What Can I Substitute for Turbinado Sugar? Complete Guide to Alternatives

If you’ve ever found yourself midway through a recipe that calls for turbinado sugar only to discover you’re out, you’re not alone. Whether you’re in the middle of baking, searching for more affordable options, or looking to buy turbinado sugar in bulk for future use, knowing what can substitute for it can be a real lifesaver.

Turbinado sugar, with its distinctive large crystals and subtle caramel flavor, has become a popular ingredient in many recipes. But when you need an alternative, this guide will help you find the perfect substitute without compromising your recipe’s taste or texture.

What Is Turbinado Sugar?

Turbinado sugar is a partially refined sugar made from sugar cane that retains about 3.5% of its natural molasses. This gives it its characteristic golden-brown color and subtle caramel flavor. It has large, dry crystals (unlike moist brown sugar) and is less processed than white sugar.

Often marketed as “raw sugar” (though not truly raw by FDA standards), turbinado sugar typically costs 2-3 times more than white sugar. The name “turbinado” comes from the turbine used during processing to spin off surface molasses while maintaining some inside the crystals. You’ll commonly find it in grocery stores or in single-serve packets at coffee shops.

Best Substitutes for Turbinado Sugar

When you need a replacement for turbinado sugar, these alternatives offer similar properties and can be used in various recipes with excellent results.

Light Brown Sugar

Light brown sugar is the most convenient and readily available substitute for turbinado sugar, with both containing about 3.5% molasses and sharing a similar flavor profile. Like other brown sugars, it adds moisture and a rich taste to baked goods. It can be used as a 1:1 direct substitute in virtually any recipe, though its smaller crystals and higher moisture content may make mixtures slightly wetter. While it won’t provide the same crunch for toppings, it still delivers excellent flavor.

White Sugar + Molasses Blend

A mixture of 1 cup granulated white sugar and 1 tablespoon molasses creates a substitute with a similar flavor profile to turbinado sugar.Thoroughly mixing the two ensures even incorporation, and using coarser sugar crystals, if available, can better mimic turbinado’s signature crunch. This DIY approach is a great option when you have basic pantry staples on hand but no specialty sugars.

Demerara Sugar

Demerara sugar is the closest substitute for turbinado, with a 1:1 replacement ratio and similarly large crystals. Like turbinado, it is a minimally processed cane sugar that retains some of its natural molasses. It works well for toppings where crunch is important, such as on baked goods, hot cereals, and beverages. For a closer flavor match, you can add about ¼ teaspoon of molasses per cup, though many find the difference subtle enough to use demerara as-is.

Muscovado Sugar

Muscovado sugar is a 1:1 substitute for turbinado but contains 8-10% molasses, giving it a richer, more complex flavor. It’s ideal for recipes where deep molasses notes are desirable, such as gingerbread, BBQ sauces, and chocolate desserts. Due to its higher moisture content, you may need to adjust other liquids or dry ingredients to maintain the proper consistency in your recipe.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is a 1:1 substitute for turbinado, offering a less refined option with similar caramel notes and a lower glycemic index, making it ideal for health-conscious baking. While it blends well into batters and doughs, its smaller crystals won’t provide the same satisfying crunch as turbinado when used as a topping on baked goods.

Sucanat

Sucanat (Sugar Cane Natural) is a 1:1 substitute for turbinado but is even less processed, retaining all of its natural molasses. This makes it ideal for natural baking applications where minimal processing is preferred. Expect a stronger molasses flavor and a slightly different texture in your final product—qualities that work especially well in heartier baked goods like oatmeal cookies and whole grain muffins.

Maple Sugar

Maple sugar, made from dehydrated pure maple syrup, offers a distinctive woodsy-sweet flavor that works beautifully as a turbinado substitute. It shines in recipes where its maple notes enhance other ingredients, such as oatmeal cookies, banana bread, or dishes featuring nuts and warming spices. Since maple sugar is more concentrated in sweetness, use about ⅔ cup for every 1 cup of turbinado.

Raw Honey or Maple Syrup

Raw honey and maple syrup are excellent liquid substitutes for turbinado sugar, especially in recipes with significant moisture, such as quick breads, muffins, and certain cakes. Since they add liquid to the mixture, use ¾ cup of honey or maple syrup for every 1 cup of turbinado and reduce other liquids in the recipe by about 3 tablespoons to maintain the proper consistency.

Substitution Guide by Recipe Type

Different recipes may require different turbinado sugar substitutes based on the role sugar plays in the dish. Here’s how to choose the best alternative based on your recipe:

Baking Applications

• Cookies and Bars: Light brown sugar and a white sugar + molasses blend work best. Moisture content affects cookie spread, and turbinado’s large crystals dissolve slowly, impacting texture. For sugar cookies with turbinado sprinkled on top, demerara is the best substitute to maintain crunch.
• Cakes and Quick Breads: Light brown sugar and muscovado sugar blend well into batters and help retain moisture. Ensure the substitute is fully dissolved to prevent uneven sweetness.
• Yeast Breads: Light brown sugar and white sugar are ideal. Yeast feeds on sugar, but flavor differences between sugar types become minimal during fermentation.

Beverage Applications

• Hot Drinks (Coffee, Tea): Demerara sugar and coconut sugar are the best substitutes. Choose options that dissolve well in hot liquids while maintaining similar flavor notes. To prevent clumping, pre-dissolve muscovado sugar before adding it to beverages.
• Cold Drinks: Simple syrup made from light brown sugar works best, as granulated sugars dissolve poorly in cold liquids. To make simple syrup, heat equal parts sugar and water until dissolved, then cool before using.

Toppings and Garnishes

For sprinkling on muffins, scones, and pies, demerara sugar and coarse white sugar are the best substitutes, as crystal size is key to achieving the signature crunch. Avoid using brown sugar for toppings, as its moisture content prevents it from creating the desired crisp texture.

Savory Applications

For meat rubs, glazes, and sauces, muscovado sugar and dark brown sugar are the best substitutes, as their deeper molasses notes complement savory dishes. These substitutes caramelize beautifully, making them ideal for barbecue sauces and glazes.

Special Dietary Considerations

When substituting turbinado sugar, you may also need to consider specific dietary requirements. Here are some considerations for different dietary needs:

While all sugars affect blood glucose levels, some alternatives have a lower glycemic index (GI):

• Coconut Sugar: With a GI of around 35 (compared to turbinado’s 65), coconut sugar causes a less dramatic spike in blood sugar.
• Yacon Syrup: Contains fructooligosaccharides that aren’t fully digested, resulting in a much lower impact on blood sugar.

Remember, even lower-GI alternatives should be consumed in moderation by individuals with diabetes, and it’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before making sweetener choices.

Expert Tips for Successful Substitution

Professional bakers and chefs have learned through experience how to substitute turbinado sugar effectively. Here are their insider tips for the best results:

From Professional Bakers

• Test before committing: When developing a new recipe, test a small batch with your substitute before making a full recipe.
• Texture matters: For recipes where turbinado sugar provides a signature crunch (like cookie toppings), focus on crystal size in your substitute.
• Dissolving technique: If using muscovado or other moist brown sugars, break up any clumps before measuring for accurate amounts.

Common Substitution Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring moisture differences: Brown sugar contains more moisture than turbinado, which can affect the texture of your final product.
• Overlooking dissolving time: Turbinado’s larger crystals dissolve more slowly than finer sugars, which can be important in certain recipes.
• Focusing only on sweetness: When substituting, consider not just sweetness level but also flavor notes, crystal size, and moisture content.

Recipe Adjustments

• When using moister substitutes like muscovado, you may need to reduce other liquids slightly or increase dry ingredients.
• For drier substitutes or those with smaller crystals, you might need to adjust mixing time to ensure proper incorporation.
• If using liquid substitutes like honey or maple syrup, reduce other liquids by about 3-4 tablespoons per cup and consider lowering your oven temperature by 25°F to prevent over-browning.

Conclusion

When you find yourself without turbinado sugar, several excellent substitutions are available. Light brown sugar matches the flavor profile, while demerara provides similar crystal texture. For dietary considerations, options like coconut sugar or a simple homemade blend of white sugar and molasses work well. Choose based on your recipe’s specific needs—whether you’re looking for caramel notes, crunchy texture, or proper structure in baked goods.

Ready to explore premium sweeteners for your culinary creations? US Sweeteners offers high-quality turbinado sugar and other alternatives. Contact us today at (718) 854-8714 for a personalized quote or to discuss how our sweetener solutions can elevate your recipes.

FAQs

What is similar to turbinado sugar?

Demerara sugar is most similar to turbinado sugar in terms of crystal size and appearance, while light brown sugar offers the closest match in molasses content and flavor profile. Many specialty sugars like muscovado and sucanat also share turbinado’s less refined nature, though they typically contain different amounts of molasses.

Can you replace turbinado sugar with brown sugar?

Yes, you can replace turbinado sugar with light brown sugar using a 1:1 ratio, as both contain approximately 3.5% molasses, though brown sugar has smaller crystals and more moisture. This substitution works particularly well in recipes where the sugar is incorporated into batters and doughs rather than used as a crunchy topping.

How is turbinado sugar different from regular sugar?

Turbinado sugar is a partially refined cane sugar with about 3.5% natural molasses, giving it a golden-brown color and caramel flavor. In contrast, white sugar is fully refined, with all molasses removed for a purely sweet taste. Turbinado is spun in a turbine to remove surface molasses while retaining some inside its larger crystals.

Can I use granulated sugar instead of turbinado sugar?

Yes, you can use granulated sugar instead of turbinado sugar in a 1:1 ratio, though you’ll lose the caramel notes and larger crystal texture; for a closer match, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of molasses. This substitution works well for most recipes, though the end result may lack some of the depth of flavor that turbinado sugar provides.