumpernickel bread
Russian dark bread with coriander
Classic Russian rye bread
spelt flour
Russian whole-grain flour
Coarser grind