Out of Gravy, one case
Whole30 gravy substitutes
6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Arrowroot powder
1 tbsp arrowroot for every 2 tbsp flour
The best Whole30 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 Whole30 gravy substitute. 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
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 Whole30 gravy substitute. 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
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 Whole30 gravy substitute. 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.
Coconut flour
coconut · similar texture
Coconut flour is a good Whole30 gravy substitute. 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
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 Whole30 gravy substitute. 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
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 Whole30 gravy substitute. They provide thickening power and create a smooth sauce with added nutrition.
- Best for
- gravies, when you want nutrition, Whole30 cooking, smooth texture
Mix chia seeds with cold water first, then add to hot liquid. They provide thickening power and added nutrition for Whole30 cooking.
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 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 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
7 questionsWhat'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 (½ 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.