Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine that is typically used in making marinades, sauces, and dressings, and added to simmered dishes like soups and stews. A little goes a long way, but a bottle won’t last forever so if you find yourself fresh out of this umami-rich seasoning, don’t worry because there are a…

Sour cream is a common ingredient in both cooking and baking, but if you’re dairy-free, lactose-intolerant, or just looking for a substitution, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Fortunately, there are several sour cream substitutes you can try, with great results.

Butter is one of those ingredients that you just can’t live without. It’s in practically everything these days—from sandwiches to coffee—so it comes as no surprise that there are plenty of butter substitutes around that can help tide you over in case you run out.

Whether you’re out of brown sugar or just looking for a way to change up your recipe, there are plenty of brown sugar substitutes that work well for cooking and baking. Not all substitutes work equally well, so it’s important to experiment to see which brown sugar substitute is best for your recipe.

Cornstarch is a powerhouse ingredient in cooking and baking because it acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and tenderizer depending on the recipe. It’s well worth keeping a tub around because you’ll never know when you’ll need it. In case you don’t have any handy, be sure to try out any of these cornstarch substitutes.

Baking powder is a leavening agent used in baking to help make your baked goods lighter and fluffier. Unlike baking soda, which consists only of sodium bicarbonate, baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and a dry acid that is activated by water. This allows you to bake without having to add another acid or without needing…