This pantry staple is famous for thickening sauces and stews without changing the flavor. It's an essential ingredient you should always have on hand. But if or when you don't have any cornstarch (it's bound to happen) refer to this guide for the best cornstarch substitutes to use in a pinch.
What Is Cornstarch and What Is It Used For?
Cornstarch is made from the endosperm found at the center of a corn kernel. The starches inside the endosperm are removed, rinsed, dried, and then milled into a fine powder, leaving us with cornstarch as we know it. It's not to be confused with corn flour, which is made from whole kernels.
This chalky, white powder can be used in many ways, making it an absolute must-have in the kitchen and beyond. Most commonly, however, it's used as a thickener in sauces, stews, and custards. It makes a great thickening agent because it's made up of a long chain of starch molecules that unravel and swell when heated in the presence of moisture.
5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
If cornstarch is well-loved in your kitchen, you're bound to run out from time to time. Here are five of the best cornstarch substitutes for all your thickening needs.
1. All-Purpose Flour
Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. Although it won't produce the same glossy shine as cornstarch, it'll get the job done in a pinch. All-purpose flour contains about half the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to substitute two tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
2. Arrowroot Powder
If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. But one caveat about arrowroot — it doesn't hold or reheat well, so it's best to use this option when you'll be serving your dish immediately. Substitute one tablespoon of arrowroot powder for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. Potato Starch
Like arrowroot, this starch is a strong thickener, but it doesn't last long after cooking, so you'll want to eat whatever you're cooking as soon as possible. Potato starch also has the same thickening power as cornstarch, so you don't have to change the measurement. Substitute one tablespoon of potato starch for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
4. Rice Flour
Like all-purpose flour, rice flour has half the thickening power of cornstarch, so you're going to want to use two tablespoons of rice flour for every one tablespoon of cornstarch called for. It's also colorless when added to recipes, making it great for use in clear liquids.
5. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca is a flavorless ingredient that is extracted from cassava, a root vegetable found throughout South America. It doesn't have quite the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to use two tablespoons of tapioca starch. You'll want to avoid boiling tapioca starch as this can cause the thickened liquid to become stringy.
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FAQs
Other uses. Untie knots. Cornstarch may reduce friction between fibers, shoelaces, and ropes to help you untie knots. Polish silverware.
What is cornstarch good for besides cooking? ›
Other uses. Untie knots. Cornstarch may reduce friction between fibers, shoelaces, and ropes to help you untie knots. Polish silverware.
Can I substitute tapioca starch for cornstarch? ›
Tapioca starch is also a good substitute for cornstarch when you need to thicken a sauce after cooking. To substitute tapioca starch for cornstarch, use two tablespoons for every tablespoon of cornstarch.
Can baking powder replace cornstarch? ›
Now, going the other way is a no-go. Even though baking powder does contain cornstarch, it also includes other ingredients that can affect the taste of your dish. If you try using it as a thickener, you might end up with a slightly sour or bitter taste in your sauces or fillings.
What is the best thickener for diabetics? ›
Thick-It® Original Concentrated Food & Beverage Thickener
By reducing the amount of calories and carbohydrates to your food or drink, the Thick-It® Concentrated product is a good option for people with diabetes or who need to manage their weight.
How to thicken stock without flour? ›
How to thicken gravy with starch
- Corn starch – 1 teaspoon.
- Potato starch – 1.5 teaspoons.
- Tapioca starch – 1.5 teaspoons.
- Arrowroot starch – 1.5 teaspoons.
If you have diabetes or are following a low carb diet, you may want to consider moderating your intake of cornstarch. Ideally, stick to 1–2 tablespoons (8–16 grams) at a time and consider swapping in some other cornstarch substitutes, such as arrowroot, wheat flour, potato starch, and tapioca, whenever possible.
What is a good substitute for cornstarch for tenderizing meat? ›
You can also use tapioca starch if you have it handy. Just be sure to use 2 tablespoons flour or tapioca starch for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in the recipe.
What is a substitute for cornstarch in pie filling? ›
All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.
What is a low carb substitute for cornstarch? ›
Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories. Xanthan and guar gum are much stronger thickeners than cornstarch, but they can be harder to obtain and use.
Most likely in everyone's pantry, everyday wheat flour can make an excellent cornstarch substitute that most people will already have on hand.
Can cream of tartar replace cornstarch? ›
No. Cornstarch is a starch used for thickening, while cream of tartar is an acid used for leavening, stabilizing, and preventing crystallization. They play totally different roles in baking and are not considered substitutes for one another.
What ingredient below can be an alternative for cornstarch? ›
Other Cornstarch Substitutes
Ground flaxseeds, glucomannan, psyllium husk, xanthan gum and guar gum are also substitutes for cornstarch, and you may come across mentions of them.
Can you use potato instead of corn starch? ›
Then the answer is yes. Because both starches can be used similarly, they are interchangeable in most recipes. However, there are some exceptions. When using potato starch as a cornstarch substitute, it works best added to recipes that are not going to be cooked for elongated periods.
Can you substitute rice flour for cornstarch? ›
Rice flour isn't as strong of a thickener as cornstarch, but it works with good results. Use 2 tablespoons of rice flour or brown rice flour for every tablespoon of cornstarch the recipe calls for. Sprinkle the rice flour over the liquid. The liquid thickens immediately.
Can almond flour replace cornstarch? ›
Almond Flour – This low carb, gluten-free flour works for adding bulk when recipes call for cornstarch. Start with substituting 1 tablespoon of almond flour for every tablespoon of cornstarch.
