Out of Gravy, one case
Paleo gravy substitutes
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Arrowroot powder
1 tbsp arrowroot for every 2 tbsp flour
The best paleo gravy substitutes are arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), tapioca starch (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour), or pureed vegetables (½ cup = 2 tbsp flour). Arrowroot provides the most similar thickening power.
- Best for —
- gravies
One casethe full gravy card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of gravy |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrowroot powdergravies | 1 tbsp arrowroot per 2 tbsp flour |
| 2 | Tapioca starchgravies | 1 tbsp tapioca per 2 tbsp flour |
| 3 | Pureed vegetablesgravies | ½ cup pureed vegetables per 2 tbsp flourWorks |
| 4 | Coconut flourgravies | ¼ cup coconut flour = 2 tbsp flour |
| 5 | Almond flourgravies | Same amount |
| 6 | Chia seedsgravies | 1 tbsp chia per 2 tbsp flour |
Arrowroot powder
neutral taste, clear texture
Arrowroot powder is the best paleo gravy substitute. It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, paleo 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 an excellent paleo gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want clear sauce, paleo 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 paleo gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor to gravy.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want nutrition, paleo cooking, enhanced flavor
Puree cooked vegetables and add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. This adds nutrition and flavor to paleo gravy.
Coconut flour
coconut · similar texture
Coconut flour is a good paleo gravy substitute. It provides thickening power and creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored sauce without grains.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want coconut flavor, paleo 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 paleo gravy substitute. It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without grains.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want similar texture, paleo 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.
Chia seeds
neutral taste, smooth texture
Chia seeds are a good paleo gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and create a smooth sauce with added nutrition.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want nutrition, paleo cooking, smooth texture
Mix chia seeds with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. They provide thickening power and added nutrition for paleo cooking.
How it behaves in this recipe
Paleo gravy substitutes provide similar thickening power to flour without grains. The key is using grain-free 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- 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
Notes on gravy
- For a completely different approach, try using other paleo thickeners like psyllium husk or konjac flour
- In some applications, you could use a combination of different paleo thickeners for layered texture
- For natural options, consider using pureed vegetables or nut butters
Questions
7 questionsWhat'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 (½ 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.