What can I substitute for stevia?
Running low on stevia? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About stevia
Stevia is a natural, plant-derived sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, a South American herb. It is 200–400 times sweeter than cane sugar and contains virtually no calories, making it popular in low-sugar and diabetic-friendly cooking. Its distinctive clean sweetness can carry a slight liquorice-like or bitter aftertaste, particularly at high concentrations.
Best substitute
erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol with a clean sweetness and very low calorie count, making it the closest low-calorie substitute to stevia. It measures more like sugar than stevia does, so it works well in baked goods that need bulk.
Use 1 tsp for every ¼ tsp stevia (powdered) — adjust to taste as sweetness varies by brand
bakingbeveragesdessertsNot suitable for: caramelising
Alternative
monk fruit sweetener
Monk fruit sweetener is another zero-calorie natural sweetener with a similarly intense sweetness and a very clean flavour profile, often considered to have less aftertaste than stevia. It can be swapped in a near 1:1 ratio when using concentrated powdered forms.
Use ¼ tsp for every ¼ tsp stevia (powdered) — taste and adjust as potency varies by brand
bakingbeveragessaucesdessertsNot suitable for: caramelising
Alternative
xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that closely mimics the sweetness and bulk of regular sugar, making it a practical low-GI substitute for stevia in recipes requiring structure. It is toxic to dogs so care should be taken with storage.
What is stevia called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | stevia |
| Canada | stevia |
| New Zealand | stevia |
| United Kingdom | stevia |
| United States | stevia |
Common names for stevia
stevia rebaudianasweet leafsugar leafsteviol glycosiderebiana