Do you know that uh-oh moment when you look in the fridge only to find you’re all out of eggs, buttermilk or another ingredient essential to the recipe you’ve already started? If so, print, Pin or save the chart below. With these substitutions for common cooking and baking ingredients, you can hack what you don’t have.

Some of the most common baking and cooking substitutions include eggs, butter and buttermilk. We’ve outlined a few ways you can hack these three ingredients so the next time you have a spur of the moment desire to whip up a loaf of banana bread—you’ll be ready!

Kitchen Tip: When subbing an ingredient, you should always take note of its importance in the recipe and the amount that is needed. Start slow and try one change at time, like switching from butter to oil, otherwise your end-product will be nothing like the original recipe. Bottom line, you should really experiment to figure out what works best with the recipe you’re using—keep in mind, there will be changes in flavors, texture and appearance.

Buttermilk Substitutions

What does buttermilk do?

• Buttermilk adds tenderness and a pleasant tang to biscuits, quick breads, cakes and pancakes, but if it’s not something you always have in the fridge, this hack comes in handy.

How can I hack it?

• To replace one cup of buttermilk, simply combine either 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or 1 tablespoon of white or apple cider vinegar with enough milk to make a full cup. With this replacement, your end product will still benefit from the acidic properties buttermilk lends.

When should I hack it?

• This hack is truly foolproof and is a great sub in quick breads, biscuits, scones, pancakes, muffins and cakes.

So now that you know how to bend the rules, without breaking your recipe, don’t be afraid to do some experimenting. Remember to note your results, so you remember for next time. Do you have more questions about substitutions for baking or cooking? Leave us a note below!