🍯 Sauces & Condiments

Sugar-Free Gravy Substitutes: Complete Guide

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

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Quick Answer

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

Best Substitutes

Broth + Cornstarch

1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch

Broth with cornstarch is the best sugar-free gravy substitute. It provides similar flavor and texture without added sugar.

Best for:

gravieswhen you want authentic flavorsugar-free cookingmost 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

1 tbsp arrowroot = 2 tbsp flour

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

Best for:

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

Best for:

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

Best for:

gravieswhen you want nutritionsugar-free cookingenhanced flavor

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

Coconut Flour

1/4 cup coconut flour = 2 tbsp flour

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

Best for:

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

Best for:

gravieswhen you want similar texturesugar-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

  • 💡Broth provides the most authentic sugar-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 sugar-free thickeners in a cool, dry place

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best sugar-free gravy substitute?

Broth + cornstarch (1 cup broth + 2 tbsp cornstarch) is the best sugar-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 sugar-free gravy?

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

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

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

Sugar-free gravy substitutes are necessary for people with diabetes, those following low-sugar diets, or anyone wanting to reduce sugar intake. They provide similar thickening power without added sugar.

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

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

Summary

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