Out of Masa harina, one case
Masa harina substitutes, in depth
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Cornmeal + lime
1 cup cornmeal + 1 tbsp lime juice
The best masa harina substitutes are Cornmeal + Lime (1:1 + 1 tbsp lime), Corn Flour (1:1), Polenta (1:1), Cornstarch + Cornmeal (1:1), and All-Purpose Flour (1:1). Choose based on your specific recipe needs.
- Best for —
- tortillas
One casethe full masa harina card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of masa harina | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cornmeal + limetortillas | 1 cup cornmeal + 1 tbsp lime juice | No verdict on record |
| 2 | Corn flourtortillas | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Polentatortillas | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 4 | Cornstarch + cornmealthickening | ½ cup cornstarch + ½ cup cornmeal | No verdict on record |
| 5 | All-purpose flourbaking | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 6 | Corn gritstortillas | Same amount | No verdict on record |
| 7 | Rice flourgluten-free baking | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 8 | Almond flour + cornstarchketo baking | 3 parts almond flour to 1 part cornstarchTweak it | Tweak it |
Cornmeal + lime
most similar · similar texture
Recreates the nixtamalized corn flavor by adding lime to cornmeal. This is the closest substitute to masa harina.
- Best for
- tortillas, tamales, authentic Mexican dishes, when you want authentic flavor
Mix cornmeal with lime juice and let sit 30 minutes before using. This mimics the nixtamalization process.
Corn flour
different taste, similar texture
Similar texture but different flavor. Made from ground corn without lime treatment.
- Best for
- tortillas, tamales, baking, when you want similar texture
Use the same amount as masa harina. Will have different flavor but similar texture.
Polenta
different taste, slightly coarser texture
Coarse cornmeal with similar texture. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- tortillas, tamales, baking, general cooking
Use the same amount as masa harina. May need slightly more liquid.
Cornstarch + cornmeal
different taste, finer texture
Fine texture alternative that mimics masa harina's consistency.
- Best for
- thickening, fine texture needs, baking
Mix cornstarch with cornmeal for fine texture. Good for thickening applications.
All-purpose flour
different taste and texture
Different flavor but similar texture. Works as a basic substitute.
- Best for
- baking, when you need a substitute, general cooking
Use the same amount as masa harina. Will have different flavor and texture.
Corn grits
different taste, coarser texture
Coarse ground corn, similar to cornmeal. Good substitute for most applications.
- Best for
- tortillas, tamales, baking, general cooking
Use the same amount as masa harina. May need slightly more liquid.
Rice flour
different taste and texture
Different flour with different properties. Good for gluten-free needs.
- Best for
- gluten-free baking, when you need gluten-free option
Use the same amount as masa harina. Will have different flavor and texture.
Almond flour + cornstarch
different taste, similar texture
Keto-friendly substitute that mimics masa harina texture. Good for low-carb diets.
- Best for
- keto baking, low-carb recipes, gluten-free
Mix 3 parts almond flour with 1 part cornstarch. Adjust based on recipe needs.
How it behaves in this recipe
Masa harina is made from nixtamalized corn (corn treated with lime), which gives it a unique flavor and texture. The recommended substitutes work because they offer similar properties - whether it's the corn flavor, the texture for tortillas and tamales, or the thickening properties for soups and chili.
Tips for substituting masa harina
10 tips- For tortillas: Use cornmeal + lime for most authentic flavor and texture
- For tamales: Use corn flour or polenta for best results
- For chili: Use cornstarch + cornmeal mixture for thickening
- For soup: Use corn flour or cornstarch for thickening
- For pupusas: Use cornmeal + lime for authentic Salvadoran flavor
- For baking: Use corn flour for similar texture
- For thickening: Use cornstarch + cornmeal mixture
- For gluten-free: Use rice flour or almond flour + cornstarch
- For keto: Use almond flour + cornstarch mixture
- For authentic Mexican dishes: Cornmeal + lime is your best bet
Notes on masa harina
- For tortillas: Use cornmeal + lime for authentic flavor
- For tamales: Use corn flour or polenta for best texture
- For chili thickening: Use cornstarch + cornmeal mixture
- For soup thickening: Use corn flour or cornstarch
- For pupusas: Use cornmeal + lime for authentic Salvadoran flavor
- For baking: Use corn flour for similar texture
- For gluten-free needs: Use rice flour or almond flour + cornstarch
- For keto diets: Use almond flour + cornstarch mixture
Questions
8 questionsWhat's the best substitute for masa harina in tortillas?
Cornmeal + lime is the best substitute for tortillas. Mix 1 cup cornmeal with 1 tbsp lime juice and let sit 30 minutes before using.
Can I substitute cornmeal for masa harina?
Yes, but add lime juice to recreate the nixtamalized flavor. Mix 1 cup cornmeal with 1 tbsp lime juice and let sit 30 minutes.
What's the best masa harina substitute for chili?
Use a mixture of cornstarch and cornmeal (1:1) for thickening chili. This provides similar thickening properties.
Can I use corn flour instead of masa harina?
Yes, corn flour can substitute for masa harina in a 1:1 ratio. It has similar texture but different flavor.
What's the difference between masa harina and cornmeal?
Masa harina is made from nixtamalized corn (treated with lime), while cornmeal is just ground dried corn. Masa harina has a unique flavor from the lime treatment.
Can I substitute masa harina for cornmeal?
Yes, masa harina can substitute for cornmeal in a 1:1 ratio. It has a different flavor but similar texture.
What's a good substitute for masa harina in soup?
Use corn flour or a mixture of cornstarch and cornmeal for thickening soup. Both work well for this purpose.
Can I make masa harina at home?
Yes, but it's a complex process involving soaking corn in lime water. It's easier to buy masa harina from a store or use cornmeal + lime as a substitute.