Quick Answer: What Substitutes To Use For Cooking Twine?

Contents show

Cooking twine is used to tie up ingredients and pieces of food together, such as when cooking. There are several different substitutes to use for cooking twine that are safe to use, and are also better for the environment. Some substitutes include thread, dental floss, dental string, fishing line, and string cheese.

If you’ve been cooking for as long as we have, you’ve probably also had this experience: you’re getting your ingredients out of the pantry to make a recipe you’re excited about, and you suddenly realize that the recipe calls for cooking twine.

The only problem is, you don’t have any!

For those of you who are in this position (which we assume you are if you’ve clicked on this article), don’t panic.

4 Easy Substitutes For Cooking Twine (That You Already Have)

Whether you need cooking twine to bundle herbs or truss poultry, there are some simple solutions to this problem.

Although many of the articles you’ll find online will recommend cooking twine substitutes that are even more difficult to find than cooking twine itself, we’ve come up with a list of easy substitutes for cooking twine that you most likely already have at home.

Read on to find out which substitutes for cooking twine in a pinch as well as the answers to some of your most common cooking twine-related questions.

The Easiest Cooking Twine Substitutes

1. Dental Floss

Need something to tie your ingredients together quickly and easily before you get cooking? Dental floss will do just fine.

The great thing about using dental floss instead of cooking twine is that there’s basically no difference in how you use it.

You literally tie it in the exact same way and it works just as well, so if you’re used to cooking with cooking twine, grabbing some dental floss from your bathroom is going to be the most intuitive substitute for you to work with.

With that being said, please remember not to use flavored dental floss when cooking.

It’s pretty common for dental floss to come with some kind of added mint flavoring, and the last thing you want is for your soup or roast dinner to leave a spearmint taste in everyone’s mouth.

You’ll also want to make sure that your dental floss isn’t waxed before you put it in the oven. Waxed dental floss is flammable, so baking it in the oven can be pretty disastrous.

Even if you’re fairly sure your dental floss isn’t waxed, it’s always worth looking at the label on the packaging to make doubly sure.

If the only dental floss you have at home is flavored or waxed, you’ll be better off trying one of the other substitutes on this list for safety reasons, even if they’re not as intuitive to use.

How To Substitute
Cooking twine is a staple in most kitchens. It is used for tying up ingredients and as a handle for pots and pans. If you are looking for an alternative to cooking twine, consider using dental floss. Dental floss is made from nylon and has a soft texture that is gentle on your hands. It is also a great alternative to the stiffer cooking twine.

2. Aluminum Foil

This one might not automatically spring to mind when you’re thinking about substitutes for cooking twine, but it’s actually one of the best and most accessible alternatives.

While aluminum foil isn’t a great substitute for cooking twine if you need to tie something up very tightly (for example, trussing a turkey), it can be used to roll up slices of ham, for example.

Basically, if you need to keep any lightweight ingredients rolled up in the oven throughout the cooking process, you’ll be safe using aluminum foil.

How To Substitute
The cooking twine substitute aluminum foil is an easy and quick way to cook without the need for pots and pans. It is made of aluminum, so it heats up quickly and is safe to use on all types of cookware.

3. Toothpicks

When you think about substitutes for cooking twine, you’re probably wracking your brains trying to come up with items you could use to tie your ingredients together.

However, you don’t actually need to do any tying at all to achieve the same result as cooking twine would.

One of our favorite substitutes for cooking twine is the humble toothpick.

This method works for just about anything you’d normally get the cooking twine to accomplish, from roasting meat to boiling herbs, and since toothpicks are a staple household item, you should be able to find a few to get the job done.

All you need to do is simply stick the toothpick(s) through whatever it is you need to keep in place during the cooking process. Obviously, this will be easier to do with some food items than others.

It’s easy enough to stick a turkey leg in place with a toothpick, but getting a wooden skewer through a bundle of herbs in a way that keeps the individual sprigs in place is much easier said than done.

Still, if you don’t have another option, it’s doable with enough precision.

Make sure to soak the toothpicks in water prior to putting them in the oven if you’re going to be baking.

This is really important because toothpicks are, of course, made of wood, so if you don’t soak them before you put them in the oven, they might catch fire.

This would obviously be less than optimal for your cooking but more importantly, it would be a serious safety hazard.

Another thing to bear in mind if you’re going to use toothpicks instead of cooking twine is that you’ll need to remove the toothpicks from the food before you serve it.

This might seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to forget.

If you don’t have any toothpicks but have some metal skewers in your kitchen (the kind you’d use for kebabs, for example), these will work just as well.

How To Substitute
Cooking twine substitutes toothpicks are an essential cooking tool that can be used to hold food together while cooking. Toothpicks are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be easily cut with scissors or a knife.

RELATED: What Can I Use Instead Of A Potato Ricer?

4. Nothing

Okay, we know this might not be the substitute suggestion you were looking for, but in many cases, it’s actually totally fine to follow a recipe without using anything in place of cooking twine.

The thing is, cooking twine is not a necessary part of cooking.

Sure, it can be helpful to truss up a turkey or a chicken while it’s in the oven to ensure all parts of the bird are evenly cooked, but there are alternatives to this such as tucking the tips of the wings under the body.

Similarly, you can add herbs to dishes without bundling them together – you’ll just need to be prepared to either leave the herbs in the dish or fish them out after cooking depending on what you’re cooking with.

If you’re used to cooking with cooking twine, going without can feel daunting and strange, but at the end of the day, it shouldn’t actually affect the quality of the finished product.

So, if you don’t have any cooking twine or any of the other substitutes on this list, consider going without just this once.

How To Substitute
In the event that none of the replacements in this guide are available to you, you’ll have to think outside the box. To prevent them from coming undone, place your food with the two ends underneath its weight.

5. Regular String

Regular String is a unique, biodegradable, non-woven natural fiber made from the cellulose of plants. The plant-based fibers are processed into a strong and versatile material that is strong.

Regular String is the perfect alternative to twine for the baker in your life. Made from 100% pure cotton, this string is soft, strong, and durable. It is perfect for kneading dough and any number of other baking tasks.

It is designed to hold up in high-heat situations, such as grilling, baking, and boiling. It is a versatile string that can be used for cooking, tying, or wrapping. It is available in both natural and black and will stay strong even when wet.

This product is more environmentally friendly and is reusable, making it a great alternative for people who want to avoid using plastic.

How To Substitute
You can substitute cooking twine for regular string. Simply cut your string into pieces the length you need and wrap them around your finger and then use the looped end to pull out the string. It works like a twine peeler.

6. Wood Sticks

Many people don’t know how to cook, or have never learned how to cook. There are many reasons for this, but most of the time it’s due to lack of time or money.

One of the best ways to teach someone how to cook is to use a tool that they already know. Using a tool like a cooking stick, you can make all sorts of things, from stir-fries to rice.

If you’re looking for a convenient, healthy alternative to cooking twine, try this product! This eco-friendly twine made of natural wood is durable, reusable, and is not made with any toxic chemicals.

The unique shape of the holder allows you to cook a variety of foods, while the handles make it easy to pick up and transfer your food to a serving dish.

How To Substitute
In an effort to avoid the use of plastic, people are looking for alternative products to use in their cooking. Substituting cooking twine with wood sticks is one way to do so. This is an eco-friendly product that uses a more natural product.

7. Baking Paper

A new take on the classic kitchen staple, these clever baking paper-wrapped sticks are a great alternative to traditional cooking twine. Made from paper, these long-lasting sticks are light and will not tear.

Baking paper can be used as a substitute for cooking twine, which is a great way to save on cooking costs and also stay environmentally friendly.

Also, the paper is a unique paper that will help you make perfect roasting and baking, braiding and tying. It is a great alternative to cooking twine.

How To Substitute
Baking paper is a thin paper made from wood pulp, cotton, and chemicals that is used in the kitchen to line baking sheets, pans, or other surfaces. It is often used as a substitute for cooking twine, because it is easier to use, less messy, and doesn’t create any waste.

8. Silicone Cooking Bands

You can use Silicone Cooking Bands to cook and serve your food with ease. These bands are made of flexible silicone and can be used to wrap around a variety of foods.

They are reusable, dishwasher safe, and free from any metal or plastic components.

The silicone is designed to be durable, flexible, and heat-resistant, so you can use them for multiple purposes. Silicone Cooking Bands are perfect for wrapping around meat, poultry, vegetables, and more.

You can get them in yellow, blue, green, orange, red, and purple. They are soft and pliable, so they don’t tear your vegetables like twine. You can also use them to tie up a roast or bake a cake.

How To Substitute
This is a simple product to substitute for cooking twine, which is often used in braising, slow cooking, and simmering. This can be done by first cutting the silicone bands into two-inch lengths and then tying the two pieces together to make a piece of twine.

Final Thoughts

If you don’t have any cooking twine, you can try using dental floss (as long as it’s unwaxed or unflavored), aluminum foil (for less heavy-duty tasks) or toothpicks that have been soaked to reduce flammability.

In case you don’t have any of these at home, you can always proceed with your recipe without tying or skewering anything together.

It’s totally possible and you may find it actually saves you time overall, so don’t panic if you can’t find an easy substitute for cooking twine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Regular Twine OK For Cooking?

It’s best to stick to cooking twine instead of regular twine when it comes to cooking.

That’s because cooking twine is made from natural cotton and doesn’t contain any added chemicals that might make it unsafe for cooking.

Can I Cook With Jute String?

Jute twine is made out of vegetable fibers, so you might think it would be fine for cooking, but because it sheds fibers so easily, it can catch fire, which makes it an unsafe choice for cooking.

Can I Use Sewing Thread For Cooking?

Sewing thread may seem like a natural substitute for cooking twine but please don’t use sewing thread for cooking.

Sewing thread is typically dyed, which means it might leak chemicals into your food, and it’s also flammable, so it’s not safe to put in the oven.

8 Easy Substitutes For Cooking Twine (That You Already Have)

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

minutes

Have you run out of cooking twine? Don’t worry, there are several substitutes you can use instead. Here are 4 easy substitutes for cooking twine.

Ingredients

Dental Floss
Aluminum Foil
Toothpicks
Nothing
Regular String
Wood Sticks
Baking Paper
Silicone Cooking Bands

Directions

Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

Author
Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!