Out of Gravy, one case
Calorie-free gravy substitute
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Broth + cornstarch
1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch
The best calorie-free gravy substitutes are broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch), arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or pureed vegetables (½ cup = 2 tbsp flour). Broth provides the most authentic flavor without calories.
- Verdict —
- Works
- Best for —
- gravies
One casethe full gravy card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of gravy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 |
Broth + cornstarch
similar taste and texture
Broth with cornstarch is the best calorie-free gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want authentic flavor, calorie-free cooking, most applications
Use any type of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) 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 a good calorie-free gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, calorie-free 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 calorie-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, calorie-free 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 vegetables are a good calorie-free gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want nutrition, calorie-free cooking, enhanced flavor
Puree cooked vegetables and add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. This adds nutrition and flavor to calorie-free gravy.
Coconut flour
coconut · similar texture
Coconut flour is a good calorie-free gravy substitute. It provides thickening power and creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored sauce without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want coconut flavor, calorie-free 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 calorie-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without added calories.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want similar texture, calorie-free 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
Calorie-free gravy substitutes provide similar thickening power to flour without added calories. The key is using natural 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- Broth provides the most authentic calorie-free gravy flavor
- Arrowroot powder provides the most similar thickening power to flour
- Tapioca starch creates clear, glossy gravy
- Pureed vegetables add nutrition and flavor
- Coconut flour adds natural sweetness and coconut flavor
- Almond flour adds a slight nutty flavor
- Store calorie-free thickeners in a cool, dry place
Notes on gravy
- For a completely different approach, try using other calorie-free thickeners like psyllium husk or chia seeds
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different calorie-free thickeners for layered texture
- For natural options, consider using pureed vegetables or nut butters
Questions
7 questionsWhat's the best calorie-free gravy substitute?
Broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch) is the best calorie-free 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 calorie-free gravy?
Yes, arrowroot powder is an excellent calorie-free 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 calorie-free 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 naturally calorie-free.
Can I use tapioca starch instead of flour in calorie-free gravy?
Yes, tapioca starch is an excellent calorie-free 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 calorie-free gravy substitutes?
Calorie-free gravy substitutes are necessary for people following low-calorie diets, those managing weight, or anyone wanting to reduce calorie intake. They provide similar thickening power without added calories.
Can I make gravy without flour or cornstarch for calorie-free cooking?
Yes, you can make gravy without flour or cornstarch for calorie-free cooking by using calorie-free thickeners like arrowroot, tapioca starch, or pureed vegetables. These provide thickening power without added calories.