15 Secret Ingredients and Substitutions
Whether you’re missing an ingredient or want to spice up a classic dish, these swaps and secret ingredients are sure to surprise.
Bruce and Jeanne Lubin
Whether you’re unprepared or just plain curious, read on to find some suprising swaps and combinations.
For Sweets & Baking
1. DIY Brown Sugar
Out of brown sugar but the recipe calls for it? You can make your own if you have white sugar and molasses. Simply mix in a bowl with a fork (or in a mixer) 1 tablespoon molasses per 1 cup granulated sugar for light brown sugar and 2 tablespoons molasses per 1 cup sugar for dark. Keep mixing until the molasses is fully incorporated—it may not look like it’s happening at first, but keep the faith and fork stirring!
2. No Need for Heavy Cream
Making whipped cream? Save a trip to the store! Heavy cream isn’t something we all keep in our fridge stock. You’re more likely to have light cream, which can work perfectly fine for whipped cream if you know the trick. To whip light cream into a firm, mousse-like consistency, simply add 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water for every 2 cups of cream. After whipping, refrigerate it for 2 hours.
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3. Fast, Easy Fluff
However you make your whipped cream, you can give it more lasting power to hold its shape longer. The secret: Add a little marshmallow fluff to the mix.
4. Sensational Cookies
Want to take your classic chocolate chip cookie recipe to the next level? Simply shake on some coarse sea salt before baking.
5. Add This for Extra-Rich Brownies
It may sound strange at first, but mashed or pureed avocado can replace oil or butter in many baked goods. It’s especially good with chocolate and adds a rich, creamy texture to brownies. Bonus: It has healthy fats!
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6. Slice a Log of Cookie Dough
Using floss (rather than a knife) to slice will give you clean cookies that don’t crumble or smoosh. This technique works well for cinnamon rolls, too.
7. Release Dough from Cutting Board
When you’re rolling out dough, it’s not hard for it to get stuck. Slide the floss under the dough and lift gently to free your dough.
8. Tie and Dry Herbs
Bundle them using the floss and hang them with leaves facing down to dry. It should take about 10 days for leaves to feel dry to the touch—that’s your indication that they are ready to use.
9. Cut Wraps, Burritos, Calzones, Sushi Rolls, and More
A heavy knife will slice but also drag out all the filling. Try a gentler approach with floss.
Savory Secrets
10. Sweet Addition to Chili
Although it may sound unusual, chocolate makes a great addition to chili. Save it for the last hour of cooking. Just chop up one milk chocolate bar and add it to the pot to meld with the flavors. Once you try it, you’ll add it every time!
11. Take Tomato Sauce To A New Level
After you’ve simmered your favorite recipe, remove the sauce from the heat. Then stir in most of the zest from lemon, reserving some for sprinkling on top.
12. Your New Favorite Breadcrumbs
Look to the side dishes in your pantry for crisper, more flavorful alternatives to breadcrumbs. Instant mashed potatoes flakes pair perfectly with fish, and chefs swear by them by frying up amazing onion rings. Or try grinding Arborio rice to use in place of breadcrumbs—it caramelizes beyond compare.
13. Bring Cookies to Dinner
Slow-cooker pot roast is an easy meal for families on the go. But you can make it extra tasty by sprinkling some crushed gingersnaps over the top of the roast. The mix of sweet and spice is perfect. Comfort food with cookies—what could be better?
14. Shake Up Beef Stew
Making beef stew? Shake up a bottle of Italian dressing and brown the meat in it to infuse flavor. Add about ½ cup per 3 pounds of beef.
15. Don’t Pour That Pickle Juice!
Did you know that the acid in pickle juice acts as a meat tenderizer? Use that juice mixed with garlic and your favorite spices as a marinade for pork, steak, or chicken. Let sit for at least an hour or overnight. You can also use pickle juice to add zing to boiled potatoes—just add a little to the boiling water.
About the Author
Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin are the proud parents of three boys and more than a dozen books. After saving thousands per year using everyday tips and simple lifehacks, they started their own business in the hopes of sharing their knowledge with others. They have been known to go into their friends’ refrigerators to turn their eggs upside down so that they last longer.