Substitutes

If you are having trouble with putting together a recipe that requires fennel seeds, and you have been put off because you didn’t have it at home, we have excellent news for you; there are other herbs that serves as good fennel seed substitutes. Some of these alternatives include anise, dill seeds, carraway, cumin seeds, licorice, etc. Some of these herbs are familiar ingredients that you most likely even know. We have put together the best substitutes for fennel seeds that you can always use when you run out of fennel feeds at home. What is Fennel Seed Used For? … Read more

A true fan of English Mustard wouldn’t mind giving out some of his properties just for a bottle. And that’s the problem with falling in love with this particular Mustard. Because your first try on a sandwich, dips, or sausages is what gets you hooked, then the hypnotic flavor hunts you for the rest of your days. Every store and everywhere you go is just another opportunity to scavenge for English mustard because this product is scarce outside the UK. While all of these might sound like a slight exaggeration, well, you get the point, and that is why you’re probably … Read more

Dijon mustard is almost everyone’s favorite kitchen workhorse for adding flavors. One bottle on hand and a delicious meal is only a few minutes ready, which is why most homeowners will NEVER do without it. But what if you’re in the middle of a recipe and you’re out of Dijon mustard? You need a quick fix!  We have put together a list of the best Dijon mustard substitutes so you will always have something to fall back on.  Stone-ground mustard, spicy brown mustard, yellow mustard, horseradish sauce, wasabi, etc., are among the best alternatives to Dijon mustard that you can always … Read more

MSG is like the omnipresent ingredient in almost all recipes. It is a potent purveyor of umami that helps boost flavor in our food and increase salivary flow. If you watch your sodium intake, MSG might be your go-to option. But what if you don’t have it on hand? You can still skip it. I would say you skip it since it doesn’t bring many benefits to your dishes.  You could enjoy much healthier meals if you use any of these MSG seasoning substitutes, such as Beef stock, Soy Sauce, Parmesan Cheese, Dulse, and many more we will discuss on this … Read more

Parmesan Cheese is a luscious Italian topping I can compare to ambrosia — the food of the gods.  Sometimes we can’t get enough of this aromatic ingredient, which is why we tend to run out of it pretty quickly.  So if you are out and can’t find this cheese in a nearby grocery store or are trying to switch it up, this page contains all of the alternatives you seek.  Some of the best parmesan cheese substitutes you can use are Manchego, Piave, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Asiago Cheese, Dry Jack, and Reggianito. Also, you might want to read to … Read more

Asian pear is a sweet pear fruit that you can add to many recipes. It is popular in many Korean dishes as its flavor and textures elevate it. Nonetheless, this fruit is also very expensive. The fact that this pear is popular in Korea does not make it available everywhere, but not to worry as there are many good Asian pear substitutes that you can use as well. Some of the best replacements for Asian pear include Anjou pear, bosc pear, forelle pear, taylor’s gold pear, and bartlett pear. Apart from pears, fruits like kiwi, pineapples, fuji apple, and oranges … Read more

Salt is one of the most vital ingredients that predate any other culinary seasonings on our shelves. You can add it to almost every meal. More than just seasoning, it intensifies aroma, balances other flavors, makes meat taste juicier, and preserves foods.  And one type of salt that has surged its historical significance and utility in recent decades is kosher salt. But if you are running out, are there good kosher salt substitutes you can swoop in and save the day?  Of course, there is!  Some of the best alternatives to kosher salt that you can use are table salt, pickling … Read more

Mirin is an extract from white rice that is common in Japanese cuisines. It is similar to sake, but has a low alcohol content. Its sugar is high and is also naturally formed from the fermentation process, which means they added no sugars. When this liquid is heated, the alcohol content is further lowered. But what if you suddenly ran out of mirin while cooking or you just want to use something else? There are many mirin substitutes that you can use instead, such as sherry, white wine, sake, vermouth, rice vinegar, aji-mirin, shaoxing wine, balsamic vinegar, marsala wine, and … Read more

We use potato starch for many things: as a thickener in stews, gravies, soups, or sauces. Or for increasing crispiness and fluffiness in baked goods. The uses and benefits are so numerous it might make you think you can’t do with it whenever you don’t have it on hand. But if you know your way around the kitchen pantry, there is ALWAYS an alternative. Some of the best potato starch substitutes that we will be discussing here today include Sweet Rice Flour, Potato Flour, Cornstarch, Ground Matzo, Arrowroot, Wheat Flour, Coconut Flour, Almond Flour, Water Chestnut Flour, Quinoa Flour, and … Read more

Sambal oelek is an excellent cooking condiment for those who want to make their food spicy and flavorful. However, it is an Asian spicy chili paste primarily found in Asian stores — though you might get lucky to see it randomly. But what if you don’t? What if there isn’t a nearby Asian store?  Are you willing to abandon your recipe halfway and embark on a 10-15 min drive for a chile paste? Well, I don’t know for you, but I’d rather save my time, energy, and gas, opting for other Sambal Oelek substitutes.  And there are many alternatives to … Read more

Galangal or galangal root is a spice that originates from southern Asia before and is a close relative to ginger. Galangal is closely similar to ginger but has a lighter and tarter flavor than ginger. Galangal has a similar appearance to turmeric; this can make it challenging to differentiate these three ginger brothers from each other. Galangal has a host of different benefits; it can be used for food seasoning or medicinal purposes. Now, if you do not have access to galangal and you are pressed for time, there are different galangal substitutes you can use instead, all of which will … Read more

Curry leaves are a popular herb spice that originates from south India. It has an intense lemony flavor and is used in various dishes, from rice, vegetables, and soups to curries and chutneys. Curry leaves are so versatile that they have been introduced to different cuisines worldwide. They are not only prized for their flavorful and aromatic addition, but they also boast of a variety of health benefits. These herby and citrusy leaves contain vitamins A, B, b12, and C; provide iron and calcium; helps to boost metabolism, digestion, memory, and hair growth. However, you may, sometimes, find it challenging … Read more