01
Coconut Oil
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Dairy-free, solid at room temp, slight coconut taste
6.7
vegetarian margarine
substitute.
11 vegetarian substitutes for margarine — top pick Coconut Oil at 67% function match.
all substitutes on this page are vegetarian
top substitutes
02
Olive Oil
6.73/4 cup : 1 cup
Use less, best for savory baking and cooking
6.7
03
Whipped Butter
6.73 tbsp : 2 tbsp
Reduce amount, whipped is aerated
6.7
show 8 more substitutes
04
Ghee
6.71 cup : 1 cup
Richer flavor, no water content so reduce by 1 tbsp
6.7
05
Avocado Oil
6.73/4 cup : 1 cup
Neutral taste, use 3/4 cup; best for moist cakes
6.7
06
Salted Butter
5.01 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Dairy-free, add pinch of salt
5.0
07
Butter
4.01 cup : 1 cup
Adds dairy flavor and slight saltiness; firmer texture makes flakier pie crusts and pastries
4.0
08
Stick Butter
4.01 tbsp : 1 tbsp
Dairy-free swap, similar texture
4.0
09
Sour Cream
4.01:1
Adds tang and moisture; use 1:1 in baking for tender crumb, not for spreading
4.0
10
Shortening
3.31 cup : 1 cup
Swap 1:1; shortening is firmer and flavor-neutral, makes tender biscuits and flaky pie crust
3.3
11
Vegetable Oil
3.33/4 cup : 1 cup
Use 3/4 cup oil per cup, works in quick breads
3.3
pitfalls to avoid
watch out
Coconut Oil: Solidifies quickly — work the dough fast
watch out
Coconut Oil: Mild coconut taste in baked goods
watch out
Olive Oil: Use less oil; 3/4 cup per cup margarine
watch out
Olive Oil: Olive flavor in sweet baking is noticeable
watch out
Whipped Butter: Whipped is aerated — use about 2/3 the volume
watch out
Ghee: No water content — reduce by 1 tbsp per cup
watch out
Ghee: Richer nutty ghee flavor in baked goods
watch out
Butter: Dairy richness and slight salt flavor added
watch out
Butter: Dairy richness and slight salt flavor added
watch out
Butter: Firmer fat makes flakier pastry than margarine
watch out
Sour Cream: Adds tangy dairy flavor to baked goods
watch out
Sour Cream: Cannot be used as a spread on bread or toast
watch out
Shortening: Completely flavor-neutral; some dishes need added salt
watch out
Vegetable Oil: Liquid oil — cannot spread or cream with sugar
watch out
Vegetable Oil: Use 3/4 cup oil per cup margarine