Out of Gravy, one case
Allergy-friendly gravy substitute
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Safe broth + cornstarch
1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch
The best allergy-friendly gravy substitutes are safe broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch), arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or pureed vegetables (½ cup = 2 tbsp flour). Safe broth provides the most authentic flavor.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- gravies
One casethe full gravy card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of gravy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Safe broth + cornstarchgravies | 1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarchWorks |
| 2 | Arrowroot powdergravies | 1 tbsp arrowroot per 2 tbsp flour |
| 3 | Tapioca starchgravies | 1 tbsp tapioca per 2 tbsp flour |
| 4 | Pureed vegetablesgravies | ½ cup pureed vegetables per 2 tbsp flourWorks |
| 5 | Coconut flourgravies | ¼ cup coconut flour = 2 tbsp flour |
| 6 | Almond flourgravies | Same amount |
Safe broth + cornstarch
similar taste and texture
Safe broth with cornstarch is the best allergy-friendly gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without common allergens.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want authentic flavor, allergy-friendly cooking, most applications
Use broth that's safe for your specific allergies and thicken with cornstarch. Mix cornstarch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened.
Arrowroot powder
neutral taste, clear texture
Arrowroot powder is an excellent allergy-friendly gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without common allergens.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, allergy-friendly cooking, most applications
Mix arrowroot with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Arrowroot provides 2x the thickening power of flour.
Tapioca starch
neutral taste, clear texture
Tapioca starch is a good allergy-friendly gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without common allergens.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, allergy-friendly cooking, most applications
Mix tapioca starch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Tapioca provides 2x the thickening power of flour.
Pureed vegetables
enhanced taste, similar texture
Pureed safe vegetables are a good allergy-friendly gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor to gravy.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want nutrition, allergy-friendly cooking, enhanced flavor
Puree cooked safe vegetables and add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. This adds nutrition and flavor to allergy-friendly gravy.
Coconut flour
coconut · similar texture
Coconut flour is a good allergy-friendly gravy substitute. It provides thickening power and creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored sauce without common allergens.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want coconut flavor, allergy-friendly cooking, sweet taste
Coconut flour provides 4x the thickening power of wheat flour. Add gradually to hot liquid while whisking. It adds a slight coconut flavor.
Almond flour
nutty · similar texture
Almond flour is a good allergy-friendly gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without common allergens.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want similar texture, allergy-friendly cooking, nutty flavor
Almond flour provides similar thickening power to wheat flour. Add gradually to hot liquid while whisking to avoid lumps. It adds a slight nutty flavor.
How it behaves in this recipe
Allergy-friendly gravy substitutes provide similar thickening power to flour without common allergens. The key is using safe thickeners that provide proper texture and consistency. When substituting, consider whether you want similar texture (almond flour), clear texture (arrowroot), or nutrition (pureed vegetables).
Tips for substituting gravy
7 tips- Use broth that's safe for your specific allergies
- Arrowroot powder provides the most similar thickening power to flour
- Tapioca starch creates clear, glossy gravy
- Pureed safe vegetables add nutrition and flavor
- Coconut flour adds coconut flavor and sweetness
- Almond flour adds a slight nutty flavor
- Always check ingredient labels for allergens
Notes on gravy
- For a completely different approach, try using other allergy-friendly thickeners like psyllium husk or konjac flour
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different allergy-friendly thickeners for layered texture
- For natural options, consider using pureed safe vegetables or nut butters
Questions
7 questionsWhat's the best allergy-friendly gravy substitute?
Safe broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch) is the best allergy-friendly gravy substitute. Arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour) is also excellent, while pureed vegetables (½ cup = 2 tbsp flour) add nutrition and flavor.
Can I use arrowroot instead of flour in gravy?
Yes, arrowroot powder is an excellent allergy-friendly substitute for flour in gravy. Use 1 tablespoon arrowroot for every 2 tablespoons flour. Mix with cold water first, then add to hot liquid.
How much arrowroot equals 2 tablespoons flour?
Use 1 tablespoon arrowroot for every 2 tablespoons flour. Arrowroot provides 2x the thickening power of flour, so you need half the amount.
What's the difference between flour and arrowroot in gravy?
Flour creates a cloudy, opaque gravy, while arrowroot creates a clear, glossy gravy. Arrowroot also provides 2x the thickening power of flour and is free from common allergens.
Can I use tapioca starch instead of flour in gravy?
Yes, tapioca starch is an excellent allergy-friendly substitute for flour in gravy. Use 1 tablespoon tapioca for every 2 tablespoons flour. Mix with cold water first, then add to hot liquid.
Why use allergy-friendly gravy substitutes?
Allergy-friendly gravy substitutes are necessary for people with food allergies. They provide similar thickening power without common allergens that can cause allergic reactions.
Can I make gravy without flour or cornstarch with allergies?
Yes, you can make gravy without flour or cornstarch with allergies by using allergy-friendly thickeners like arrowroot, tapioca starch, or pureed vegetables. These provide thickening power without common allergens.