Winter savory is a prized herb, especially for bean dishes and poultry, thanks to its peppery, piney, and slightly bitter flavor. However, it’s not always easy to find unless you grow it yourself. If you’re looking for the best winter savory substitutes, here are your top options—each with tips on …
White vinegar is a kitchen staple, known for its sharp, clean acidity and crystal-clear appearance. It’s incredibly versatile—used for pickling, cleaning, baking, and brightening up recipes. But if you run out, don’t worry! There are several excellent substitutes that can step in, each with its own unique qualities. Here’s a …
Mango powder—also known as amchur or amchoor—is a staple in Indian cuisine, prized for its ability to add a tangy, fruity brightness to dishes without extra moisture. Its unique combination of tartness, subtle sweetness, and gentle fruit aroma makes it a favorite for curries, chutneys, marinades, and snacks. If you can’t find it …
Alum’s primary culinary use is as a food preservative/crisping agent for pickles. It is used as a soak, so you will have to wash the pickled items before using them. The next most significant culinary use for it is in baking powder. In either case, there are reasons that you …
Ssamjang means “wrap sauce” in Korean. It has the name because it is traditionally used on Korean wraps (called ssam) that are usually consumed as street food. You will need it if you plan to make ssam yourself or any of the other dishes that ssamjang can improve. If you …
Pickling salt is used to provide flavor, but it serves an even more practical function in that it helps to kill bacteria that can make you sick. The latter function means that you have to take your substitutes seriously since pickling comes with the danger of botulism. Not every salt or salt-like …
Wasabi is the quintessential Japanese spice and is necessary if you decide to make your own homemade sashimi or wasabi peas. The problem is that real wasabi is hard to find and when you can find it, it tends to be expensive. That’s where wasabi substitutes come in. With the …
Creole seasoning provides the flavors of Creole cuisine, which you will need if you are making Creole favorites like etouffee or Jambalaya. It is one of Louisiana’s two main seasoning blends and something you should keep in your spice cabinet if food from that part of the world appeals to …