By Introduction
When you’re in the middle of cooking and realize you don’t have any cornstarch, it can be a bit of a panic. But fear not — there are plenty of other ingredients that can be used as substitutes for cornstarch. In this blog post, we will cover the best cornstarch substitutes so that you can keep on cooking without interruption. From alternative flours to common pantry staples, learn more about what can be used as a replacement for cornstarch and why they work better in some instances.
Popular Cornstarch Substitutes
There are many substitutes for cornstarch, depending on what you need it for. If you are looking for a thickener for sauces or soups, arrowroot powder or tapioca flour are good substitutes. If you need a filler for baked goods, potato starch or rice flour are good choices. And if you want a gluten-free option, xanthan gum is a good substitute.
1. All Purpose Flour
There are numerous types of flour available on the market, and each one has its own unique properties that make it better suited for certain tasks. All-purpose flour is the most versatile of all the flours and can be used for a wide variety of cooking and baking tasks.
All-purpose flour is milled from a blend of hard and soft wheat, which gives it a moderate protein content. The protein in all-purpose flour helps to give structure to baked goods, but too much protein can make them tough. That’s why all-purpose flour is often combined with other types of flour when baking.
The gluten content in all-purpose flour also varies depending on the type of wheat used. Breads made with all-purpose flour will be less crusty than those made with bread flour, which has a higher gluten content. All-purpose flour can also be used to make cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies.
So if you’re looking for a versatile flour that can be used for a variety of tasks, all-purpose flour is the way to go. Just remember to adjust your recipes accordingly if you’re using a different type of flour.
2. Xanthan Gum
Xanthan gum is a popular food additive that is used as a thickener or emulsifier. It is derived from Xanthomonas campestris, a bacteria that is found on cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables. Xanthan gum has a variety of uses, including in baking, as a thickener for soups and sauces, and as an emulsifier in salad dressings. It is also used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
3. Arrowroot Powder
Arrowroot powder is a popular cornstarch substitute because it is gluten-free and has a neutral flavor. It is also very versatile and can be used in many different recipes.
Arrowroot powder can be used to thicken sauces, soups, and stews. It can also be used as a binding agent in baking recipes. Arrowroot powder is a great alternative to cornstarch for people who are on a gluten-free diet.
4. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are a great cornstarch substitute because they are high in fiber and have a neutral flavor. You can use them to thicken sauces, soups, and stews or as a coating for chicken or fish. To use chia seeds as a cornstarch substitute, simply add them to the liquid you’re cooking with and stir until they’re evenly distributed.
5. Sorghum Flour
If you’re out of cornstarch and need a thickener for a recipe, you may be able to substitute sorghum flour. Sorghum flour is made from grinding the whole grain of sorghum, and it can be used in much the same way as cornstarch. It’s a good choice for recipes that will be baked or fried, as it has a high heat tolerance. When substituting sorghum flour for cornstarch, use about half as much by weight. So, if your recipe calls for 1 tablespoon (8 grams) of cornstarch, you would use 1/2 tablespoon (4 grams) of sorghum flour.
6. Guar Gum
Guar gum is a powdery substance made from the guar bean. It’s often used as a food thickener or stabilizer, and it can be found in everything from ice cream to salad dressings. Guar gum is relatively high in fiber, which means it can help to regulate digestion. Additionally, guar gum has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
7. Rice Flour
Rice flour is a fine, powdery flour made from milled rice. It’s most commonly used in Asian cuisine for making things like noodles, dumplings, and pastries. Rice flour is also gluten-free, making it a good option for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities.
When shopping for rice flour, you’ll likely see two different types: white rice flour and brown rice flour. White rice flour is made from milled white rice and has a very fine texture. Brown rice flour is made from milled brown rice and has a slightly coarser texture.
8. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca starch, also known as tapioca flour, is a starchy white flour made from the cassava root. It’s a popular ingredient in gluten-free and grain-free baking, as well as in dishes like boba tea and bubble tea.
Tapioca starch is similar to cornstarch in terms of texture and function. It can be used as a thickener for sauces, gravies, and puddings. It’s also great for dusting surfaces (like counters or cutting boards) to prevent sticking.
One key difference between tapioca starch and cornstarch is that tapioca starch is completely flavorless. This makes it ideal for use in sweet dishes, where you don’t want the flour to interfere with the taste of the final product.
Another difference is that tapioca starch is more resistant to high temperatures than cornstarch. This means it won’t break down and thicken prematurely when exposed to heat, making it a good choice for recipes that require long cooking times (like soup or stew).
9. Almond Flour
Almond flour is a gluten-free alternative to wheat flour that can be used in a variety of recipes. It is made from ground almonds, which are a good source of protein and fiber. Almond flour can be used to make cakes, cookies, breads, and other baked goods. It can also be used as a coating for chicken or fish.
10. Mashed Veggies/Legumes
If you’re looking for a cornstarch substitute for your mashed veggies or legumes, there are plenty of options to choose from. From flour to arrowroot powder, there are plenty of substitutes that will work just as well as cornstarch. Here are 10 of the best substitutes for cornstarch in mashed veggies and legumes:
1. Flour: All-purpose flour is the most common type of flour used in baking and cooking. It’s also a great substitute for cornstarch in mashed veggies or legumes. Simply add a few tablespoons of flour to your mashed veggies or legumes to thicken them up.
2. Arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is another good substitute for cornstarch. Simply add a few tablespoons of arrowroot powder to your mashed veggies or legumes and stir until combined.
3. Potato starch: Potato starch is another great substitute for cornstarch. Simply add a few tablespoons of potato starch to your mashed veggies or legumes and stir until combined.
4. Tapioca starch: Tapioca starch is another good substitute for cornstarch. Simply add a few tablespoons of tapioca starch to your mashed veggies or legumes and stir until combined.
5. Rice flour: Rice flour is another good substitute for cornstarch. Simply add a few tablespoons of rice flour to your mashed veggies or legumes and stir until combined.
11. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are an excellent alternative to cornstarch. Not only are they a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids, but they also have a high fiber content. This makes them great for thickening soups and sauces without adding any calories. Additionally, flaxseeds can be used as a replacement for eggs in baking recipes. Simply grind the seeds into a powder and use as you would cornstarch.
12. Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk is a type of soluble fiber derived from the psyllium plant. Psyllium husk is often used as a dietary supplement or as a laxative. When used as a dietary supplement, psyllium husk is often taken with water or juice. When used as a laxative, psyllium husk is usually taken with water.
Psyllium husk can also be used as a thickener or binding agent in recipes. When used in this way, it is generally added to wet ingredients and then cooked or baked. Psyllium husk will thicken and bind together ingredients such as flour, cornstarch, and arrowroot powder.
Psyllium husk is an effective cornstarch substitute because it has similar thickening properties. However,psyllium husk does not have the same glossy finish that cornstarch provides. Additionally,psyllium husk will add more fiber to your recipe than cornstarch.
13. Glucomannan Powder
Glucomannan powder is a water-soluble dietary fiber derived from the konjac root. It’s often used as a thickener or gelling agent in food, but can also be used as a cornstarch substitute.
When using glucomannan powder as a thickener, it’s important to first dissolve the powder in water before adding it to your dish. This will help prevent lumps from forming. You’ll also need to use less glucomannan than you would cornstarch, as it is more potent. Start with 1 teaspoon of glucomannan per cup of liquid, and adjust as needed.
As a general rule, glucomannan powder works best in cold or room-temperature dishes. It can be used in hot dishes, but won’t thicken as well once heated. If you’re looking to thicken up a hot soup or sauce, try whisking in some arrowroot starch instead.
14. Potato Starch
Potato starch, also known as potato flour, is a white powdery substance similar to cornstarch. It’s often used in gluten-free and grain-free baking as a way to add structure and thickness without the use of wheat or other grains.
While potato starch is technically a carbohydrate, it has a lower glycemic index than other starches like cornstarch and wheat flour. This means that it won’t cause such a spike in blood sugar levels when consumed. Additionally, potato starch is high in fiber and resistant starch, both of which are beneficial for gut health.
When substituting potato starch for cornstarch, you will need to use about twice as much since it is not as thickening. Additionally, be sure to whisk it well into whatever liquid you’re using so there are no clumps. Potato starch can be added to soups, sauces, stews, gravies, pie fillings, and more.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you find the best substitute for cornstarch. Now, you will never have to worry about not having cornstarch on hand when you need it! Regardless of what kind of recipe you are making or which food item needs to be thickened, there is a great alternative ingredient out there that can do the job perfectly. By familiarizing yourself with these alternatives and learning how to use them effectively, your recipes will always turn out delicious and perfect every time.
