Swedish-Style Meatballs in Creamy Gravy

• Meatballs
• ½ cup panko
  Swaps for panko

  Instead of breadcrumbs

  • Panko and dry breadcrumbs: The same amount, either way. Panko is lighter and crunchier; fine crumbs make a denser, more even coating and a firmer binder.
  • Crushed crackers or cornflakes: The same amount. Crackers are saltier (cut other salt); cornflakes are extra crunchy and slightly sweet.
  • Rolled or quick oats: The same amount. A moist, tender binder; they don't crisp like crumbs.

  All 4 swaps for breadcrumbs

• ⅓ cup whole milk
  Swaps for whole milk

  Instead of milk

  • Unsweetened soy milk: The same amount. The closest plant milk for baking: its protein helps things brown and set.
  • Unsweetened oat milk: The same amount. Creamy and mild with a hint of sweetness.
  • Unsweetened almond milk: The same amount. Thinner and less rich, so cakes are a little paler and drier.

  All 5 swaps for milk

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 large egg
  Swaps for egg

  Instead of eggs

  • Flax egg: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Binds well but gives less lift, so bakes are a little denser and flatter, with a mild nutty taste and brown flecks.
  • Chia egg: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 3 tbsp water for each egg. Works like a flax egg: good binding, little lift, slightly denser crumb.
  • Unsweetened applesauce: ¼ cup for each egg. Moister and denser, with a soft, slightly gummy crumb if you swap more than one egg.

  All 5 swaps for eggs

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• ½ small onion, finely grated
  Swaps for onion

  Instead of onion

  • Another onion: The same amount. Yellow is the all-rounder; white is sharper and crisper; red is milder raw and adds color; sweet onions are mildest.
  • Shallots: The same amount, chopped. Milder and sweeter, with a hint of garlic.
  • Leeks: About 1½ times as much, white and light green parts. Milder and softer when cooked.

  All 4 swaps for onion

• ¼ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  Swaps for ground nutmeg

  Instead of nutmeg

  • Ground mace: A little less. Made from the same fruit; slightly sharper.
  • Pumpkin pie spice or allspice: The same amount. Warmer and more cinnamon-forward.

  More for nutmeg

• 1 tsp kosher salt
  Swaps for kosher salt

  Instead of salt

  • Table salt or fine sea salt: About half as much as Diamond Crystal kosher, about ¾ as much as Morton kosher. The same saltiness when measured this way.
  • Salt by weight: 1 tsp is about 6 grams of table salt, 5 grams of Morton kosher, 3 grams of Diamond Crystal kosher. The most reliable way to swap, especially in baking and brines.

  More for salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 12 oz ground beef, 85% lean
  Swaps for ground beef

  Instead of ground beef

  • Ground turkey or chicken: The same weight. Leaner and milder; burgers and meatballs are a bit drier.
  • Ground pork: The same weight. Richer and slightly sweet.
  • Plant-based ground: The same weight. Close in tacos and sauces; cooks faster.

  All 4 swaps for ground beef

  Cook ground beef and pork to 160°F (71°C) and ground turkey or chicken to 165°F (74°C).

• 8 oz ground pork
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  Swaps for vegetable oil

  Instead of vegetable oil

  • Another neutral oil: The same amount. No difference.
  • Melted butter: The same amount. Richer, buttery flavor; cakes are a little less moist and firmer once cool.
  • Light olive oil: The same amount. "Light" olive oil tastes mild.

  All 4 swaps for vegetable oil

• Gravy
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  Swaps for unsalted butter

  Instead of butter

  • Salted butter: The same amount, with about ¼ tsp less salt per stick (½ cup) elsewhere in the recipe. Nothing noticeable once you cut the salt.
  • Plant-based butter sticks: The same amount. The closest swap.
  • Refined coconut oil: The same amount: solid when the butter is soft or cold, melted when it is melted. It is all fat, so bakes are a bit more tender and rich, with no butter flavor.

  All 4 swaps for butter

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  Swaps for all-purpose flour

  Instead of all-purpose flour

  • Gluten-free 1:1 baking flour: The same amount, a blend that includes xanthan gum. A little grittier and more crumbly, browns faster and dries out sooner.
  • Bread flour: The same amount. More gluten: chewier cookies and bread, tougher cakes.
  • Whole wheat flour: Up to half of the flour. Nuttier, darker and denser.

  All 4 swaps for all-purpose flour

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 2 cups beef broth
  Swaps for beef broth

  Instead of broth

  • Vegetable broth: The same amount. Lighter and slightly sweeter.
  • Chicken broth: The same amount. Richer and more savory; not vegetarian.
  • Bouillon cube, powder or paste + water: Follow the label for the amount of liquid. Close in flavor; a little saltier.

  All 4 swaps for broth

• ½ cup heavy cream
  Swaps for heavy cream

  Instead of heavy cream

  • Half-and-half: The same amount. Thinner and less rich.
  • Milk + melted butter: ¾ cup whole milk + ¼ cup melted butter for each cup. Close in richness for cooking and baking, but it won't whip.
  • Full-fat coconut milk: The same amount. Rich and silky with a coconut taste.

  All 4 swaps for heavy cream

  Cooking for an allergy? Check every label.

• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
  Swaps for worcestershire sauce

  Instead of Worcestershire sauce

  • Soy sauce + vinegar: 1 tbsp soy sauce + ¼ tsp vinegar + a pinch of sugar for each 1 tbsp. Savory and tangy, less complex.
  • Vegan Worcestershire: The same amount. Very close, with no anchovies.

  More for Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tsp dijon mustard
  Swaps for dijon mustard

  Instead of mustard

  • Another prepared mustard: The same amount. Yellow is milder and more vinegary; Dijon is sharper; whole-grain adds texture; spicy brown is in between.
  • Dry mustard: 1 tsp dry mustard + 1 tsp water + 1 tsp white wine vinegar for each 1 tbsp. Sharper and less smooth.

  More for mustard

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped

Missing something? Tap Swaps next to an ingredient, or see all substitutions.

Cook to 160°F inside (check with a thermometer).