Food Coloring Substitutes: Natural Options for Every Color

Need a substitute for food coloring? You can use ingredients such as beet powder, turmeric, matcha, and cocoa to add color to frosting, drinks, and other recipes. The best choice depends on the color you want and what you’re making.

Natural options usually produce softer shades than bottled food coloring. They can also change a recipe’s flavor or texture, so start with a small amount and test the color before adding more.

What Can I Use Instead of Red Food Coloring or Red 40?

• Beet powder is a good place to start for pink or reddish frosting. It adds color without adding much liquid.
• Beet juice can work when a little extra liquid won’t affect the recipe, but it may thin frosting if you use too much.
• For a berry-colored treat, try crushed or strained raspberries or strawberries. They’ll add fruit flavor along with the color.
• If you need a bright, consistent red for a decorated cake, a food coloring made from plant sources may be easier to work with than juice or purée.

There’s no exact one-for-one swap for Red 40. Your result will depend on the ingredient, how much you use, and whether the recipe is baked.

“Natural” doesn’t automatically mean an ingredient will work for every person or every recipe.

If you’re avoiding a particular ingredient because of a suspected reaction, check labels carefully and speak with your child’s healthcare professional about your concerns. The FDA notes that some children may be sensitive to certain color additives. 

Food Coloring Substitutes by Color

Color you want	Ingredients to try	Good to know
Pink or red	Beet powder, beet juice, raspberries, strawberries	Berries add flavor; juice adds liquid.
Orange	Carrot juice, pumpkin purée, a small amount of paprika	Pumpkin purée affects texture; paprika has a savory flavor.
Yellow	Turmeric or saffron	Start small, especially with turmeric, which can affect flavor.
Green	Matcha, spinach purée, or parsley juice	Matcha adds flavor; purées and juices add moisture.
Blue	Butterfly pea flower tea or a food coloring made from spirulina	Check the finished color in your recipe before making a large batch.
Purple	Purple sweet potato or blueberry purée	The shade may change when mixed with other ingredients.
Brown	Cocoa powder or coffee	Both add flavor as well as color.

How to Use Natural Food Coloring in Frosting

• For buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting, try a powder first if you have one. Add a small amount, mix thoroughly, and check the color before adding more. Powders are easier to work into frosting without making it runny.
• If you’re using juice or fruit purée, add it a little at a time. You may need to adjust the frosting to get the consistency you want. Keep in mind that fruit will change the flavor, too.

Will Natural Food Coloring Work in Cake Batter?

It can, but expect some trial and error. A color that looks strong in the mixing bowl may look different after baking. Juice and purée also add liquid to the batter, which can change the texture if you add a lot.

If the color is central to the cake’s appearance, test a small batch first. For a casual family bake, a softer shade may be all you need.

Tips Before You Start

• Pick the ingredient for the recipe. Powder is often easier in frosting; juice may be easier to mix into a drink.
• Add a little at a time. You can deepen the color, but you can’t easily take it back out.
• Expect some flavor. Cocoa, matcha, turmeric, and berries all bring their own taste.
• Test baked recipes first. Heat and other ingredients can change the finished shade.

If you’re exploring alternatives because of concerns about food dyes, you can also read what happened when our family started paying attention to them.