Best Chometz-Substitute List

Please note: Eileen Goltz is a freelance kosher food writer. The Orthodox Union makes no endorsements or representations regarding kashrut certification of various products/vendors referred to in her articles, blog or web site.

At some point during Pesach preparations we’ve all tried to convert a mainstream recipe into a Pesach one…only to discover that we don’t have a clue as to what to substitute for a chometz ingredient. This panic moment is why I started compiling my “Complete List of Pesach Substitutes.” I’ve added some great new substitutions this year. If anyone has any other substitutions that they would like to share, please do at eztlog@gmail.com or at my blog cuisinebyeileen.wordpress.com.

Basic Substitutions:

• 1 oz. Baking chocolate (unsweetened chocolate) = 3 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder plus 1 Tablespoon oil or melted margarine
• 16 oz. Semisweet chocolate = 6 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder plus ¼ cup oil and 7 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 14 oz. sweet chocolate (German-type) = 3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder plus 2 2/3 Tablespoon oil and 4½ Tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar minus 1 Tablespoon sugar plus 1 Tablespoon potato starch pulsed in a food processor or blender
• 1 cup sour milk or buttermilk for dairy baking = 1 Tablespoon lemon juice in a 1 cup measure, then fill to 1 cup with Pesach nondairy creamer. Stir and steep 5 minutes.
• Butter in baking or cooking = use pareve Pesach margarine in equal amounts. Use a bit less salt in recipe.
• 1 cup honey = 1¼ cups granulated sugar plus ¼ cup water
• 1 cup corn syrup = 1¼ cups granulated sugar plus 1/3 cup water, boiled until syrupy
• 1 cup vanilla sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 split vanilla bean left for at least 24 hours in a tightly covered jar
• 1 cup of flour = 5/8 cup matzah cake meal or potato starch, or a combination sifted together
• 1 Tablespoon flour = ½ Tablespoon potato starch
• 1 cup corn starch = 7/8 cup potato starch
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar = 1½ teaspoon lemon juice or 1½ teaspoon vinegar
• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs = 1 cup ground kosher-for-Pesach cookies or soup nuts plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup bread crumbs = 1 cup matzah meal
• 1 cup matzah meal = 3 matzot ground in a food processor
• 1 cup matzah cake meal = 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoon matzah meal finely ground in a blender or food processor and sifted
• 3 crumbled matzot = 2 cups matzah farfel
• 1 cup (8 oz) cream cheese = 1 cup cottage cheese pureed with ½ stick butter or margarine
• Chicken fat or gribenes = 2 caramelized onions: Saute 2 sliced onions in 2 Tablespoon oil and 2 Tablespoons sugar. Cook until the onions are soft. Puree the onions once they are golden
• 1 cup milk (for baking) = 1 cup water plus 2 Tablespoon margarine, or ½ cup fruit juice plus ½ cup water
• 1¼ cup sweetened condensed milk =1 cup instant nonfat dry milk, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup boiling water and 3 Tablespoons margarine. Blend all the ingredients until smooth. To thicken, let set in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• 1 cup wine = 13 Tablespoons water, 3 Tablespoons lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Mix together and let set for 10 minutes.
• For Frying: Instead of chicken fat, use combination of olive oil or vegetable oil and 1 to 2 Tablespoons pareve Pesach margarine.
• Egg Substitutes: Pesach egg substitutes don’t work quite as well as the chometz egg substitutes. Kugels, matzah balls, fried matzah and some cakes the recipes will probably be okay. However, if you want to avoid them (and I do) you can add one extra egg white and ½ teaspoon of vegetable oil for each yolk eliminated when baking. Use only egg whites as the dipping to coat and fry meats.
• 1 egg = 1½ Tablespoons water, 1½ Tablespoons oil, ½ teaspoon potato starch and ½ teaspoon baking soda. Works well for up to 2 eggs. You can also try ¼ cup of applesauce in place of 1 egg, but only for some of the egg in a recipe.
• Italian Seasoning = ¼ teaspoon each: dried oregano leaves, dried marjoram leaves and dried basil leaves plus 1/8 teaspoon rubbed dried sage. Makes 1½ teaspoons.
• Curry Powder = 2 Tablespoons ground coriander, 1 Tablespoon black pepper, 2 Tablespoons red pepper, 2 Tablespoons turmeric, 2 Tablespoons ground ginger. Makes 2/3 cup.
• Pancake Syrup = Use fruit jelly, not jam, and add a little water to thin. I always like to combine the jelly and water in a microwave safe bowl and heat it gently before I serve it.
• Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar = 3 Tablespoons white vinegar, 1 Tablespoon white wine, 1 Tablespoon sugar, ½ teaspoon salt. Mix to combine. Makes ¼ cup.
• Flavored Vinegar = Lemon juice in cooking or salad, grapefruit juice in salads, wine in marinades.
• Water Chestnuts = Raw jicama.
• Orange liqueur = Equal amount of frozen orange juice concentrate.
• Chives = Mince the tops of green onions.

Soy Sauce Substitute

Yields 2/3 cup

This soy sauce substitute doesn’t taste exactly like the real thing, but it makes a flavorful alternative for Pesach stir fry.

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons beef broth
• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• Black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup boiling water

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients.
2. At this point, you can either a) use the sauce as is, leaving for an hour to give the flavors a chance to blend, or b) for a thicker, richer sauce, boil the liquid until it is reduced by half, about 3 Tablespoons. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Use the sauce within 3 to 4 days.

Cashew Sour Cream

Yields 1 cup

It’s creamy and you can use it in any recipe that calls for sour cream. It refrigerates well.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews (must not be roasted or salted)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 to 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 small lemon, juiced

Instructions:

1. Cover cashews with water and soak for a few hours, or overnight.
2. Pour off all water, and place nuts in food processor.
3. Add ¼ cup cold water, salt, vinegar and lemon juice. Puree for 3-4 minutes or until completely smooth and creamy in consistency.

Use in any recipe that calls for sour cream. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week.

Corn Syrup Substitute

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white sugar
• ¾ cup water
• ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 dash salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a heavy, large pan. Stir and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat to a simmer and put cover on it for 3 minutes to get sugar crystals off the sides of the pan.
3. Uncover and cook until it reaches soft ball stage. Stir often.
4. Cool syrup and store in a covered container at room temperature.

The words of this author reflect his/her own opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Orthodox Union.