Swap library

A plant swap for everything

30 kitchen and wardrobe swaps with the ratio that actually works, what each one is best for, and where it falls down.

Baking

Vegan substitute for Eggs in baking

Eggs bind, leaven, enrich and add moisture. Pick the replacement that matches the job the egg was doing in that specific recipe rather than one universal swap.

5 options · Flax egg and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Butter

Butter contributes fat, water and milk solids. Solid plant blocks work for pastry, oils work for frying, and nut butters work where richness matters more than structure.

4 options · Vegan block butter and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Milk

Plant milks differ mostly in protein, fat and how they behave with heat and acid. Soy is the closest nutritional match; oat is the best all-rounder for coffee and baking.

4 options · Soy milk and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Heavy cream

Cream provides fat and stability. Coconut cream and cashew cream deliver the richness, while chilled whippable plant creams handle piping and desserts.

4 options · Full-fat coconut cream and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Cheese

No single swap covers cheese. Match the function: nutritional yeast for savoury seasoning, cashew ferments for spreadable, starch-based blocks for melting.

4 options · Cashew cheese and more

Baking

Vegan substitute for Gelatin

Gelatin sets liquids into a wobble. Plant gels set firmer and at different temperatures, so both quantity and technique change.

4 options · Agar agar and more

Condiments

Vegan substitute for Fish sauce

Fish sauce brings salt, umami and funk. Seaweed and fermented soy reproduce all three without anchovies.

4 options · Kombu soy sauce and more

Meat

Vegan substitute for Ground beef

In bolognese, tacos and chilli the mince is a texture carrier. Lentils, walnuts, soy mince and mushrooms each cover part of the job — a blend covers all of it.

4 options · Brown or green lentils and more

Meat

Vegan substitute for Chicken breast

Chicken supplies mild protein and a fibrous bite. Seitan, king oyster mushrooms, tofu and soy curls each deliver that in different dishes.

4 options · Seitan and more

Sweeteners

Vegan substitute for Honey

Match honey by viscosity and flavour, not just sweetness. Date and maple syrup cover most uses; agave suits drinks.

4 options · Maple syrup and more

Condiments

Vegan substitute for Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is an oil-in-water emulsion held together by egg lecithin. Aquafaba and soy milk emulsify just as well.

4 options · Aquafaba mayo and more

Baking

Vegan substitute for Buttermilk

Buttermilk is acidified milk that tenderises crumb and reacts with baking soda. Plant milk plus acid does exactly the same.

3 options · Soy milk + lemon and more

Condiments

Vegan substitute for Chicken broth

A good plant broth needs three things chicken stock has: salt, glutamate and body. Mushrooms, kombu and miso supply all three.

4 options · Mushroom + kombu stock and more

Materials

Vegan substitute for Leather

Leather is a slaughter by-product with a heavy tanning footprint. Modern alternatives range from plant-based composites to recycled synthetics.

4 options · Cork leather and more

Materials

Vegan substitute for Wool

Wool warmth comes from crimped fibre trapping air. Several plant and recycled fibres do the same without shearing, mulesing or slaughter.

4 options · Organic cotton fleece and more

Materials

Vegan substitute for Down feathers

Down is plucked from ducks and geese, sometimes live. Synthetic insulations now match its warmth-to-weight and beat it when wet.

3 options · PrimaLoft / synthetic fill and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Yoghurt

Plant yoghurts ferment the same live cultures on soy, coconut, oat or cashew bases. Soy and coconut give the thickest set.

4 options · Soy yoghurt and more

Meat

Vegan substitute for Bacon

Bacon is smoke, salt, fat and crunch. Rice paper, tempeh, mushrooms and coconut each nail a different part of that profile.

4 options · Rice paper bacon and more

Seafood

Vegan substitute for Tuna

Chickpeas, jackfruit and marinated tofu give the flake; nori and kelp give the sea flavour. Together they make a convincing sandwich filling.

4 options · Mashed chickpeas + nori and more

Baking

Vegan substitute for Condensed milk

Sweetened condensed milk is milk reduced with sugar. Coconut and oat versions reduce the same way and set fudge and tarts identically.

3 options · Coconut condensed milk and more

Fats

Vegan substitute for Ghee

Ghee is clarified butter valued for its high smoke point and nutty aroma. Plant ghee and specific oils reproduce both.

3 options · Vegan ghee and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Ice cream

Fat and sugar control ice cream texture. Coconut, cashew and oat bases all churn smoothly with the right sugar balance.

4 options · Coconut milk base and more

Supplements

Vegan substitute for Whey protein

Plant protein powders match whey for muscle protein synthesis when the dose and amino acid profile are right. Blends beat single sources.

4 options · Pea + rice blend and more

Condiments

Vegan substitute for Beef stock

Beef stock is about roasted depth and body. Mushrooms, tomato, soy and a dark roux rebuild it convincingly.

4 options · Dried porcini stock and more

Dairy

Vegan substitute for Parmesan

Parmesan is salt, umami and a dry grate. Three pantry ingredients get you 90% of the way in a minute.

4 options · Cashew parmesan and more

Condiments

Vegan substitute for Oyster sauce

Mushroom "oyster" sauce is a direct one-to-one swap and is sold in most Asian grocers and supermarkets.

3 options · Mushroom stir-fry sauce and more

Baking

Vegan substitute for Meringue

Aquafaba whips into stable foam almost exactly like egg white, and bakes into crisp meringue, pavlova and macarons.

3 options · Aquafaba and more

Seafood

Vegan substitute for Shrimp

Konjac shrimp and marinated king oyster mushrooms give the snap; nori and old bay give the flavour.

4 options · Konjac shrimp and more

Fats

Vegan substitute for Lard

Lard gives pastry shortness and savoury flavour. Solid plant fats do the structural job; a little smoked seasoning covers the taste.

3 options · Vegetable shortening and more

Materials

Vegan substitute for Silk

Conventional silk boils silkworms inside their cocoons. Plant and regenerated fibres now match the drape and sheen.

4 options · Cupro and more