Planbee is an ingredient substitution guide for home cooks. Each swap page lists a ratio, which cooking methods it works for, and how flavor and texture are likely to change.
How we score a swap
Fit scores combine three checks: structure (does it still bind, cream, or thicken?), heat (does it survive the cooking method?), and flavor (how far does the taste shift?). The badge on a swap page is that combined score, not a guarantee the dish will taste identical.
Where the data comes from
- Nutrition. Macros are drawn from USDA FoodData Central, shown per 100g so two ingredients can be compared on the same basis.
- Ratios and method notes. Written for kitchen use: default ratios, when to skip a method, and what crumb or texture to expect. They are cooking guidance, not lab assays.
- Flavor compounds. We are not publishing aroma compound lists until each food is matched to the right compounds. A shared flavor-chemistry dataset (FlavorGraph) informs research behind the catalog, but we will not show compound FAQs that repeat the same pair across unrelated foods.
Keeping the catalog current
We ship the swaps we have verified today. Substitute pairs are updated regularly. Ingredient profiles without swaps stay in the catalog for browsing and are not listed in search until they have at least one documented substitute.
Allergen and health notes
Planbee does not replace recipe testing or professional advice. Always check labels and the allergen disclaimer before cooking for someone with allergies.
Contact
Questions about the data or the site can be sent to info@getplanbee.app.