SubstitutionOriginal
replace wheat flour with cornstarch, arrowroot, or white rice flour using a smaller amount — start with 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot for every 2 tablespoons wheat flour
- When
- recipe uses wheat flour as a thickener for sauces, gravies, soups, or stews
- Compensation
- cornstarch creates a clear, glossy finish while arrowroot gives a more neutral, less glossy result; white rice flour is the closest 1:1 replacement by volume
- Caution
- cornstarch-thickened sauces become thinner when reheated or over-stirred; arrowroot is more stable under acidic conditions but less stable with dairy; mix the thickener with cold water first to prevent lumps
