🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Flour Substitutes for Gravy: Complete Guide

Find the best flour substitutes for thickening gravy. Learn about cornstarch, arrowroot, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.

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Quick Answer

The best flour substitutes for gravy are cornstarch (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or tapioca starch (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour). Cornstarch provides the most similar thickening power.

Best Substitutes

Cornstarch

1 tbsp cornstarch = 2 tbsp flour

Cornstarch is the best flour substitute for gravy. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want clear saucegluten-free cooking

Mix cornstarch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Cornstarch provides 2x the thickening power of flour.

Arrowroot Powder

1 tbsp arrowroot = 2 tbsp flour

Arrowroot powder is an excellent flour substitute for gravy. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want clear saucegluten-free cooking

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

1 tbsp tapioca = 2 tbsp flour

Tapioca starch is a good flour substitute for gravy. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want clear saucegluten-free cooking

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.

Potato Starch

1 tbsp potato starch = 2 tbsp flour

Potato starch is a good flour substitute for gravy. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want clear saucegluten-free cooking

Mix potato starch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Potato starch provides 2x the thickening power of flour.

Xanthan Gum

1/4 tsp xanthan = 2 tbsp flour

Xanthan gum is a powerful flour substitute for gravy. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a smooth, stable sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want smooth texturegluten-free cooking

Add xanthan gum gradually to hot liquid while whisking. It provides 8x the thickening power of flour, so use sparingly.

Rice Flour

1:1

Rice flour is a good flour substitute for gravy. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly cloudy sauce.

Best for:

graviessauceswhen you want similar texturegluten-free cooking

Rice flour provides similar thickening power to wheat flour. Add gradually to hot liquid while whisking to avoid lumps.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Cornstarch provides the most similar thickening power to flour
  • 💡Mix starch substitutes with cold water first to avoid lumps
  • 💡Add thickeners gradually to hot liquid while whisking
  • 💡Simmer until thickened to desired consistency
  • 💡Starch substitutes create clearer sauces than flour
  • 💡Xanthan gum is very powerful, so use sparingly
  • 💡Store starch substitutes in a cool, dry place

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find the best flour substitutes for thickening gravy. Learn about cornstarch, arrowroot, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.