If you’re out of baking soda for cooking, like in a marinade or meat tenderizer, try club soda instead. It’s carbonated, so it adds some lift and tenderness. Or use vinegar in small amounts—it helps break down proteins, just don’t turn your dinner into a salad dressing.
And I know you’ve probably used baking soda for cleaning a burnt pot or deodorizing your fridge. That’s a whole different crisis, right? For scrubbing, grab some salt with a little dish soap. It’s abrasive enough to tackle stuck-on gunk without the fizz.
To absorb odors, try activated charcoal if you have it, or just leave a bowl of white vinegar in the fridge. Your fridge will smell like a pickle for a day, but trust me, it works.
What Can I Use Instead Of Baking Soda For Baking at Nicole Haycraft blog
The Wildcards: Yeast and Egg Whites
If you’re making bread or pizza dough, you can actually use active dry yeast as a leavening agent. It’s not a direct swap—you’ll need to proof it in warm water with a pinch of sugar. But it gives you that beautiful, chewy texture that baking soda can’t mimic anyway.
For delicate cakes, whipped egg whites are a classic alternative. Beat them until stiff peaks form, then fold them gently into your batter. They add air and volume without any chemical reaction. Just be careful: overmix, and you’ll deflate all that hard work.
Let’s be real: whipping egg whites is a bit of an arm workout. But when you see that cake rise in the oven, you’ll feel like a total rockstar.
