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Substitute for Vanilla extract

What it does in a recipe: The aromatic backbone of Western baking.

3 substitutes, ranked by what's already in your pantry. Amounts are dataset values — US and metric where a ratio exists.

Vanilla bean

per 1 tsp vanilla extract

US1 bean, seeds scraped (about 1/3 bean per 1 tsp extract)
Metric1 bean
SpecialtyBaking-safe ✓Alcohol-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

More floral; leaves specks.

What changes: More floral

Vanilla paste

per 1 tsp vanilla extract

US1 tsp
Metric5 ml
CommonBaking-safe ✓Dairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Same intensity, visible seeds.

What changes: Same, with seeds

Imitation vanilla

per 1 tsp vanilla extract

US2 tsp (double)
Metric10 ml
Pantry stapleBaking-safe ✓Dairy-freeEgg-freeFish-freeGluten-freeNut-freePeanut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-freeVegan

Harsher aroma; bakes out fine in cooked goods.

What changes: Harsher; use double

Related swaps

Common questions

What can I use instead of Vanilla extract?
Imitation vanilla: 2 tsp (double). Vanilla paste: 1 tsp.
What is the exact ratio to substitute Vanilla extract?
Imitation vanilla (per 1 tsp vanilla extract) — US: 2 tsp (double). Metric: 10 ml.
What changes when you substitute Vanilla extract?
More floral. Same, with seeds.

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