🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sodium-Free Gravy Substitutes: Complete Guide

Find the best sodium-free gravy substitutes for low-sodium and heart-healthy cooking. Learn about low-sodium broths, natural thickeners, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.

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Quick Answer

The best sodium-free gravy substitutes are low-sodium broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch), arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or pureed vegetables (1/2 cup = 2 tbsp flour). Low-sodium broth provides the most authentic flavor without sodium.

Best Substitutes

Low-Sodium Broth + Cornstarch

1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch

Low-sodium broth with cornstarch is the best sodium-free gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without added sodium.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want authentic flavorsodium-free cookingmost applications

Use low-sodium broth and thicken with cornstarch. Mix cornstarch with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. Add herbs and spices for flavor.

Arrowroot Powder

1 tbsp arrowroot = 2 tbsp flour

Arrowroot powder is a good sodium-free gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without added sodium.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucesodium-free 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 a good sodium-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without added sodium.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want clear saucesodium-free 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 sodium-free gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor without added sodium.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want nutritionsodium-free cookingenhanced flavor

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

Coconut Flour

1/4 cup coconut flour = 2 tbsp flour

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

Best for:

gravieswhen you want coconut flavorsodium-free 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 sodium-free gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without added sodium.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want similar texturesodium-free 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.

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Use low-sodium broth for authentic flavor without sodium
  • 💡Add herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt
  • 💡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

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best sodium-free gravy substitute?

Low-sodium broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch) is the best sodium-free gravy substitute. Arrowroot powder (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 sodium-free gravy?

Yes, arrowroot powder is an excellent sodium-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 sodium-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 sodium-free.

Can I use tapioca starch instead of flour in sodium-free gravy?

Yes, tapioca starch is an excellent sodium-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 sodium-free gravy substitutes?

Sodium-free gravy substitutes are necessary for people with high blood pressure, heart conditions, or those following low-sodium diets. They provide similar thickening power without added sodium.

Can I make gravy without flour or cornstarch for sodium-free cooking?

Yes, you can make gravy without flour or cornstarch for sodium-free cooking by using sodium-free thickeners like arrowroot, tapioca starch, or pureed vegetables. These provide thickening power without added sodium.

Summary

Find the best sodium-free gravy substitutes for low-sodium and heart-healthy cooking. Learn about low-sodium broths, natural thickeners, and other alternatives with proper ratios and tips.