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Whole30 Gravy Substitutes

Use this

Arrowroot Powder

Use 2 tbsp flour for every 1 tbsp arrowroot

Best for gravies

The best Whole30 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.

At a glance

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Gravy substitutes compared
#	Substitute	Instead of gravy, use	Result
1	Arrowroot Powder	2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp arrowroot
2	Tapioca Starch	2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp tapioca
3	Pureed Vegetables	2 tbsp flour per ½ cup pureed vegetables	Close match
4	Coconut Flour	2 tbsp flour per ¼ cup coconut flour
5	Almond Flour	Same amount
6	Chia Seeds	2 tbsp flour per 1 tbsp chia

Every gravy substitute

Ranked, with the exact amount and what changes

1. Arrowroot Powder
Use 2 tbsp flour for every 1 tbsp arrowroot
Arrowroot powder is the best Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
It provides excellent thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains or additives.
Best for
gravies, when you want clear sauce, Whole30 cooking, most applications
Taste
neutral
Texture
clear
Mix arrowroot with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened and clear. Arrowroot provides 2x the thickening power of flour.
2. Tapioca Starch
Use 2 tbsp flour for every 1 tbsp tapioca
Tapioca starch is an excellent Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
It provides similar thickening power and creates a clear, glossy sauce without grains or additives.
Best for
gravies, when you want clear sauce, Whole30 cooking, most applications
Taste
neutral
Texture
clear
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.
3. Pureed Vegetables
Close match
Use 2 tbsp flour for every ½ cup pureed vegetables
Pureed vegetables are a good Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
They provide thickening power and add nutrition and flavor to gravy.
Best for
gravies, when you want nutrition, Whole30 cooking, enhanced flavor
Puree cooked vegetables and add to hot liquid. Simmer until thickened. This adds nutrition and flavor to Whole30 gravy.
4. Coconut Flour
Use 2 tbsp flour for every ¼ cup coconut flour
Coconut flour is a good Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
It provides thickening power and creates a slightly sweet, coconut-flavored sauce without grains or additives.
Best for
gravies, when you want coconut flavor, Whole30 cooking, sweet taste
Taste
coconut
Texture
similar
Coconut flour provides 4x the thickening power of wheat flour. Add gradually to hot liquid while whisking. It adds a slight coconut flavor.
5. Almond Flour
Use the same amount
Almond flour is a good Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
It provides similar thickening power and creates a slightly nutty, creamy sauce without grains or additives.
Best for
gravies, when you want similar texture, Whole30 cooking, nutty flavor
Taste
nutty
Texture
similar
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.
6. Chia Seeds
Use 2 tbsp flour for every 1 tbsp chia
Chia seeds are a good Whole30 gravy substitute.
What changes
They provide thickening power and create a smooth sauce with added nutrition.
Best for
gravies, when you want nutrition, Whole30 cooking, smooth texture
Taste
neutral
Texture
smooth
Mix chia seeds with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. They provide thickening power and added nutrition for Whole30 cooking.

This page covers one situation. For the full ranked comparison, see all 6 gravy substitutes.

How it behaves in this recipe

Whole30 gravy substitutes provide similar thickening power to flour without grains, dairy, or additives. The key is using clean, whole-food 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

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 Whole30 thickeners in a cool, dry place

Notes on gravy

For a completely different approach, try using other Whole30 thickeners like psyllium husk or konjac flour
In some applications, you could use a combination of different Whole30 thickeners for layered texture
For natural options, consider using pureed vegetables or nut butters

Questions

What's the best Whole30 gravy substitute?

Arrowroot powder (1 tbsp = 2 tbsp flour) is the best Whole30 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 Whole30 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 Whole30 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 Whole30 gravy substitutes?

Whole30 gravy substitutes are necessary for Whole30 diets. They provide similar thickening power without grains, dairy, or additives and are suitable for clean eating.

Can I make gravy without flour or cornstarch on Whole30?

Yes, you can make gravy without flour or cornstarch on Whole30 by using Whole30-friendly thickeners like arrowroot, tapioca starch, or pureed vegetables. These provide thickening power without grains or additives.

More gravy substitutes

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Gravy substitutes Browse all ingredients

At a glance

Every gravy substitute

1. Arrowroot Powder

2. Tapioca Starch

3. Pureed Vegetables

4. Coconut Flour

5. Almond Flour

6. Chia Seeds