Vegetable glycerin sounds all fancy. But really, it’s an organic byproduct of all kinds of things. Commonly used as a sweetener, in cosmetics, or made into soup, vegetable glycerin is versatile.
When it comes to cooking with vegetable glycerin, it’s not alone. There are also animal glycerides that can come from pigs, cows, and more. So if you don’t have vegetable glycerin, there are direct substitutes. You don’t necessarily need glycerin at all, either.
Instead of using vegetable glycerin, you can use other types of glycerine, corn syrup, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or butter. These can all replace vegetable glycerin, and are almost all more commonly found in the kitchen.
Try one of these recommended substitutes and see if you find a new go-to.
Because it’s formed in the same way, animal glycerine works just as well as vegetable glycerine. The flavor will be a little different, but not in a very noticeable way.
The species of animal doesn’t matter. The consistency will be almost exactly the same, so choose whichever you have or prefer.
Measurement
Go ahead and use the same amount of animal glycerine as you would vegetable glycerine. 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerine = 1 teaspoon of animal glycerine.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup has a lighter flavor than vegetable glycerine. Use corn syrup if you want a dish that’s not super strong. What’s nice about corn syrup is that it’s lower in calories that vegetable glycerine. A substitute for glycerine and guilt!
Use the same amount of corn syrup as you would vegetable glycerine. 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine = 1 teaspoon corn syrup.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is a great choice if you’re looking to stay vegan. With no animal products and plenty of moisture, vegetable oil is a good choice.
Pick vegetable oil if you want your dish to be moist. Watch out for a few extra calories, though. If you’re fresh out of oil, you can even replace that.
Measurement
Use a 1:1 ratio for replacement. 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine = 1 teaspoon vegetable oil.
Coconut Oil
There’s a superfood on this list! Coconut oil has numerous health benefits, and gives a great flavor. Use coconut oil whenever you want to avoid dryness, and give your food a natural delicious flavor.
Coconut oil is included in vegetable glycerine so it’s basically a simplified version.
Measurement
Use a 1:1 ratio for replacement. 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine = 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Butter
Classic is a good pick here. With a similar fatty makeup to vegetable glycerin, grab a stick from your fridge instead. The flavor profile differs, but it will work.
Measurement
Use a 1:1 ratio for replacement. 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine = 1 teaspoon butter
Conclusion
Just because an ingredient sounds weird doesn’t make it difficult. If you can’t nail down some vegetable glycerine, use one of these. This list is full of easy ingredients that you almost definitely have in your fridge, pantry, or cupboard in your kitchen.
Have fun with your delicious, oily indulgent food!
