🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Paleo Gravy Substitutes: Complete Guide

Find the best paleo-friendly gravy substitutes for ancestral eating. Learn about arrowroot, tapioca starch, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.

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Quick Answer

The best paleo gravy substitutes are arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), tapioca starch (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or pureed vegetables (1/2 cup = 2 tbsp flour). Arrowroot provides the most similar thickening power.

Best Substitutes

Arrowroot Powder

1 tbsp arrowroot = 2 tbsp flour

Arrowroot powder is the best paleo gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucepaleo cookingmost 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

1 tbsp tapioca = 2 tbsp flour

Tapioca starch is an excellent paleo gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucepaleo cookingmost 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

1/2 cup pureed vegetables = 2 tbsp flour

Pureed vegetables are a good paleo gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor to gravy.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want nutritionpaleo cookingenhanced flavor

Puree cooked vegetables and add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. This adds nutrition and flavor to paleo gravy.

Coconut Flour

1/4 cup coconut flour = 2 tbsp flour

Coconut flour is a good paleo gravy substitute. It provides thickening power and creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored sauce without grains.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want coconut flavorpaleo cookingsweet 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

1:1

Almond flour is a good paleo gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without grains.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want similar texturepaleo cookingnutty 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.

Chia Seeds

1 tbsp chia = 2 tbsp flour

Chia seeds are a good paleo gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and create a smooth sauce with added nutrition.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want nutritionpaleo cookingsmooth texture

Mix chia seeds with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. They provide thickening power and added nutrition for paleo cooking.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡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 coconut flavor and sweetness
  • 💡Almond flour adds a slight nutty flavor
  • 💡Chia seeds add nutrition and thickening power
  • 💡Store paleo thickeners in a cool, dry place

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best paleo gravy substitute?

Arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour) is the best paleo gravy substitute. Tapioca starch (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour) is also excellent, while pureed vegetables (1/2 cup = 2 tbsp flour) add nutrition and flavor.

Can I use arrowroot instead of flour in gravy?

Yes, arrowroot powder is an excellent paleo 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 grain-free.

Can I use tapioca starch instead of flour in gravy?

Yes, tapioca starch is an excellent paleo 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 paleo gravy substitutes?

Paleo gravy substitutes are necessary for paleo diets. They provide similar thickening power without grains and are suitable for ancestral eating patterns.

Can I make gravy without flour or cornstarch on paleo?

Yes, you can make gravy without flour or cornstarch on paleo by using paleo-friendly thickeners like arrowroot, tapioca starch, or pureed vegetables. These provide thickening power without grains.

Summary

Find the best paleo-friendly gravy substitutes for ancestral eating. Learn about arrowroot, tapioca starch, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.