Even the most adventurous home cooks will admit to finding themselves sometimes short of an ingredient or two. And many of them, like me, probably turn to Google looking for a substitute for that missing ingredient. Recently I found myself seeking a replacement for Worcestershire sauce, and it was then that I decided to write this post. With what follows I’ve done the painful and time-consuming research for you. It was one of those posts I thought would be quick and easy, not requiring too much brain power. But it ended up taking so long – reviewing heaps of information online – that I need a little determination to get to the finish line.

The list of substitutes for common ingredients

Here you’ll find suggested alternative ingredients that shouldn’t radically change the flavour of your end dish. Next time you are missing an ingredient this may help. And I’d love to update this post so if you have any feedback or substitutions I have missed let me know!

A to F: Almond meal, apple cider vinegar, baking powder, buttermilk, brown sugar, cream of tartar, cream, dry sherry, Dijon mustard, demerara sugar, eggs, evaporated milk, fish sauce, fenugreek, fresh herbs

G to M: Golden syrup, garam masala, honey, harissa, icing sugar, Italian seasoning, juniper berries, jalapeño, kaffir lime leaves, kecap manis, kosher salt, lemongrass, lemon juice, mayonnaise, mirin, molasses, maple syrup

N to S: Nutmeg, oyster sauce, olive oil, oregano, palm sugar, peanut oil, plain flour, quinoa, rice wine vinegar, rice malt syrup, red wine, self-rising/self-raising flour, sherry, sherry vinegar

T to Z: Thyme, tomato paste, tarragon, urad dal, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, verjuice, white wine, Worcestershire sauce, white wine vinegar, xylitol, yeast, yoghurt, za’atar, zucchini

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