This pantry staple is famous for thickening sauces and stews without changing the flavor. It's an essential ingredient you should always have on hand. But if or when you don't have any cornstarch (it's bound to happen) refer to this guide for the best cornstarch substitutes to use in a pinch.
What Is Cornstarch and What Is It Used For?
Cornstarch is made from the endosperm found at the center of a corn kernel. The starches inside the endosperm are removed, rinsed, dried, and then milled into a fine powder, leaving us with cornstarch as we know it. It's not to be confused with corn flour, which is made from whole kernels.
This chalky, white powder can be used in many ways, making it an absolute must-have in the kitchen and beyond. Most commonly, however, it's used as a thickener in sauces, stews, and custards. It makes a great thickening agent because it's made up of a long chain of starch molecules that unravel and swell when heated in the presence of moisture.
5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
If cornstarch is well-loved in your kitchen, you're bound to run out from time to time. Here are five of the best cornstarch substitutes for all your thickening needs.
1. All-Purpose Flour
Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. Although it won't produce the same glossy shine as cornstarch, it'll get the job done in a pinch. All-purpose flour contains about half the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to substitute two tablespoons of all-purpose flour.
2. Arrowroot Powder
If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. But one caveat about arrowroot — it doesn't hold or reheat well, so it's best to use this option when you'll be serving your dish immediately. Substitute one tablespoon of arrowroot powder for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
3. Potato Starch
Like arrowroot, this starch is a strong thickener, but it doesn't last long after cooking, so you'll want to eat whatever you're cooking as soon as possible. Potato starch also has the same thickening power as cornstarch, so you don't have to change the measurement. Substitute one tablespoon of potato starch for one tablespoon of cornstarch.
4. Rice Flour
Like all-purpose flour, rice flour has half the thickening power of cornstarch, so you're going to want to use two tablespoons of rice flour for every one tablespoon of cornstarch called for. It's also colorless when added to recipes, making it great for use in clear liquids.
5. Tapioca Starch
Tapioca is a flavorless ingredient that is extracted from cassava, a root vegetable found throughout South America. It doesn't have quite the thickening power of cornstarch, so for every tablespoon of cornstarch required, you'll need to use two tablespoons of tapioca starch. You'll want to avoid boiling tapioca starch as this can cause the thickened liquid to become stringy.
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FAQs
Glucomannan
It's a far more powerful thickening agent by amount, so use about half the amount of glucomannan as you would cornstarch. About one teaspoon to every cup of liquid is a common suggestion. Since glucomannan tends to clump in high heat, mix it with cold water before adding it to your dish.
What can I use instead of cornstarch for baking? ›
Which one you use depends on the recipe, your needs, and what pantry staples you have on hand.
- Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
- Rice Flour. ...
- All-Purpose Flour. ...
- Tapioca Flour. ...
- Arrowroot Powder. ...
- Xanthan Gum.
Glucomannan
It's a far more powerful thickening agent by amount, so use about half the amount of glucomannan as you would cornstarch. About one teaspoon to every cup of liquid is a common suggestion. Since glucomannan tends to clump in high heat, mix it with cold water before adding it to your dish.
What is a good substitute for cornstarch for tenderizing meat? ›
You can also use tapioca starch if you have it handy. Just be sure to use 2 tablespoons flour or tapioca starch for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in the recipe.
What is a substitute for cornstarch in pie filling? ›
All-purpose flour is an easy substitute for cornstarch; in fact you may see recipes for thickening pie fillings or soups with either. You'll need 2 tablespoons of flour for every 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a recipe.
What ingredient below can be an alternative for cornstarch? ›
Other Cornstarch Substitutes
Ground flaxseeds, glucomannan, psyllium husk, xanthan gum and guar gum are also substitutes for cornstarch, and you may come across mentions of them.
What does cornstarch do when baking? ›
Create Delicious Baked Goods
Cornstarch not only acts as a thickening agent, but it can also be used in baked goods like cookies, brownies and cakes. If you're searching for more structure in your favorite dessert recipe, then cornstarch might be just the ingredient you need!
What is the healthiest thickening agent? ›
Easy-to-access alternatives are wheat flour, arrowroot flour, and rice flour. These are good alternatives to cornstarch because they are more nutritious and contain fewer carbohydrates and calories. Xanthan and guar gum are much stronger thickeners than cornstarch, but they can be harder to obtain and use.
Which starch has the greatest thickening ability? ›
Potato starch is the most potent of the bunch, with long starch molecules that quickly tangle with each other and thicken a liquid.
How do you thicken a mixture without cornstarch? ›
Flour Slurry
Combine equal parts of flour and cold water in a cup. Mix it until it's smooth and stir it into the sauce. Bring the sauce to a simmer for 5 minutes. A general rule is use 2 tsp (3 grams) of flour to thicken 1 L (34 fl oz) of liquid.
In Chinese cooking, proteins like beef, pork or chicken are velveted first before stir-frying them. There are several ways to velvet, but at its most basic level, it involves marinating meat with at least one ingredient that will make it alkaline. This is what tenderizes the meat, especially cheaper, tougher cuts.
What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›
Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.
How to make beef tender like Chinese restaurants? ›
📺 Watch how to make it
- Place the steak strips in a bowl.
- Sprinkle over 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and rub it into the meat with your hands.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Rinse the beef in cold water to remove the bicarb.
- Pat dry with paper towels and use as per your recipe.
5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
- All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
- Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
- Potato Starch. ...
- Rice Flour. ...
- Tapioca Starch.
Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.
Does cornstarch expire? ›
Good news: Cornstarch is one of those baking staples that can last for years and doesn't really expire. If cornstarch does go bad, it's usually because moisture or pests have been able to get to it—and you'll notice it immediately. It may have an off taste or flavor (think sour or "funky"), or an off color.
Can I use baking soda instead of cornstarch? ›
Can You Use Baking Soda and Starch Interchangeably? Though slightly similar in appearance, these are one of those ingredients you cannot replace with the other. They function differently and cannot do what the other does.
What's the difference between cornstarch and flour? ›
Flour is the main ingredient in baked goods, for example, while cornstarch is rarely on the ingredient list for cookies and cakes, except in certain shortbread recipes. This is because cornstarch is composed only of starch, while all-purpose flour contains starch, fiber, and protein.
How to thicken sauce without cornstarch or flour? ›
You could substitute arrowroot powder for cornstarch. You could also reduce the sauce or temper an egg yolk and add it to the sauce. Grated cheese works if you are thickening a cream or milk-based sauce. I've used sour cream and plain yoghurt as well.
